KUHL Freeflex Rollup Pant Review

by Outdoor Fam Fun | Mar 13, 2023 | Featured Posts, Gear, Hiking, Tips

KUHL Freeflex Rollup Pant Review

The KUHL FREEFLEX ROLL-UP pant is a versatile, light-weight and comfortable women’s hiking pant that is well-suited for the trail and everyday wear.

SIZING & FIT

Rating 4/5

The KUHL Freeflex Rollup Pant comes in waist sizes 0 to 16 and inseam sizes 30, 32, and 34. I love the versatility of the sizing options at Kuhl.

The sizes are very true to size. I usually wear a size 4 to 6 pant, weigh 125 lbs, and am 5’5”. I chose a size 6 with an inseam of 30 inches.

My only complaint about the fit of these pants is the waist height. I prefer higher rise waist pants because they keep my love handles and mom belly tucked in as much as possible. These pants sit lower around my waist, and I feel like they sag a bit at times because of that. Luckily, there is a drawstring that prevents actual sagging. If you do not mind lower rise pants, then these pants deserve a 5/5 for size and fit.

COMFORT

Rating 4/5

These women’s hiking pants are extremely comfortable, soft, flexible, and light weight. This is my favorite material out of any of pants that I hike in. They adapt to my every move. The material is 50% polyester and 50% new polyester. They remain comfortable and flexible even when I use leggings under them in colder weather.

My only complaint about the comfort is the low rise, which I explained in the sizing and fit section. I would wear these pants more often for day-to-day wear if they were a bit higher rise. I wonder if I had an inseam of 32 inches instead of 30 if would have helped with this.

DURABILITY

Rating 5/5

The KUHL Freeflex Rollup Pant are holding up great so far for me. A lot of my hiking consists of red rocks, along with climbing up whatever rock looks fun with my kids, which means I am consistently maneuvering over rough surfaces. Although breathable and thin feeling, these pants are proving themselves in durability as well. They also provide SPF 50+ protection and water resistance.

I tested the water resistance by letting almost a cup of water sit on the pants for 20 minutes. There wasn’t any moisture that leaked through until I scrunched the pants with my hand in a fist at the end of the trial.

POCKETS

Rating 4/5

There are six awesome pockets on the Kuhl Freeflex Rollup Pant. My kids are constantly asking me to hold their rocks they find on hikes so the many pockets help me carry them all.

The side and back pockets have a snap to keep items secure and are barely large enough to fit my Samsung Galaxy S22. Larger phones probably won’t fit which is the reason I ranked the pockets as a 4/5 instead of a 5/5.

There are also two front pockets without snaps that are medium depth.

COLOR

Rating 4/5

The Freeflex Roll-up Pant come in nine earthy colors, which is a good variety of colors to choose from. I have the antique gold pants. In the photos online the color looks mustard-like. However, I feel like they are more brown than yellow in real life, which was a little disappointing. However, I think that most outdoorsy people would like this color. Honestly, I feel like a park ranger when I wear them, which is fine, but I probably would prefer the Ganache or Rainstorm colors.

SEASON

Rating 5/5

Because these hiking pants are light, breathable, and loose they can be used for layering in cold temperatures and worn alone in the heat because of the option to roll the pants into capris. They are a great all season hiking pant.

Winter: We visited Moab, Utah on a cold weekend when the temperature was only 25 degrees. I wore some leggings under these pants and I was comfortable and warm the entire hike. Since the material is flexible and breathable, they worked great over a tight warm legging and added extra breathability that helped keep me warm and comfortable.

Summer: These pants are great in the summer because they are comfortable and breathable and keep the legs protected from the sun, bites, and brushing up against plants. You can also roll these up into a capri-style pant if you choose.

Fall/Spring: Great full-length hiking pant for spring and fall hiking. Waterproofing will keep you protected in the rain.

PROS vs. CONS

Pros

Super comfortable and flexible material
Light-weight and breathable
Water resistant
Lots of pockets
Can layer with leggings in colder weather
Can change to capri length in hot weather

Neutral

Lower-rise waist

Cons

Larger phones may not fit in pockets

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

My goal is to inspire you to get outside and create your own amazing memories as a family. Life is precious and there are too many adventures to be had to spend life on the couch or in front of a screen.

