hiking waterfalls

HIKE, LOCAL GEMS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Best Kid-Friendly Hikes in Atlanta
- May 2, 2023
When you think of Atlanta, you may not think of it as a hiking city. Many locals go to North Georgia for all the kid-friendly hikes, but there are quite a few closer to the city that are worth your time. Atlanta is filled with many unique hikes, and you don’t have to go far to experience them. Today, India Tate, local Atlanta mom of two, outdoor adventurer, and founder of Our Wanderlust Life, is here to share the best kid-friendly hikes in Atlanta, Georgia. So, grab your hiking boots, and let’s go explore!

Exploring the kid-friendly hikes in Atlanta

Hiking in Atlanta doesn’t just mean you have to do urban trails. There are many kid-friendly hikes that don’t feel like you are in the city at all! Many of them are in secluded neighborhoods with lush vegetation and lots of green space. This makes you feel like you are far from the city and deep in nature.

Today, I’ll be covering 7 kid-friendly hikes and trails in the Atlanta area. Be sure to add these kid-friendly hikes to your list next time you are exploring Atlanta.

1. Sweet Water Creek (red trail)

Sweet Water Creek is a popular state park. One of the main trails to do is the red trail. This trail starts at the visitor center and takes you down a path where you are able to walk alongside the creek the entire way. The hike can be a bit rocky in certain parts, especially as you get closer to the end. With this being an out-and-back trail, once you get to the end of the trail, you must turn around and go back toward the beginning of the trail.

2. Sope Creek Paper Mill trail

This trail is one of the best kid-friendly hikes in all of Atlanta. There is so much history at Sope Creek, with the ruins once being the largest paper mill in the state during the Civil War. To access this trail, there are a few starting points, but the main entrance is off paper mill road.

The trail is easily accessible year-round, but even better in the summer when you can play in the shallow parts of the river. The main loop is 2.3 miles and takes you down to the ruins and access to the Chattahoochee River. Once you walk back up from the river access, you continue on the loop, which will take you around the lake and back to the main parking lot.

3. High Falls

High Falls is another state park in the Atlanta area with great hiking. This park offers camping and a few different hiking trails. The High Falls Trail takes you over to the beautiful waterfall. This trail is a quick 1-mile loop. You can park across the street in the main parking lot and then cross over to the trailhead.

Head down the staircase and get treated to the beautiful waterfall view that is High Falls. After visiting the falls, you will continue on the trail through the wooded forest and loop back around towards the start of the trailhead.

4. East Palisades bamboo forest

The bamboo forest on the East Palisades trail is such a hidden gem! Many locals don’t even know that it is there. This loop is about 4 miles and is considered moderate, but it is a very kid-friendly hike. If my 3-year-old and 4-year-old can do it with no problem, yours can too! Using the AllTrails app to map your hike is helpful for this particular trail because finding the trailhead can be a little tricky.

Once you park in the parking lot, you can either walk back down the road a little to access the trailhead from that end (which is a quick way to the bamboo forest if you don’t want to do the whole loop), or access the trailhead closest to the parking lot and make the full 4 mile loop. There is a lot to see and do on this trail, and once you start walking alongside the river, you will quickly approach the hidden Bamboo forest!

5. Vickery Creek

Vickery Creek is a local favorite, and for good reason! This hike leads to a stunning waterfall and is a great family outing experience. The loop is 2 miles, and you will cross over a bridge and end up at the popular waterfall along the trail.

This kid-friendly hike is also great if you want to just walk up to the waterfall alone and make a day of it. Vickery Creek runs along the Chattahoochee River, and on a day after rainfall, it flows heavily and is amazing to see!

6. Clyde Shepherd nature preserve

Clyde Shepherd is a true hidden gem right in the city of Atlanta. It’s tucked away in a neighborhood in Decatur. This nature preserve is funded by local donations. Volunteers of the neighborhood are the ones who continue to take care of it.

