Kid-friendly hikes around Arizona: Hit the trail with your family this summer
No doubt your kids have a full summer schedule of streaming videos, texting friends and texting you to bring more microwaveable snacks to their room.
Despite such a crushing workload, perhaps they have time for some outdoor activity. Head for cooler climes and get a little exercise with these kid-friendly hikes.
We've got options for whatever experience you're seeking: Sedona's red rocks, the cool pines of Flagstaff or the White Mountains, and some hikes with water features. Because who doesn't like to be near the water in summer?
It’s a chance to share quality time with the short people living in your house and perhaps find out why they don’t pay rent.
Prescott: Lynx Lake
Escape to the Prescott pines where Lynx Lake makes an enticing getaway. Nestled amid the rolling foothills of the Bradshaw Mountains, the 55-acre lake is a popular site for camping, boating and fishing. There’s also a gentle 2.3-mile trail that loops around the lake and can be easily accessed from the Southshore parking area.
The western half of the trail is paved and perfect for strollers or wheelchairs as it snakes its way along the shore. A few benches allow for rest breaks, and you’ll pass a boat dock and picnic area. The trail turns to dirt on the east side of the lake as it winds through the pines, skirting intimate coves and cattail-lined marshes. Several spur trails lead down to the water. But remember, swimming is not permitted at Lynx Lake.
Where: Traveling north on State Route 69 toward Prescott, turn left on Walker Road. Go 2.2 miles to Forest Road 611. Turn left on FR 611 and drive 0.3 mile to Lynx Lake Parking Area.
Admission: $5 day-use fee. Pay at the parking-lot kiosk. Wednesdays are free days.
Difficulty: Easy.
Length: 2.3-mile loop.
Details: 928-443-8000, www.fs.usda.gov/prescott.
Cottonwood: Dead Horse Ranch State Park
This state park perched on the Verde River makes a great daycare facility, offering trails suitable for all ages. Start out at the River Day Use Area located at the end of Owl Road where you’ll find three trailheads. The Forest Loop makes a 0.6-mile circle through a mixed forest of cottonwood and mesquite. The surface of the path is dirt and mulched wood chips providing a soft landing if little feet should stumble.
The Canopy Trail is an ADA accessible quarter-mile loop winding beneath the shade of massive cottonwood trees. This is a good one for strollers. Lizards scurry through the dried leaves and wildlife sightings are common. At the far end of the trail, a couple of shady picnic tables are surrounded by an array of birdfeeders. Come to think of it, this would also be a popular trail with leashed cats.
When the kids are ready to get wet, the Verde River Greenway is the third trail leaving from the parking lot. It traces the banks of the river through a heavy forest of cottonwoods and willows. There are a couple of graveled shallows along the way. As always, exercise caution around water. There are also three lagoons at the eastern end of Dead Horse with gentle paths circling them.
Where: 675 Dead Horse Ranch Road, Cottonwood.
Admission: $7 per vehicle.
Difficulty: Easy.
Length: Varies.
Details: 928-634-5283, www.azstateparks.com.
Flagstaff: Lava River Cave
Since footing can be tricky and it’s very dark inside, Lava River Cave isn’t a good choice for wee ones, but kids of a certain age will love it. The mile-long lava tube was formed 700,000 years ago by a river of molten rock blasted from a volcanic vent in nearby Hart Prairie. The outer edges cooled first as lava continued to flow, leaving behind a hollow, rocky husk.
Be prepared. Temperatures in the cave hovers around 42 degrees. Carry at least two flashlights with good batteries, and make sure everyone has their own light source. The entrance is the trickiest part as you squeeze through a narrow opening. Then it’s a scramble over big boulders, one more low bridge and the chamber widens.
While you’re able to walk upright the rest of the way, the floor can be uneven so watch your step. Over halfway back, the tunnel branches. Bear to the left. The right fork pinches down so that crawling is required. You encounter one more low ceiling and finally the chamber ends and you return the way you came. After a couple of good scary giant spider stories, of course.
Where: Drive 9 miles north of Flagstaff on U.S. 180 and turn left on Forest Road 245 (at milepost 230). Continue 3 miles and turn left on FR 171. Drive for 1 mile and turn left on FR 171B to the parking lot.
Admission: Free.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Length: 2 miles round trip.
Details: 928-527-3600, www.fs.usda.gov/coconino.
Lyman Lake State Park: Pointe Trail
With so many bodies of water tucked among the forests of the White Mountains, Lyman Lake gets overlooked. Too bad, because it’s a beauty.
At 1,500 acres, Lyman is one of the few lakes in the area with no size restrictions on boats. It features twisting canyons, an open expanse of water, quiet coves and a swimming beach. And you can enjoy big panoramas of it all from this hilltop trail.
The Pointe Trail begins at the north end of the day-use area. There are steps to climb at first but once you’re atop the mesa it’s an easy stroll. Make a circle around the rocky crown and enjoy far-reaching views. Then hit the beach for a swim. Along with a campground for tents and RVs, Lyman Lake State Park offers eight cabins for rent.
Where: The park is 17 miles north of Springerville on U.S. 180/191.
Admission: $7 per vehicle. Campsites cost $20-$33 per night; cabins cost $65.
Difficulty: Easy.
Length: 1-mile loop.
Details: 928-337-4441, azstateparks.com/lyman-lake.
MORE:Lyman Lake State Park is a hidden gem
Prescott: Granite Gardens
This little series of loops makes a great introduction to Prescott’s most distinctive feature, the Granite Dells, a massive field of exposed bedrock gnawed by erosion.
You’ll clamber across the boulders following painted white dots. Soon you’re climbing a 38-step staircase in the middle of nowhere, an impressive engineering feat from the Over the Hill Gang that built many Prescott trails. Circle the dome-like formation of Castle Rock and then catch your breath on a bench bearing the words “Go outside and play.”