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Rocky Mouth Waterfall Hike: Sandy, Utah

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Rocky Mouth Waterfall Hike: Sandy, Utah

by Outdoor Fam Fun | Jun 17, 2021 | Hiking, Mountains, Utah, Water

Rocky Mouth Waterfall Hike: Sandy, Utah

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty: Very Easy EASY Moderate Hard Very Hard

KEY FEATURES

Hiking Distance: 0.8 miles round trip
Hiking Elevation Gain: 240 ft
Terrain: Wood steps, sidewalk, dirt and rock trail, wet rocks by the falls
Time Needed: 30 minutes to 1 hour
When to Go: Spring, Summer, Fall

COST

Free

AMENITIES

No bathrooms or water at trailhead. However, this hike is in Sandy, Utah where there are nearby gas stations and grocery stores.

THINGS TO BRING

Water
Snacks
Good walking/hiking sandals or shoes
DO NOT BRING DOGS – Not allowed here due to watershed

DETAILS

Rocky Mouth Waterfall hike is a short, heavily used trail. This is a great hike for people who don’t like to hike much, but still want to enjoy a beautiful and brief hike. It took us only 30 minutes, including the time we took to explore a little at the top. Since the waterfall is small and the trail is crowded, this is probably not the best for avid hikers.

The water level does fluctuate throughout the year and we visited the waterfall when the water volume was relatively low. I rated this as a 3 star hike for our family. I think we would have enjoyed this hike more if we would have visited when it was less crowded and when the water level was higher.

Trailhead

The trailhead is accessed from a small parking lot off of Wasatch Blvd in Sandy Utah. There is some street parking available, but watch signs for the allowed areas of street parking. Dogs are NOT allowed due to the watershed in the area.

The Hike

The trail begins right off the parking lot, is well marked and starts with a series of large wood steps. After the wood steps you will come to a neighborhood and sidewalk.

Follow the signs upward through the neighborhood about another 0.1 miles to a dirt/rock path and more wood stairs in between two fences.

After another 0.1 miles, you will come to a fork in the path where the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (BST) connects in. Do not follow BST, but take the trail upward to the left, which leads to the waterfall.

Rocky Mouth Waterfall

The waterfall is small, but really pretty. The area around the waterfall has several rock faces and boulders my kids enjoyed climbing on. The small stream coming from the waterfall is a fun place for kids to wade and play in if desired.

The waterfall area got more crowded after we got there, and social distancing guidelines were still in place from COVID-19, so we did not take the time to enjoy the area around the waterfall as much as we might have liked. Going back, the trail was a bit more crowded as well.

PROS & CONS

PROS

Easy for kids and non-hikers
Fun rocks for kids to climb on
Well shaded

CONS

Crowded
Waterfall is smaller than we expected
Have to walk through a neighborhood

NEUTRAL

Short

DIRECTIONS

Rocky Mouth Waterfall trailhead is on the east side of Sandy Utah on the east side of Wasatch Blvd and is located at 11248 Wasatch Blvd, Sandy, UT 84092. You can search the address or Rocky Mouth Waterfall Trailhead to get to the right location. DO NOT put Rocky Mouth Waterfall into your maps app–it will lead you up a private road, which is what happened to us. You must include the word “trailhead” to get to the right location.

MAPS

MORE INFO

All Trails

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

Draper Suspension Bridge (10 minutes)

Horsetail Falls (35 minutes)

Alien Tower hike (20 minutes)

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

10 Tips for Hiking with Kids

by Outdoor Fam Fun | Jun 7, 2021 | Featured Posts, Hiking, Tips

10 Tips for Hiking with Kids

Over the years hiking with kids, I have learned a few things that make hiking easier and more enjoyable. We value hiking because it gives us time away from the normal distractions at home, which allows us to bond and help our kids learn that they can do hard things. Here are 10 tips for hiking with kids to help get your family OFF the couch and on a great hike!

1. START WITH EASY HIKES

Start out with some easy, super fun hikes to get your kids use to hiking. You don’t want to ruin their perception of hiking by taking them on a hard and discouraging hike the first try. Build up to harder and more adventurous hikes over time.

2. HAVE A FUN DESTINATION

Kids need something to look forward to while hiking. Whether it is a stream or waterfall to play in, rocks to climb, caves to explore, or even several cool things along the way, kids are far more motivated when they have something to get excited about or captivates their attention during the hike.

