5 Best Hikes in Ogden to Do With Your Kids

Hiking is different when the little ones come along. Here are some great hikes that everyone in the family will enjoy!

Hiking is an unbeatable way to get outdoors, introduce your kids to nature, and spend time together in the mountains as a family. It is one of the easiest outdoor activities to start with one of the lowest barriers to entry. All you need is a good pair of socks and shoes, clothing suitable for the season, sunblock, water, and directions to a trailhead!

If you’re already an avid hiker you probably have a significant list of the best hikes to do with kids in Ogden. However, if you and your family are ready to get outdoors but are unsure where to head with your kiddos, we have you covered. This list contains five of the best hikes to do with kids in Ogden, ranked from easiest and most accessible to those that will keep your kids on their toes and encourage your family to work together.

1. The Ogden River Parkway

Distance: 17 miles out and back (walk as much or as little as you want). Stroller-friendly: Yes, fully paved. Best Season: Year-round

The Ogden River Parkway is a meandering 17-mile out-and-back trail that makes its way through town along the Ogden River. It might not seem like your traditional idea of “hiking” because of its paved surface and relative simplicity. However, this makes it a fantastic introduction to getting your kids away from their screens and outside into the world. There are plenty of great stops along the way that your kids will love, including Rainbow Gardens, the Dinosaur Park, and the Botanical Gardens. You can park in any of the numerous parking areas along the parkway and walk for as short or as long as you and your family will enjoy.

2. Moose Loop Trail at Snowbasin

Distance: 0.6 miles (Inner Loop) or 1.2 miles (Outer Loop). Stroller-friendly: Mostly, with some uneven dirt sections. Best Season: Late spring through early fall

Moose Loop is actually two trails in one: a short inner loop and a slightly longer outer loop, both winding through trees on the mountain. Wildflowers and bugs keep younger kids entertained the whole way, and the outer loop passes a giant spool of old ski lift cable. Park near the yurts past the main lodges and look for the trailhead sign across the road. Bathrooms are available at the base area learning center when it's open, and there's a playground nearby for burning off any leftover energy. Since you're already at the resort, it's an easy pairing wiht lunch at Earl's Lodge or a summer weekend ride on the Needles Gondola.

3. Green Pond Trail

Distance: 3.7 miles out and back. Stroller-friendly: No. Best Season: Late spring through early winter

Green Pond Trail is an enjoyable and accessible 3.7-mile out-and-back trail near Snowbasin Resort. The entirety of the trail makes its way from the trailhead on Snowbasin Road up to the base of the Strawberry area of the resort. It is a stunning hike you can do year-round with the right equipment, but if you’re new to hiking, it’s best to keep hiking between the late spring and early winter months. Green Pond Trail takes you through the range of foliage available in our beautiful mountains, and the fall colors are unbeatable if you catch them at the right time!

4. Wheeler Creek Trail

Distance: A few miles out and back, up to a 10.1-mile loop. Stroller-friendly: No. Best Season: Spring through fall

Wheeler Creek Trail offers a step up from the easier trails on our list, as it can be as easy as a few miles out-and-back or extended to become a 9-mile loop. This beautiful trail starts near the end of Ogden Canyon as Highway 39 splits off near the edge of Pineview Reservoir. Wheeler Creek makes its way through a deep canyon lined with towering cliffs and a small stream. It is a well-maintained trail for families to follow and enjoy scrub oak, green meadows, and marshes, as well as a multitude of wildlife, including birds, deer, and even moose.

5. Waterfall Canyon Trail

Distance: 2.5 miles. Stroller-Friendly: No. Best Season: Spring through fall

Waterfall Canyon Trail is the graduate trail on our list! Families with children as young as four or five may be able to tackle this trail, but you will want to keep your little ones close. The start of the trail takes your family along a dirt hiking path before weaving into a canyon. From here, you and your kids can scramble up the canyon until your views open up to a magnificent 300-foot waterfall! The trail conditions vary depending on the time of year. Snow runoff creates slick, wet surfaces during the spring, but the trail dries off throughout the summer and into the fall. Avoid this trail during the winter months, though; the tough Waterfall Canyon hike quickly becomes difficult when the snow settles and ice sets in. Save it for the spring, summer, and fall.

Get Out and Explore!

Ogden offers plenty of things for your family to enjoy, from the youngest to the oldest, no matter what time of year. Find some exciting activities and get out to enjoy time together this weekend!

Elliott Redwine

Visit Ogden Contributor

Elliott is a writer equipped with endless enthusiasm, bottomless stoke, and an unwavering love for Ogden. When he’s not at his desk, he’s out riding dirtbikes or mountain bikes in the summer, skiing in the winter, and exploring everything else the Wasatch Range has to offer all year round.