This year marks the 100th anniversary of the United States National Park Service, and there’s no better way to celebrate it than taking in the nation’s top national parks.
The National Park Service is one of the greatest resources in the United States for families to enjoy together. Here are our top national parks for family vacations.
Top National Parks for Kids and Families
Grand Canyon, Arizona
Most families who visit the Grand Canyon pull up to a crowded lot, gaze out across the vast expanse for an hour, and drive off. But there’s great adventure and wonder waiting below the rim. While most families visit the South Rim, we recommend the North Rim, with its higher elevation, quiet surroundings, and famous mule rides into the canyon. Kids 7+ can ride for an hour, 10 and 11-year-olds for half a day, and 12+ for a full day. For kids that spend time hiking below the rim, the natural wonders and majesty come alive in a much more experiential way than just looking down on the canyon from the top.
If you plan your trip well in advance, you can even take in a rafting trip along the Colorado River and gaze up at the enormous walls as you pass through the canyon.
Must-Do: Ranger-led hiking programs give families the opportunity to find prehistoric fossils, spot lizards, and inspect desert wildflowers.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming/Montana/Idaho
The nation’s first national park also provides some of the nation’s richest outdoor adventures for children of any age. Of course, visiting Old Faithful should be on every family’s agenda, but there is so much more to take in. In fact, there’s so much to see and do, the Yellowstone for Families program provides a four-day experience of ranger-led hikes. You’ll get to explore canyons, waterfalls, and geyser basins while tracking animals, painting, and hiking. Kids can become Yellowstone National Park Junior Rangers.
Must-Do: Be sure to take advantage of one of the several Stars Over Yellowstone astronomy programs. See the grandeur of the galaxy under a wide-open canopy of stars!
Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite’s giant sequoias will leave your kids awestruck, and its stunning waterfalls and valleys will fill them with wonder. Families will enjoy the many biking, hiking, and backpacking opportunities that provide breathtaking views of rock formations and waterfalls. Kids can become Junior Rangers while discovering natural wonders of the park.
Yosemite in winter is an entirely different adventure, and equally memorable. Badger Pass Ski Area offers fantastic ski slopes and snowboarding, and Curry Village Ice Skating Rink is tucked in the majestic shadows of Half Dome and Glacier Point. Snowshoeing and ski trails take you exploring along wooded snowy trails with breathtaking vistas.
Must-Do: Check out the Grizzly Giant sequoia—the largest in the grove—and walk through the California Tunnel Tree.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
The Grand Tetons, known for their iconic mountain peaks, offer an array of recreational activities for families—whether you’re looking for hiking, biking, fishing, boating, horseback, or rafting adventures. Your kids will enjoy spotting all kinds of wildlife, and are likely to spy anything from mountain lions to bison.
Must-Do: Explore Jenny Lake, where you’ll enjoy dramatic mountain scenery and trails to Hidden Falls, an 80-foot waterfall.
Zion National Park, Utah
Zion National Park is known for its wide vistas of incredible multi-colored canyons and towers. Among the unforgettable sights to behold are the three Emerald Pools and several swimming holes, hanging gardens that grow out of the sandstone formations, and Weeping Rock.
The free kid’s programming includes several hands-on activities, nature walks, and ranger-led lessons that can’t be beat.
Must-Do: Be sure to hike along the short but rewarding Weeping Rock trail, which also serves as a trailhead for several other hiking trails.
The Everglades National Park, Florida
Want to spend your time on the water instead of the mountains or canyons? The Everglades National Park occupies more acreage than the state of Delaware, and offers unforgettable opportunities to spot some of the world’s endangered species in their natural habitats. Whether you love fishing, canoeing, hiking, biking, or bird-watching, you’ll find plenty to do here. Rent a houseboat overnight or take a boat tour.
Must-Do: Hike the half-mile-long Anhinga Trail through sawgrass marsh and keep a sharp eye out for alligators, turtles, anhingas, flamingos, and many other exotic birds.
Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee/North Carolina
The Great Smoky Mountains have tremendous opportunities for families looking to get the most out of the great outdoors—from waterfalls to swimming holes, horseback rides, and enormous biodiversity begging to be discovered by children. Inner-tubing along Deep Creek is a family favorite activity.
Must-Do: Every Tuesday during the summer months, kids can don blacksmith gear and participate in a ranger-led blacksmith demonstration.
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