3 Family Hikes in Maryland near Washington DC

Sponsored by method x Fifty Nine Parks.

One of the questions I get most often on TikTok is “what are the family hikes in Maryland and Washington DC?”

As we head into spring and summer, one of my favorite family-friendly activities in Maryland, just outside Washington DC is going hiking with my daughter!

We hike quite often at the National and State Parks in Maryland and Washington DC, climbing on rocks and running down trails.  

Whenever we come home from a hike we love using method handwashes to get our big and little hands clean!  method hand washes foam so easily with their dispenser and the smell is just like being in the woods!

method hand washes have truly become a staple in our house and an after-hike ritual.  

method’s new limited-edition collection with fifty-nine parks celebrates the outdoors while bringing the beauty of our local and National Parks into the home.  There’s nothing better for mental and physical health than enjoying time outdoors.

method and fifty-nine parks are supporting park ventures, the national park foundation’s new collaborative effort to increase park access and equity so more people can experience the great outdoors.  Nature should be accessible to all that want to enjoy it!  There’s nothing better than sharing our beautiful world with our children so they understand how important it is.

Foresting is one of our favorite weekend activities in the Washington DC area in Maryland!  We are lucky to have access to so many green spaces to enjoy every day.

In partnership with method and fifty-nine parks, I’m sharing 3 of my favorite family hikes in Maryland just outside Washington DC.

Meadowside Park Family Hike in Maryland

Meadowside in Rockville Maryland is one of the easiest hikes and great for younger children.  During spring there are plenty of wildflowers all around.

From the Nature Center, we usually take the Rocky Ridge Trail to the creek and follow the creek either north or south. 

The best part of Meadowside is that it’s mostly flat once you reach the creek and easy for small kids to hike with lots of interesting habitats for kids to examine.  There are several areas where you can cross the creek by hopping over some rocks in shallow water!  

This is one of the family hikes in Maryland that we go when we are short on time but still want to spend some time in a green space.

Location:  5100 Meadowside Ln, Rockville, MD 20855

Croyden Creek Nature Center Kids Hike in Maryland

If you are looking for a super short hike with all the opportunities for some foresting, then Croyden Creek Nature Center is your best bet!

Croyden Creek has over 3 miles of trails but our favorite is a super short one.

This little hike is perfect for families and kids that want all the rewards with just a little bit of effort because it ends at a waterfall!

From the Nature Center follow the white blazes for the Overlook trail and you will shortly find a waterfall!  There are steps that will take you down right to it and more little rocks for your children to cross the creek.  This hike is only 0.17 miles long.

The waterfall area is the perfect spot for some foresting!

If you want more hiking then take the Heritage Trail for a fun 0.84 mile loop hike that has lots of fun bridge crossings and just a bit of uphill.

Location:  603 Edmonston Dr, Rockville, MD 20851

Great Falls Park Maryland Family Hike

Great Falls on the Maryland side of the Potomac, is an easily accessible hike, and perfect for the whole family.

For the easiest hike option that’s stroller-friendly, just walk along the canal towpath.  For more advanced hikers the Billy Goat Trail is both fun and challenging with just a bit of fun rock climbing thrown in.

This hike is great for slightly older school-aged children.  

The Billy Goat Trail is divided into 3 sections, A, B, and C.  Section A is our favorite and includes some rock climbing.  The trail is 1.75 miles long and goes one way starting from the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center.  

During spring you’ll even beautiful wildflowers like the famous Virginia bluebells along this trail.

This Maryland family hike is one of our favorites!

The Billy Goat trail does get crowded on the weekend so the best time to go is either early in the morning or after 3 pm in the afternoon.

Location:  11710 Macarthur Blvd, Potomac, MD 20854

And remember to always clean those little hands with method x fifty-nine parks collection of handwashes after the fun hike!