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Ultimate 2-Week National Park Road Trip: An Epic Itinerary

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Kelsey Waddell

Kelsey is a freelance writer based in Southern Virginia. She enjoys traveling with her family to destinations from national parks to amusement parks and loves sharing tips and stories from along the way.

Are you looking for an adventure that will take you through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the United States?

Look no further than a 2-week national park road trip!

With so many incredible parks to choose from, this trip is perfect for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.

During our road trip, we’ll have the opportunity to explore some of the country’s most iconic national parks, including the geysers and hot springs of Yellowstone, the cliffs of Yosemite, and the almighty Grand Canyon. 

We’ll also have the chance to hike, bike, and kayak through some of the most stunning scenery in the world, making this trip a true adventure from start to finish.

Sounds epic? Let’s get started with an itinerary and a route for your ultimate 2-week national park road trip!

Our recommended itinerary for a 2-week national park road trip includes stops at some of the most iconic national parks in the US.

Here’s a day-by-day breakdown of the trip:

Start your trip in San Francisco and drive to Yosemite National Park.

Spend two days exploring Yosemite Valley and hiking some of the park’s most famous trails.

Distance: Approximately 195 miles (314 km) | Travel Time: Around 4 hours.

Head south to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Spend a day exploring the giant sequoia trees and another day hiking in the backcountry.

Distance: Approximately 180 miles (290 km) | Travel Time: Around 3.5 hours.

Drive to Death Valley National Park and spend two days exploring the park’s unique landscapes, including Badwater Basin and Artist’s Palette.

Distance: Approximately 300 miles (483 km) | Travel Time: Around 5.5 hours.

Head east to Zion National Park in Utah.

Spend two days hiking the park’s famous trails, including Angels Landing and The Narrows.

Distance: Approximately 160 miles (257 km) | Travel Time: Around 3 hours.

Visit Bryce Canyon National Park and hike the hoodoos. Spend a night stargazing in the park.

Distance: Approximately 72 miles (116 km) | Travel Time: Around 1.5 hours.

Drive to Grand Canyon National Park and spend two days exploring the South Rim.

Hike the Bright Angel Trail or take a scenic helicopter tour.

Distance: Approximately 280 miles (451 km) | Travel Time: Around 5 hours.

Head back to Las Vegas and spend a day exploring the city before flying home.

Distance: Approximately 280 miles (451 km) | Travel Time: Around 4.5 hours.

Our recommended route for a 2-week national park road trip is a loop that starts and ends in San Francisco.

From there, you’ll head south to Yosemite National Park, then southeast to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

From there, you’ll head east to Death Valley National Park before heading north to Zion National Park in Utah.

After visiting Bryce Canyon National Park, you’ll head west to Grand Canyon National Park before returning to Las Vegas.

When planning your 2-week national park road trip, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, be aware of park closures. Some parks, like Yellowstone National Park, have limited access in the winter months.

Second, consider the time of year you’ll be traveling. Summer can be crowded and hot, while fall offers cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.

Finally, make sure to book any necessary reservations in advance, especially if you plan to camp in the parks.

To make planning your trip easier, consider using a road trip planner like My Maps or Tripadvisor. And don’t forget to purchase an America the Beautiful Pass, which will give you access to all the national parks on your trip.

With this itinerary, route, and planning tips, you’re ready to embark on the ultimate 2-week national park road trip.

Stop 1: Yosemite National Park

During your stay in Yosemite National Park, you can embark on thrilling hikes through iconic landmarks like Yosemite Valley.

Take on the challenge of Half Dome or Mist Trail and be rewarded with awe-inspiring views.

Accommodation options within the park include lodges, campsites, and cabins, offering you a range of choices to suit your preferences.

Stop 2: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

In Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, you’ll have the opportunity to explore groves of giant sequoia trees, including the famous General Sherman Tree.

Immerse yourself in the scenic backcountry with stunning vistas and remote wilderness.

Choose from a variety of accommodations within the parks, such as campgrounds, lodges, and cabins, to enhance your natural experience.

Stop 3: Death Valley National Park

As you venture into Death Valley National Park, you’ll be amazed by the diverse and striking desert landscape.

Explore mesmerizing spots like Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, and witness the vibrant colors of Artist’s Palette.

Accommodation options range from hotels and motels near the park’s entrances to campgrounds within the park, allowing you to immerse yourself in the beauty of the desert at your own pace.

Stop 4: Zion National Park

In Zion National Park, you can embark on thrilling hikes amidst towering red cliffs and deep canyons.

Feel the rush of adrenaline as you tackle Angels Landing or experience the awe-inspiring beauty of The Narrows, where you wade through the river within narrow canyon walls.

Choose from a variety of accommodation options, including campgrounds, lodges, and hotels, for a comfortable stay amidst the natural wonders.

Stop 5: Bryce Canyon National Park

During your visit to Bryce Canyon National Park, prepare to be mesmerized by the unique geological formations.

Embark on hikes and marvel at the majestic hoodoos. As night falls, take the opportunity to stargaze in the park.

Accommodations are available to suit your needs, ranging from campgrounds to lodges, ensuring a memorable stay in the park.

Stop 6: Grand Canyon National Park

During your two-day exploration of the South Rim in Grand Canyon National Park, be prepared to be awestruck by the magnificent natural wonder.

Hike the famous Bright Angel Trail and witness the breathtaking panoramic views of the canyon. For a unique perspective, consider taking a scenic helicopter tour over the vast expanse.

Accommodation options near the park include lodges and hotels, providing convenient access to the park’s wonders.

Final Stop: Las Vegas:

After your national park adventures, spend a day in Las Vegas, where entertainment and excitement abound.

Explore the iconic Las Vegas Strip, with its dazzling lights, world-class resorts, and famous casinos. Indulge in fine dining, catch a spectacular live show, or try your luck at the gaming tables.

Accommodation options in Las Vegas cater to all budgets, ranging from luxurious hotels on the Strip to more affordable options off the main thoroughfare.

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National Parks of America

About this tour.

Experience the grandeur of the American West as you explore five fantastic national parks on this exciting journey. In Arizona, contemplate the vast beauty of the Grand Canyon, and in Yellowstone, relish iconic sights like Old Faithful and Yellowstone Lake. Marvel at the magnitude and color of Zion’s cliffs and the hoodoos and spires at Bryce Canyon. Enjoy 2-night stays in Springdale, Utah (Zion) and Jackson Hole. Drive through the incredible Bighorn Mountains and the great Sioux Nations Territory before seeing Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monument. Meet a local Lakota Native American at dinner and learn about their fascinating way of life, past and present. Gain new appreciation of the great outdoors on this journey that takes you from the Grand Canyon to Mount Rushmore National Memorial and everywhere in between.

Your Tour Includes

• 9 Handpicked Accommodations
• 2 Choice on Tour Options

Included Highlights

• Grand Canyon
• Lake Powell

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10 Breakfasts

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Must-See Inclusions:

Spend a night at the spectacular Grand Canyon.

Visit Yellowstone National Park, home to the famous Old Faithful Geyser.

• See one of the country's most famous landmarks, Mount Rushmore.

Cultural Experiences:

Explore the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a tribute to Buffalo Bill Cody.

Meet Native Americans and discuss their unique and colorful culture.

Culinary Inclusions:

Experience a chuck wagon dinner* and cowboy entertainment.

• Bryce Canyon
• Salt Lake City
• Jackson Hole
• Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Parks
• Old Faithful
• Bighorn Mountains
• Crazy Horse Memorial
• Mount Rushmore

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Hotel-Courtyard by Marriott Scottsdale

If your interests stretch beyond the beauty of downtown Jackson Hole, we have a special treat for you! Swing your own paddle for a thrilling ride through the white waters of the Snake River. An experienced guide conducts the trip, and you provide the paddle power. This unforgettable addition to your vacation is an experience you will talk about for many years to come.

Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Snake River on a gentle float trip. Your guide will paddle while pointing out interesting sights along the way. The trip is a great way to see the beauty of the river and the geology that forms the Snake River. The river is home to a variety of waterfowl and native animals including moose, deer and river otters. It is also the nesting area of our nation’s symbol, the bald eagle, as well as ospreys. You will enjoy an included picnic lunch.

See one of the country's most famous landmarks, Mount Rushmore.

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Pre Night: Courtyard by Marriott Scottsdale From $90 per night

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Ultimate National Parks Road Trip Itinerary: 5 Epic Routes

With 63 national parks and over 420 national park sites including monuments, lakeshores, and recreation areas — to name just a few! — it can be overwhelming just deciding where to visit first. After all, each one has something unique to offer !

Well, good news: there’s a wonderful way to see several parks in one shot, and that’s planning the ultimate national park road trip. 

Regardless of which corner of the country you plan to visit or how much time you have, there are epic routes everywhere. Here, we’re highlighting our top five. Which national parks road trip itinerary will you tackle first?

Tips for Planning the Ultimate National Park Road Trip

In addition to planning out your actual national parks road trip itinerary, there are a few things that will help you get the most out of your trip. 

Buy an America the Beautiful Pass , AKA an annual national parks pass. The $80-per-year pass pays for itself in just three park visits.

Keep in mind that several parks now require advance reservations, completely separate from having an annual pass. For example, in 2021, Glacier started accepting reservations for the summer back in April. 

Dedicate at least one full day to each national park. For larger parks like Yosemite and Yellowstone, set aside 2-3 days if at all possible. 

National parks tend to be surrounded by spectacular national forests and other accessible public land. Consider bringing camping gear to save money on accommodations (and create some awesome memories!).

If your budget allows, rent a campervan for the ultimate national park road trip. Although it’s more pricey upfront, it combines the cost of your vehicle and accommodations. Some campervan rental companies, like Moterra , specialize exclusively in national park destinations.

National Parks Road Trip Itinerary, 5 Ways

1. east coast.

National parks included: Congaree, Great Smoky Mountains, Mammoth Cave, New River Gorge, and Shenandoah

The Eastern Seaboard offers up some major bang for your buck when it comes to a national parks road trip itinerary. Five stunning parks are close enough to visit them all and different enough that you’ll want to do exactly that. 

From scenic drives and water activities like fishing and kayaking to hiking and exploring the longest cave system in the entire world, this ultimate national park road trip on the east coast has a little something for everyone.

Oh, one more thing — take our word for it and visit in the fall if possible. The leaf-peeping in this section of the country is outstanding in late September and most of October . 

Highlights for your east coast national parks road trip itinerary: 

Hike iconic Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the Great Smokies

Drive the incredibly scenic Skyline Drive in Shenandoah

Tour Mammoth Caves (get tickets in advance; they sell out!)

Raised wooden boardwalk trails in Congaree

The catwalk of the New River Gorge Bridge

2. Utah’s Mighty Five

National parks included: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion

Utah is kind of the ultimate national park road trip destination in and of itself, with five heavy-hitting parks all within easy driving distance of one another. 

Start in either the southwest corner of the state near Zion or over in Moab, then work your way across to hit all five parks, situated in a near-perfect line.

Zion and Bryce Canyon are close to each other at one end of the “line,” as are Arches and Canyonlands at the opposite end. Capitol Reef is almost dead-center, two hours from both Arches and Bryce Canyon.

Hiking is the main event on this particular national parks road trip itinerary, so you’ll definitely want to have a sturdy pair of boots, a good hiking backpack, and plenty of trail snacks. 

Highlights for your Utah national parks road trip planner: 

Delicate Arch hike in Arches at sunset

Canyonlands’ Mesa Arch at sunrise

Navajo Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon

Picking fruit from the public orchards in Capitol Reef

Zion’s Angels Landing ...for those without a fear of heights!