3. LET YOUR KIDS GET DIRTY

Please, let your kids just have fun and get dirty and wet. They will love this! If there is a small stream let them wade. If there is a sand pile, let them play in it.

4. BE EXCITED & ENCOURAGING

Your excitement will wear off on your kids. Find things that excite your family about hiking and find your own traditions and the types of hikes that your family loves to do.

Our family loves rocks. When hiking we are constantly finding cool rocks and showing each other. My husband and I genuinely get super excited about the cool rocks that we find and that the kids find. I often come back from hikes with my pockets full of rocks my kids want to keep.

We also love to tell our kids, “look at that mountain you just climbed!” or “You must be a super hiker to have done all that!” Be super excited about where you are hiking to and what you see along the way.

5. PLAY GAMES & ACTIVITIES ALONG THE WAY

This was a game-changer for us and helped us through a couple of hard long hikes. It is amazing how much more your body can do when you are distracted. The purpose of games or activities is to keep the kids distracted so they don’t think about how tired they are or how much further there is to go.

6. KEEP THEM TALKING

Hiking creates a great opportunity to ask your kids questions about friends, school, extracurricular activities, etc. It has been a really great bonding time for our family to let the kids just tell us all about their experiences. And once they start, it just seems to keep coming. This also helps to keep them distracted similar to the games helping them to hike further.

7. TAKE LOTS OF SNACKS

Kid metabolism is so much faster than adults. My kids need a snack about every 30 to 45 minutes when hiking to keep everyone happy and blood sugar up. I also use snacks as motivation. For example, I might tell my kids that if they hike for 5 more minutes then we can stop and have another snack. It works. Kids will hike for more snack time.

8. HAVE WATER ACCESSIBLE

Hiking became so much easier for our family when we got small hiking backpacks with water bladders in them for each of our kids. Each kid can just grab a drink real quick without all of us having to stop, take a break and pull water bottles out of the back packs each time someone gets thirsty. It is also important to keep these kiddos hydrated. Kids dehydrate so much faster than adults.

9. PREPARE FOR WEATHER

Do not take your kids for a hike in 90 degree weather and expect them to have fun. Plan for the weather you will be hiking in. If it’s going to be hot, start early in the day, or if it’s going to be colder, bundle up. You can ruin a hike that would have been amazing by not preparing for weather — believe me, its happened to us.

10. TAKE BREAKS ALONG THE WAY

Kids need more breaks than adults….this is hard for me….I am a go-getter and just want to keep hiking. However, to make the entire experience more enjoyable you must take breaks. And to be honest, breaks really can help re-energize, as long as you don’t overdo it. Take breaks in the shade or somewhere good to sit and don’t be afraid to let the kids know that you’re tired too.

I hope these 10 tips for hiking with kids will help you and your kids enjoy hiking together. I would love your hear what tips you have for hiking with your kids. Please comment below! Happy Trails!

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

Grand Teton National Park with Kids

by Outdoor Fam Fun | Jun 3, 2021 | Featured Posts, Hiking, Mountains, National Parks, Wyoming

Grand Teton National Park with Kids

Create memories that will last a lifetime in Grand Teton National Park with kids. This incredible national park in Wyoming features majestic views, hiking for all ages and abilities, wildlife viewing and water adventures. This family guide to Grand Teton National Park will help make your trip with kids a success.

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty: Very Easy Easy Moderate Hard Very Hard
(Activities range from very easy to hard depending on what you are doing)

KEY FEATURES

Hiking Distance: Short to long depending on the trail, many trail options for all skill levels
Elevation Change: Flat to steep depending on trail

Terrain: Mountains, rocks, streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, dirt trails
Time Needed: A few hours to several days (I recommend at least 2 days, we spent a week)

WHEN TO VISIT GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK WITH KIDS

I recommend visiting Grand Teton National Park with kids in late spring, summer or early fall. The summer is busiest so be prepared for crowds. We spent a week in the park near the end of July. If you decide to visit in the summer plan ahead and visit the busy areas such as Jenny and String Lake in the early evening, late afternoon or morning before 10am.

You also need to plan your lodging ahead of time if you plan to visit in the summer – I recommend six months in advance.

