The Mima Falls East Trail in Capitol State Forest is an excellent destination for families looking for a fun and scenic hike. The trail is 2.6 miles round-trip and is rated as moderate, making it suitable for more experienced hiking kids.

As you start out on the trail, you’ll immediately be immersed in the lush forest surroundings. You’ll pass through groves of towering trees and cross small streams as you approach Mima Falls.

Plenty of wildlife, bridges, and water features to keep kids engaged. Along the way, keep an eye out for wildlife such as deer, rabbits, and various bird species. You might even spot a few wildflowers blooming in the spring and summer.  The trail is multi-use, so you might encounter folks on horseback or mountain bikes.

The trail’s highlight is Mima Falls, a beautiful waterfall cascading down the rocks into a tranquil pool below.  We planned for lunch at the falls, which I highly recommend. There’s only one picnic table, so bring a blanket for a picnic. To get a good view of the falls, you will need to help kiddos down 6 feet of steep terrain.

Note: Discover Pass is required. You can shorten the hike by a .3 miles if you start at the upper trailhead.