After crossing a narrow grassy cleft, the trail scrambles back into the granite, weaving among weirdly shaped rock piles. As it descends, the trail leads through a grotto beneath a cluster of giant boulders that involves fun wiggling through. It drops back down to the little valley, which will be your exit point. Unless you want to go around again. Now aren’t you glad you came outside to play?
Where: From Prescott Valley, go west on State Route 69 to Prescott Lakes Parkway. Turn right and go north to SR 89. Turn right and follow SR 89 northeast past Watson Lake to Granite Garden Drive between mile markers 317 and 318. It’s directly across from Granite Gate Senior Living Community. Turn right onto this dirt road and go 0.2 mile.
Admission: Free.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Length: 1.5-mile loop.
Details: 928-777-1121, www.prescott-az.gov/recreation.
MORE:Whiskey Row in Prescott: Arizona's most legendary block
Flagstaff: Red Mountain Trail
Here’s a chance for kids to walk right into the heart of an ancient volcano. Red Mountain is one of several hundred cinder cones that dot the landscape around Flagstaff. This one happens to be missing a chunk of its side, allowing for an otherworldly adventure.
The trail starts along an old road that winds through junipers and piñon pines, then dips into a wash. After a mile the sandy stream bed squeezes between towers of black cinders.
A ladder climbs over a stone wall and you’re engulfed in a wonderland of gnawed spires, twisted pillars and contorted walls bubbled with trapped gasses. The amphitheater calls to mind a hobbit-sized Bryce Canyon bristling with colorful hoodoos full of climbing and scrambling options.
Where: From Flagstaff, drive north on U.S. 180 for about 25 miles to the marked turnoff on the left (near mile marker 247). Follow the dirt road a quarter mile to the parking area.
Admission: Free.
Difficulty: Easy.
Length: 3 miles round-trip.
Details: 928-526-0866, www.fs.usda.gov/coconino.
MORE: Grab a bite on the patio at one of these Flagstaff restaurants
Sedona: Broken Arrow Trail
With over 300 miles of hiking trails weaving among Sedona's red-rock formations, it’s tough to choose just one. But Broken Arrow has a few extras that kids might enjoy.
Right away it crosses a rocky ledge, then brushes past a deep sinkhole — with a fence around it — known as the Devil’s Dining Room. Broken Arrow also parallels a jeep road and, in a few places, the jeeps make acrobatic climbs worthy of a video.
Save the short side path to Submarine Rock for the return trip because you don’t want to run out of energy before reaching the expansive plateau of Chicken Point, where the trail ends. It’s a beautiful setting but there are drop-offs so make sure to keep little ones away from the edge.
Grown-ups will enjoy the spectacular views and kids will like watching jeeps rumble out of the forest and park on a knob of stone. Of course, they may start clamoring for a jeep tour, but that's not a bad way to spend an afternoon.
Where: From the Sedona exit of Interstate 17, take State Route 179 through the Village of Oak Creek. About 4 miles past Bell Rock Vista, you’ll reach Morgan Road. Turn right on Morgan Road, drive to the end of the pavement, cross the cattle guard and continue 80 yards to the trailhead parking on the left.
Admission: Free.
Difficulty: Easy.
Length: 3 miles round trip (3.5 if you go to Submarine Rock).
Details: 928-203-2900, www.fs.usda.gov/coconino.
MORE:7 swimming-hole and stream hikes near Sedona
Payson: Pine Creek Trail
Standing 183 feet high and 150 feet wide, this is the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. But while the big span gets all the accolades, Pine Creek did all the hard work in forming it. The little waterway is a beautiful riparian corridor often overlooked by visitors.
From the parking area, this short trail slips down through the woods to join the creek on the backside of the bridge. From there just work your way downstream, around the boulders past the series of pools. The splashy music of fountains and mini-cascades echoes through the trees. Look for small caves and alcoves along the bank.
There is no clear pathway but some arrows are painted on rocks to help with the easiest route. The trail ends at the 400-foot-long tunnel beneath the bridge. You can return the way you came or climb out via the steep Anna Mae Trail. Swimming is permitted downstream from the bridge.
Where: The park is 14 miles northwest of Payson on State Route 260.
Admission: $7, $4 for ages 7-13.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Length: 0.5 mile one way.
Details: 928-476-4202, azstateparks.com/tonto.
MORE:Cool off this summer at these lakes near Payson
Pinetop-Lakeside: Springs Trail
This trail makes a sweet rolling loop through sun-dappled pine forest while crisscrossing low-lying riparian areas. The terrain stays level and neither Billy Creek nor Thompson Creek presents a challenge. Summer wildflowers add a sprinkling of color, and keep an eye peeled for wildlife, drawn by the creeks and stock tanks in the pasture.
The Springs Trail can become very muddy during monsoon season. If there have been recent storms, head for Woodland Lake Park instead. Located in the heart of Lakeside, the 583-acre park has picnic tables, grills, playgrounds, ball fields and a paved 1.25-mile path circling the lake. The park is at 425 S. Woodland Road. 928-358-3069, www.whitemountainnaturecenter.org.
Where: From the Lakeside Ranger District office, travel 5.3 miles southeast on Arizona 260. Turn left on Buck Springs Road and proceed a half-mile to the junction of Sky Hi Road. Turn left and drive 1.1 miles to the trailhead.
Admission: Free.
Difficulty: Easy.
Length: 3.6-mile loop.
Details: 928-368-6700, ext. 3; www.trackswhitemountains.org.
MORE:5 gorgeous scenic drives in Arizona's White Mountains
Find the reporter at www.rogernaylor.com. Or follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RogerNaylorinAZ or Twitter @AZRogerNaylor.