The Umatilla Rim Trail is a beloved multi-use path that checks so many recreation boxes. Biking the trail is a great way to cover a lot of ground, as it is a long, out-and-back with three trailheads. It is also one of the few trails that stays up on the ridge, which saves piggyback rides up the side of a mountain.
Just about every activity write-up on the site included our kids as part of the research process. We wanted to explore as a family. Our daughter first hiked Grouse Mountain Trail without any piggyback rides when she was five years old. Obviously, we took breaks and brought plenty of snack.
The point is to include the kids in outdoor recreation. It really doesn’t matter if you make it 100 feet from the trailhead or 10 miles down the trail. The goal has nothing to do with distance. To get started, here are my top five places to start adventuring with kids.
Lewis & Clark Trail State Park—The short hiking loop feels like you are in a secret garden. Accessing the river is pretty easy, and at certain times of year tubing the short section of the park shoreline is quite entertaining. If new to camping, the proximity to Walla Walla makes it simple to try and well supported by neighboring Waitsburg and Dayton.
Umatilla Rim Trail—Any trail in the Blue Mountains that has access to a vault toilet is a gem in my book. In addition to this convenience, three different trailheads provide access to this long, ridge-line trail. Get to know this trail over time—different parts are well suited for a variety of activities.
For example, starting at the Ninemile Trailhead heading toward the Horseshoe Prairie Trailhead seems to work well for our family to mountain bike together. If it is hot, try starting at the Lake Creek Trailhead and enjoy hiking in the shade for a few miles.
Bennington Lake—There are a lot of different ways to use Bennington Lake. While its purpose is flood mitigation, it doesn’t feel like an industrial destination. The view is hard to beat. Bring bikes and ride a few different loops. Start at different access points to vary distance traveled.
Carry binoculars and looks for nesting owlets. Do you have a horse, fishing pole, or snowshoes? Well, all those activities are possible as well. Don’t forget about the airport district just down the road—the promise of the Walla Walla Roastry, food truck at Quirk or Burwood Brewery, and others is added motivation.
Whitman Mission—This spot tops the list for all the reasons previously discussed. To add a layer of engagement, pack a picnic and utilize the covered tables near the parking area. It’s also fun to watch the kids gain familiarity with a place—they will start to take you to the spots they enjoy most.
Lyons Ferry State Park—In addition to facilities and protected swimming area, one of our favorite places to spend a summer evening is paddleboarding (and attempting to fish off a paddleboard) at the confluence of the Palouse and Snake Rivers.
Check out our write-up on the Palouse River for our beloved spot to launch, which avoids the jetties. Obviously, everyone should wear life jackets. A typical evening for us involves swimming a little, lounging on a floatie, fishing, checking out the basalt cliff walls for often giant spiders, and birdwatching.