This park has a few trail options. The interpretive main loop that covers most of the preserve is 1.5 miles. There is a big pond (seasonal) that you can walk past on the loop as well as another small pond closer to the beginning of the trail. There are so many unique areas along this trail that make it a super kid-friendly hike. with over 300 species of native plants and animals, your child is sure to find something to keep them engaged for quite some time on this hike.

7. Cochran Mill (orange trail)

Cochran Mill Park features miles of hiking trails, a playground near the parking lot, and a few beautiful waterfalls! The orange trail is easily accessible and a great kid-friendly hike option. Once you cross the street from the parking lot, you will head over the bridge. The main waterfall is immediately to the right as you cross the bridge, and the kids have a lot of fun playing in the creek under the bridge.

If you want to do the entire loop, you will head left on the trail after you pass the waterfall and continue to make that loop. Along the trail, there are a few more waterfalls to see, and some you can even walk up to.

Best kid-friendly hikes in Atlanta

Atlanta is filled with so much more nature and outdoor fun than you might expect. It’s a big city, but one with a lot of amazing local green spaces, hiking trails, parks, and nature preserves.

If you are looking to get out in nature and out of the city, these trails are perfect for your next adventure! Which trail will you go on first?

Did you know about any of these hikes in Atlanta?

About the author

India is an outdoor adventure enthusiast, blogger, and travel photographer. She is also a single mom to two young boys (ages 5 & 4). India and her boys currently live in Atlanta, Georgia, where she grew up, and are always out exploring, whether that be camping, hiking, backpacking, and so much more. She loves taking road trips with her boys to new places at a moment’s notice and is grateful to be able to share this love of adventure with her kids.

You can find more from India online in the following locations:
Instagram: @ourwanderlust_life
Website: http://www.ourwanderlust.life
BEACH, FAMILY TRAVEL, HIKE, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PARK
Minnesota’s North Shore with Kids
- March 25, 2023
Minnesota’s North Shore is a Midwest scenic gem. This area of northwest Minnesota runs along the Lake Superior coast from Duluth to the Canadian border. Along this 150 miles of shore you can find quaint beach towns, multiple state parks, towering rock formations, and endless waterfalls. Even better, many of the hikes are short and kid-friendly. Today, Sara Lesire, mom of two and founder of Midwest Nomad Family, shares why you should consider a road trip along the North Shore. Read on to plan the perfect getaway for the whole family using this guide to Minnesota’s North Shore with Kids.

Tips for visiting Minnesota’s North Shore with kids

1. Bring a map

This area of Minnesota is fairly remote. Cell service can be spotty. If you stay on the main highway, it’s difficult to get lost. However, downloading an offline map or bringing a paper map is recommended. This is especially true for following hiking trails, as you may lose connection while using an app.

2. Pack a picnic

As the towns are small and often spread out, bringing along groceries instead of hunting down a kid-friendly restaurant can be a good option. The restaurants in the area also tend to be pricey. The road is lined with beaches and parks that make perfect picnic stops.

3. Tips to avoid crowds

Many of the popular state parks along Minnesota’s North Shore, such as Gooseberry Falls, can become very crowded. I recommend hitting the popular parks and trails early in the morning or in the late afternoon to avoid crowds and having to search for a parking spot. Oftentimes, you can find just as good as a park with lower crowds by traveling further north and away from the city day trippers.

4. Use caution with kids

This area of Minnesota has more waterfalls than you can count. Many of the trails are short and can be hiked by kids. However, there are many trails that do not have railings near waterfalls or sheer drop-offs. Carefully check the details of each hike before adventuring, and keep kids close at all times.

