The 8 Best National Parks to Take Your Kids
Are you looking for an educational vacation to take with your kids? National Parks are an awesome choice, and most of them are budget-friendly, which is a double bonus. You can find hundreds of national parks scattered throughout the United States, but not all of them are destination-worthy with kids in tow.
1. Acadia National Park
Located in Maine on the Atlantic Coast, Acadia gives you plenty to do. You can take long drives, check out the views on top of Cadillac Mountain, or head to Bar Harbor Lighthouse.
It's considered a great national park to head to when you want to relax, making it great for kids. No long hikes are needed to visit most of Acadia's spots. What a great spot for a family vacation.
2. Arches National Park
If you want breathtaking and surprising, Arches National Park is where you should head. The landscapes are mindblowing, and the hiking trails are world-class. If your family likes to hike, Arches is the place to go. Some of the most memorable stops are the Balanced Rock, the Windows, and the Double Arch.
You can visit Arches National Park in any season. Going in the summer means that it can be very hot during the day, too hot to do any hiking. Summer is a good time to take a rafting trip down the Colorado River.
3. Death Valley National Park
That name makes you really want to go to this park, doesn't it? You'll feel like you're on a different plant here. Kids can slide down the dunes, and you can hit up the Devil's Golf Course around spires of rocks.
The Badwater Salt Flats is a dynamic geometric spot that will wow your children, and you're 282 feet below sea level. Your kids can try to lift chunks of salt. However, be aware that this US National Park has extreme weather and rough terrain. Take precautions and don't take toddlers.
4. Glacier National Park
Located in northwestern Montana, Glacier National Park offers the remoteness and beauty on over a million acres. There is only one road that crosses the entire park - crazy, right? That means most of this park is only accessible on foot.
Glacier offers plenty of family-friendly activities. Lake McDonald is a favorite spot for little kids, who love the multi-colored rocks under the glacial waters. You can check out the Trail of the Cedars, which is an easy trail for all.
5. Grand Canyon National Park
No list of US National Parks is complete without mentioning the Grand Canyon. The South Rim is open year-round, but the North Rim is closed during the winter. If you drive along the Desert View Drive on the South Rim, you can travel of 25 miles of road that runs along the canyon's edge.
Aside from sightseeing, you can raft, hike, and learn about the history of the Grand Canyon while you visit.
6. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. It's the #1 visited US National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's easy for traveling with a central location for those who live in the eastern and midwestern states.
This US National Park offers plenty of hiking with trails that are ideal for families, waterfalls, biking, and fun activities for kids. You can even go horseback riding along the river.
7. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
If you're visiting Hawaii, you have to visit the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park which is the location of the two most active volcanoes in the world. It's a great place for kids to explore and learn with stunning landscapes. Your kids can see lava fields, craters, steam vents, sulfur banks, and tropical rainforest.
Families have to take a walk on the Thurston Lava Tube. If you have the time and money, take a boat or helicopter ride to see the lava flowing into the water. That's a once in a lifetime experience!
8. Yellowstone National Park
Who can forget about Yellowstone National Park? It's one of the best US National Parks to visit with kids, and it's quite diverse.
Kids can see geysers in action, check out waterfalls, visit the hot springs, or check out the abundant wildlife. One cool thing to see if the Boiling River, which is like a natural hot tub river that you can swim in - how cool. Yellowstone is a great outdoor family vacation.
