Load Up the Kids and the Stroller and Get Moving
For parents of little kids, it’s absolutely necessary to get them (and yourself) out of the house every once in a while. Thankfully, when the weather is right, neighborhood walks are the perfect solution to combat the restlessness of being stuck indoors. But even then, sometimes the old neighborhood route gets old. Lucky for us, NEPA is home to countless parks and easy hiking trails, many with paved paths that make for perfect stroller walks. So, fill up your water bottle, pack some snacks and load up the stroller and kids and check out these stroller-friendly walks across NEPA.
Luzerne, PA
Explore the serene Luzerne Creek Walk section of the Back Mountain Trail where you’ll follow along the path of the highway past a creek, waterfall and open stretches of wildflowers. Another small out-and back section of the trail can be accessed from Carverton Rd. Both are stroller-friendly with flat, crushed gravel and limited incline.
The Judith and David Ripple Loop portion of the trail can be accessed off of Lt. Michael Cleary Dr. in Dallas. The half-mile loop walk has a wide gravel path, small gradual inclines and some beautiful wooden bridges that cross over a small stream and wetlands.
Bloomsburg, PA
Journey alongside scenic Fishing Creek on this 3-mile out and back route through the densely-wooded Creekside watershed. You’ll get a birds-eye view of the town of Bloomsburg along the way. The flat gravel and asphalt trail offers peaceful creekside views, making this the perfect stroller-friendly walk.
Stroudsburg, PA
Located on a former golf course, the refuge offers two connecting routes with over 3.5 miles of paved trails that follow the former golf cart path. It’s a peaceful escape in to nature, as the refuge is a popular stop for migratory birds while the wetlands are home to a variety of plants and animals. There’s also a third, longer dirt and gravel trail, the Cherry Valley Ridge Trail, off of Lower Cherry Valley Rd. that’s 3.2 miles long.
East Stroudsburg, PA
The preserve, formerly the Evergreen Park Golf Course, is 42-acres of undisturbed nature at its finest, including a bald eagle nest viewing area. This serene nature preserve features a 1-mile gravel pathway loop trail through the forests and meadows.
Wyoming, PA
The park offers a quiet retreat into nature with several options for stroller-friendly walks. The entire driving route through the park is paved, allowing for an easy walk from shoreline to shoreline, which stretches around one half of the park. The Lake Shore Trail is also a popular route. At 1.4 miles, the out-and-back walk allows for a peaceful journey along the water’s edge.
Hazle Twp., PA
The crushed stone pathway and gentle grade make this the perfect spot for a walk. The route is also great for bike riding, so bring along big brother or sister to join you on this stroller-friendly path. Along your way, the 4-mile trail takes you through dense woods and open meadows and past the lovely Dreck Creek Reservoir.
Kempton, PA
Birdwatch while you hike along the Silhouette Trail. The crushed stone surface path with a maximum 8% upgrade leads you to the stunning South lookout – a prime spot for spotting eagles, falcons and hawks. The sweeping views of the valley below are worth the trip.
Tunkhannock, PA
Take in the beauty of the Endless Mountains on this 3.6-mile round-trip trail. The smooth crushed stone pathway leads you beside open meadows, past rocky ledges and through serene forests.
Scranton, PA
This 70-mile trail system, which stretches from Pittston to Simpson and connects with the D&H Rail-Trail, is a picturesque setting for a hike with your tyke. You’ll pass through a forest and meander along the Lackawanna River on a mainly paved or crushed stone surface trail. With 30 trailheads, there’s convenient access to hop on the route in a number of spots.
Scranton, PA
The 3.5-mile-long paved loop trail offers a tranquil setting for an enjoyable walk around this pristine reservoir. The mostly flat route, with just a few modest hills, follows the shoreline and encompasses nature in all its glory, especially during peak fall foliage season.
White Haven, PA
Enjoy the views of the Lehigh River, Pocono Mountains and scenic waterfalls along this 26-mile rail trail that spans from White Haven to Jim Thorpe. Located within the Lehigh Gorge State Park, the fine gravel surface and slight downgrade trail make this the perfect spot for stroller walks and for siblings on bikes and scooters.
East Stroudsburg, PA
This 4.5-mile trail is a convenient spot to enjoy the outdoors and a stroller-friendly route in one. Escape into nature as you journey from East Stroudsburg to Stroudsburg and past several community parks along the way.
Kingston, PA
With four “reaches” and 12 miles to explore, the Luzerne County Levee Trail gives you several walking routes to explore. Hop on the paved trails on top of the flood levee in Forty Fort, Hanover or Plymouth and enjoy the stunning views of the Susquehanna River. The Kingston branch runs through Kirby Park and Nesbitt Park which both provide additional paved paths for walking and exploring.
Clarks Summit, PA
The longest and most popular section of the trolley trail runs from Clarks Summit to Dalton. At almost 3 miles one-way, the smooth surface and gentle grade makes for a pleasant walk for all ages. The Keystone College to Factoryville section leads you through Keystone College’s Woodland Campus, passes through the woods and continues into downtown Factoryville for 1.8 miles of smooth and gentle trails.
Hawley, PA
The shores of Lake Wallenpaupack make for a spectacular sight along the 1.5-mile lakeside trail. Enjoy sweeping views of the magnificent 5,700-acre lake along the smooth level path. It’s perfect for stroller walks and for the whole family.
10 Counties of NEPA
Of course, our state forests have miles and miles of flat, compact gravel maintenance roads that wind through acres upon acres of lush forests in peaceful settings. And while we’ve called out a few trails in particular, all 17 of our state parks feature compact trails and paved accessible roadways that allow for walks with relatively little vehicle activity.