Best time to visit Minnesota’s North Shore with kids

This area of Minnesota is about as far north as you can get. Winter brings bitter cold and heavy snowfall. Spring can be a good time to visit, but can still bring snowstorms and muddy trail conditions. Summer offers the best weather for exploring but also heavier crowds and bugs. Fall along the North Shore is spectacular, with fall weekends also bringing large amounts of leaf-peeping travelers. When traveling with kids, summer and early fall are probably your best bet for family-friendly weather to explore hiking trails and beaches. Just don’t expect Lake Superior water to ever be warm!

Where to stay along the North Shore with kids

With the exception of Duluth at the south end, all other towns along the North Shore are very small. Most of the lodging in the area consists of cabins, small motels, and a few resorts. Many of the state parks along the North Shore also have campgrounds offering amenities and stunning water views.

If possible, it can be helpful to stay in two different areas to explore both the southern end and the northern areas of the North Shore. We based part of our stay out of a hotel in Silver Bay before moving to a mountain resort at Lutsen. This helped avoid a lot of backtracking, which can eat up time.

Must-see spots along Minnesota’s North Shore with kids

Minnesota’s North Shore offers a chain of beautiful state parks. Most of these parks are located right along the main highway, making it easy to visit multiple parks in a short time. A daily pass to the state parks is $7, but you can get into any of the state parks that same day. Here are several stops that should be on every North Shore itinerary.

1. Duluth

Duluth is a great spot to start your North Shore Adventure. Head to Canal Park downtown to view the aerial lift bridge, lighthouse, playground, and Lakewalk. You can get a close-up view of the lake on a Vista Fleet cruise or explore by rail on the North Shore Scenic Railroad. Take a drive over the lift bridge for some beach time at the world’s largest freshwater sandbar at Park Point. Enger Park is another great Duluth park with gardens and a stone tower to climb.

If weather interferes with your outdoor plans, Duluth also has an aquarium, railroad museum, and the free Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center.

2. Gooseberry Falls State Park

Gooseberry Falls is the most popular state park on the North Shore for good reason. Multiple waterfalls can be seen along short hiking trails. The beautiful Visitor Center is a good spot to stop for a restroom visit and to grab a park map. From the Visitor Center, a 1-mile loop trail leads past The Upper, Middle, and Lower falls, with two bridges crossing over the river. A portion of these trails is paved. Use caution near the waterfall overlooks with children as not all have railings.

Other good hiking trails at Gooseberry Falls include the 2-mile roundtrip hike to Fifth Falls or the 1.25-mile Riverview trail along the river down to the lakeshore. The Gitchi Gami Trail is just over 2 miles and offers Lake Superior views.

3. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

Split Rock Lighthouse is an iconic landmark of the North Shore. The lighthouse was constructed in 1910. Today the lighthouse is managed by the Minnesota Historical Society as a historic site. An additional admission fee is required to visit the lighthouse grounds and tour the inside of the lighthouse.

The state park surrounding the lighthouse requires standard state park admission. The park is long and narrow, tucked between the highway and the lakeshore. The Little Two Harbors Trail offers a flat gravel path with views of the lighthouse and pebble beach along its 0.75-mile trail length. The 1.5-mile Corundum Point Overlook Trail is another trail with great views of the lake and lighthouse. If you want to take a scenic bike ride, the paved Gitchi-Gami State Trail travels through the park and continues to Gooseberry Falls 8 miles south.

4. Black Beach

Located in Silver Bay, Black Beach’s rich color comes from taconite. This low-grade iron ore was dumped in the lake by mining companies. It mixed with rocks and sand to form the only black beach in Minnesota.

This beach is beautiful, with rugged rocks and shallow water. There are nearby restrooms and picnic tables, making this a great road trip stop.

5. Palisade Head

Palisade Head is a stop I recommend with caution. A curvy and narrow road leads to a small parking area at the top with amazing views. This is one of the best views you can get without a long hike. However, there is only one small section of rock railing and very sheer drop-offs. This is a site best explored with older kids or kids small enough to be in a carrier.

