Lake Arrowhead With Kids
The best things to do in Lake Arrowhead with kids: SkyPark at Santa's Village (the one big theme-park-style attraction), the Lake Arrowhead Queen boat tour, swimming and waterslides at Lake Gregory, easy hikes like Heart Rock, and snow play in winter. Remember you can't swim in Lake Arrowhead itself — plan the water day around the public lakes nearby.
The facts
- Best for
- Toddlers through teens — different picks by age below
- The big one
- SkyPark at Santa's Village (~10 min from the Village)
- Water day
- Lake Gregory — sand beach, waterslides, inflatable aqua park
- In winter
- Snow play & tubing after a storm (Snowdrift, Snow Valley)
Getting there
Get directions →The big attraction: SkyPark at Santa's Village
If you do one paid thing with kids, make it SkyPark at Santa's Village in Skyforest, about 10 minutes from the Village. It's the 1955 Christmas park reborn as a year-round adventure park — a mountain-bike park, ziplines, climbing, archery, a fishing pond, and a seasonal skating rink, wrapped around the original gingerbread buildings. November–December is full Christmas mode and the peak (buy tickets online in advance; dates sell out). It's a full day on its own, so pair it with a low-key evening rather than cramming in more.
Get on the water: the boat tour
Since kids can't swim in the private lake, the Lake Arrowhead Queen is the way to give them the on-the-water experience — a 50-minute narrated paddlewheel cruise from the Village dock, ~$25 for kids 2–11 and free under 2. It's dog-friendly and gentle, good for antsy toddlers and grandparents alike. Kids under 12 wear the provided life vest.
Water day: Lake Gregory
For actual swimming, drive 15 minutes to Lake Gregory — a public sand beach with lifeguards, two waterslides, and an inflatable aqua park out on the water. It's the family swim default. For a quieter, cooler alternative, Green Valley Lake is smaller and mellower (our comparison helps you pick). Dogs aren't allowed on the Gregory swim beach.
Easy hikes kids can finish
Keep hikes short and shady: Heart Rock (1.5–2 miles, a heart-shaped pothole waterfall as the payoff — kids love the destination) and Heaps Peak Arboretum (a flat, interpretive 1-mile loop, ideal for little legs) are the two winners. Little Bear Creek is easy and one of the best for dogs. Skip the hard ones — Deep Creek Hot Springs and the Pinnacles are not kid hikes. Bring more water than you think; the elevation and dry air dehydrate kids fast.
In winter: snow play
After a storm, the mountain becomes a snow-play destination. Take kids to a groomed snow-play or tubing park (Snowdrift in Green Valley Lake, or Snow Valley's snow-play area) rather than sledding on highway turnouts, which is dangerous. Read the chain-control guide first — the drive is the hard part of a snow day.
Parking with kids
Arrive before 10am on weekends. Wrangling kids across a full Village parking lot after circling for 20 minutes is how good days go sideways. Park once, early, and walk — the Village is compact and stroller-friendly.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Lake Arrowhead with kids?
Top family picks are SkyPark at Santa's Village (adventure/theme park), the Lake Arrowhead Queen boat tour, swimming and waterslides at Lake Gregory, easy hikes like Heart Rock and Heaps Peak Arboretum, and snow play in winter.
Can kids swim in Lake Arrowhead?
Not in Lake Arrowhead itself — it's a private, members-only lake. Take kids to Lake Gregory (waterslides and a sand beach, ~15 min) or Green Valley Lake instead.
Is SkyPark at Santa's Village good for young kids?
Yes — it has activities across ages, from a play-oriented Christmas village for little ones to a mountain-bike park and ziplines for older kids. Buy date-priced tickets online in advance, especially in the November–December Christmas season.
What's the best easy hike for kids near Lake Arrowhead?
Heaps Peak Arboretum (flat 1-mile interpretive loop) for little kids, and Heart Rock Trail (1.5–2 miles to a heart-shaped waterfall) for a slightly bigger adventure with a fun payoff.
Facts on this page last verified July 28, 2026. Fees, hours, and access rules change seasonally — confirm with the official source before a long drive.