3. Pacific Northwest

National parks included: Crater Lake, Mount Rainier, North Cascades, Olympic, Redwood

If you’re looking for a national parks road trip itinerary that includes dramatic coastline, old-growth forests, snow-capped mountains, and actual rainforest, look no further than the PNW. 

Regardless of whether you want to visit all five parks or just a couple, your best bet if you’re not driving your own vehicle is to fly into Seattle and rent a car. From Seattle, make a loop and visit the three Washington parks (Olympic, North Cascades, and Mount Rainier), then head south to Oregon. 

In Oregon, head to Crater Lake National Park, home of the deepest lake in the U.S. If time allows, cross the border into California and visit Redwoods National and State Parks to gawk at some of the world’s largest trees. 

Depending on your travel arrangements, consider cruising back up the Oregon coast and flying home out of Portland. The beaches and scenic drives here are unmatched and worthy of a road trip all on their own!

Highlights for your PNW ultimate national park road trip:

Walk through a real-life fairytale in Olympic’s magical Hoh Rainforest

Drive the scenic North Cascades Highway

Myrtle Falls in Mount Rainier

Drive or bicycle Rim Drive, completely encircling Crater Lake

Redwoods’ Fern Canyon and Stout Grove

4. Colorado

National parks included: Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, Rocky Mountain

Colorado is easily one of the most magnificent and diverse U.S. states. It’s got all those 14ers (a whopping 58, to be exact), beautiful mild weather, and gorgeous scenery ranging from the famous Rocky Mountains to steep red rock canyons and even sand dunes.

Best of all, you can experience a little of everything Colorado has to offer with a national parks road trip itinerary hitting its four major parks. 

If you aren’t driving yourself, fly into either Denver or Durango. From either city, it’s easy to make one big loop and visit as many (or as few!) parks as you want.

Note that while you technically can take this Colorado ultimate national park road trip any time of year, it’s best to plan for summer or early fall to avoid seasonal road closures.

Highlights for your Colorado national parks road trip itinerary:

RMNP’s Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in America

Oak Flat Loop Trail in Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Try sandboarding in Great Sand Dunes

Tour Mesa Verde’s Cliff Palace

5. Northern Rockies

National parks included: Glacier, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone

You “only” hit three parks on this particular national parks road trip itinerary, but trust us, each one packs a tremendous punch. In all reality, you probably won’t have enough time to see and do everything you want to!

The hiking and backpacking are, of course, epic in all three parks, but so are the water activities, mountain biking, and — something a bit more unique to this part of the country — wildlife viewing. Seriously, don’t forget to pack a pair of binoculars...and bear spray. 

Of all the ultimate national park road trips we’ve discussed, this one has arguably the most spectacular scenery along the entire route. It also has some of the most easily accessible public land, which means the camping opportunities are epic. If there’s one trip to splurge on a campervan for, this is it.

Highlights for your Montana and Wyoming ultimate national park road trip:

Hike the loop around Jenny Lake and take a short detour to Hidden Falls

Lamar Valley in Yellowstone for wildlife watching

Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier

Also in Glacier, get a huckleberry bear claw from the Polebridge Mercantile (get there early!), then check out Bowman Lake

As you hammer out the details of your national parks road trip itinerary, don’t forget to commemorate it in a special way. 

The Wander Club’s U.S. National Park Tokens help you highlight all the stops on your road trip, plus they make excellent gifts. We have tokens for every national park, plus you can have them engraved with the date you visited. Happy road tripping!

To the thewanderclub.com administrator, Your posts are always informative.

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We are a charitable online shop for travel lovers! We help keep your favorite memories alive with engraved tokens and handcrafted token holders. For every order placed, we provide a meal to a child in need. ❤️

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Best National Parks for Family Vacation in America

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21 Best National Parks for Kids (USA)

How many times have you gone on a national park family vacation?

We’ve visited over 20 parks in our marriage! And we have many more to go.

We have loved exploring the best national parks with kids — hiking, biking, climbing, paddling, canyoneering, watching wildlife, swimming, kayaking, fishing and more — these diverse protected lands all over the United States are your tickets to affordable family vacations.

We’ve done various lodging options on a national park vacation: camping, glamping, staying in a lodge inside the park, renting a vacation home or crashing at a nearby hotel have all been ways to get to those jaw-dropping views and unforgettable outdoor adventures.

However you choose to plan it, the list of US national parks for families below are tried and true destinations.

Yosemite makes our top three for best national park family vacations. Here we are hiking the spectacular Mist Trail to see stunning waterfalls.

How Many National Parks Are There?

As of 2023, there are 63 national parks.

However, the National Park System comprises 425 national park sites, but only 63 of them have the "National Park" designation in their names.

New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia is the newest addition.

You will also find national parks in Washington D.C., American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

We’ve included an alphabetical list at the end of this post.

Which state has the most national parks?

California is the state with most national parks , having nine.

Alaska is home to eight.

Utah has five and Colorado has four national parks, all great with families.

national parks vacation with kids

So far, our family has checked off over twenty from America’s national parks list, with plans to visit more.

Since we hail from Colorado, we tend to favor national parks in the west side of the USA. But we know there are many more national park family vacations to be explored! The East Coast is also home to some of the best national parks with kids in the USA.

I invited some top family travel bloggers to share their favorite national parks with kids.

Also included in this list of 21 national park family vacations are our Rad Family Travel favorites in the USA so far.

This national parks list is alphabetical, so as not play favorites. Which of these national park vacations is your family planning next?

Our favorite way to explore national parks is in a campervan or RV!

Save $50 OFF your next Outdoorsy rental when you use our promo code RADFAMILY here.

Rent an RV for

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Best national Park Family vacations

Get your kids in national parks across the usa:, black canyon of the gunnison, bighorn canyon national recreation area.

Bryce Canyon

Capitol Reef

Channel Islands

Dry Tortugas

Grand Canyon

Grand Teton

Great Sand Dunes

Great Smoky Mountains

Joshua Tree

Rocky Mountain

Sequoia and Kings (two parks side by side)

Yellowstone

National Parks List from A to Z

We love Rumpl’s National Parks Puffy Blankets Collection - a great way to commemorate your next national park family vacation!

Acadia is a great national parks vacation with kids (photo: Walking the Parks)

Acadia National Park

Why go? Acadia National Park is revered for its biodiversity. That means it is beautiful in so many different ways! Glaciers created granite mountains, streams and ponds. Nestled against the Atlantic Ocean you will find gorgeous beaches and intriguing tidal ponds. What to do? Acadia National Park’s most unique feature is the 40 miles of carriage roads. Originally designed to provide a place for horseback riding away from the emerging automobiles, they now are also home to many hikers and cyclists. Exploring the over 150 miles of hiking trails can lead you to hidden beaches, peaks with beautiful ocean views and wonderful sleepy ponds, making it one of the best national parks with kids. Early birds can be the first to see the sunrise in the US from the peak of Cadillac Mountain, the furthest eastern spot in the states. Looking for water adventure? Private companies offer ocean Kayak Tours around Mount Desert Island. Or if you want something a little milder, rent a kayak at Jordan Pond followed by an afternoon treat at the nearby tea house.  Where to stay? Acadia National Park is home to 600 campsites that range from rustic to RV delight . And there are another dozen private campgrounds in the area. Not a camper? Then Bar Harbor is the place to go. What we love about this area is the large number of cute Bed and Breakfast options. And even better than the many chain hotels, you will find adorable quaint motels along the highway. Learn more from Walking The Parks : Discover 6 Things to Do In Acadia National Park for the First Time Visitor .

Cadillac Summit Road Vehicle Reservations

Reservations During 2023 Visitor Season:

Vehicle Reservations resume May 24, 2023

Vehicle reservations for Cadillac Summit Road are required May 24 through October 22, 2023. 

Cadillac Summit Road will be under construction through early summer, which may require temporary closures. Please check on the status of road closures at go.nps.gov/AcadiaAlerts

Back to the Table of Contents

We loved Arches on our national parks vacation through all five Utah parks

Arches National Park

Why go? Arches National Park is one of the best national parks with kids. Arches boasts the biggest amount of diverse natural arches and ever changing landscape, making it one of the most interesting national park road trips. This place is every photographer’s dream come true with stunning backdrops and gorgeous lighting.

Just outside Arches, the town of Moab is a funky, fun town that will help you get on your way to all kinds of outdoor adventures. Nearby Canyonlands National Park is just a 30 minutes trek and Dead Horse Point State Park is 40 minutes away.

What to do? Hiking, biking, rock climbing, canyoneering and rafting on the Colorado River are just a few of your options. Don’t miss hikes to Landscape Arch, the Fiery Furnace, the Windows, Balanced Rock and more in the park. Rent an open-air Hummer for a tour of the backcountry.

Where to stay? Moab is your best base for seeing and exploring Arches National Park. We loved Moab’s vibe, where you can walk the strip, find fun places to eat and launch out on your next adventure. Our family of six stayed in the Best Western Plus Canyonlands and loved their beautiful outdoor pool and year-round hot tub, plus a convenient laundry room.

See more from our time in Arches National Park during one of our most memorable national park road trips.

Timed Entry Tickets for Arches

The park will release tickets first-come, first-served on Recreation.gov three (3) months in advance in monthly blocks according to this schedule .

In this video , Rangers help you plan your next trip and outline what you’ll need to enter the park.

The park will release tickets first-come, first-served on  Recreation.gov  three (3) months in advance in monthly blocks according to the following schedule :

Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a great way to get your kids in national parks (photo by Traveling in Heels)

Why go?  Locals call the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park their “mini Grand Canyon,” with good reasons why. It’s taller than the Empire State Building and the great Pyramids of Egypt at 2,700 feet deep and 48 miles long.

Include this on a road trip through all four of Colorado national parks for vacation.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison offers some of the most dramatic views with some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rocks, and craggiest peaks in North America. Then there’s the amazing Gunnison River stretching and winding through the rock. Seriously…the views will take your breath away.

What to do?  Adrenalin junkies should add rock climbing in Black Canyon to their national parks list. With nearly 150 known Black Canyon climbs, be aware it is extremely deep and narrow — an adventure meant only for expert climbers. The most popular climbs are Warner Point plunging 2,722 feet, and the Painted Wall, at 2,250 feet, the tallest vertical wall in Colorado. Peak climbing season is mid-April to mid-June and late August to early November.

Where to stay?  Nearby Montrose offers a variety of accommodations from hotels to vacation rentals. Or, feast your eyes on the West Elks Mountain range and Grand Mesa from a huge front porch in a lovely vacation rental just 8 miles from Black Canyon.

Learn more about Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and national park vacations for families from Traveling in Heels.

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (photo: Traveling Mel)

Why go? While not technically a national park, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (NRA) is managed by the National Park Service. Bighorn Canyon is a spectacular canyon that straddles the border of Montana and Wyoming. At 71 miles long, Bighorn Lake, the centerpiece, was created by the damming of the Bighorn River. About a third of Bighorn Canyon NRA is on the Crow Reservation and a quarter of the Pryor Mountains Wild Horse Range is within Bighorn Canyon NRA. 

What to do? There are so many opportunities for outdoor adventures here. From mountain biking to hiking, plus boating, fishing and hunting. We like to look for wild mustangs, bighorn sheep, and to explore tipi rings left by the ancestors of the Crow people. From the Devil Canyon Overlook, you get a premier view 1,000 feet into the Canyon.

For hiking, I recommend the 3-mile Hillsboro Trail, which leads to a ghost town. Barry’s Island Trail is just four miles round trip and winds around Chain Canyon, a secret escape route for cattle rustlers in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Another popular way to explore the canyon is via canoe, kayak , or other boat. Put in at one of the two marinas and paddle right up to the striped red and ochre canyon walls. 

