The desert landscape we call home is full of amazing hikes and scenery, but you don’t need to be an expert hiker to experience the beauty! There are plenty of kid-friendly hikes in and around Phoenix that offer paved & flat trails without much elevation gain that are friendly for the whole family, strollers, and wheelchairs.
Check out our list of the top 15 kid-friendly hikes in and around Phoenix below!
1
Judith Tunnell Trail | South Mountain Park
The Judith Tunnel Trail is located close to the South Mountain Park entrance and offers great desert scenery without having to go far. This hike is wheel-chair friendly and paved as well!2
Penny Howe Trail | North Mountain Park
This short little walk in the park is perfect for young kids and a short stroller-walk. See some beautiful desert & mountain views without having to work too hard for them!3
Double Butte Loop Trail | Papago Park
This trail features beautiful wild flowers, plenty of desert plant & wildlife, and awesome rock formations to see & explore. You can venture up to the famous “Hole in the Rock” spot from this trail!4
Water Ranch Trail | Gilbert Riparian Preserve
The Water Ranch Trail is partially paved & partially dirt, but offers virtually no elevation gain and a great option for a nice family-friendly hike. Here you will walk beside a lake and see lots of wildlife. One of the favorites among the kid-friendly hikes in and around Phoenix!5
Desert Botanical Garden Loop | Desert Botanical Garden
A trip to the Desert Botanical Gardens can include a gorgeous hike through desert plantlife from around the world. There is an entrance fee to get into the gardens, but it’s well worth it!6
Veteran’s Oasis Park Loop | Veteran’s Oasis Park
This nice loop trail features a lake, lots of wildlife and a partially paved path that has very little elevation gain. Veterans Oasis Park also offers great mountain views!7
AZ Canal Trail | Scottsdale
Starting at the Arizona Falls generation station and continuing to the Scottsdale Waterfront, this portion of the Phoenix Canal Trail offers public art, bridges, shopping and dining. Definitely not things that you’d typically find in a hike!8
Kiwanis Park Lakefront Trail | Kiwanis Park
This paved loop trail circles a lake and is wheelchair & stroller friendly. There are also plenty of spots to stop and rest/take in the scenery!9
Reach 11 Recreation Loop | Reach Recreation Area
This 3 miles loop trail is partially paved and is only lightly trafficked. Here you will find great wilderness views, some ponds, and nature plaques explaining the surroundings.10
Paseo Vista Loop and Chandler Canal | Paseo Vista Rec Area
This loop features wildlife and a variety of nice, shaded places to sit and rest. At 1.8 miles and paved, it’s a great choice for a medium-distance hike with a stroller or young kids in tow.11
Park Lake Green Trail | Red Mountain Park District
Located in the Red Mountain Park District near Mesa, this trail wraps around a lake and is great for wildlife watching. At less than a mile and paved, it’s a nice easy choice.12
Jane Rau Brown’s Canyon Trail | McDowell Sonoran Preserve
This fun loop trail offers awesome desert scenery and makes you feel much farther into the wilderness than you actually are! See towering Saguaro, lots of desert flowers and wildlife.13
Tolleson Wetlands Loop | Tolleson Wetlands
At almost five and a half miles, this is the longest hike on our list. There is barely no elevation gain and little traffic, making it a great option for a long family & stroller-friendly hike.14
Gila Trail | Estrella Mountain Regional Park
This fun hike is quick and easy! Located in Goodyear, here you can feel like you’re deep in the desert without having to go too far. Great views of the desert and mountains on this trail!15
