My first hike with my 4-month-old son was a fiasco. He wailed so loud on our Connecticut adventure, the reverberations echoed to the Metro North train station 40 minutes away in Fairfield — for which we promptly departed, dare we miss the 6:15 p.m. express and endure this any longer.
While I can’t promise you there’s a better result (because, well, they’re babies), I can tell you I’m grateful for the lifelong memory. Whether taking your tiny tots or teens on the trails, it’s always worth it. It may require extra grunt work and gear, but that’s where experts are here to help.
Before you’re out the door, double-check your packing job. “Bring everything you need for hiking, pack snacks, check the weather and get your kid(s) excited about the experience,” Andrew Koehn, a camping specialist at REI Co-op in Lynnwood, Wash., said.
Known as the “10 Essentials,” Pamela Brown, director of communications at Appalachian Mountain Club, breaks the list down as follows: “Plenty of water, snacks, paper maps and compasses in case your phone loses signal or your battery dies. I always bring an ultralight tarp, book of matches, and a firestarter just in case, because it packs down to nothing in your backpack. And even when it’s 80°F and sunny, I always bring an extra layer, whether that’s a puffy jacket or a raincoat. These days, you can find layers that pack down to the size of your fist. Nothing ruins a hike faster than a kid who’s cold and wet. I also carry a first-aid kit for trail boo-boos and a multitool and duct tape in case I need to repair something. Sunnies for sure, or a hat. And finally: bring a headlamp.”
Brown also recommended researching your route in a high-quality guidebook, taking a picture of the map at the trailhead, checking in with a naturalist at the visitor center to confirm that trail conditions are good and letting a friend know when you expect to be back.
For kids old enough to communicate, go over safety before you start and make sure your child understands that they always need to be able to see you, advised Koehn.
“Keep small children close or positioned between adults, especially in case of wildlife encounters,” he said. “Personal locator beacons (PLBs) are increasingly common and can offer peace of mind in case of an emergency as well.”
If you’re hiking with a larger group, make sure you put a “buddy system” in place, so each kid has a designated friend with whom they always stick. Other worthy intel: Dress kids in bright colors to spot ‘em easily, ensure they’re wearing grippy socks and shoes and establish an emergency meeting spot in the parking lot or visitor center.
Additionally, “stay on the trail. If you lose the trail, stop. Sit down and take a moment to get your bearings,” said Koehn. “Bring an emergency whistle, and if you’re certain you’re lost, stay put and make some noise. In New York, the nearest hiker is probably not that far away!”
If you’re mountain meandering with a baby, Koehn said having a good kid carrier is key — it distributes weight like a regular backpack, so most of it rests on your hips, and usually has ample space for supplies.
Koehn and his wife typically divide things up: “One of us carries the kiddo and baby gear, while the other handles all the hiking essentials,” he said, adding that most kid carriers can be quickly adjusted for different heights, so you can switch off easily with your partner.
Alex Timmons, owner of Mountain Trek Health Reset Retreat in Nelson, British Columbia, has hiked up to 15 miles in Banff, Canada, with him and his wife carrying kids this way, and “because the pack makes it possible to carry the child plus water, food, first aid and bear spray.”
Brown reminded parents to “bring sunscreen and one of those cute sun hats that your baby refuses to abide — you can put them on when your little one falls asleep in the carrier.”
Another pro tip? Soak a handkerchief in water and drape it over a baby’s head or neck to keep them shaded and cool, said Timmons.
Wi-Fi won’t find you in the woods so download your map.
“To avoid getting lost, study a map of the trail beforehand, download offline maps to your phone or GPS and stay on the trail,” urges Koehn.
For tweens and teens, Timmons suggests letting your child bring a friend along to increase the fun factor: “At this age, they are less interested in their parents and more into friends, and will likely hike further and with less complaining,” he said.
“The first hike we ever did with our young kids was a ‘treasure hunt,’ where I filled my pocket with shiny pennies and threw them out on the trail ahead of the kids when I felt they needed a surge of excitement.”
Alex Timmons, owner of Mountain Trek Health Reset Retreat
Plus, tap into their sense of accomplishment, added Koehn: “Choose destinations that take their breath away and give them some bragging rights — a summit scramble, an epic lake jump, or something selfie-worthy they’ll be excited to share with friends.”
Whatever you do, Katie Hughes, marketing director of Big Agnes, an outdoor equipment brand in Steamboat Springs, Colo., stresses that the goal is to have an experience they’ll want to repeat. Patience, snacks and rewards for their monumental, tiny leg effort is the key, she said. Hughes also leaned into distractions when kids get whiny, like singing or rhyming.