Where to stay? There are five campgrounds in Bighorn NRA and they are all first-come, first-served. There is also dispersed backcountry camping allowed below the high water mark. The closest town in Lovell, Wyoming, which has a few motels. 

Learn more: Check out  Pryor Mountain Wild Horses in Montana and viewing Bighorn Canyon National Monument and follow @TravelingMelMT  on Instagram for more to do in Wyoming in Montana.

Bryce National Park is a super fun national park family vacation among the hoodoos.

Bryce National Park

Why go? This hoodoo haven full of spindles reaching heavenward never gets old. Expansive views, fresh air, famous sunrises and sunsets, and even snowy hikes makes Bryce National Park fun and one of the best national parks for kids, even in winter .

What to do? Stop by the Visitor’s Center before you enter the park. Then make time for wandering through the architectural wonder of Bryce Canyon Lodge - only local resources were used to build this historic place. The lodge restaurant is definitely worth a celebratory splurge.

Hike the rim from Sunrise to Sunset Points, and make time for a hike down to the Queen’s Garden. This park hosts a slew of trails for easy-going folks and hard-core hikers alike. Horseback riding is a fantastic way to see more of the park in less time. Make sure you bring your camera for shots between the hoodoos.

Where to stay? Camping in Bryce Canyon is limited to the North Campground and Sunset Campground, so plan ahead. We stayed in one of classy, rustic cabins just steps away from Bryce Canyon Lodge. Best Western Ruby’s Inn is a popular spot outside the park.

Or rent a beautiful chalet, ideally located in the heart of “Color Country” — almost exactly between Bryce (37 miles to the Northeast) and Zion National Park (36 miles to the Southwest). Situated at approx. 7000 feet (its cooler at this elevation!) this spacious 3 bedroom chalet is surrounded by the Dixie National Forest.

With close proximity to other famous Utah parks, Bryce is part of one of the best national park road trips.

See how we spent 24 hours in Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos .

Rumpl National Parks Collection of Original Puffy Blankets are a great way to commemorate any of your National Park Family Vacations.

Capitol Reef National Park

Why go? While nearby Bryce and Arches are more crowded national parks with kids in summer, Capitol Reef National Park is an introvert’s paradise. Various geologic formations, starry nights, petroglyphic cliff walls, pioneer-raised fruit orchards, and an old homestead make this a fun park for all ages to explore.

What to do? Don’t miss the ancient pictographs and petraglyphs (700-1300 AD) left by the Fremont people, making Capitol Reef one of the best national park vacations for families. Spend time in Fruita — see the schoolhouse, Gifford Farmhouse, and more in this historic pioneer small town where Mormons settled in the 1800s.

Take a scenic drive to see more of the park’s Waterfold Pocket , that runs about 100 miles northwest to the southeast of Capitol Reef. Feeling really adventurous or have a 4x4? Head towards Grand Wash Road into the canyon for more colorful sandstone cliffs and views.

Where to stay? Next time, we’d check into the Lodge at Red River Ranch in nearby Teasdale . We camped in the primitive Fruita Campground near the orchards and the Fremont River— but keep in mind the gnats hatch off the river for two weeks in June. We learned this the hard way during what is still one of our favorite national park road trips through Utah.

Channel Islands National Park

Why go? This lesser known hidden gem of a national park is just off the coast of southern California and is home to 145 species of flora and fauna found only on these islands. Hop on a ferry from the harbor in Ventura towards this unspoiled national park that is the Galapagos of America.

One of our all-time best day trips to national parks with kids, Channel Islands offers so many surprises and discoveries, making it stand out among California parks.

Add in underwater sea adventures through kelp forests, and spying dolphin mega pods and whales on the way there, and you’ve got one heckuva adventure in one of the best national parks for kids.

What to do? We’d never heard of this timeless national park until we got busy planning our family’s two-week California National Parks Road Trip. The only way to get to the islands of Anacapa, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Santa Rosa — all part of Channel Islands National Park — is via ferry.

The ferry ride was a treat in itself as we saw large dolphin pods. Maybe you’ll luck out and spy whales!

My husband and kids loved snorkeling around the island. If you’re into scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, or hiking, this park is the perfect treat.

Cavern Point on Santa Cruz Island - CINP

We chose to visit Santa Cruz Island, where once you are dropped off at Scorpion Ranch, you can kayak around the perimeter towards some of the deepest sea caves or explore by foot.

We hiked up to Cavern Point for a picnic and an amazing view — meet the Island Fox along the way. This island used to be inhabited, so be sure to learn Santa Cruz’s unique human history.

Where to stay? If you’re looking for more than a day trip to Channel Islands, camping is the way to go. Campers love to lay their heads at the primitive campgrounds, especially on Santa Rosa. We opted for the renovated mid-century style Best Western Plus Inn of Ventura and loved the proximity to the Patagonia flagship store, downtown, and the coastline.

Or stay in of the many vacation rentals in Oxnard , in the Channel Islands Harbor for quick access to the park.

Here’s how we explored the Channel Islands with kids for a one-of-a-kind outdoor adventure.

Dry Tortugas National Park (photo: The Round The World Guys)

Dry Tortugas National Park

Why go? What's not to like about the Dry Tortugas National Park? First of all, it is one of the most remote National Parks in the US, and there are only a few ways to get there. Located around 80 miles southwest of Key West, Florida, you can either take the Yankee Freedom Ferry or charter a seaplane to Dry Tortugas.

What to do? Because of its remote location, you can expect to find a pristine landscape that offers the whole family an adventure. Join the guided tour of Fort Jefferson, or simply enjoy the white-sand beach with crystal-clear, blue water.

One of the best national park family vacations with kids, your tweens and teens will especially enjoy swimming and snorkeling in Dry Tortugas. You can also arrange a kayaking tour if you bring your own kayaks on the ferry.

Where to stay? The majority of visitors, especially families with kids, do only a day-trip to Dry Tortugas. There are plenty options for accommodations in Key West , the logical place to stay for your journey in this area. 

If you're a family that loves to rough it, you can camp in the Dry Tortugas. Keep in mind that there is limited space and it's first-come, first-served. It's also very primitive and you are completely on your own. No electricity, no toilets, no place to purchase water - nothing. 

Dry Tortugas is a must-add to your national parks list. The nearest city is Key West and you will pass by Everglades National Park on the way town there, making this an easy national park road trip.

Learn more from The Round the World Guys: How To Get To Dry Tortugas National Park and What To Do There .

After your time in Dry Tortugas, stay in the middle keys in Marathon Florida for a fun family vacation . With so many islands, it offers boating, swimming, snorkeling, and seafood, making it an ideal perfect family friendly destination.

The Everglades are an adventurous place for a national parks vacation (photo: Family Travel Lifestyle)

Everglades National Park

Why go? The Everglades are a vast expanse of wetlands, and home to some of America’s most exotic wildlife. In this park you can get up close and personal with the animals – there are few barriers, and you will absolutely come across alligators lounging on the side of your path or a Great Blue Heron who wants to stroll along with you.

Hang out for a bit at the Flamingo Marina and you might see a manatee come into the harbor in search of fresh water to drink. The Everglades’ unique ecosystem is unparalleled - making this one of the best national parks for kids. It is the only place on earth where alligators and crocodiles live in close proximity!

What to do? Everglades National Park is a place for one of the best outdoor adventures in the USA. You can hike the numerous trails, ride bikes, rent kayaks or take an airboat tour out into the River of Grass. For the very intrepid traveler, there are guided kayak/camping tours that take you deep into the Everglades for an overnight or even a week. If you have kids, they will love the Junior Ranger Program or being able to hold a baby alligator on an airboat tour.

Where to Stay? There are campgrounds within the park that accommodate tents and RVs. There are also backcountry campgrounds accessible only by boat or by foot. There are hotels close to the Ernest F. Coe entrance (the main entrance) in nearby Homestead or Florida City, but the park is also only about an hour away from Miami.

Learn more about Everglades National Park from Family Travel Lifestyle .

Glacier ranks in our family’s top three for best national parks for family vacations.

Glacier National Park

Why go? The Rockies along the Continental Divide cut through Glacier National Park meaning glaciers, rivers, lakes, and streams seem to pop up at every turn. All kinds of hikers can find just the type of trail they’re looking for - from an easy-going walk to a challenging all-day climb. Have passports? Head north where the U.S. meets Canada, and Glacier gives way to Waterton Lakes National Park.

What to do? The number one must-do in Glacier is driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road. From the east side of Glacier National Park, start from the Visitor Center at St. Mary, then head west along the Going-to-the-Son Road. But before you hop in the car, consider a boat tour on St. Mary Lake; make reservations ahead of time. Or, hike the Sun Point Nature Trail.

Continue on towards the Jackson Glacier Overlook and over Logan Pass - stop for a short hike for jaw-dropping views via the Hidden Lake Overlook trail. Then make your way towards the Garden Wall, Bird Woman Falls, Trail of the Cedars, Lake McDonald, and Sprague Creek near the West Glacier. We stopped in Apgar by Lake McDonald for some huckleberry ice cream and a little history at the Apgar Discovery Cabin.

On Glacier’s adventurous west side , we still talk about the breath-taking hike to Avalanche Lake via Trail of the Cedars placed Glacier in our top three best national parks for families.

Whitewater rafting, paddling (bring your own inflatable stand up paddleboard ), biking, boating, horseback riding and fishing are popular activities in Glacier too.

Isle inflatable paddle boards are the most versatile paddle boards you can travel and paddle anywhere with.

For remote outdoor adventures like hiking, SUP paddling and wildlife viewing, head to the east side of Glacier via campervan. We especially LOVED the Many Glacier area.

Where to stay? Camp in Apgar, Avalanche Creek, Kintla Lake, Many Glacier, St. Mary campgrounds in Glacier National Park if you love being in nature all day and night. Or opt for the rustic, grand historic Lake McDonald Lodge.

Our favorite? We stayed in a lovely vacation cabin in Columbia Falls.

When we visited East Glacier, we rented a campervan so we could sleep somewhere new each night!

Glacier National Park is hands-down one of our top three favorite trips to national parks our family has ever taken.

There is so much to do in and around Glacier, making it one of the top national parks vacations with kids of all ages.

Vehicle Reservations Required in 2024

Glacier National Park will implement a vehicle reservation system in the summer of 2024. In addition to a vehicle reservation, visitors also need a park pass. 

In 2024, a vehicle reservation is required for three areas of the park: Going-to-the-Sun Road (coming from the west), the North Fork, and Many Glacier from 6 am to 3 pm. Each location has unique details and requires a separate vehicle reservation. Please see the details of each area .

The Grand Canyon is one of the best national parks for families. Consider the North Rim for less crowds.

Grand Canyon National Park

Why go? Long touted on of USA’s best national parks with kids, we’ve enjoyed the Grand Canyon from the top (South Rim) and the bottom (Havasupai Falls*), both equally grand experiences. The Colorado River slices through this huge national park, making it a place for all kinds of outdoor adventurers in every season.

*The Havasupai Indian Reservation is not in the national park, but still part of the Grand Canyon. We needed a permit and a plan to hike to Grand Canyon waterfalls .

What to do? Take a helicopter ride through the canyon, whitewater raft down the Colorado River, hike from rim-to-rim to snap numerous views, bike, fish, camp, snowshoe, cross-country ski and more. Take the Hermits Rest Route shuttle from March through November, and stop off when you please and hike the rim as much or as little as you like, or just hop back on the next bus to get to the next point. The Village Route shuttle bus runs all year long.

Or do something crazy and monumental: hike the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim . Tanya hiked it with a friend in May 2021. It takes a lot of training and planning!

