5 Kid Friendly Hikes in Vancouver Washington from a Family Photographer
As a Portland family photographer, I am always looking for unique outdoor locations for outdoor family photos. Luckily, hiking and being outdoors is one of my family’s absolute favorite things to do, and we love finding kid-friendly hikes.
We get spoiled living in PNW because we have some fantastic trails to take our kids to. It’s double the fun for me as we take our kids on an adventure, and I check out new outdoor locations for family photos!
Beautiful locations for outdoor family photography in Vancouver, Washington
Before we had kids, we used to be naive as to how many great hikes there were local. I was probably a bit of a hiking snob before I was forced to check out some closer areas, I used to think we had to really “get out there” to see the natural beauty of the PNW. And although we have been to unique places, I am still pleasantly surprised when we find another excellent hiking area for our kids and an incredible location for outdoor family photos in Vancouver!
Timing naps, feeds, snacks, and packing up everything your kids need is a lot. Since the birth of our first child, we have made an effort to stay closer to home for regular hikes and leave the farther ones just for special occasions or until they are a little older. Our kids are three years old and six months old, so we like to keep it accessible! Do you know what else is pretty cool? My son is becoming quite the little hiker!
Our Top 5 Kid-Friendly Hikes in Vancouver Washington
Cougar Trails/WSU Campus
We love the view of Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Hood, and the surrounding forest. There is so much to see here, such as a forest, large open fields, views of the mountains, little wooden walkways, streams, and tons of birds/critters to see! Dog-friendly and many simple trails to choose from depending on what your kids can do. This is one of my favorite autumn locations for family photos in Vancouver.
Whipple Creek
This was one of the first hikes we discovered that we loved after our first baby was born. We wanted to get outside one weekend, and we knew we didn’t have much time with his teething schedule (ugh, teething is hard!). We have loved this place so much ever since. It’s a dense forest with super easy trails and a few more challenging routes for your little ones. We love seeing our son take on the longer trails, and fun to see him love it. We hope that our kids love the outdoors as much as we do! Dog friendly, and you might even see horseback riders on the trail too! We were lucky enough to have two coyotes walk past us one evening as we returned to the car; we loved seeing wildlife.
Burnt Bridge Creek
This trail is enormous! One end starts on the Burton Road area and goes to Vancouver Lake. You can pick an area one day and do a completely different area the next. We enjoy the Stuart Glen West entrance. It’s easy to take a stroller, dog-friendly, wide paved trails, a forest, a creek, and a large open field with beautiful blossoming trees in the Spring!
The best-kept secret for kid-friendly hikes is Morgan/Salmon Creek
This is a hidden treasure! It’s quiet and lush, and we have had the entire place to ourselves most of the time! It’s hard to believe it’s not that far out of town; it looks untouched and incredibly pristine! You’ll see giant trees, moss, slugs, and snails. (Have your kids watch Turbo the movie before this hike, they will find him everywhere here!). I am in awe of this place; it’s a super easy hike, dog friendly! Bring your boots. It can get a little muddy, but so much fun for kids to stomp around!
Lacamas Lake
This is our default hike when we want it all! It’s got lakes, forests, creeks, hills, and expansive trails, and springtime is one of the best times to check it out; we love seeing the Camas’ Lillies bloom! The tiny purple flowers in a huge rocky field are breathtaking. The hike to the flowers may be a little more challenging for younger kids; you might plan on carrying them part of the way or putting them in a child-carrying backpack.
Kid Friendly Hikes
Do you have a location where you have had your family’s photos taken in Vancouver that you loved or a location that you would love to have them at? Let me know, I’d love to hear from you and what else you’d love to know about on the next blog!
Happy Hiking, Friends!
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