6. Tettegouche State Park

Tettegouche is another Minnesota North Shore state park full of lake views and waterfalls. This park has a great and large visitor center to start your adventure. Right behind the visitor center is the 1.2-mile Shovel Point Trail. This trail offers sweeping lake views from atop the bluffs. There are 300 stairs and boardwalks on this trail. Use caution with children and keep them back from any cliff edges.

Another popular family hike is the Cascades Falls Trail. This 1.5-mile round-trip hike follows rocky terrain along the river to Cascade Falls. There are quite a few stairs, but no steep drop-offs along this trail. If you are up for a longer waterfall trek, take the 3-mile loop to towering High Falls.

7. Temperance River State Park

Another gem of a state park, Temperance River is full of deep gorges and waterfalls. On the northwest side of the highway, a short and paved path leads to an overlook of hidden falls. This is a great trail for little ones, as there are no drop-offs.

On the other side of the highway, stairs, and bridges cross over the river as it rushes through a rocky gorge toward the lake. Continue on the path down to the beautiful beach near the lower campground to explore the rocks and sand. This is a lovely spot for sunrise or sunset views.

8. Oberg Mountain

The Oberg Mountain hike is one of the best trails we have hiked anywhere. This 2.5-mile loop starts off with a moderate climb as it switchbacks up the mountain. At the top, enjoy panoramic views as the trail circles the top. While most of the trail stays well back from cliff edges, there are a few overlooks with steep drop-offs. Keep kids close by while on the upper portion of the trail.

9. Lutsen Mountain

Lutsen Mountain is located just off the main highway but is worth the detour. This mountain resort offers traditional winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling. During the summer, the resort offers a gondola and alpine slide. Both of these attractions are not cheap, but the views from atop Lutsen mountain are amazing!

10. Cascade River State Park

You can find another short hike with waterfall views at this state park. The 0.5-mile Cascade River Lower Loop passes multiple cascading waterfalls. Keep an eye on kids, as some areas of the trail do not have railings.

11. Grand Portage National Monument

This free national park site is a must-see attraction. The site preserves the history of the Grand Portage Anishinaabe tribe as well as the North American fur trade. The 8.5-mile portage trail was used by Native Americans and explorers to bypass high waterfalls and gorges.

Today, the site consists of a museum and a reconstructed fur trading fort. Interpreters do a wonderful job explaining the various buildings and what life was like during the 1700s. The M Be sure to ask for junior ranger booklets so kids can earn their park ranger badges.

12. Grand Portage State Park

The furthest north must-see stop on a North Shore vacation is Grand Portage State Park. This free state park features a paved and boardwalk 1-mile loop to three overlook platforms of High Falls, Minnesota’s highest waterfall. The waterfall is located on the border between Minnesota and Canada. The overlook platforms have railings making them safe for all ages.

Visiting Minnesota’s North Shore with kids

Hopefully, this travel guide has inspired you to journey north and view the rugged beauty of the North Shore. The endless waterfalls, family-friendly hikes, and Lake Superior views provide a family adventure of memories waiting to be made.

Have you ever explored Minnesota’s North Shore?

About the author

Sara Lesire has been married to her high school sweetheart for 17 years, and together they have two children. Sara spent many childhood hours outside on her grandparents’ farm and strives for her kids to have similar carefree kid adventures. Based in the St. Louis area, she loves to share on her blog and social media all the scenic and fun places to explore around the St. Louis area and beyond. Hiking is the most popular activity for her whole family, followed by hitting up the best local playgrounds. Photography is also a passion of Sara’s, and she continues to be amazed at the natural beauty and wonder of God’s creation. When she is not hitting the trail, Sara works as a civil engineer.