While summer and spring break are the busiest times, this national park family vacation is fun in winter and fall too. If you’re not into crowds, skip the South Rim and head for the North Rim instead for just as many gorgeous views and serene camping and hikes.

Where to stay? Mather Campground is where we laid our heads when we explored the South Rim. Just passing through for a day trip at the South Rim during this national park road trip? Get your kicks on Route 66 and stay in Williams, Arizona for fun. We loved the newly renovated, clean and lovely Rodeway Inn & Suites Downtowner - Rte 66 .

Learn more:

Camping Near Grand Canyon’s South Rim

Related: Hiking to Havasupai Falls with Kids

Download our Camping Gear Checklist for Families.

Get Expert Help

Need help deciding or planning your national park family vacation? Book a one hour consultation call with me. Ask me questions and gather tailored advice and next steps for putting together your next adventure.

The Grand Tetons are high on our our national parks vacation list (photo: DQ Travel)

Grand Teton National Park

Why go? Grand Teton is a great national park for families. Although it is a fairly small national park, its beauty is quite large. It is located in the northwestern corner of Wyoming, and quite close to Yellowstone National Park. 

What to do? Not only does Grand Teton National Park provide several campgrounds, scenic views, and hiking trails, but it also has miles of paved biking trails as well. With kids, be sure to visit one of the popular lakes, Jackson Lake, String Lake, or Jenny Lake . All three lakes have gentle walking trails that lead you through the forest and around the lake shores to see the Grand Teton mountain range. Many families enjoy these lakes for swimming, paddle boarding, and kayaking.

Like to fish? Grand Teton National Park has many rivers and streams as well. Plus, white water rafting on the Snake River  is great with older kids and teens. Moose sightings are pretty common in the Grand Teton Range, and driving through the park allows for plenty of wildlife viewing.

Where to stay? If you’re not into camping, both kids and adults will love the town of Jackson just 10 minutes away the park. Jackson is an upscale western town with a picturesque downtown, plenty of local shops, and delicious restaurants. 

Check out the Cowboy Village Lodge for moderate accommodations, or for a splurge, consider the Hotel Jackson or the Wort Hotel — boutique hotels in downtown Jackson with plenty of amenities. 

We are just 9 hours from Grand Teton, but we’ve yet to dive into the heart of this park!

Learn more about this national parks vacation idea from DQ Travel:  Grand Teton National Park Vacation Guide

Download our Camping Gear Checklist for Families. 

Our kids loved this national park for some epic Colorado sand sledding !

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Why go? This national park is a kid’s paradise, where beach play and grasslands meet mountain vistas. Our kids haves enjoyed sand sledding, hiking through aspen groves in Fall, spying roaming buffalo and more. The diverse terrain and hikes make Great Sand Dunes National Park a natural wonder in southwest Colorado.

What to do? Show up early in the day to hike to High Dune, then plan on a short afternoon hike to Zapata Falls . Stop at the Visitor’s Center to learn more about the different hikes in the park. Consider a four-wheel-drive tour to spy buffalo in between hikes.

Late May or early June is typically the best time to play in Medano Creek , when snow-melt from the mountains makes for watery fun in the creek.

Note that sand sledding the dunes in the summer is best early or late in the day so you don’t burn your feet on the sand! Sand sledding alone makes this one of the best national parks for kids.

Where to stay? The Pinon Flats Campground is the only campground within Great Sand Dunes. If you haven’t camped much in Colorado, check out this Ultimate Guide to Camping in Colorado .

While it’s open all year long, it fills quickly. Zapata Ranch looks like a fancy splurge with kids.

Or head to nearby South Fork for a cozy cabin near the Rio Grande .

Learn all our tips for sand sledding the Great Sand Dunes on this famous national park family vacation.

We’ve hit the dunes twice now, once in early summer and once in fall. It is by far one of our favorite national parks with kids.

Cataloochee Valley Great Smoky Mountains - photo: Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Tennessee and North Carolina

Why go?  Located between Knoxville and Asheville puts the ever popular Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) within a half day of driving from major cities like Chicago, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh.

One of the most popular national park road trips, this park boasts an incredible array of wildlife, stunning mountain scenery dotted with rivers and waterfalls, and rich Appalachian cultural traditions. What to do?  About 95% of the park's 522,419 acres are lush green forests teeming with 10,000 plant and animal species, including black bears, deer, birds, and more. The famous Cataloochee Valley elk herd was reintroduced here back in 2001. Watching wildlife is our favorite thing to do here.

GSMNP is home to 16 mountains with summits of 6,000+ feet and nearly 900 miles of hiking trails (including part of the Appalachian Trail), so hiking, fishing, and camping are the park's other popular activities. It's also the starting point for road trips along the world-renowned Blue Ridge Parkway , and boasts spectacular views of spots like Cade’s Cove, Clingman's Dome, and Newfound Gap Road.

Where to sleep?  Though there are plenty of nice hotels and cabins just outside the park in Asheville, Cherokee, and Gatlinburg. While there are plenty of campground s inside GSMNP, the only park lodge is the  LeConte Lodge , which is only accessible on foot via a 5 to 8-mile hike. The LeConte is usually open from mid-March through mid-November. 

The Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide offers complete guides to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and other attractions in the area.

Joshua Tree is a great national park for star gazing with kids

Joshua Tree National Park

Why go? Star-studded nights and elephant size boulders perfect for playing cops and robbers throughout this park. Joshua Tree National Park is most spectacular (and less hot!) in spring-time when the desert is blooming.

Check the calendar and plan your visit around a new moon so you can enjoy a free night of star-gazing at Sky’s the Limit Observatory and Nature Center.

Kids love running and playing through this gem, the gigantic boulder playground putting it on our list of US national parks with kids.

What to do? Besides ogling the Milky Way by night, take a scenic drive by day through Joshua Tree. Make sure your gas tank and water bottles are full before you leave the Oasis Visitor’s Center. Enjoy stops for short hikes along the Skull Rock Nature Trail and the Hidden Valley Nature Trail. Ask the Rangers which hikes would be good on the day you visit.

Rock-climbing, hiking, camping and biking is most fun in Joshua when it’s not too hot. Aim for a spring or fall visit with kids and you’ll see why this is one of the best national parks with kids and explore.

Where to stay? Base yourself in Palm Springs or Twentynine Palms.

Here’s our Day Trip through Joshua Tree .

RMNP is one of the best national parks for families. Our young kids loved it.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Why go? Rocky Mountain National Park will have you climbing tall mountains to your heart’s continent, crossing over the Continental Divide, smelling pine trees, soaking in sunshine, paddleboarding on lakes, crossing streams, and looking for elk, moose, bighorn sheep and more. So much to do here, making it one of the best national parks with kids .

What to do? Don’t miss Bear Lake, the centerpiece for many Rocky Mountain adventures. We loved driving Trail Ridge Road, the highest (over 12,000 feet) ongoing highway in the U.S. and stop for alpine pictures along the way. Consider visiting the Wild Basin Area if you prefer less people, while Grand Lake is also a great jumping off place for outdoor adventure and ice cream.

Kids love camping and hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park . You never know what wildlife you will see.

If you haven’t camped much in Colorado, check out this Ultimate Guide to Camping in Colorado .

One of the most popular national parks in Colorado known for fabulous family vacations, group Rocky Mountain National Park with Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, and Black Canyon and you’ll be up for a stellar national park road trip.

Where to stay? Inside Rocky Mountain National Park, Timber Creek Campground right by the historic Holzworth Lodge on the western side of the park is supposedly a fun, quieter spot for families.

Our number one pick for staying outside the park is YMCA of the Rockies - Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby , just southwest of the park. Options include cabins, yurts, camp sites, large reunion lodges, plus loads of outdoor activity on site.

Learn more: Stay in a Yurt at Snow Mountain Ranch in the Rockies .

Explore the desert with kids at this spectacular national park

Saguaro National Park

Why go? Remember the giant iconic cactus towering into the sky from the Western movies? They are called Saguaro and the only place in the world you can find them are in the Sonoran Desert. Saguaro National Park resides in Tucson, Arizona, and consists of 2 districts: Rincon Mountain District to the east and Tucson Mountain District to the west of the city.

What to do? We recommend visiting the Rincon Mountain District since it’s scenic drive is paved. Once you get there, stop at the Visitor Center, watch the movie about the park, and grab the Junior Ranger program for the kids.

Then, drive the 8-mile Cactus Forest Drive loop. Walk through the cacti . Tell your kids to spot the grandest and the tallest cactus and see how small they are compared to it! Also, look for ‘hotels’ in saguaro cactus — holes in the cactus that are homes for different birds.  

Saguaro is a unique, stunning experience making it one of the best day trips to a national park.

Where to stay? At that time we stayed in Hilton, the closest to the park.  El Conquistador Tucson offers amazing views of the Catalina Mountains and the desert, plus 3 world-class golf courses, a spa and great outdoor pools.

Learn more about this park from Two Worlds Treasures: Visit Saguaro National Park In June . Follow their adventure on Instagram . 

Sequoia and Kings Canyon pack a two for one punch for kids in national parks

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

Why go? Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks go hand in hand sitting one on top of the other. Walk among giants — some of the oldest trees in the world — sequoias to be exact. Grab a glimpse of Mt. Whitney or explore marble hallways underground in Crystal Cave. The drive between Sequoia and Kings Canyon is a site by itself, and meeting General Sherman is like icing on the cake.

What to do? We gave Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks one long day and we were sad to leave. This park in California is one of America’s best national park vacations for families, and now we know to stay longer next time.

Plan at least two days to immerse yourself more fully in these two adjacent parks.

If you only have one day for Sequoia, hop on Generals Highway and make General Sherman your number one priority , making time for Congress Trail. Then, on Day 2, head to Grant Grove Village, meet General Grant Tree and other trees in General Grant Grove. Don’t miss Panoramic Point in the park and take Kings Canyon Scenic Byway on the way out.

Where to stay? Atwell Mill Campground in Sequoia or Sentinel Campground in Kings Canyon would be our picks. Or stay in nearby Three Rivers at the Buckeye Tree Lodge .

Yellowstone was one of our family’s most memorable national park vacation

Yellowstone National Park

Wyoming, Montana and Idaho

Why go? Geysers, geothermal waters for swimming, Old Faithful, colorful springs, funny little mud pots, hiking, fishing, and more. There’s something for every age to enjoy and explore in Yellowstone National Park.

What to do? Huge and diverse, it’s a challenge to try to see everything in Yellowstone. Plan ahead by inviting each person in your family or party to pick the one thing they must see or do in Yellowstone — and prioritize from there.

Yellowstone is perfect for a week long national park family vacation.

We hit the highlights at Yellowstone, and you should too: Norris Geyser Basin, soaking in geothermal waters at Firehole Falls, Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful, Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, wildlife sightings in Hayden Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs, Roosevelt Arch, and horseback riding under the Big Sky.

Where to stay? Your lodging or campsite will in part determine what you are able to see in Yellowstone. We relaxed in this wonderful vacation home in West Yellowstone, Montana for seven nights. While we were able to see a lot of the park, we did not make the long trek to Lamar Valley because it would have meant six or more hours in the car just for one day.

If it’s your first time in Yellowstone and you’re camping, aim for pitching your tent in Canyon Village so you can be centrally located between all of the highlights of Yellowstone.

Learn more: Yellowstone with kids

Yosemite Valley is a gorgeous spot for a family vacation

Yosemite National Park

Why go? Crushing waterfalls, cliffs for serious climbers, giant sequoias, high country hiking — you can see why Yosemite National Park is internationally famed among all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts. It’s in our family’s top three best national parks for kids, right up there with Zion and Glacier.

