The National Zoo ticks off all the fall hike boxes: changing leaves, guaranteed animal sightings and well-paved, easy to walk trails. Due to COVID, you do need to reserve your free pedestrian pass prior to a visit (car reservations are now $30 and include entry for up to 4 visitors), but with well-controlled crowds you can rest assured that your walk in these woods will be socially-distanced. The Olmsted Walk, a .8 mile trail that winds from the front to the back of the zoo, is currently open.

There are over 32 miles of paths and trails winding through Rock Creek Park, but we think a great place to start when hiking with littles is at the Peirce Mill where you can park and use restrooms. You can tour the mills Fri.-Sun. in Oct. and on Sat.-Sun. in Nov. After a short history lesson, pick up a free trail map at the mill and then head out on Valley Trail, which runs parallel to the creek.

Tucked behind The Golf Club at Lansdowne is one of NOVA’s best kept secrets, Elizabeth Mills Regional Park. These flat, easy paths are perfect for young hikers and smooth enough to push a wheelchair through. The trail mostly follows the Potomac River, providing stunning views for most of the walk. There is also a narrow path on the water’s edge. There is a large, open field immediately before the trails; it’s the perfect spot for a picnic or a game of catch.

Little eyes (and hands) will love the lilies and lotuses that abound at this D.C. landmark. The park’s two and a half-mile trail takes walkers and strollers through 75 acres of marshes and 45 ponds filled with plants and wildlife. This urban oasis is also known for its free kids programs, including scavenger hunts and bi-monthly story and craft time that are perfect for preschoolers. Got an early riser? You’re in luck. The park recommends early morning visits for the great views and low humidity

You don’t have to drive far to be completely immersed in nature. Just 8 miles from the Roosevelt Bridge, Turkey Run Park offers family-friendly hiking on terrains that range from mostly flat to extremely rocky. Be sure to bring the binoculars and try to identify one of the 140 species of birds that call this park home. There are a number of trails, but the short loop off the C-1 parking lot is most favored by families. It’s a steep incline to and from the parking lot but is otherwise smooth.

Start your adventure at the Visitor’s Center where you can watch an introductory video and check out some preserved representations of the fish, reptiles and insects you may encounter in the park—don’t forget to pick up a map. There are a number of trails to choose from, but the entry-level, one mile Bay View Loop is the most recommended for those with small children. Kids will love stomping across the boardwalks that crisscross over the wetlands while they spot frogs, turtles and bald eagles.

Little beach bums and nature lovers alike will enjoy a trek at Alexandria’s Huntley Meadows Park. With paved, dirt, and boardwalk trails, there’s lots of ways for tiny legs to explore this woods and wetlands. The one-mile trail includes several benches and overlooks where your crew can stop to rest or spot turtles, frogs, cardinals, and even a heron or two. Bring along some sunscreen, hats, and water, as there’s no shade in the park’s wetlands section.

Affectionately known as Great Falls’ “tamer neighbor,” Riverbend Park offers wee hikers the chance to explore the famous landscape on their own terms. Older kiddos may be up for a jaunt on the park’s two and half-mile portion of the Potomac Heritage Trail, while tiny adventure seekers and their parents should check out the paved (a.k.a. stroller-friendly) Duff ‘n’ Stuff trail. Does hiking make your crew hungry? Pack lunch and enjoy a riverside picnic right next to the park’s free nature center.

Affectionately known as Great Falls’ “tamer neighbor,” Riverbend Park offers wee hikers the chance to explore the famous landscape on their own terms. Older kiddos may be up for a jaunt on the park’s two and half-mile portion of the Potomac Heritage Trail, while tiny adventure seekers and their parents should check out the paved (a.k.a. stroller-friendly) Duff ‘n’ Stuff trail. Does hiking make your crew hungry? Pack lunch and enjoy a riverside picnic right next to the park’s free nature center.

Sometimes, the journey is really about the destination. That’s the case at Louise F. Cosca Regional Park. Just steps off their kid-friendly, 1.4-mile hiking trail is the Clearwater Nature Center, which is known for its hands-on exhibits, including live animal displays and a butterfly garden. Tack on a paddleboat rental onto your itinerary to make a day out of your outdoor adventure.