You can find more from Sara online in the following locations:
Instagram: @midwestnomadfamily
Facebook: Midwest Nomad Family
RWMC posts: Sara Lesire
HIKE, LOCAL GEMS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Hiking & Creeking Little Missouri Falls with Kids
- July 31, 2018
If you know me and my kids, you know we love nothing more than exploring a good creek. Creeks offer so many opportunities for educational lessons, outdoor adventure and good old-fashioned fun. Which is why I’m super excited to share this post with you today from another creek-loving mama. Nichole Holze and her family spent some time exploring Little Missouri Falls in the Ouachita National Forest, near Hot Springs, Arkansas. She’s here sharing their adventure, recommendations on what to pack when creeking and her thoughts on raising outdoor children.

Creek stomping

I have nothing but fond memories of my sister and our stomping our way up a creek in a nearby county park. My mom took us there many times to play, climb, explore, and adventure. Then as I became a nanny for the summer I took the kids to that park nearly every week. And every week we returned home with sand in our shorts, mud between our toes, smiles on our faces and epic stories in our memory bank.

As a parent now with my own two adventurers, I have made it a point to continue with the creek stomp tradition. From a very early age, my husband and I exposed our children to the natural world and gave them the freedom to fully experience it with all of their senses. Dirt in the mouth was a common occurrence. That early exposure to the natural world allowed them to grow in their confidence and ability to navigate nature now as children. In addition, they are strong, bold, curious, but also with a healthy respect for the dangers that do exist in nature.

Little Missouri Falls, Ouachita National Forest

It is not uncommon for my kids and me to load up our car and head out to explore for the day. We are very fortunate to live within a few hours drive of some of the most beautiful places to be found in Arkansas, a state which is far underrated for outdoor pursuits. So a three-hour drive hardly makes us flinch for a day trip.

On one particular day a few weeks ago, we decided to chase down some waterfalls. It had just rained (heavily) the day before, which in Arkansas, means that the falls would actually be flowing. We quickly packed up some snacks, lunch, towels, goggles, life jackets and a camera. A short two hours later through windy mountain roads, which gave way to bumpy and dusty forest roads, and we arrived at our destination: Little Missouri Falls in the Ouachita National Forest.

For those of you who may not be familiar with the area, the Ouachita National Forest is located in Southwest Arkansas, about half-way in between Dallas, Texas and Memphis, Tennessee. This national forest has over 1.8 million acres of wilderness and spans from Central Arkansas through Eastern Oklahoma. So it’s not only wilderness but mountains, bluffs, rivers, fields and streams for hunting, camping, hiking, biking, fishing and camping. If you’re in the area, this is definitely a place worth checking out.

Hiking into the falls

Strapping on my backpack filled with towels, my camera, lunch and loads of fresh water, we raced off for the trail. The kids were dressed in their swimsuits, sun shirts, life jackets and water shoes. They are both fantastic swimmers, but I always take life jackets when rivers or lakes are involved, until I know the water situation and depth.

A short hike gave way to steep stairs to head down to the river. At the sight of water, the screams and shouts of my excited kids filled the valley. Within moments we were scrambling over rocky riverbed to the falls. The water, which was actually cold (an impressive feat for hot Arkansas summers) cascaded from an upper pool into lower pools and quite literally took our breath away. My son quickly scampered over to the edge of the larger waterfall and begged to go down. I love that he shares my same thirst for adventure.

Navigating the terrain

I decided it would be best to work our way down to the lower falls first instead of going over. A quick scuttle through the woods and over large boulders brought us down to a pleasant rocky beach area where laid out our blanket then made for the water. The blue-green water, typical of this area of Arkansas, flowed into a deep pool with large boulders. A massive fallen tree laid in the perfect spot to climb back up to the top of the falls. We discovered a wolf spider hiding on the underside, but we let it be as it seemed to content to hide out under the log.

My daughter splashed and played, then grew bold and swam out to a rock island to perch. My son scurried up the log and was ready to slide down the waterfall. I stood at the base to catch him due to the large boulders just under the water in the deep pool below. He most likely would not have been injured, but when it comes to large rocks underwater, I prefer to not take chances. Over and over again my son giggled his way down the waterfall. And over and over again I dunked my head under the rushing falls; delighted to have found such a wonderful nook.