If you are visiting Grand Teton National Park in the spring or fall be prepared for all weather including possibility of snow. Bring coats for those kiddos!

COST

$35 per vehicle for a 7 day pass

Free if you have a 4th grader with Every Kid Outdoors program

AMENITIES

Campgrounds
Cabins
Hotels, restaurants and grocery stores in Jackson, Wyoming nearby
Bathrooms at visitor’s centers and most trailheads
Convenient stores and gas stations scattered throughout Grand Teton National Park

THINGS TO BRING

Camping gear if camping
Hiking gear (water, snacks, sturdy shoes)
Hiking carrier for young kids
Bear Spray! A must! We almost ran into a bear while hiking.
Water gear if desired (kayaks, paddle-boards, water shoes, googles, life jackets)
Sunscreen
Binoculars for wildlife viewing
Jackets (weather can turn quickly) or coats (if visiting in spring/fall)
Water bottles/water packs

OVERVIEW

We absolutely love Grand Teton National Park. It has everything – Mountains for hiking and exploring, water for paddling, swimming and boating and excellent wildlife viewing. The views are absolutely stunning no matter what viewpoint you are looking from. We spent a week in Grand Teton National Park with kids and we were not ready to go home. There are so many adventures to go on in this 300,000+ acre park.

THINGS TO DO AT GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK WITH KIDS

Hiking

There are endless hiking opportunities ranging from very easy to very hard within Grand Teton National Park with kids. We hiked trails that were very easy to moderate. Here are a few we did with an 11, 10, 7 and 3 year old.

String Lake Loop: 4.4 miles, 400 ft. elevation gain – Gorgeous views of Tetons up close and lakes below.

String Lake

Moose Ponds: 2 to 3.2 miles, 150ft elevation gain: Complete the loop or hike an-out-and back to the moose pond. Keep your eye out for animals near the ponds. Hike earlier morning or evening to avoid crowds around Jenny Lake and to see more wildlife.

Moose Pond

Hidden Falls Trail: 4.9 miles or 1 mile (if you take the boat), 600 ft elevation gain: Popular hike half way around Jenny Lake to Hidden Falls. You can opt to take a paid boat ride across the lake making the total hike only 1 mile to the falls. Will be crowded in the summer months.

Hidden Falls

Jackson Lake Shoreline Trail from Signal Mountain Marina: 0.25 to unknown miles, rolling hills:

I can’t find this hike on All Trails or Google, but it was my favorite in The Tetons. It feels like you are walking the ocean shoreline in Oregon with incredible mountain views of The Tetons in the distance. It starts from the south side of Signal Mountain Marina near the beach and heads south. I’m not sure how far you can follow this trail, but we did about 2 miles total.

Bristlecone Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park

String to Leigh Lake: 2 miles, flat: Easy, very family friendly hike next to that follows String Lake to Leigh Lake. We started at the north end of the String Lake parking lot, but you can make this longer by starting at the south parking lot or continuing further around Leigh Lake. Great views of Tetons and String Lake. Take a few minutes to wade in String Lake. Great for all ages and abilities.

Heron Pond-Swan Lake Loop: 3.2 miles, 150 ft elevation gain: Flat and easier hike for kids that begins on the south side of Colter Bay. Views of Jackson Lake in beginning followed by hike through forest trees. Beautiful swans in Swan Lake.

Schwabacher’s Landing: 1.8 miles, flat: Drive the the end of Schwabacher’s Landing Road off Highway 89 and walk along the trail near the calm river for spectacular views of all the Tetons and wildlife. Keep your eyes out for beavers at the beaver dam. Perfect hike/walk for all ages and abilities. Our toddler just wanted to throw rocks in the water the entire hike. Its an out-and-back trail so go as far or as little as you want.

Swimming and Floating

From the larger Jackson Lake to small streams, you can find a water adventure that suits you and your family at Grand Teton National Park. Boat permits are required for motorized boats and non-motorized boats such as kayaks. Permits can be purchased at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center and the Colter Bay Visitor Center.

Jackson Lake

Jackson Lake is the largest lake in Grand Teton National Park. Motorized boats are allowed. Signal campground and Colter Bay both are next to Jackson Lake in different areas. We stayed at Signal Mountain campground and loved having close access to Jackson Lake. There is a large boat ramp and dock as well as beach area to swim in. We brought googles, paddle-boards and kayaks and spent hours enjoying the lake. The views are breathtaking.