Yosemite Valley, known for its many waterfalls and towering cliffs, and Wawona and Mariposa Grove in the south, are open year-round. Tuolomne Meadows on the western side of the park is best for summer hiking and camping, while Hetch Hetchy is loved by backcountry enthusiasts.

What to do? To avoid surging weekend and even daytime crowds, visit Yosemite during the week and plan to stay 3-5 nights . In the summer, bring your bikes (or rent them) as the Valley floor is mostly flat, you can save your energy for hiking to waterfalls, and then you won’t have to wait in lines for the free shuttle.

Over five days we were able to see Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, hike the Mist Trail, picnic at Mirror Lake, splurge on breakfast buffet at the Majestic Yosemite Hotel, and more. There are so many things to do in Yosemite .

Where to stay? We lucked with first-come first-serve camping spots in the historic Camp 4 in Yosemite Valley . Staying five nights allowed us to really immerse ourselves in Yosemite.

For a hotel, head to The Ahwahnee in Yosemite , the majestic and historic hotel worth the splurge in the valley. Or consider the more reasonable Yosemite Lodge.

Learn more: Yosemite is one of the best national parks with kids and teens. One huge highlight is hiking the Mist Trail to see Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall .

February 2024 Entrance Reservations

Horsetail Fall can glow orange when it's backlit by sunset, which can make it appear to be on fire. This unique lighting effect happens only on evenings with a clear sky when the waterfall is flowing and when the sun is at the right angle in mid to late February. This event attracts many visitors to a small area, causing traffic congestion, parking issues, safety concerns, and impacts to natural and cultural resources.

In order to manage this event, a February reservation will be required to enter Yosemite National Park on the weekends only of February 10–11, February 17–19, and February 24–25, 2024, even for those not visiting Horsetail Fall.

Yosemite is reviewing their visitor management system and more changes are likely coming!

Zion is easily in our top three best national park family vacations

Zion National Park

Why go? Pink, orange and red rock formations in the timeless Kolob Canyons and Zion Canyon makes this quiet, yet popular park the perfect place for loads of outdoor adventures. The Virgin River enters through the Narrows, a spectacular place for hiking, wading, and photography. The picturesque small town of Springdale is a super fun, eclectic base with plenty of excellent mom-and-pop places to eat and shop.

What to do? We’ve been to Zion twice so far, and hiking the Narrows and canyoneering in the adjacent Kolob Terraces are our top favorite family experiences. Hiking the Canyon Overlook Trail is a real treat when arriving via the East Entrance, especially at sunset (see above). Don’t miss the Court of the Patriarchs, wading in the Virgin River, biking the Pa’rus Trail, Emerald Pools Trail, and the Riverside Walk.

The free shuttle through the park in the summer makes most of the park auto-free in summer. Consider visiting in fall when the temperatures are more comfortable and the crowds have waned; winter can also be wonderful.

Where to stay? The first time we visited in June and we stayed in the super nice Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale / Zion National Park , complete with an outdoor pool, laundry room, great views, and free breakast.

Our second visit to Zion was over spring break, and we were pleasantly surprised by the La Quinta Inn . Their pool was even better and the views just as good.

Permits Required to Hike Angels Landing

While those visiting Zion National Park do not need a timed ticket to enter, those interested in hiking Angels Landing will need a permit as of April 1. To get a permit, you must pay $6 to enter either the seasonal or day-before lottery .

National Park entrance fee–free dates in 2024

January 15: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.

April 20: First day of National Park Week.

June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day.

August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act.

September 28: National Public Lands Day.

November 11: Veterans Day.

Is a Campervan worth all the hype?

We got off the grid in one ourselves. You might be surprised at what we found.

America’s best national parks make for some awesome family vacations and unforgettable road trips. Thanks to all of our guest contributors who covered some of the parks we haven’t yet hit.

Which national parks vacation is your favorite so far? Which ones are at the top of your bucket list? America’s national parks are some of the absolute best outdoor adventures for families with kids and teens.

National Parks List

All 63 from a to z:.

Acadia, Maine

American Samoa

Arches, Utah

Badlands, South Dakota

Big Bend, Texas

Biscayne, Florida

Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado

Bryce Canyon, Utah

Canyonlands, Utah

Capitol Reef, Utah

Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico

Channel Islands, California

Congaree, South Carolina

Crater Lake, Oregon

Cuyahoga Valley, Ohio

Death Valley, California

Denali, Alaska

Dry Tortugas, Florida

Everglades, Florida

Gates of the Arctic, Alaska

Gateway Arch, Missouri

Glacier, Montana

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Grand Teton, Wyoming

Great Basin, Nevada

Great Sand Dunes, Colorado

Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee

Guadalupe Mountains, Texas

Haleakala, Hawaii

Hawai’i Volcanoies, Hawaii

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Indiana Dunes, Indiana

Isle Royale, Michigan

Joshua Tree, California

Katmai, Alaska

Kenai Fjords, Alaska

Kings Canyon, California

Kobuk Valley, Alaska

Lake Clark, Alaska

Lassen Volcanic, California

Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

Mesa Verde, Colorado

Mount Rainier, Washington

New River Gorge, West Virginia

North Cascades, Washington

Olympic, Washington

Petrified Forest, Arizona

Pinnacles, California

Redwood, California

Rocky Mountain, Colorado

Saguaro, Arizona

Sequoia, California

Shenandoah, Virginia

Theodore Roosevelt, North Dakota

Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands

Voyageurs, Minnesota

White Sands, New Mexico

Wind Cave, South Dakota

Wrangell, St. Elias, Alaska

Yellowstone, Wyoming

Yosemite, California

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Solo Stove Fire Pits and Camp Stoves have revolutionized family backyards, camping, and backpacking with friends. This review of Solo Stove highlights why we’re sold on the backyard best - the Yukon Fire Pit - but shows off the Bonfire and Ranger fire pits too. Plus, learn about the lightweight, portable Titan, Campfire, and Lite versions of their camping stoves.

A Costa Rica vacation like this is a paradise bursting with thrilling activities and breathtaking landscapes. From lush rainforests teeming with exotic wildlife to pristine beaches offering all kinds of fun outdoor adventures, you will dive into Costa Rica's diverse marine life along the shores of Manuel Antonio National Park and more. Find inspiration for your next vacation in the Caribbean here.

Your relaxing beach destination is Ambergris Caye, Belize’s largest island. San Pedro is the only town on this spectacular sliver of land along the Caribbean Sea. Soak up beach and sunshine and head to the Belize Barrier Reef for world class snorkeling, scuba diving, and fishing. Here’s everything you need to know about traveling in Belize, exploring the reef, and finding family friendly Ambergris Caye resorts

Looking for an adventure-packed family vacation? Check out our list of the 10 best international destinations that offer fun for the whole family!

National parks are some of the best outdoor adventure travel destinations, especially for families with kids and teens. Here are 21 national park family vacation ideas for 2024, plus where to stay, from top family travelers. Sled down sand dunes in Colorado, hike the Mist Trail in Yosemite, jump into alpine lakes in Glacier, experience canyoneering at Zion's door, stand toe-to-toe with giant Sequoias, and more. Which one is at the top of your list>

Discover the best USA destinations for outdoor adventure travel for you and your family in 2024. We’ve rounded up fun and active vacation ideas in gorgeous spots where you can get out in nature and enjoy all kinds of outdoor recreation. Sit down with your kids and teens and see which of these outdoor travel destinations are need to be added to the top of you family’s bucket list.

The best spring break destinations might be closer than you think. Family vacations are an important part of life. Whether you're planning a trip to beaches, hiking in national parks, or taking a road trip through the Midwest, this list of our top spring break trips for families will provide plenty of fun and excitement. From the beaches of Florida to the mountains of Colorado and across the Caribbean, let’s go!

The best inflatable paddle boards for you and your family are here. We launched the Isle Megalodon on her maiden voyage out on the ocean over spring break in SoCal. This multi person inflatable SUP is Queen of fun, stability, and durability. These Isle paddle boards reviews show you size comparisons and how to choose the best inflatable SUP for you and your gang for the ocean, lake, river, and wherever you travel.

Visit Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks in winter for quiet, beautiful views, and adventure. Tips and ideas for things to do outdoors on a winter family trip to Bryce and Zion.

Affordable ski resorts in Colorado for family winter vacations on a budget. Ten ski mountains in the Colorado Rockies that offer superb skiing and snowboarding with lift tickets for much less than the bigger resorts.

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15 Tips for Planning an Epic National Parks Road Trip

Is there anything better than hitting the open road, going from one epic National Park to the next? But these days, with permits and reservations, crowds, and rental car shortages, planning a National Park road trip can feel totally overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be! This guide covers the best, must-know, tips for planning your next, epic, National Parks roadtrip.

I’ve planned dozens of National Park road trips over the years and I’ve put together my best tips for exploring these incredible parks, hassle-free.

This post may contain some affiliate links, which means if you buy something, my blog will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  I will never recommend products or links on this blog that I have not personally used or fully endorse.

1. Start Planning Early

Start planning a National Parks road trip planning as early as possible, ideally 6 months to 1 year in advance.

Why so early?

Reservations for the most popular campgrounds in places like Yosemite and Yellowstone sell out within seconds of going online (seriously – not an exaggeration!) And the recent creation of timed-entry reservations and day-hike permits at the most popular parks means that planning ahead is more important than ever.

If you have your mind set on planning a national parks road trip to a specific park, create calendar reminders for reservation and permit window openings and make sure to start planning your bucket-list trip as soon as possible!

2. Planning A Last Minute National Parks Road Trip? Don’t Panic!

Trying to plan a trip last minute? Don’t worry, planning a spontaneous National Park road trip is still possible. Keep these tips in mind if you’re planning a trip within the next 3 months:

Consider a trip to one of the many lesser visited National Parks, plan your visit for the weekdays or off-season, and research hikes that don’t require special permits.

If you want to snag a reservation at in-park lodging, call their reservations line daily and ask if they have any cancellations for your range of dates. It may seem like a long shot, but I’ve booked many National Park reservations at the most popular hotels, like Zion and Yosemite Lodges, this way!

Camping? Choose parks that have first-come-first-serve campgrounds and plan to get there early .

3. Pick Your Parks

With 63 National Parks and thousands of NPS managed monuments and recreation areas, picking your parks can easily be the most difficult part of your National Parks road trip.

When choosing your Park or Parks, consider what kind of experience you are looking for?

Do you prefer forests, mountains, deserts, or the beach?

Do you want easily accessible, but crowded Parks? Or will you go out of your way to avoid the crowds?

Will you drive from home, or fly and rent a car?

Want to know what Parks are close to you? Check out the map below to find your nearest National Park, or explore other areas of the United States and find where you might want to explore!

Map of all United States National Parks

How to Use This Map:  Click the Icons on the map to see more information about each location. Click the arrow button on the top left to expand the list and view all Parks by region. Click the star at the top of the map to add the map to your Google Maps account.

4. Consider Exploring Less Visited Parks

Do you dream of visiting Yosemite, Arches, or hiking in Rocky Mountain or Great Smoky Mountain? Well, unfortunately, so does everyone else. 😂 While these popular parks absolutely live up to the hype, each of the 63 National Parks has something special to offer.

Consider planning a national parks road trip to some of the lesser visited National Parks. You’ll avoid huge crowds and have a better pick of hotel and campground options.

5. Research National Parks Permits and Entry Reservations

After you pick the parks you want to visit, start researching whether those parks require special permits and timed-entry reservations to visit.

With record-breaking crowds, some parks are introducing day-hike permits and timed reservation entries like Arches, Rocky Mountain, and Yosemite. Before booking flights or hotels, research any National Parks that you plan on visiting carefully to understand permit and reservation requirements that may affect your trip.

