Kid-Friendly Trails in Clark County: Top Babywearing, Toddler and Stroller-Friendly Hiking Trails

“There is something magic…about moving together – it can cure a bad day, be a source of joy, and create a sense of togetherness. If the kids are restless, moody or bored then it’s time to pack up the stroller and head to a trail or park!” said Jessica Stenberg of Mom Walk Co. Vancouver.

Stenberg is spot on. Getting outside and moving with babies and little kids is one of the best tools in a parent’s toolbox. There is a wealth of information online on how getting outside with babies and toddlers can reduce stress and cultivate a love of nature, as well as benefit parents too. A 2025 study titled “Effects of outdoor walking and infant carrying on behavioral and adrenocortical outcomes in mothers and infants” published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology provides evidence that specifically babywearing outdoors has the potential to reduce stress in caregivers and babies!

After 11 years of leading hikes with babies, toddlers and older kids in Clark County, I can attest to the benefits of getting outside for exercise and nature connection. Babywearing and stroller hiking with my daughter was personally a mental lifesaver in those early postpartum days. My daughter has now entered her tween era, and we still hike regularly. Hiking together gives us a sense of peace, enjoyment and adventure!

It can be hard to know where to hike with kids that is safe and enjoyable. Fortunately, there are many kid-friendly trails in Clark County. Below are some of my favorite Clark County trails for babywearing or stroller hiking with a toddler in tow. These trails may have some hills but are mostly free of cliffs. They also all have bathrooms and interesting things to keep kids engaged!

Hiking with kids isn’t without risk, but these trails minimize them. On these trails, you will still need to keep an eye out for kids running ahead or touching plants that could be toxic. My best advice to you is to start small, bring lots of snacks, expect that hikes won’t go as planned, make safe choices and try to find joy in whatever nature connection you can share with your little ones!

Babywearing + Toddler Trails – Kid-Friendly Trails in Clark County

Whipple Creek Regional Park – 17202 NW 21st Ave, Ridgefield, WA 98642

Whipple Creek Regional Park is a lovely, forested oasis, conveniently located near I-5 by the Clark County Fairgrounds in Ridgefield. The park is a great place to hike year-round, but it’s especially pretty in the spring and fall. Whipple Creek has over 4 miles of trails of varying difficulty, and most of the park is shaded. The park is quite hilly and there are some minor drop-offs on some of the trails. The best trails for families are the North-South Connector and Stone Mill Loop Trails (around 1.5 miles of hiking). These trails have a few hills, as well as spots where toddlers will need hands held.

This quiet park is popular with horses, so read up on horse etiquette before your hike and keep an eye out for horse poop. My daughter actually met her first horse on this trail as an infant in a carrier! The trail can get muddy in the wet months, so consider bringing a change of clothes and shoes for after your hike. There is no pass required to park, and there is a portable toilet at the trailhead. After your hike, consider visiting nearby Fairgrounds Park for a fun playground, picnic shelters and flush toilets.

Columbia Springs – 12208 SE Evergreen Hwy, Vancouver, WA 98683

Columbia Springs is a fascinating place for adults and kids alike. Conveniently located near I-205 and Highway 14 in Vancouver, this urban nature site is home to five short trails that make a 2-mile hike when combined. The trails take you through pretty woods, pond areas and a historic fish hatchery. On your hike, you’re likely to see different types of birds and native plants.

The trails vary in difficulty and trail surface, which makes it fun for kids testing out their trail skills. When we visit, we like to see the carved tree artwork along the trail and visit the hatchery fish ponds. There are flush toilets onsite, as well as a visitor center. Keep in mind that the site can be somewhat noisy from nearby I-205, and the trail can be slippery when wet.

Battle Ground Lake State Park – 18002 NE 249th St, Battle Ground, WA 98604

Battle Ground Lake State Park is a unique place to hike. Not only can you hike around a volcanic lake, but you can also fish, swim (keep in mind there are no lifeguards here), rent kayaks (in summer), play on a playground and camp. There are a few trails here, but my favorite trails with kids are the Lower and Upper Lake Loops. Together, these add up to 2 miles of hiking.

There are more trails at the park, but horses are allowed on so you’ll have to watch out for horse poop. By walking on the Lower and Upper Lake Loops, you’ll encounter large volcanic rocks, lake views, birdwatching opportunities and big trees. You may even spot a bald eagle or osprey looking for its next meal! The area is so colorful in the fall and is quite busy in the summer due to water recreation. The trail can be slippery when wet and quite uneven in spots. A Discover Pass is required to park and you can pay onsite. There are flush and vault toilets along the trail.

Stroller-friendly + Toddler Trails – Kid-Friendly Trails in Clark County

Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge – Oaks to Wetlands Trail – 28908 NW Main Ave, Ridgefield, WA 98642

Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, located northwest of downtown Ridgefield, is a prime destination for wildlife viewing. I’ve been visiting the refuge since my daughter was an infant, and the trails are fantastic for all ages. While winter and spring are the best times to visit due to bird migration, the refuge is so picturesque in the fall. The one-mile, mostly flat out-and-back round-trip paved portion of the Oaks to Wetland Trail takes you past a plank house replica to a 400-year-old sprawling oak tree and an interpretive sign.