Jenny Lake

The Jenny Lake area is a central hub for hiking and water craft of 10 horsepower max. Get here first thing in the morning or later afternoon in order to get a close parking spot and avoid the crowds.

String Lake

String Lake is narrow, shallow, clear lake that connects Leigh Lake and Jenny Lake. This was our favorite place to kayak because of the crystal clear water. Get here early or late afternoon to get a parking spot. There are a couple docking areas — One at the south end of the lake and another at the north end of the parking lot. There are also great swimming areas and a large rock to jump from.

Camping

As of January 26th, 2021 you can now book campsite on a six month rolling basis at reservations.gov. I saw fights break out over first-come, first-served camping spots our week at Signal Mountain. The reservation system was definitely needed. In 2020, we arrived at Jenny Lake at 5:45 A.M. with 4 kids to get a spot but we were too late. However, we were able to get a spot at Signal Mountain at 7 A.M. (which we absolutely loved) and stayed an entire week.

Plan ahead and book your site six months ahead of time if you would like to stay within Grand Teton National Park.

Campgrounds in Grand Teton National Park

Gros Ventre

Gros Ventre Campground is the furthest south campground within the park and allows for tents, trailers and RVs. It is has 300+ sites. It is near the Gros Ventre River and a bit further away from the major hiking and hub of The Tetons.

Signal Mountain Campground

I absolutely love Signal Mountain Campground! We stayed here for a week and absolutely loved the scenery as well as its central location. Signal Mountain sits on the south end of Jackson Lake. It is next to the Signal Mountain Marina allowing quick access from the campground to water recreation at Jackson Lake. It is only a 10 minute drive to the hiking hub of Jenny Lake.

It is a medium sized campground at 76 sites consisting of tent, RV and trailer sites. There is a gas station, convenient store, laundry facilities and pay showers. There are several camp sites close to the lake with gorgeous lake views. The sunsets are magical. Make sure to follow all the food regulations for bears. There is a bear box at every site. We had few bears walk through camp while we were there.

View of Jackson Lake from Signal Mountain Campground

Jenny Lake

Jenny Lake Campground sits right under The Grand Teton. It is central hub for hiking. This is a smaller campground that is tent only. It is probably the most sought after campground within the park due to its location and atmosphere.

Colter Bay

Colter Bay is a larger campground with 300+sites for tents, RVS and trailers. It is closer to Yellowstone so if you are hitting both parks this might be a good campground for you. It is also a great place if you are bringing a motorized boat due to the large docking area and bay. Colter bay has a larger gift shop/convenient store, gas station, laundry and pay showers. There are a several great hiking trails from Colter Bay.

Lizard Creek

Lizard campground is on the North end of Jackson Lake and is only 11 miles south of the south entrance to Yellowstone National Park. It is further away from the central hub of the Tetons which gives it a more secluded and rustic feel. Great place to stay if you want a quieter location close to Yellowstone.

Headwaters

Headwaters Campground is the furthest North campground and is only a couple miles from the south entrance to Yellowstone. It offers 100+ camping sites plus an additional 40 camper cabins. Showers are available to every camper.

Wildlife Viewing

We saw more wildlife in at Teton National Park than we did in Yellowstone – yep, it’s true. Bears, moose, elk, deer, bison, swans, squirrels, and a variety of birds. I don’t know that there is really a special spot to see wildlife – we saw wildlife wherever we went. I just suggest keeping your eyes peeled and look around while driving and hiking. Bringing binoculars would be a plus.

Visit Mormon Row Historic District

Mormon Row contains old homes and barns from around 1900 of the early settlers of the area from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This area offers incredible views of The Tetons that many photographers seek. It is also fun to explore the area and look into the old buildings and imagine how life was 100+ years ago.

Scenic Drive to Signal Mountain Viewpoint

Signal Mountain Viewpoint is just off Teton Park Road just south of Signal Mountain Campground. Follow Signal Mountain road for 5 miles for an elevation gain of about 1000 feet. No trailers or RVs allowed. At the top you will see panoramic vistas of the valley below.