Luckily I’ve done all the work for you already! Check out my complete guide to every permit and reservation requirement at all 63 National Parks HERE.

6. Determine How Much Time You Need

National Park road trips can range from two days to several months. How long you need is up to you! Try and plan at least 1 week or more for a National Parks road trip, including the drive to, from, and between parks.

If you plan on visiting only one National Park, plan your visit for most parks for at least 3 full days to really explore the park in depth.

Visiting multiple parks? Try and give yourself at least two full days inside each park, with one fully day of travel between most parks.  

7. Create A National Park Road Trip Map

Once you have your list of National Parks you want to visit, its time to make your road trip map!

I use Google My Maps to plan all my road trips. This planning tool is an absolute must if you are planning a long or complicated National Parks road trip itinerary with multiple stops.

Add all the Parks in you are planning to visit to the map. This will give you a good idea which parks are nearest to each other and help identify your routes. Once you have your general route, you can start researching restaurants, points of interests (like state parks or kitschy roadside attractions) or hotels along the way. `

Once you’ve finished your itinerary, download the map to my phone or print (yes, I’m old fashioned) for offline use. Don’t rely only on your phone for directions. Many National Parks are located in areas with limited or zero cell service.

Want to learn more about planning an epic National Parks trip? Grab my free Ultimate National Parks Planning Guide below. It includes 70+ pages of printable packing checklists, my best planning tips, and everything you need to know to start planning a trip to all 63 National Parks!

8. Suggested Short National Parks Road Trip Itineraries

Short on time? Some National Parks are located very close together and make the perfect road trip itinerary for a short trip.

Suggested Short National Parks Road Trip Itineraries:

(All drive times are between visitor centers)

Arches and Canyonlands (Islands in the Sky District) (Moab, UT): 35-minute drive.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon (Three Rivers, CA): These two parks border each other and are jointly managed. 45-minute drive.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon and Yosemite (California): 4-hour drive.

Yellowstone and Grand Teton (Wyoming): 2-hour drive.

Guadalupe Mountains and Carlsbad Cavern (New Mexico): 45-minute drive.

Everglades (Shark Valley) and Biscayne (Florida): 2-hour drive.

9. Decide When to Visit Your National Parks

Visiting national parks in summer.

Best National Parks to Visit in Summer: Mount Rainer, North Cascades, Glacier, all Alaska National Parks.

Summer is the most popular season for visiting National Parks. Long, sunny days and summer-break for children drive visitors to National Parks in the millions during this time.  

Desert parks may see extreme temperatures during the summer. In fact, the world heat record was set in Death Valley National Park when rangers recorded the temp as 130 degrees Fahrenheit at the Furnace Valley Visitor’s Center in July, 2021.

Visiting National Parks in Spring and Fall

Best National Parks to Visit in Spring or Fall: Acadia, Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain, Grand Teton, Utah Parks like Arches, Canyonlands, and Zion, California Parks like Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Redwood.

The best time to visit most National Parks is during the “shoulder seasons” of Spring or Fall. The weather is generally pleasant at most popular parks during these seasons, although there is usually a heightened chance of rain, or even snow.

Research the parks you want to visit and find out when services are closed or reduced for the “off season ” and plan to visit shortly before, or shortly after their “off-season” closures.

Visiting National Parks in Winter

Best National Parks to visit in Winter: Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Big Bend, Everglades

For those who are willing to brave the weather and travel a little more self-sufficiently, winter is a magical time to experience National Parks.

Many National Parks significantly limit their services during winter. Many National Park roads, trails, campgrounds, and visitor centers close in winter. Roads that remain open may have chain controls in effect (which are strictly enforced in National Parks) or may close temporarily during weather events.

Isle Royale National Park in Michigan is the only park to close completely in winter.

Planning a National Parks road trip in winter? Learn what you need for a safe and enjoyable winter hike.

When to Visit Tropical National Parks

Tropical National Parks, including Haleakala, Hawai’i Volcanoes, Dry Tortugas, Virgin Islands and National Park of American Samoa are generally warm year-round, but may experience a “rainy season” (Hawaii, November to March) or hurricane season (in Florida, June to November).

10. Book In-Park Campgrounds and Lodging

Once you know when you’ll be traveling (and have your permits reserved, if applicable) the next important step is to book your campsites or lodging.

In-Park accommodations often book up months, if not a year in advance. Campground reservations in certain parks, like Yosemite, sell out within seconds of being released online. Research your options and make a plan to book as soon as possible.

While National Park lodges and campgrounds lack fancy amenities, I always recommend staying inside the park whenever possible.

➡️ Staying inside the park means you can be the first one on the trail or shuttle in the morning, and stay late to enjoy sunset when all the day-tripper crowds have gone!

➡️ In Park Lodging Guests are exempt from day-use reservation requirements

➡️ Guests staying outside the park often have to wait in line – sometimes for hours – to enter the Park, and drive times to popular locations can be hours from the nearest town.

Are most in-park hotels the Ritz? Heck no! (Okay, except for the Ahwahnee in Yosemite.) While some lodges are more rustic than others, most hotel-style accommodations have towels and linens, a telephone, and usually an in-room coffee maker and mini-fridge. Many lodges do not have televisions in every room, and wifi and cell service are often spotty or non-existent. Campgrounds may have limited amenities, and do not always have showers.

Not sure what to do when the sun goes down and theres no Netflix? I always bring a deck of cards, a book and journal, or a small, easy-to-carry game like Bananagrams. Instead of pining for wi-fi, I cherish the opportunity to unplug, relax from a long day of hiking, and enjoy some quality time with my husband.

11. Tips for Booking Hard-To-Get Campground and Lodging Reservations

Campground and hotel reservations in certain parks, like Yosemite, sell out within seconds of being released online, and many parks no longer have walk-in campgrounds.

Research your options and make a plan to book as soon as possible. Campground reservations are almost all booked through Recreation.gov. Spend time familiarizing yourself with the website, creating an account, and be prepared to book the literal minute reservations are released.

Park hotels and motels are mostly managed by private hotel concessionaires, meaning there is no one central reservations website. Visit the Park’s official NPS website to learn about lodging options inside the park and find out how to book.

Is the lodge sold out? Don’t panic! Call the hotel’s reservations line frequently (I set a daily alarm on my phone) and ask if there are any cancellations on your desired dates. This method takes persistence and flexibility on your part – but it does work more often than not!

For example, I’ve made reservations at Zion Lodge for the 8th and 10th of my travel month, and called the lodge daily until a cancellation on the 9th occurred and I snatched it up! I’ve booked many trips at the most popular parks using this method!

12. Booking Rental Cars + Airfare

Once you have your lodging booked, book your rental car + airfare ASAP, if needed!

Remember most rental car companies do not allow you to drive on dirt or unpaved roads, and almost all prohibit the use of tire-chains.

If possible, I always opt to rent vehicle with 4 Wheel Drive . Some parks and seasons require the use of 4-Wheel or All Wheel drive, or tire-chains, especially in the western mountains and desert parks.

Read your rental conditions carefully and call ahead to make sure and get the right vehicle for your trip.

13. Buy a National Parks Annual Pass

Do you plan on visiting more than one National Park this year? I seriously recommend buying an annual parks pass!

The America the Beautiful Pass costs $80 and allows for unlimited entry into all sites covered by the Pass. While that sounds expensive up front, just consider that most Parks charge between $20 and $30 per vehicle for each visit.

That means you only have to use the pass 3-4 times before it pays for itself!

America the Beautiful Pass

Where can you use your national parks annual pass.

The America the Beautiful annual pass covers so much more than just the 63 National Park. An annual pass can be used at more than 2,000 Federal recreation sites where entrance or day-use fees are charged.

Wondering what else to bring on your National Park Road Trip? Check out my complete National Park Packing Lists + Printable Guides!

Your America the Beautiful Pass can be used at sites managed by the following agencies:

• National Park Service
• Bureau of Land Management
• Bureau of Reclamation
• Fish and Wildlife Service
• US Army Corps of Engineers

How to Buy an Annual National Parks Pass

You can purchase an annual pass in person, online, or at your local outdoor retailer. National Park annual passes are available for in-person purchase at most National Park and federal recreation entrance stations .

Passes can also be purchased online either at your favorite outdoor retailer, like REI , or through the USGS government website.

Discounted or free passes are available for Military, Seniors, 4 th Graders, and Volunteers.

14. Plan Your Activities

After you’ve picked your parks and planned the logistics of your trip – now comes the fun part! Planning what to actually do at your National Parks.

Before booking your dates, take a look at any activities that will require a permit or reservation (for example, hiking Half Dome in Yosemite, Angel’s Landing in Zion, or whitewater rafting in New River Gorge). Check availability for any of your “bucket-list” activities first so you don’t miss out!

Not sure where to start? Make sure to read the NPS.gov website for important planning information, trail information, as well as ideas for what to do and see in each park.

Next, I always read as many blog posts as I can find about the parks and areas I’ll be visiting.

Take a look at my National Parks guides here for suggestions on what to do, and where to hike in Yosemite , Big Bend , Great Smoky Mountains , New River Gorge , and Cuyahoga Valley (with more added soon!)

For all my trips, I keep an organized list of all the activities, hikes, and sights I’m interested in seeing.

Remember, there’s more to do in National Parks than just hiking (although, that’s always my favorite activity!). Many Parks have amazing and family-friendly activities beyond the trails, including bike rentals, rafting and tubing, horseback and mule riding, snorkeling, and scuba, and yes, even the spa!

15. Avoiding Crowds on Your National Parks Road Trip

With park visitation surging, crowds are now a given at most parks.

Park visitation peaks during summer, holidays, weekends, and “Free Entrance Days.” If you can, travel in the “off” or shoulder seasons, and avoid peak visitation days, especially during the summer and fall.

Arrive as early as possible (before 7AM) to avoid long entrance lines or overcrowding at popular trails.

Choose less popular trails: Strenuous trails and trailheads that are more difficult to reach are often less crowded. If you are up for a challenge, these hikes can take you to some extraordinary places – leaving the crowds behind is just a bonus!

Most Importantly – Have Fun, Be Safe, and Leave No Trace

Planning a National Parks road trip can be stressful, but a trip to one of the incredible National Parks in the US is well worth the hassle!

While traveling, make sure take to take proper safety precautions (like packing your day-hiking essentials ) and follow all posted signs, regulations, and ranger instructions.

With millions of visitors heading to our Parks this summer, its more important than ever to Leave No Trace !

And remember, no matter how well you plan, not everything will go according to your itinerary. Be flexible and patient and don’t forget to actually have fun . Making beautiful memories is more important than capturing the perfect Instagram photo op or checking off another item on your bucket list!

Plan More Epic National Park Trips

Big Bend : Epic Big Bend Itinerary Guide

Cuyahoga Valley : 17 Best Things to Do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Great Smoky Mountains :  The Ultimate Great Smoky Mountains Itinerary in 2 Days

Joshua Tree:   The Perfect Day Trip to Joshua Tree National Park

New River Gorge: The Best Hikes in New River Gorge National Park

Yosemite:   Epic Yosemite 2 Day Itinerary – How to Spend 2 Perfect Days in Yosemite

Zion : Epic Zion National Park Itinerary Guide

National Parks:  Get the  Ultimate National Parks Planning Guide  (for free!) sent to your inbox, full of important planning information, printable packing lists, and the best things to do in all 63 National Parks.

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Travel tips.

Visiting a national park is easier than you might think. The hardest part is choosing between all of the parks and activities available. There are more than 400 national parks to choose from, so if you need a little help picking one, you're in the right place. The event calendar shares activities and ideas to inspire your planning.