“The first hike we ever did with our young kids was a ‘treasure hunt,’ where I filled my pocket with shiny pennies and threw them out on the trail ahead of the kids when I felt they needed a surge of excitement,” recalled Timmons.
Choose “scenic trails and still have the expectation that if it isn’t working, for whatever reason, don’t force it,” said Hughes. “Just be able to quit when it’s time… Better to show them that it’s not about being miserable and suffering — yet! — that comes later.”
Additionally, “balance adventure with autonomy,” said Brown. Some places to start, per Brown, are letting them choose the trail, navigate with a map and pick the next snack stop.
Even younger kids can enjoy some responsibility. “If your child can carry a backpack, get them one and let them pack it themselves and take ownership of the process,” advises Koehn. “Give them something important to carry, like sunscreen or part of the lunch. It’s empowering,” he said, adding that his 10-year-old is thrilled that she carries both her own and her 5-year-old brother’s sleeping bags and pads.
Plans are good, but you don’t have to be rigid. “Especially for first-time hikers, a walk through the woods can be alarming … It’s dark, there are bugs, your new hiking boots are making your feet sore,” said Brown. “Stay flexible. Focus on having a nice time outdoors, and however far you get on the trail is a bonus.”
Which leads us to perhaps the best family-friendly hiking advice of all, from Brown’s 7-year-old daughter, Isabel: “If you’re tired, then sit down. And if you fall, just get back up!”
The best kid-friendly New York trails near the city
Breakneck Pond at Corman Harriman Outdoor Center, Haverstraw
Brown thinks this 2-mile loop around is the perfect length for families to earn a post-hike ice cream. “Because you’re going around a pond, you’ll always have something to orient yourself around if you feel lost,” she said.
Cranberry Lake Preserve, West Harrison
The trails here are another top pick for Brown. “Between the new pond boardwalk, the flowering mountain laurel in the late spring and the cool history loop with interpretive signage, it always wins in our family,” she said.
Mountain Dale Rail Trail, Mountain Dale
Part of one of the most accessible paths of the Catskills’ O&W Rail Trail, bike or hike this well-maintained segment that passes through woodlands and wetlands. Shady parts and attractions like bridges keep kids comfy and entertained.
Tusten Mountain Trail, Narrowsburg
For the more adventurous set, this 3-mile loop — also in Sullivan County’s Catskill mounts — offers moderate terrain with cinematic vistas. Think: old stone quarries and panoramas of the Upper Delaware River Valley.
Top 10 hiking gear hacks that go the extra mile
We tapped experts and our own hiking experiences for must-haves when hitting the forest freeways.
Nemo Chipper Reclaimed Closed-Cell Foam Seat, $20
Kids are very “snack-motivated” as Pamela Brown aptly put it. Hence, her swearing by what is “basically a folded-up cushion for snacks breaks.”
Uncommon Goods National Parks Bucket List Water Bottle, $58
For the little explorer on a mission to check off all their journeys in America’s Best Idea.
Pixel Watch 4, $350
This has next-generation safety features for hikers, like dual-frequency GPS and the ability to set a “Safety Check” timer that shares your location with your emergency contacts after an elapsed time. I also love Google’s AI assistant Gemini. For instance, say “Remember I parked in spot 9” before it’s into the woods you go.
Osprey Poco, $265
Alex Timmons likes that this has a shade and some side support for kids to rest their heads on when napping.
Colugo The Baby Carrier, $99
For babies you are still wearing on your chest, this 1.5-pound carrier is a dream. It’s what I used with my very unhappy camper, and I love the snap-on, snap-off fanny pack for extra baby victuals (or your phone).
Doona Car Seat and Stroller, $650
This ultra-compact stroller and car seat combo saved my family on the Metro North. Get the sunshade extension, rain cover and insect net to contend with mother nature.
REI Co-op Tarn Kids Trekking Poles, $65
For mobile kids, equip them with hiking poles. “They distribute the load and impact, help with balance and stability, and are a fun toy for the kids to play with at your destination or during breaks,” said Timmons.
Change Up Kids $68
A portable, water-resistant pod for changing on-the-go. It gives your little ones privacy, and it collapses down to fit in your pack.
Lucy Darling Outdoor Explorer Backpack, $60
Could this design be any cuter? Plus, extra-thick shoulder straps keep things comfy for youngsters.
Big Agnes Sweetwater28 Backpack, $230
This adjustable system hugs growing torsos securely, and young ones will appreciate chest pockets for snacks and their phone.
Sticky Be Socks Toddler Socks, $17
The grip ensures petite feet remain secure in their shoes. The “be fearless” and “be free” slogans are apropos for woodsy tots.
Wildling Kindur Sten, $119
Practical details like a flexible sole to support natural foot movement and breathable wool makes these high-cut boots a stellar choice.
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