Explore Cunnigham Cabin

John Cunningham built this cabin in the 1880s and was a rancher/farmer in the area until around 1930. He played an essential role in the preservation of the the Teton area. We had fun exploring the cabin and finding prairie dogs.

Visitor’s Center and Junior Ranger Program

We love going through National Park visitor’s centers for learning opportunities and to get Junior Ranger books. The Junior Ranger program keeps the kids busy while we drive and helps them learn about each park and how to preserve it. Grand Teton National Park has four visitor centers: Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center, Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center, Jenny Lake and Colter Bay. Junior Ranger books can be picked up at any visitor center location.

Star Gazing

Grand Teton National Park has an incredible night sky where you can easily see the Milky Way. We were lucky enough to visit when we could see the comet NEOWISE. Check the Visitor’s Center for ranger led astronomy programs.

PROS & CONS

PROS

Beautiful scenery
All ages will enjoy
Variety of activities: Hiking, water fun, scenic drives, ranger programs, wildlife viewing etc.
Mild temperatures in the summer
Near Yellowstone National Park
Great opportunities to see wildlife
Many hiking options from short to long

CONS

Popular areas within the park can become overcrowded (if visiting the Jenny Lake area, arrive before 10am or after 4 pm)
Campgrounds fill quickly

DIRECTIONS

Grand Teton National Park is located in the north-western corner of Wyoming, just below Yellowstone National Park. There is a north, south, and east entrance into the park. Put your desired location within the park in your GPS to get to the right location. At the park entrance you will receive a map of the park which is great to have in areas where there isn’t great cell phone reception.

MAPS

MORE INFO

Grand Teton National Park

Boating and floating park regulations

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

Yellowstone National Park

Town of Jackson

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

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Mount Rainier National Park with Kids

by Outdoor Fam Fun | May 25, 2021 | Hiking, Mountains, National Parks, Washington

Mount Rainier National Park with Kids

Visit Mount Rainier National Park with kids for an awe-inspiring trip your family will always remember. Mount Rainier stands as a majestic icon in the State of Washington that can be seen from many miles away. This unique National Park allows visitors to get up close to an active volcano and glaciers, as well as breathtaking hikes that include beautiful wildlife, waterfalls and wildflowers all around.

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty: Very Easy Easy Moderate Hard Very Hard
(Activities range from very easy to hard depending on what you are doing)

KEY FEATURES

Terrain: Dirt trails, paved trails, rocks, bridges, glaciers, waterfalls, mountains, volcano
Time Needed: A few hours to a few days
When to Go: Spring, Summer, Fall

Hiking Distance: Varies depending on trail

Elevation Gain: Varies depending on trail. Some trails are steep and some are flat.

COST

$30 entrance fee per vehicle (valid for seven days)
Free if you have a 4th grader with you through the Every Kid Outdoors program.
Additional fee for camping

AMENITIES

Lodging: Camping or Lodges
General store
Snack bars
Two restaurants
Water and bathrooms at visitor’s centers and campgrounds

THINGS TO BRING

Camping supplies if camping
Food/Snacks
Good hiking shoes
Hiking backpack
Water for hiking
Sunscreen

DETAILS

Exploring Mount Rainier National Park with kids is a must for families looking for a mountain adventure near Seattle, Washington.

Mount Rainier National Park was our last stop on our two week road trip through Oregon and Washington. We spent just under 2 days in the park with a 10, 9, 6 and 2 year old. It was definitely not enough time to see it in entirety, but we did get a good taste. My 4th grader had one goal at this park — to touch a glacier — which we did.

Mount Rainier hasn’t erupted since the 1800s, but it is still considered an active volcano. We enjoyed learning more about volcanos in the parks visitor’s centers and googling info on our drive. The views of Mount Rainier are stunning as you drive through the park.

THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS

Hiking

There are over 260 miles of maintained trails within the park. Most trails can be shortened if desired.

Family Friendly Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park

(Hiking information found on the National Park Service website and All Trails)

Longmire Area

Trail of Shadows: (0.7 miles, 40 ft elevation gain) Hike through the forest and meadow to a spring and cabin replica.

Twin Firs Loop Trail: (0.4 miles, 100 ft elevation gain) Hike through the Evergreens of Mount Rainier

Ohanapecosh Area

Hot Springs Nature Trail: (0.5 miles, 50 ft elevation gain) Walk along a meadow and board wat to the Ohanapecosh Hot Springs. You can’t go in the hot springs.

