7 Totally Kid-Friendly Hikes In New Jersey That Are 1 Mile And Under

Ready to get out there in nature, but want (or need) to take your kids with you? No problem! While many may envision a good hike as one with steep inclines, rocky scrambling, and long trails, a good hike can happen with little elevation gain and be under just one mile.

These seven trails in New Jersey are short and kid-friendly, but still enjoyable, fun, and pretty.

1. Tourne Park Wildflower Trail

This loop trail near Boonton, New Jersey may only be less than a half-mile long, but it's such a pretty hike, with wildflowers galore.

2. Rahway and Maple Falls Trail Loop

This trail, which is about a mile long and located in South Mountain Reservation, has some fascinating sights along the way: little fairy huts!

3. Hawk Rise Sanctuary Loop Trail

Looking for something more educational? Located in Hawk Rise Sanctuary, a wildlife reserve, this trail has plenty of signage educating you on the plants and animals in the area.

4. Chimney Rock

This .4 mile-long trail only gains 39 feet in elevation, but you still get to see a waterfall and more on the hike.

5. Leonard J. Buck Gardens Loop

Take in wildflowers, a variety of birds, and a nice lake on this short, easy nature walk.

6. Boundary Creek Park Loop Trail

Located near Moorestown, New Jersey, this trail features a river and several wooden boardwalk offshoots to explore!

7. Lyndhurst Nature Reserve

Explore the lakefront on this short, beautiful walk that takes you on a loop.

Of course, make sure you look up each trail before heading on it to see how accessible it is during your season of choice — you never know if a specific hike will get too muddy or slippery!