Want to hike eastern Idaho with your toddler or young kids? Check out these easy trails

IDAHO FALLS — Bring out the toddler hiking backpack, put on your shoes, and grab your family. It’s time to get outside and enjoy the hundreds of hiking trails that eastern Idaho has to offer.

EastIdahoNews.com compiled a list of easy-to-moderate hikes or trails in the area that are designed for families with toddlers or young children. Some of our readers suggested these.

We’ve listed 10 in no particular order.

1. Coffee Pot Rapids Trail

This is located in the Island Park area of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. It’s considered easy and is 4.3 miles long, out-and-back, with a 95-foot elevation gain. It can take one to two hours to complete. It’s a hike along the Henrys Fork River to Coffee Pot Rapids. This is for all fitness levels. There are some wildlife-viewing opportunities too.

2. Sheep Falls on the Henrys Fork

This is in the Island Park area at Caribou-Targhee National Forest and is considered easy. It’s 1.1 miles long out and back with an elevation gain of 187 feet. It’s expected to take less than an hour. It leads to a waterfall on the Henrys Fork. Note that the dirt road to the trailhead is rough and rocky. It’s highly suggested to drive a high-clearance vehicle.

3. Sidewinder Trail to Stinking Springs

This hike is in the Ririe area and is considered moderate. It’s 5 miles long out and back with an elevation gain of 807 feet. It’s used for ATVs, hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. It’s estimated to take about two to three hours. There is a separate trail for foot traffic only as well. There are views of the Snake River.

4. Moose Creek Trail: the short version

This is considered an easy hike located in the Victor area. It’s 3.1 miles out and back with a 259-foot elevation gain. It leads to a bridge crossing over the creek. It’s estimated to take about one to two hours to complete. There are ponds surrounded by wildflowers. You are asked to keep an eye out for local wildlife like bears, moose, and deer. They are commonly spotted along the trail.

5. Hidden Vista Loop Trail

This is located in the Rexburg area in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and is considered easy. This is a 1.1-mile loop with an elevation gain of 118 feet. It takes less than an hour. The trail loops around the peak and has beautiful scenic views. It’s considered perfect for young kids.

6. City Creek Beginner Loop Trail

This is considered easy and is located in the Pocatello area. It’s a 2.6-mile loop with a 423-foot elevation gain. It’s a route that is popular for birding, hiking, and mountain biking. It’s estimated to take anywhere between one and two hours.

7. Mesa Falls Nature Trail

This is near Ashton in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and is easy. It’s 2.1 miles out and back with a 91-foot elevation gain. It’s a good way to see the Lower Mesa Falls. It begins in the Upper Mesa Falls parking lot and ends above the Lower Mesa Falls. It takes less than one hour.

8. Box Canyon Campground to Rosie’s Waterfall Observation Point

This is in the Island Park area and is easy. It’s 4.1 miles in length out and back with a 127-foot elevation gain. It’s estimated to take one to two hours. It’s a beautiful walk alongside and above the Henrys Fork of the Snake River. Most of the trail is considered shaded by the forest. The observation point has a wooden bench to view Rosie’s Waterfall.

9. Hooper Springs Loop

This is near Soda Springs and is a very easy hike for kids. It’s a 1-mile loop with an 82-foot elevation gain. It’s estimated to take less than one hour to complete. According to the AllTrails app, you can sample the natural soda water that has made the area famous.

10. Cress Creek Trail

This is in the Ririe area and is considered moderate. It’s a family-friendly spot. It’s 1.3 miles in length and is a loop. It has an elevation gain of 308 feet and takes less than an hour. This hike provides a view of the South Fork of the Snake River during the summer. The first part is paved, and it is uphill. From there, the trail turns into gravel near a creek. There are many overlooks.

Besides these 10 hikes and trails, there are a lot more to discover. Click here to visit AllTrails to find more hikes.

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