Tips to Get You Started

• Most national parks don't even charge an entrance fee. Admission for those parks that do charge a fee range from $3 to $25, good for an entire carload of people for a week. And some days are fee free ! An annual pass , to all of our parks, is also an option.
• Find A Park gets you where you want to go. Select a park from the list or search for parks by state, activity, or topic.
• Check out park maps and National Park System maps .
• Once you've decided where you're headed, check out the park's online Plan Your Visit section. You'll find great things to do, maps, calendars, directions, park brochures, and operating hours.
• Be sure to read the park's Basic Information section so you can have a safe, enjoyable visit.
• If you're traveling with children , learn more about the Junior Ranger Program . It's sure to be a hit with the kids.
• If you're traveling with pets , be sure to check with the park. Many of our parks allow pets on leashes and in campgrounds, some even have kennels. You'll generally find pet information in the Plan Your Visit section or contact the park (see each park's Contact Us page for details). Also check out the Pets site for more information about pets in parks.
• Check out www.recreation.gov . You can make online reservations for some of our tours and campgrounds here, as well as learn about activities at other recreation sites.

A pass is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.

Discover tips for planning for your trip to national parks and avoiding common mistakes. Make your fun adventure a safe one too!

Once You Arrive

• Stop by the park visitor center to pick up maps and guides and for up-to-the-minute information on everything from road conditions to hiking trails.
• Learn about the special programs offered in every park. Enjoy a ranger program or two—they offer something special for all ages and every interest.
• Ask a park ranger . These are some of the most knowledgeable people you will encounter on your travels … not to mention the friendliest!
• Be respectful of wild animals and keep your distance . The animals you may encounter in some national parks are not captive in a zoo—these animals are in their natural habitat and behave accordingly. Learn more about watching wildlife .
• Be conscious of the effects our actions may have on plants, animals, other people, and even entire ecosystems . Please help us care for these special places. Learn more about how we can minimize our impacts in parks .

Last updated: November 4, 2019

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A 16-Day US National Park Itinerary For Families

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A cross-country national park vacation is an amazing adventure for travel-loving families! I particularly yearned to visit the US National Parks for a long time but had shelved the idea until that elusive day when my young daughter would be able to keep up with us on hikes. Now, at 9 years old, she is more than capable of matching our enthusiasm for the outdoors! We then hatched a plan to take a vacation on wheels, rent a minivan, and make a home out of it. I read up on how to visit the US National Parks while camping. To provide other families advice for taking a similar trip, I’ve compiled this detailed 16-day cross-country national park itinerary for families!

Van Camping As A Family

Van camping as a family is easier than it sounds! I researched the details early in my planning process and read up on “dispersed camping,” or camping for free on public land. I was excited to find several useful websites to help us navigate our family vacation! Two of my favorites include Campendium and Free Campsites , which helped to guide us when we needed to find nearby places to camp. I also learned that most Walmart stores around the country allow overnight parking in their lots. Once I had an idea of how our trip could work, I planned a rough national park itinerary for families that would take us from North Carolina to the Smoky Mountains, the Ozarks, and finally to the National Parks out West, including Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and several others. We set off on July 4 th for our cross-country family adventure!

Family RVing For Beginners Made Easy!

Trip Itinerary

Our trip lasted sixteen days and we visited ten National Parks! Here is a condensed national park itinerary for families .

Day 1: Smoky Mountains, Bryson City

On the first day of our 16-day cross-country national park itinerary for families, we spent most of our time driving to the Smoky Mountains . It was so wonderful to watch the Fourth of July fireworks from the highway! However, we arrived late at the campsite we considered staying in, so we were still a bit nervous about figuring out the dispersed camping situation. Luckily, the staff at a hotel took mercy on us and let us stay in their parking lot all night in Bryson City, NC . We made sure to get plenty of rest for the long trip ahead of us! 

Day 2: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Day two marked the official start of our 16-day cross-country family getaway! Straddling the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, we spent the day at the gorgeous Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This kid-friendly destination features lots for families to do during summer, like wading in Deep Creek. We also tried tubing. Once we were hungry, we picnicked in the park, feasting on ravioli with tomato sauce cooked on our camping stove. After lunch, we took a short hike to Juney Whank Falls , which was a nice path that led to a waterfall with a picturesque bridge. There were many teasy trails that connected and we could have continued our hike, but it started pouring. So, we piled back into the van and drove on to Nashville, Tennessee to visit a friend, where camped in her driveway. 

Day 3: Nashville

Starting our third day in Nashville was so much fun for my family! In the morning, we had a socially-distanced play date with my friend and her two boys. Then, we drove through downtown Nashville, marveling at the country music clubs and colorful scenery. Nashville is an overall great city to visit with children due to its abundance of history and walkable green areas. Too bad we didn’t have more time to enjoy it! On our way West, we passed through Memphis, another Tennessee city chock-full of activities for all ages. There, we stopped and saw Graceland . Though it was closed, at least we got to see the mansion from outside, along with the Elvis mementos posted on the fence and painted on the sidewalks. Next, we hit the road for Arkansas. Though we also arrived late at Ozark National Forest , we found a dispersed campsite for the night. 

Day 4: Ozark National Forest 

By day four, we were ready to immerse ourselves in nature. Ozark National Forest offers an array of activities for families, especially since it covers more than a million acres! We spent a beautiful day at the Cove Lake Recreation Area , which is a popular summer hangout spot. This was my daughter’s favorite part of our 16-day cross-country national park itinerary for families ! Cove Lake was really shallow and warm. We spent the whole day swimming peacefully in a marked swimming area. For an even better view, we then rented paddle boats to explore the lake. Finally, we picnicked in the area, attempted to campfire nachos, and even made our first round of s’mores. Before long, however, it came time to pack and leave for our next stop. We left in the early evening, and my husband and I took shifts driving all night until we reached Albuquerque, New Mexico . 

Day 5: Albuquerque

More adventures awaited us the next day in New Mexico! Situated in a high desert, Albuquerque is the state’s oldest city. Signs of its origins as a Spanish Colony can be seen throughout the Old Town, contrasted by a modern downtown area. My family spent the morning touring the stunning Rio Grande Nature Center State Park , which ran adjacent to the river and even featured a cactus garden. Downtown, we browsed a few of the shops that were open, and I bought my daughter a set of worry dolls similar to the ones I had as a child. My husband and I were excited to see Breaking Bad fan sites like Twisters (aka Los Pollos Hermanos), where we ate chicken tacos for lunch. We also visited Walter White’s house. By afternoon, we headed toward Arizona, where we slept at a dispersed campsite outside The Grand Canyon. 

Day 6: The Grand Canyon

On day six of our 16-day cross-country national park itinerary for families, we said good morning to the Grand Canyon! Starting our morning early here guaranteed we’d avoid some major afternoon heat, as well as huge crowds. Still, even in the morning, it was much more crowded than any other park we had visited! I noticed a lot of other hikers while we traversed the South Rim Trail , but many people were wearing masks, so it wasn’t hard to keep our distance. As one of the flattest, kid-friendly paths in the park, this hike was ideal for us as a family, as it afforded gorgeous views of the canyon from above. We had fun walking on the ledges to get a variety of views, mesmerized by the brilliant orange, brown, red, and purple hues. By evening, we drove to Zion National Park and slept in a dispersed campsite nearby. 

Day 7: Zion National Park

My family hit the one-week mark at Zion National Park . Located in Southwest Utah, this sprawling natural area is well-recognized for its steep red cliffs. Though we had hoped to spend a full day exploring here, the weather was just too hot! Instead of doing much hiking, we spent most of our time wading in the Virgin River. What a cold and refreshing break from the heat! In the evening, we headed to nearby Bryce Canyon , which was an hour or so away. Fortunately, we were able to catch a stunning sunset once we arrived here. As it was my birthday, we spent the night in a tipi near Bryce at Ruby’s Inn , which included a heated outdoor pool and nice warm showers. However, the pool was quite crowded, so it wasn’t always easy to keep our distance from other guests. We didn’t spend as much time there as expected. 

Day 8: Bryce Canyon

Our eighth day in Bryce Canyon proved to be one of the best on our entire 16-day cross-country national park itinerary for families! A quick drive from Zion National Park, Bryce is known for its unique rock formations. During our visit here, we hiked the intermediate Navajo Loop Trail , which took us down among the hoodoos. Though it was hot and the trail was steep, the spectacular scenery kept my family going. This was my second time here, but it was just as enchanting, if not more so than the first time! My whole family really loved Bryce Canyon, and there are lots of other family-friendly hiking options if you’re planning to travel with youngsters. Keep an eye out for the Bryce Amphitheater ! In the afternoon, we drove to Arches National Park and slept at a dispersed campsite near the park. 

Day 9: Arches National Park

Arches National Park is also located in Utah, just above Moab. Unfortunately, my family didn’t do as much hiking as expected here due to the extreme heat. Luckily, Arches can be toured via car without compromising its picturesque panoramas. During the late afternoon, we even stopped for a picnic, cooking chicken on the outdoor grill before a windstorm sent us running for the van! Fortunately, we spent more time climbing at sunset and visited The Windows . We climbed as high as we could and took in the breathtaking sunset views across the park while our cameras snapped continuously! After talking with two guys whom we met in the park, we decided to save Yellowstone and Glacier (originally part of our plan) for another trip. Instead, we embarked on an impromptu adventure to Colorado! We drove until we couldn’t stay awake anymore and spent the night at a Walmart in Durango . 

Day 10: Durango

Day ten in Durango didn’t disappoint! A small town located near the New Mexico border, it’s a great stop for families traveling through the Southwest. Here, we spent our morning having a picnic near the river at Animas City Park , which had amazing views of the landscape. As we made pasta and hot dogs on our camping stove, our daughter enjoyed wading in the river and looking for fish. Across from the river, we found a nice new playground for her to enjoy. It was actually open and mostly empty (anyone from New York knows how amazing this felt!) Afterward, we drove through downtown Durango, which was very cute, complete with an old train station. In the afternoon, we drove on to the Grand Sand Dunes National Park and found a great dispersed campsite near the park. 

RELATED: Download the 13 Best Road Trip Planning Apps For Camping and RVs

Day 11: Grand Sand Dunes National Park

Of course, Grand Sand Dunes National Park is famous for its huge pockets of sand. After breakfast at the campsite, we visited to see what all the hype was about. Pro Tip: rent a sandboard at Oasis before you get to the park to avoid having to head back out as we did! Though it was a super long walk in the hot sand to get to the top of the hill, we were determined to try sandboarding as a family! After several attempts at sliding down the sand, however, it began to rain, which sort of put a damper on our plans. So, we headed to Rocky Mountain Park! Outside, we discovered an excellent dispersed campsite near the Blue River. We awoke to gorgeous views of the Rocky Mountains, with a magical path leading down to the river. My daughter called it “a fairy tale forest.” 

Day 12: Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is another family-friendly destination we highly enjoyed! Animal lovers have endless chances to get up close with moose, elk, deer, and chipmunks here. We also hiked around Lake Irene, where we ran into a large but very calm dear. Then, we got in our car and eventually stopped due to the moose standing by the road! We were lucky enough to see both a male and female moose trotting through the mountains. We subsequently had another close encounter with the group of elk on our next hike. Afterward, we drove up the Trail Ridge Road to the summit at 12,000 feet. I recommend this for families, but bring warm clothes! The views were magnificent, and the drive was harrowing yet breathtaking. Once night set, we left the park and drove as far as we could before spending the night in a Walmart in Cheyenne, WY. 