Grove of the Patriarchs Trail: (1.2 miles, 45 ft elevation gain) Hike amongst some of the oldest trees in the park and walk across a suspension bridge over the Ohanapecosh River on this lush green hike.

Box Canyon Loop Trail: (0.3 miles, 20 ft elevation gain) Walk on a bridge to see a narrow slot canyon below.

Sunrise Area

Shadow Lakes Trail: (3 miles, 300 ft elevation gain) Views of Mount Rainier and White River Valley

Carbon River and Mowich Area

Carbon River Rainforest Nature Trail: (0.3 miles, 60 ft elevation gain) Explore the only inland rainforest in Washington.

Old Mine Trail: (3 miles, 300 ft elevation gain) Hike through a lush forest to the entrance of an old mine.

Paradise Area

Nisqually Vista Trail: (1.2 miles, 180 ft elevation gain) View Nisqually Glacier as you walk through the stunning meadows of Mount Rainier. This is a paved trail so bring a stroller if you need to.

Bench and Snow Lakes Trail: (2.2 miles, 450 ft elevation gain) Hike through meadows and forest paths to explore two stunning lakes.

Skyline Trail to Myrtle Falls: (1 mile, 160 ft elevation gain) Walk to Myrtle Falls along a paved path.

There are several trail options ranging from short to long from the Paradise area. The shorter hikes are paved and are great for strollers. There is also a short easy 1 mile round trip hike to the Myrtle Falls that the Skyline trail hooks into.

Myrtle Falls View from Above

Skyline Trail

The skyline trail is a steep 6 mile loop trail that takes you to the base of Mount Rainier’s Glacier’s. It provides gorgeous views of the volcano, surrounding cascade mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, streams and meadows filled with wildflowers. This is one of the most scenic hikes I have been on. The pictures just don’t do it justice.

This is a hard hike for kids, but I was so proud of my little hikers for sticking it through. They were super motivated to be able to see a volcano up close and to touch a glacier.

Bridge over Sulphur Creek at Capitol Reef National Park

Camping

There are three main campgrounds in Mount Rainier National Park: Cougar (SW area of park), Ohanapecosh (SE area of park) and White River (NE section of park). Cougar and Ohanapecosh can be reserved six months in advance and White River is first come first served. Get more information on the campgrounds here.

We stayed two nights at Cougar Rock Campground and enjoyed the Junior Ranger park programs at the amphitheater nearby. We had plenty of space on out site and enjoyed being surrounded by tall pines. I booked our site about 3 months ahead of time. There were still several sites available at that point. For most national parks I recommend booking campsites 6 months in advance, especially post covid.

Scenic Drive

There are many scenic viewpoints along the drive through the park. We entered the southwest entrance and exited on the southeast side. You could honestly spend a day just driving the park and stopping at different viewpoints.

Visitor’s Centers

There are four visitors centers in Mount Rainier National Park: Longmire, Ohanapecosh, Paradise and Sunrise. We were able to visit Ohanapecosh and Paradise. The Ohanapecosh Visitor Center is small and quant. Whereas, the Paradise Visitor Center is large with many interactive displays. We enjoyed learning all about how volcanos are formed.

Junior Ranger Program

Mount Rainier National Park with kids isn’t complete without getting your junior ranger badge! Grab a Junior Ranger Book at a visitor center at the beginning of your visit and let your kids work on them throughout your trip. Before you leave Mount Rainier turn in your finished Junior Ranger book for a Junior Ranger Badge. The Junior Ranger program keeps the kids busy while we drive and helps them learn about each park and how to preserve it.

Kid Activities Outside the Park

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park: View native northwest animals on nature trails or in your own car. Let your kids play on the imagination kindling playgrounds and go on the zipline/ropes course.

Rusty Plow: Pick fresh blueberries with your kids on a 3 acre blueberry farm. This is a little bit of a drive from Mount Rainier, 1 to 2 hours depending on which area of the park you are coming from.

Mount Rainier Gondola: Ride the Gondola up more than 2000 ft to the summit of Crystal Mountain.