Break for lunch

A little later and ready for a little calmer pace, we hiked downstream to where the river opened up to a large shallow pool. I laid out our picnic blanket and we were all soon munching away on our still cold lunch. It was so relaxing listening to the sound of the waterfall intermingled with bird calls and the buzzing of insects. We all sat in contented silence, gazing around at the huge boulders against the blue-green water and the green trees against the azure sky.

Catch something!

After lunch, my kiddos took off their life jackets and headed into the water to explore. Within moments my son exclaimed that he had found a big fish. I splashed over and shared in his excitement, but it was not a fish — it was a tadpole! And probably one of the biggest tadpoles I had ever seen. A quick group effort ensued, my kids standing next to me to watch it move, and I caught it!

One thing I forgot to bring was a net. So we used a baseball cap as a temporary home for the tadpole as we examined it. My son was nervous at first, but his curiosity overtook him and he was soon gently handling the incredible creature in his own hands. The bullfrog tadpole had it’s back legs but had yet to grow it’s front. It filled up my son’s hands with its massive size. The magic of that moment will forever be etched in my memory.

Appreciate your surroundings

Hiking up a creek. A seemingly simply endeavor. But an adventure, for certain. As always, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings, especially in southern Arkansas during the summer. We were fortunate to not have any snake encounters on this outing. However, I have taught my children to always be aware of where they are moving and what is moving around them.

The natural world is a wonder to behold, especially when experienced alongside our children. Educator Charlotte Mason said it most wonderfully “We are all meant to be naturalists, each in his own degree, and it is inexcusable to live in a world so full of the marvels of plant and animal life and to care for none of these things.”

What to pack

Here are a few things to pack for a successful creek outing:
- Water shoes – (I have a pair of Teva sandals that I’ve worn each summer for 7 years and they still work great). Any waterproof shoe with a gripping sole will be great.
- Life jackets for children, especially if they cannot swim
- Goggles – for underwater exploration! Take your exploring to the next level by having a look underwater. We always have our goggles if there is any water involved.
- Swimsuits – rash guards and waterproof shorts work great for all day exploring and protection from the sun.
- Snacks and picnic lunch
- Sturdy lunch boxes – For day trips, packing lunches in reusable containers is important to me and highly recommend PlanetBox lunch boxes. They are made of highly durable stainless steel. They are a bit heavy but hold up well to all of our adventures. I have loved using Planetbox lunch boxes for the past few years. We have one in each size and they work great for us, including the “no food can touch” preferences of my daughter.
- A sturdy backpack
- Towels
- A net and maybe magnifying glasses
- Field guides to creeks in your area
- Plenty of fresh water to drink – perhaps take along a water purifier if you have one
- Sunscreen
- Sunhats – I really love the kids’ hats from Sunday Afternoon Hats
- A small first aid kit – I recommend Adventure Medical Kits
- Your sense of adventure and a childlike wonder!
Are you a fan of creek stomping with your kids?

Nichole is a homeschooling mama to two incredible adventurers, an older boy and a younger girl. She has been married to her best friend for nearly eleven years. An Iowan native now living in the south, she is happy to claim Arkansas as home. This is their 3rd year homeschooling, and after a rough first year, Nichole discovered the mash-up of styles that suited her, and the rest is history. She is a gypsy-hearted, fearless, road tripper who has been known to take off for epic adventures at a moments notice. Hiking and camping (of the backpacking variety) are their favorite family activities. She still swims competitively and enjoys showing her children what it means to live a healthy life. Coffee is her drink of choice (all day long, and black, please). You can usually find her in the woods somewhere, probably up a creek, jumping off waterfalls.

Follow her adventures here:
Instagram: @coleyraeh
Website: http://www.luckeywanderers.comSaveSave

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