15 fun backpacking trips for kids

Taking children backpacking can be extremely rewarding, especially if you match the hike with their abilities. If taking your family out for the first time, choose a short trip with a nice reward. Here are some helpful things to keep in mind: 

• More Resources
• - Backpacking 101 for Families
• - Tips for Memorable Camping with Kids
• - Hikes for Young Children
• - Where to Rent or Borrow Gear

• Footwear: Kids should wear sturdy shoes or boots that fit well and are broken in. Be sure the tread is strong enough to give them traction in steep places. Consider carrying in a change of comfy outdoor shoes for camp.
• Pack weight: The general rule is that the pack should weigh no more than 20 percent of the child's weight. For families with young kids, that means the parents will be shouldering large loads. Older kids may be able to carry more.
• One more thing: You don’t need to buy expensive and fancy sleeping bags, pads and tent to start out. Ask to borrow friends' gear or rent from an outdoor store until you decide this is going to be an ongoing activity for your family.

So where should you go? Some of these hikes are recommended in Best Hikes with Kids: Western Washington and the Cascades by Joan Burton and Best Hikes with Kids: Western Washington by Susan Elderkin, and WTA has added some of our own. Keep in mind that many of these trails are popular destinations. 

Photo by Loren Drummond. 

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Spring and early summer

Best season: May - October

Maple Grove. Photo by saraht551.

A low elevation North Cascades trail that makes an excellent early season backpack trip is the East Bank Baker Lake trail. For the greater part of the hike you are back from the lakeshore in forest, but you will see tantalizing glimpses of Baker Lake through the old trees.

In less than 2 miles, come to a side trail leading to a small campsite, which makes a good stopping point with very young kids.

At 5 miles is Maple Grove, a delightful larger old campground on the water, formed by a long-ago rockslide. You can tell how old the rockslide is by the size of the venerable big leaf maples. Plan to camp in the shelter of the trees, but look out at stunning views of Mount Baker to the north and Mount Shuksan to the east at sunrise and sunset from the lakeshore beach.

Fishermen and boaters course the lake, but they usually stay on the other side. Children can watch for jumping fish and listen for the call of loons. The trail continues for 10 miles for the length of Baker Lake.

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Best season: year-round

Third Beach. Photo by K & C.

A year-round favorite on the ocean is Third Beach. It is a nearly level trail just over 1.5 miles, reaching a wide sandy Pacific beach. Campsites are partly protected from the wind in a creek ravine, but the wind does blow in from the ocean, creating the magical surf.

The adventure is in climbing over giant driftwood logs and exploring the shore and those enormous roaring waves. Your kids will love the tide pools, playing in the sand, and watching for gray whales and eagles.

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Best season: May - October

Lena Lake. Photo by madstat.

Lower Lena Lake, on the east side of the Olympics and dominated by a shoulder of The Brothers, is a popular and beloved backpack destination. The trail initially climbs through old second-growth trees, but then enters old-growth forest on long switchbacks, crossing Lena Creek, the source of the lake’s water.

At 3 miles, come to the shores of Lower Lena Lake and a choice of camps. Because the hike is popular, you may need to go in early to get one.

The large sub-alpine lake was formed by a long-ago rockslide that dammed the valley. The lake level fluctuates with the season like a small reservoir. Wading and swimming are possible, but the water is usually cold. When the lake is full, there will be a 150-foot climb over a rock buttress called Chapel Rock to reach the shore.

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Best season: June - October

Barclay Lake. Photo by Fighting Quaker.

Here's an easy 2-mile trail off Highway 2 through old growth forest leads to shallow Barclay Lake. This popular place is guaranteed to have other hikers, but it's a beautiful place for an overnight stay. (Mind the sign that says "Stay at least 50 feet back.")

The trail is so short that, if necessary, parents can make two trips to bring in the gear. There is a sandy beach for waders and swimmers, and fishing for everyone.

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Best season: May - October

Photo by BigMama.

Bead Lake is a lovely day hike all year round, and it's a great 3-season backpacking trip as well. The trail hugs the eastern edge of Bead Lake, and backpackers have options of multiple camps along the trail, including Enchantment Camp 1.1 miles in and Lodge Creek Camp about 4.3 miles in from the trailhead. 

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Lost Lake. Photo by Walter1999.

Although you can hike all the way to Manastash Lake (8 miles and 1,100 feet of elevation gain), if you hike halfway to Lost Lake, it's a shorter hike with less elevation gain, and probably more doable for more littles. 

Along the way, you'll walk through a diverse forest, and, depending on the season, you may get to delight in either wildflowers or berries. 

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Best season: June - September

Pete Lake. Photo by GoOutside.

Scenery, forest wildflowers, wildlife and a gentle trail await hikers on the Pete Trail in the Teanaway. The trail leads from the inlet to Cooper Lake, along the Cooper River for approximately 4.5 easy miles.