PROS & CONS

PROS

Beautiful scenery
Diverse hiking opportunities: short, long, flat, steep.
Glaciers
Volcano
Opportunities for learning at Junior Ranger programs

CONS

Longer, harder hikes to get up close to the glaciers.

DIRECTIONS

Mount Rainier National Park is located among the Cascade Mountain Range and is two hours south and slightly east of Seattle. It is two and a half hours northeast of Portland. Below is a map to the Visitor Center in the Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park.

MAPS

MORE INFO

Mount Rainier National Park official site.

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park (1 hour)

Mount Rainier Gondola

Seattle (2 hours)

Mount St. Helens (2 hours)

Portland (2.5 hours)

Olympic National Park (3 hours)

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

Multnomah Falls with Kids

by Outdoor Fam Fun | May 24, 2021 | Hiking, Oregon, Water

Multnomah Falls with Kids

Visit the majestic 620 ft. Multnomah Falls with kids in the Columbia River Gorge! It is a must see when visiting Portland, Oregon and attracts millions of visitors each year. Grand views of the waterfall can be seen whether you are hiking to the top of the falls or stopping elsewhere along the trail.

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty: Very Easy Easy MODERATE Hard Very Hard

KEY FEATURES

Distance: 0.1 to 2 miles, depending on how far you go
Elevation Gain: Flat to 800 ft, depending on how far you walk
Terrain: Paved trail and bridges
Time Needed: 30 to 90 minutes
When to Go: Spring, Summer, Fall. Early morning or late evening if you want to avoid crowds.

COST

Free

AMENITIES

Bathrooms
Restaurant
Gift Shop
Water fountain
Snack bar

THINGS TO BRING

Water container
Good walking shoes
Stroller if needed

DETAILS

Multnomah Falls with kids can be a quick stop or a longer adventure depending on where you want to view the falls. It can be easily tailored to your family’s needs.

Multnomah Falls with our kids was our first stop coming into the Portland Oregon after a full day of driving. We drove by at sunset and there were only a few other cars parked in the lot. You can see the waterfall from the interstate and parking lot but there are better views along the trail. We viewed the falls from the parking lot as we were all exhausted and wanted to get the hotel. We visited Multnomah Falls with our kids again a couple days later with a little more energy and sunlight.

Parking

We arrived around 4 pm near the end of the July and the parking lot was about 75% full. The main parking lot is in between the East and Westbound Interstate 84. You access the lot by the left sided exit 31 going either direction. We almost missed this exit so be aware as you get close. Once you park you will need to walk through a tunnel under east bound I-84 to get to the trailhead.

If you visit at a time where the parking lot is full you can drive to exit 25 to Rooster Rock State Park and take a free shuttle to Multnomah Falls. Rooster Rock does charge a $5 day use fee upon entrance into the park.

View of Multnomah Falls from Parking Lot

Trailhead

You can see Multnomah Falls from the trailhead or you can get closer by following the paved trail. This trail is steep and can get crowded. I recommend visiting in the morning before 10am or in the late evening if you want to visit at a time with less people.

There is a small visitor’s center, bathrooms, restaurant and snack bar located at the trailhead.

The Hike

Just a short walk upward on the paved trail from the trailhead, you will come to the famous views of the falls and the Multnomah Falls Bridge (Benson Bridge). Wait your turn to get an awesome picture in front of the falls.

Continue upward following a few switchbacks to get to the Benson Bridge. On the bridge you can get a closer view of the upper and lower falls.

This is where we turned around making our hike 0.4 miles round trip. You can continue to the top of the falls for a total of 2 miles of hiking or make an even longer hike by connecting to the Wahkeena trail.

This is a super touristy location but we were glad we took the time to see this beautiful waterfall with our kids. The crowds diminish as you hike further up. I wish we could of hiked further up, but we did not have the time that day.

View of Orange Orchards at Bok Tower Gardens

PROS & CONS

PROS

Beautiful scenery and waterfall
Easily accessible
Good for all skill levels and ages
Free

CONS

Can be crowded and touristy
Steep 1 mile to get to the top of the falls

DIRECTIONS

Multnomah Falls is located along the Columbia River Gorge 30 minutes east of Portland. It is directly off of Interstate 84. Simply put “Multnomah Falls Parking” into your GPS device or phone to get you to the right location. You can also follow my map below.