Kid Friendly Vancouver Washington Hikes From A Family Photographer: Fall Edition

We started searching for kid friendly Vancouver Washington hikes once our kids were born.

Before kids, my husband and I loved discovering hikes that were farther away and more difficult but once we had kids that changed. Getting outside is one of my families favorite activities to do together. We were on the hunt for areas close that wouldn’t disrupt nap time or have really long car rides for our kids. Eventually, we will take them on challenging hikes but for now we call it “hikers in training.”

I had a few important things I needed to know before I packed up everyone and headed out. With all the things you need like snacks, waters, carriers, etc. I wanted to make sure it was worth the outing. You know how tired you are with very young children, your energy is slim.

Would there be areas that are easy to do with kids in a carrier?

Would the trail be easy for a 4 year old to complete with out a ton of complaints? 😉

Would we be able to find adequate parking?

I wanted to find all of these things in close to home, kid friendly hikes. So far, there are 3 that we all really enjoy over and over that are close to home.

In addition, as a Vancouver Washington family photographer, I am always on the hunt for beautiful locations for families to have their photos taken. So, between scouting out beautiful locations and looking for kid friendly hikes, my list was born!

On this blog, discover a handful of great hikes for fall for you and your family.

My favorite Vancouver Washington hike for fall: Battleground Lake

This might be an unpopular opinion but Battleground lake in the summer is definitely not a favorite of mine. However, once school starts and the leaves start to change, the crowds are gone and it turns into this magnificent colorful autumn lake.

Sometimes it feels like you have the entire lake to yourself, especially if you go on a weekday.

The reflection of the golden leaves on the glass like water is stunning. Grab some boots because it can be a little muddy. Also, plan for a leisurely 45 minute walk with your kids. There are a few rocky areas and roots but overall it is very easy!

You will need a Discover pass for parking. You can purchase a one-day pass at the automated station. You can find more information at Battleground Lake.

Vancouver Washington hikes for best fall foliage: WSU Walking Trails

WSU Vancouver campus is beautiful all year round but my favorite seasons to visit is summer and fall. There is a lot of variety of trails to walk on, lots of areas for kids to discover bugs, critters, and play in water.

In addition, there is easy parking, six miles of walking paths, and tons of trees changing into beautiful fall colors in autumn. It’s typically not crowded, lots of friendly people walking their dogs, and they have a great map you can download here.

The family photographed above was at the end of September. I recommend getting out for the fall colors late summer and early fall.

Lacamas Lake

Located in Camas Washington, Lacamas lake is huge with about 312 acres of hiking, fishing, paddle boarding, kayaking, and large play structure. Our favorite trails to go to are the Heritage trail, Round lake trail, and Lacamas park trails. There is so much to see here!

We love the pretty fall leaves changing around Round lake area. In early October it is less crowded and the lake is pristine with the gorgeous leaves reflecting on the water.

Your family can enjoy many different days here because there is so much to see. Pick a trail before heading out and then plan another day to discover even more with your kids.

Parking can be difficult to find here at times but mostly in summer months. I typically find parking easily in the fall. Enjoy the variety of trails and you may even see deer!

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