If you're hot after setting up camp at Pete Lake, consider wading, swimming or even fishing. There are many places to explore. Be sure to scout out the area and determine how far the kids can stray. If you spend 2 nights here, there are numerous options for day hiking. Bring a good map and have fun!

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Best season: May - October

Packwood Lake. Photo by heidi_.

Packwood Lake can be a great day hike all year-round, and it makes lovely backpacking in the shoulder season as well. The trail itself does not have too many views until you reach the lake, though you'll find wildflowers in the right season. At the lake, you'll pass a old ranger station before reaching its glittering waters.

Plan to reach the lake earlier in the day if possible; though there are many campsites, this is a popular site for happy campers on a nice weekend. 

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Best season: May - October

Greenwater Lake. Photo by Splorn.

The trail to Greenwater Lakes, off Highway 410, make a magnificent old-growth forest hike or early-season backpack. Along the trail are three log bridges with whitewater rushing beneath them. The mossy forest has spring flowers and ferns.

The two lakes are shallow and safe for water play with a river running through one of them and many ducks and birds to watch. Campsites are excellent, but may be taken early on weekends. No reservations are required; camping is on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Mid-summer and fall

Best season: July - September

Chain Lakes. Photo by leaf246.

The Chain Lakes at the end of the Mount Baker highway offer gorgeous scenic campsites and the chance to move camp from lake to lake along the chain of four. It even allows for a loop trip. Snow banks won’t melt out until late July or even early August, so save this one for late summer and always prepare for snow.

There are excellent camps at Iceberg, Hayes and Arbuthnot Lakes, but be sure to camp at least 200 feet from water and use existing campsites; the meadows here are very fragile. Kids will enjoy playing in the lingering snow fields and poking around the shores of Hayes and Arbuthnot, which have black sand beaches, a reminder of Mount Baker’s volcanic activity.

Best season: July - October

Independence Lake. Photo by rbs13.

Independence Lake is a short hike (a little more than 1 mile!) to a mountain lake, this one off the Mountain Loop Highway. The trail neither gains nor loses much elevation, but does have some roots and rocks along the way. You may need to help a toddler for this distance.

The reward is a lake large enough to swim in, which has at least six good campsites. Kids love wading and swimming in Independence Lake on warm summer days, and older kids who wish to explore can day hike the tougher route to North Lake.

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Best season: Mid-July - October

Sheep Lake. Photo by MuffinCity.

Backpack a short section of the Pacific Crest Trail just outside of Mount Rainier National Park. The trail starts at Chinook Pass and parallels SR 410 along for more than a mile until it breaks away to Sheep Lake and beyond to Sourdough Gap.

The trail has been blasted into a steep and rocky hillside, but it is a short section, level and has been built for horses. You'll want to keep the kids close. Meadows and views will keep everyone interested on your hike, as well as are several campsites at Sheep Lake around the shore and above the outlet. Set up camp and consider climbing the 1 mile up to Sourdough Gap and exploring further.

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Best season: May - September

South Coldwater Lake. Photo by Soundmirror.

If you're willing to do some advanced planning, South Coldwater Lake is a great way to experience the grandeur of Mount St. Helens. Permits are required to camp in the Mount Margaret backcountry, which are released on Recreation.gov on the first of each month for the next month (e.g. on July 1, all permits for August are released). 

The trail is exposed, so shoulder season may be the best time to visit this trail. You may see elk in spring, ripe huckleberry bushes in late summer and awesome views of the crater year-round. On your way out, check out the Science and Learning Center at Coldwater. 

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Best season: September - October

Deep Lake. Photo by thefrenchgirl.

The lakes of the Indian Heaven Wilderness make ideal easy backpacking destinations. The entire wilderness is a park-like oasis, filled with more than 30 shallow lakes, a children’s paradise in the South Cascades. You can access the wilderness from either its east or west side.

Starting from the Cultus Creek Campground on the east side, expect a steep 700-foot gain in the first mile. After that, there are only moderate ups and downs. Cultus Lake is the first lake an possible camp; from there, you can visit Deep Lake on a side trail, or continue on to Lemei Lake, Clear Lake, Deer Lake, Bear Lake or more. 

Expect bugs in mid-summer! Be prepared with good insect repellent suitable for kids’ skin, and long-sleeved shirts and full-length pants, or wait to hike here in September after the bugs are gone. Hiking then has the added advantage of being berry season; this place is full of them. 

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Best season: August - October

Cramer Lake. Photo by Ambear.

Though the trail to Cramer Lake is hikeable much earlier in the season, any hiker who has trekked to the lake during peak summer knows the mosquitoes are relentless unless you wait until it cools down.

But if you wait until later in the summertime to visit the lake, backpackers of various experience levels can enjoy the lake's comfortable campsites and ripe berries. For those looking to venture further, Dumbbell and Otter Lakes are not far up the trail, and the trail continues from there for even more exploring. (Be aware of hunters and stock while on this trail as well!)