At the plank house, you can hop onto the crushed gravel Carty Lake Trail and add 0.5 mile round-trip (year-round) or up to two miles round-trip (May through September) of hiking. As you hike, keep an eye out for deer, birds of prey, ducks and more. Kids will love the trains that run alongside the refuge and if you time it right, you can be walking over the train tracks while a train is running underneath! Bring a pair of binoculars and sun protection. There is a fee to park and portable toilets are available at the trailhead. If you have time after your hike, stop by the Davis Park playground.

Vancouver Lake Regional Park – 6801 NW Lower River Rd, Vancouver, WA 98660

With up to four miles of paved trail and stroller-friendly gravel/dirt trail, Vancouver Lake Regional Park has a lot of options for exercise and nature connection. You won’t believe this place is located so close to Downtown Vancouver! Vancouver Lake lies on the edge of a wildlife refuge, making it excellent for birdwatching year-round. We love visiting in the fall to see the changing leaves. From the main parking area, you can go north on a paved, then gravel trail to reach the wilder part of the park and the gravel/dirt Vancouver Lake North Trail. You’ll pass a fun playground on this route. Walking to the south will keep you on a paved path, paralleling the lake.

On clear days at the lake, you’ll get pretty views of Mount Hood. The trail stays away from the lake, but you will still want to keep an eye on kids. There are no lifeguards and the lake often has health advisories, which can be found at clark.wa.gov/public-health/public-beaches. There are flush toilets available much of the year, but winter may only have portable toilets available. There is a fee to park and you can pay onsite.

Salmon Creek Greenway Trail – 800 NE 117th St, Vancouver, WA 98685

The Salmon Creek Greenway Trail is located just west of I-5 in Salmon Creek, making it one of the most convenient nature trails in the area. Public transit is available close by as well. This three-mile one-way paved trail is a fantastic place for nature connection and exercise. We especially loved this flat trail when my daughter first started walking. My favorite place to start the walk is at the Vancouver Girls Softball Association (VGSA) parking lot, then heading west past the duck pond. If everyone is up for it, continue about 1.5 miles from the trailhead for the best nature experience on the trail.

There is always so much wildlife through here. After that stretch, you can head back to the parking lot and then continue east past the lot over to Klineline Pond for the playground, spray park and pond. Keep an eye out for a large bald eagle’s nest high in a tree near the pond. There is no fee to park at the recommended trailhead, but there is a fee to park at Klineline Pond.

There are flush toilets at the recommended parking area and at Klineline Pond. This trail can get busy on nice weekends, especially if there are softball games. FYI, the trail comes close to the creek in spots, so you’ll need to keep an extra eye on kids at times.

Moulton Falls Trail from the Hantwick Trailhead – 29643 NE Hantwick Rd, Yacolt, WA 98675

The Moulton Falls Trail is located between Battle Ground and Yacolt in the foothills of Clark County. It isn’t too far from the metro area, but it gives you a more remote-feeling stroller experience than you’d get closer to the city. The eastern section of the wide Moulton Falls Trail isn’t toddler-friendly due to steep drop-offs, but the western section accessed by the Hantwick Trailhead lacks drop-offs for the first mile.

The somewhat hilly trail starts out paved and turns to gravel after 0.6 mile, at a lovely pond. The trail is in full shade, and we really enjoy it on a hot day. There is even a little creek near the trailhead. You may encounter horses or bikes along the trail, so keep that in mind when walking around corners.

At one mile into your hike, the trail comes very close to the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad train tracks. There isn’t much traffic on these tracks currently, but that may change in the future. After this section, there are significant cliff edges down to the river and the trail is no longer toddler friendly. The trail does continue all the way to the famous Moulton Falls bridge, about 2.5 miles from the Hantwick Trailhead. If you have toddlers in tow, you can always drive down to the parking area for Moulton Falls Regional Park and take a look. Nearby Lucia Falls Regional Park is also a pretty place to walk and watch the salmon jump in the fall and spring!

Now that you know how and where to get started with hiking with your little ones, it’s time to pick a date to explore these kid-friendly trails in Clark County! Remember that any time outside is worthwhile for you and your kids, and it may take a few tries to work the kinks out. I promise that you will look back on these outdoor memories with your kids fondly – and kids will also enjoy hearing the stories and seeing the photos when they are older!

Read the full September 2025 issue

Read more Vancouver Family Magazine Articles

• Summer Fun is Still Here! Nike Kids Camps Still Have Openings Throughout the Summer
• Read Now: Vancouver Family Magazine June 2026 Issue
• Making Waves: A Guide to Southwest Washington Swim Schools 
• Enchanted Forest Turns 55: A Guide to Oregon’s Beloved Theme Park 
• NW Getaway: A Family Road Trip Through the Redwoods and Crater Lake