5 Epic Kid-Friendly Trails Across Maine
Exploring the outdoors as a family offers more than just beautiful views—it’s an invitation to reconnect with each other, recharge our minds, and embrace the joy of nature. For parents, hiking with kids isn’t only about creating fun memories but also introducing young ones to the restorative benefits of time outside. These five family-friendly hikes are the perfect gateway to adventure, designed to keep little legs moving without too much strain and bring out the inner child in adults, too. Fresh air, sweeping views, and a sense of wonder await!
If you attempt these trails in winter make sure to outfit the little ones (and yourself) in winter boots, mittens, hat, and base layers under the winter coat and pants! Be sure to talk to someone from the land trust, state, or national park (mentioned below under “Trailkeeper”) before setting out for an update on conditions. Winter hiking is especially underrated with kids, but be sure to bring winter boots, mittens, a hat, and dress them in baselayers! Spikes may be a nice addition as well if ice is involved!
1. Little Moose Mountain
This hike is one of many great hikes in the Greenville area and is the best bang for your buck when it comes to views of Moosehead Lake, Little Moose Pond, and Big Moose Mountain. There are several different trails that will get you to the top of this mountain, however, the easiest and most direct route is the Little Moose Mountain Loop Trail. Other than the final 0.2 miles, this trail is not very steep. One of the more magical parts of this trail is the sandy beach at Little Moose Pond located about halfway up the trail. Make sure to stop here for a snack break (bring that Halloween Candy if you need an extra boost!) and plan on catching frogs, because there are a lot! Be mindful that the road to the trailhead is not maintained in the winter and there is no cellphone service until you’ve reached the top of this mountain.
Location: Greenville
Distance: 4.3 miles (Loop)
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailkeeper: Maine Bureau of Parks & Land (Little Moose Public Reserved Land)
2. The Bubbles
These peaks can be done together or separately, but if you’re lucky enough to find parking, it’s worth doing both of these mountains together. Clocking in at about a mile combined and less than 1,000 feet elevation gain, these two peaks are perfect for little legs and offer beautiful views of Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake. Make sure to take the Bubbles Divide Trail with your little ones as these are the easiest ways up. You can only access this trailhead from Park Loop Road, which closes during the winter and there is no cellphone service.
Location: Bar Harbor
Distance: 1.5 miles (Out & Back)
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailkeeper: National Park Service (Acadia National Park)
3. Great Pond Mountain
This mountain is considered a shorter hike at about 2.9 miles out and back and offers incredible views which include Acadia National Park in the distance. This is one of our favorite hikes as it the trail is well maintained, it’s not particularly steep, and the top of the mountain allows for our little guy to run around freely due to how large the summit is. Take note that the road to the trailhead is not maintained in the winter so spring, summer, and fall access are the best times to hike this one!
Location: Orland
Distance: 2.9 miles (Out & Back)
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailkeeper: Great Pond Land Conservation Trust
4. Ledges Trail
Located next to South Branch Campground in Baxter State Park, the Ledges Trail is a great, quick hike for kids. This trail is less than a mile and very gradual with beautiful views of Upper and Lower South Branch Pond. Make sure to bring a bag or container for this hike during blueberry season as the summit is chalk full of wild blueberry bushes! The last time we hiked this, our little guy ate about his weight in berries and did not want to hike back down.
Location: Millinocket
Distance: 1.2 miles (Loop)
Difficulty: Easy
Trailkeeper: Maine Bureau of Parks & Lands (Baxter State Park)
5. Eagle Bluff
While Eagle Bluff is a mere 0.6 mile hike, be prepared for a very steep climb. This hike is perfect for watching sunset with beautiful views of Cedar Swamp but we’ve found that this hike is amazing for those times that we just need to get out of the house for a quick adventure. Pack a picnic to bring to the top as there is plenty of space to sit and enjoy the views, but beware that this spot is notorious for black flies from April to the beginning of August.
Location: Clifton
Distance: 0.6 miles (Out & Back)
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailkeeper: Clifton Climbers Alliance
