How to Spend the Day at Reflection Riding: For Families and Children
The most common question we get at Reflection Riding is, “what should we do while we’re here?” Our team put together some great options for how to make the most of your time on our beautiful campus… depending on what you’re interested in. First up, for families visiting with kids in tow, we’ve got some great suggestions for lots of fun outside. Stay tuned over the next few weeks for ideas for “Outdoor Adventurers,” “Thrill Seekers,” and “Plant Lovers.”
For Families with Children:
Kids love a picnic! So why not take the whole family on a picnic hike on our campus? It’s a perfect way to get some fresh air and exercise, while building in a break to refresh. You’ll find benches along the way to rest little feet too. Be sure to download a free trail map or ask for a paper map at our Welcome Center, where you can also use the facilities and fill up water bottles before you set up. Here are a few easy-to-navigate, mostly flat, family-friendly hikes:
3-mile loop from the Welcome Center to the Siren Pool and back
2-mile loop from the Welcome Center to the Cherokee Eye and back
1-mile loop from Welcome Center around the barn/nursery and back
One fun idea we find kids also love is taking photos of various plants and animals they see, then using iNaturalist to identify them. The Reflection Riding iNaturalist page has more than 17,000 posts from visitors to our campus looking to identify the cool things they see while visiting!
On your right as you arrive, stop by and explore the Nature Playscape, especially for younger children. In this five-acre play area, Reflection Riding used the existing features of the landscape and capitalized on what was already there. Hazards have been removed, and rustic fencing has been placed so that children may enjoy independent exploration.
Your family can also join us for weekend programs with top-notch naturalists. From Wildflower walks to guided hikes to nature art programs, there’s something for everyone… especially kids! You can also design your own Nature Experience to focus on whatever your children are most interested in. Maybe they’d like to meet the Red Wolves up close or learn all about birds of prey. Choose your own adventure with Nature Experiences!
You can always check out our top tips for Planning Your Visit, and know that our friendly Welcome Center staff is here to help guide your adventure; just stop by anytime. We hope you’ll bring the kids out to explore all our campus has to offer. Stay tuned for next week for ideas for an outdoor adventure at Reflection Riding!