Organization · Family Outdoors Movement
Hike it Baby
Hike it Baby is a national nonprofit that organizes free and low-cost group hikes for families with babies and toddlers, with chapters in cities across the United States and beyond. It exists to get the youngest walkers and their caregivers outside together, building community one trail at a time.
This page from Outside, the family adventure app, profiles Hike it Baby, a nonprofit organization that connects families with infants and toddlers to free group hikes through a network of local chapters across the United States and internationally. The page covers what Hike it Baby does, how families can find local events and chapters, membership options, volunteering as a branch ambassador, and which families are the best fit for the organization. Key facts include the organization's focus on babies through toddler-aged children, its ambassador-led branch model, and its free and paid membership tiers.
| Cost | Free to attend most hikes; optional paid membership |
|---|---|
| Region | Nationwide, with international branches |
| Season | Year-round in most locations |
| Age range | Infant to roughly age 5, older siblings welcome |
| Volunteer roles | Branch Ambassador program available |
What Hike it Baby does
Hike it Baby is a nonprofit organization founded in 2013 in Portland, Oregon. Its core mission is simple: organize group hikes for families with babies and young children, then get out of the way and let community form on the trail. Local volunteers called Branch Ambassadors plan and lead hikes in their own cities and towns, choosing routes that work for strollers, carriers, and short legs. The organization has grown to include hundreds of branches across the country and in several other countries. Hikes are typically free or low cost to attend, and they run year-round in most regions. Beyond the hikes themselves, Hike it Baby advocates for accessible public lands and works to make the outdoors feel welcoming to families who might not have grown up seeing themselves represented on the trail.
Who it fits best
Hike it Baby is built around the window between birth and roughly age three or four, when getting outside with a baby feels logistically complicated and socially isolating. New parents carrying infants in wraps, families pushing all-terrain strollers, and caregivers wrangling toddlers who stop every twelve feet to examine a pebble are exactly the audience the organization was designed for. That said, older siblings up to school age turn up regularly on group hikes, and the pace and tone accommodate them well. Families who have felt out of place on busy trails, or who simply want to meet other parents who also think a muddy morning in the woods counts as a good weekend, tend to find their people here.
Finding a branch near you
Hike it Baby organizes its community through local branches, each run by volunteer Branch Ambassadors who live in the area. To find a branch, families can search the Hike it Baby website by city or zip code. Branches vary in size from a handful of regulars in smaller metros to dozens of active members in major cities. Each branch sets its own schedule, posting upcoming hikes through the Hike it Baby platform. Hikes range from paved riverside paths to unpaved nature trails, and most branch listings include notes on terrain so families can judge stroller friendliness or difficulty before showing up. In areas without an existing branch, the organization actively encourages parents to start one.
Membership and how it works
Hike it Baby offers free and paid membership options. A free account gives access to the branch finder and lets families browse upcoming hikes. Paid memberships, offered at several price tiers, unlock full event registration, access to a private online community, and other member benefits. The organization also offers a scholarship program for families who want the benefits of paid membership but face financial barriers. Membership is not required to show up to many hikes, but registering through the platform helps Branch Ambassadors plan appropriately and keeps families informed of last-minute changes due to weather or trail conditions.
Volunteering as a Branch Ambassador
Branch Ambassadors are the engine of Hike it Baby. They are volunteer parents and caregivers who plan hikes, scout trails, post events, and show up to lead the group. The role suits someone who already loves getting outside with their kids and wants to build something in their own neighborhood. Hike it Baby provides training, a support network of other ambassadors, and organizational backing. The time commitment is flexible and scales to what a volunteer can manage. Some ambassadors run one hike a month; others build robust local programs with weekly outings. Families interested in volunteering can apply through the Hike it Baby website.
What to expect on a group hike
A typical Hike it Baby outing is unhurried and genuinely child-paced. Groups gather at a trailhead, make introductions, and set off together without a rigid agenda. Stops for snacks, nursing, diaper changes, and toddler detours are built into the experience rather than treated as interruptions. Distances tend to stay short, usually one to three miles, though some branches plan longer options for families with older kids or more experienced hikers. The social dimension is real: many families who meet on Hike it Baby hikes end up becoming lasting friends. Dress for the weather, bring water and snacks, and expect the walk to take longer than the map suggests.
Write about the first time you took your child outside in a group with other families. What did you notice about the trail that you might have missed if you had gone alone?
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a membership to attend a Hike it Baby hike?
Many hikes are open to anyone who shows up, but creating a free account on the Hike it Baby website lets you register in advance and receive updates. Paid memberships unlock additional features and community access, and a scholarship option is available for families with financial need.
What age kids does Hike it Baby serve?
The organization focuses on babies and toddlers, typically birth through preschool age. Older siblings regularly come along, and the pace of most group hikes accommodates mixed-age families. The community is most active around the infant and toddler years.
How do I find a Hike it Baby chapter near me?
Use the branch finder on the Hike it Baby website and search by city or zip code. If no branch exists in your area, the organization provides resources and support for parents who want to start one.
Are Hike it Baby hikes stroller-friendly?
Many are, and branch listings typically note terrain type so families can judge before registering. Some hikes use paved or packed-gravel paths well suited to jogging strollers; others cover unpaved trails better navigated with a carrier. Checking the event description before you go is the best way to know what to expect.