Day 13: Mount Rushmore

From Cheyenne, we opted to take a more educational tour of this historical area. That’s why we inevitably drove to nearby Mt. Rushmore , which was great to see in person. However, as a parent traveling with a young child, it wasn’t nearly as interactive as I had imagined. So, we took the obligatory photos and were prepared to continue on our way. Luckily, I stumbled upon Horsethief Lake in the Black Hills on our way out, where we had a great time swimming. Down the road from the lake, we also conveniently came across Wrinkled Rock , another dispersed campsite. Though we only planned to check out the rock climbing when we drove there before sunset, we ended up staying the night at the campsite because we loved it so much. What a great community of rock climbers, complete with campfire songs! 

Day 14: Badlands

South Dakota flaunts sprawling natural preserves ideal for adventurous families. To take advantage of the area, we did a little rock climbing. It was my daughter’s first time out of the rock and quite a challenge compared to the climbing gym, but she did great thanks to friends who had the equipment to belay her. Then, we followed our rock climbing with more swimming in the lake! Thoroughly exercised and refreshed, we drove through the beautiful Badlands on our way out of South Dakota. But the views at the Badlands were worth it! After the park visit, we drove as far as we could since we were already in the home stretch. Later, we slept at a Walmart in Albert Lea, MN. 

Day 15: New Buffalo, Michigan

After a long driving day, we finally made it to New Buffalo, Michigan ! A charming Lake Michigan town close to Chicago, stopping here during our drive made the trip back a lot easier to endure. Swimming in Lake Michigan at sunset was also a paradise for us! Ideal for our little one, the lake was calm, blue, and relatively warm. And the beach was beautiful too! As a town, New Buffalo is also very quaint and perfect for wandering. We even found a great Italian restaurant to dine in as a treat: Brewster’s Italian Café , complete with a great kids menu. After days on end of eating fast food or meals cooked on our camping stove, it was heavenly! Satisfied, we slept at a rest area that was approved for all night parking. 

Day 16: Back To New York

Day sixteen didn’t go exactly as we’d hoped. Though we planned to spend another day at Lake Michigan, we awoke to pouring rain outside. Alas, one of the many requirements of traveling with kids is the ability to go-with-the-flow. So we said goodbye to our trip and hit the road one last time. After a long day of driving, we finally made it home to New York City. No matter the bumps in the road, I highly recommend creating a national park itinerary for your family !

Final Thoughts

In the end, we had a fabulous time, drove 6,000 miles, and spent around $2,000 for a two-week family vacation ($650 not including the van rental!). Overall, this is a really affordable option for people who already own a minivan. In practice, the joy of this trip was building in flexibility. We avoided a fixed itinerary and took our time when we wanted to. Or, drove all night if we were up for it, not bound by hotel reservations. The sense of freedom, knowing we were completely self-reliant, was unmatched by any prior trip. We’re already brainstorming about a European vacation with a rented camper van, rather than trains and hotels! I hope you found helpful tips in my national park itinerary for families !

Written by Families Love Travel Contributor, Rebecca Giguere .

All images included in this article, unless otherwise noted, were taken by and belong to Rebecca Giguere .

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16 Best USA National Parks to Visit with Kids (+Info & Tips)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: February 18, 2024

With so many National Parks to choose from in the United States, how do you know which ones are best suited for a family trip…

To help you decide, I asked fellow travelers to share their experiences visiting some of the best USA National Parks with kids ; I also included a few of our family’s favorites.

In this post, you will find information about family-friendly hikes, fun activities for kids, wildlife spotting, but also the best places to stay, and other practical tips to help you plan your family trip to some of the best American National Parks for families.

We listed 16 National Parks across the United States that are a great choice for an active outdoor vacation with your family. Each park is unique, just as every family has different ideas of what they expect from their visit. Therefore the national parks in this selection are sorted alphabetically because I really couldn’t rank them based on the scenery, activities, or how family-friendly they are.

In my opinion, each single one of these great National Parks is worth a visit and will make for an unforgettable vacation for the whole family. Find out!

READ ALSO: Best National Parks in the USA

PRO TIP: If you are planning to visit several National Parks, get an annual America the Beautiful Pass.  It is valid in all National Parks and 2,000 federal recreation sites across the United States for one year from the month of purchase. If you visit more than two National Parks in a 12-month period, this is cheaper than getting passes for each park individually.

Here are some of the best National Parks to visit with kids in the USA:

1. Acadia National Park

Old-fashioned leisure at its best: whatever you choose to do, that’s what you’ll find at Acadia National Park along the Atlantic Coast in Maine.

Whether you’re going for a drive along Park Loop Road, munching on a popover at Jordan Pond House, admiring the views from the top of Cadillac Mountain, or watching the sunset from Bar Harbor Lighthouse, Acadia is home to some of the best ways to relax among US National Parks.

This makes it an ideal park to visit with kids: plenty of easy strolls are available, and the park’s main destinations are very well connected by Park Loop Road. No long hikes are required to visit the bulk of Acadia’s most memorable spots.

Though plenty of great hikes are available (try the Beehive Trail if your kids are older and not scared of heights!), Acadia is less focused on adventure and long hikes than most US National Parks are.

It’s more focused on simple ways to enjoy nature: carriage rides, sunset spots, and picnics are all on the menu here. Perfect place for a family vacation on the East Coast!

TIP: Book your family stay in Acadia in advance. Here you can find the best accommodation deals for Acadia NP .

LEARN MORE: Acadia National Park Itinerary & Travel Tips

Acadia is one of the top-10 most visited national parks in the U.S. and is recommended by Kate from Our Escape Clause .

2. Arches National Park

Arches National Park surprised us beyond any expectations and the whole family fell in love with this unique park. Spectacular landscapes, most scenic drives, and epic hikes make Arches one of our personal top 5 must-see National Parks in the U.S.

Arches is also one of the easiest America’s national parks to visit with kids. It’s very simple to visit Arches NP with children of any age as many landmarks are located close to the road or require just a very short hike.

Don’t miss the easily accessible Balanced Rock , the Windows , and Double Arch . If your kids are good hikers, we highly recommend the most epic hike of the park – the Delicate Arch trail , as well as the hike to the Landscape Arch .

If you are lucky, you may even spot some wildlife. We saw some lizards, squirrels, and a cute little rabbit – kids loved it!

Another big advantage for families is that Arches National Park can easily be visited in any season. If you go in summer (like we did) it’s really hot to do any hiking during the day, but you can see a lot just by driving the Arches Scenic Drive and stopping at the best viewpoints.

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Arches National Park

We highly recommend a family-friendly rafting trip on the Colorado River near Moab . You can even jump into the water for a short swim – one of the best memories of the trip for our children!

TIP: Stay in Moab , close to the entrance of the park. This allows you to easily drive up and down and spend the hottest hours of the day in the swimming pool of your hotel and explore the park in the morning and then again in the evening. Here you can find our selection of the best Moab hotels near Arches NP

Arches National Park is one of our family’s personal favorites and it should be on every Utah bucket list !

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Arches NP with Children

Good to know: A visit to Arches NP can easily be combined with that of the nearby Canyonlands NP. Here you can read our suggestions on the best way to visit Arches & Canyonlands in just a day .

3. Bryce Canyon National Park

One of Utah’s famed ‘Mighty Five’, Bryce Canyon National Park is on the bucket list of many family travelers and rightfully so. The unique landscape of its recognizable hoodoos makes for amazing photographs and breathtaking scenery.

Elementary-aged kids can easily hike the 2.9 mile Navajo and Queen’s Garden Loop to get an up-close look at the majestic formations. There are also ranger programs, horseback riding, and many other activities for the whole family. Just be sure to pack plenty of layers because the park’s extreme elevation change can mean highly variable temperatures.

There’s only one hotel within the park, the Bryce Canyon Lodge, which books up months in advance and can be pricey. Families may find the less expensive accommodations just minutes away north of the park’s entrance a better fit.

Bryce Canyon is recommended for families by Leslie from Trips With Tykes. Here you can find more information about visiting Bryce Canyon .

READ ALSO: Itinerary for Bryce & Zion National Parks

4. Death Valley National Park

Death Valley is an other-worldly paradise that will WOW your family. Feel like you’re on a Star Wars set when exploring the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. Your kids will love sliding down the never-ending dunes! You’ll never forget the Devil’s Golf Course full of jagged spires of rock salt eroded by eons of wind and rain.

A must-do highlight is exploring the Dali-esque Badwater Salt Flats where the dynamic geometric designs created by nature can be seen for miles….and you are at 282 feet below sea level! Kids will delight in trying to lift the large chunks of salt!

A leisurely nine-mile one-way drive along Artist’s Drive is incredible. Another highlight is relaxing on a bench overlooking spectacular Zabriskie Point. In one day you can see a lot of this park, but you can also spend weeks and never see it all. With surprises at every turn, Death Valley is my family’s favorite national park.

Remember Death Valley is full of extreme weather and rough terrain so take precautions before visiting.

TIP:   Book your lodging in advance as there are limited options. Here you can find the best deals for accommodation near Death Valley NP . Alternatively, stay in Las Vegas and come to Death Valley for a day. This is one of the most popular day trips from Las Vegas .

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Death Valley

Recommendation by Lisa from Hilton Mom Voyage & We Said Go Travel. Here you can read more about visiting Death Valley with kids .

5. Everglades National Park

At over 1.5 million acres, Everglades National Park is the third-largest National Park in the lower 48 states making it larger than Grand Canyon, Glacier, and Yosemite National Parks. While many might think it’s just a swamp, it’s actually a diverse ecosystem that’s also a lot of fun to explore.

Stop by the Shark Valley Visitors Center on the East and book a 2-hour tram ride through the park or bike the trails. To the West, the Gulf Coast Visitors Center serves as a jumping-off point for exploring the park via canoe or kayak.

Our absolute favorite thing to do in Everglades with kids is going on an airboat tour through the mangrove jungles . It’s the best way to get around the marshy grasslands and the waterways in the park. It will be a highlight of your visit!

TIP:  You can easily visit Everglades National Park from Miami, or you can opt to stay a bit closer to the park entrance .

Submission by Carrick from Along for The Trip. Here you can read more about visiting Everglades with kids .

6. Glacier National Park

The remoteness and beauty of Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana must be experienced to be believed. With over a million acres and only one road crossing the entire park, most of the land is only accessible on foot.

You’ll find plenty of family-friendly activities throughout the park. With young children Lake McDonald is fascinating. Multi-colored rocks sparkle beneath the clear glacial waters. Rent kayak or stand-up paddleboards to explore this peaceful lake.

The Trail of the Cedars is an accessible trail, easy and perfect for anyone. The extension to Avalanche Lake is not ADA accessible, but a good trail for families ending at a pristine lake filled by mountain waterfalls. Best tips for this trail: go after 4 pm when the park begins to empty.

For a more challenging trail, travel to the east side of the park and hike to Grinnell Glacier. The 11-mile hike is steep in spots, so I don’t recommend tackling it with kids under 10, but the views are breathtaking. Start this hike as early as possible!

Be sure to book ahead to get seats on a Red Jammer tour . The narrated tour of Going to the Sun Road is great for all ages! The kids will love the seats in the far rear, set away from everyone else. These iconic buses have been driving tourists through the park since 1936 (yes, these are the original buses!).

For a great adrenaline rush with kids 5+ go white water rafting from West Glacier .

TIP: If visiting in summer, book your Glacier NP accommodation well in advance.

Recommended by Jody from Camping Tips For Everyone .

READ MORE: Glacier National Park Itinerary

7. Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona , true to its name, is amazingly GRAND. It can best be explored from the North, South, and West Rims. The South Rim is open year-round while North Rim is closed in winter. At South Rim, you’ll be able to drive along Desert View Drive, a 25 mile stretch of road that runs along the canyon’s edge, with views over the Colorado River.

It is also one of the best places in the country to go stargazing (one of my favorite things to do with kids). Every glimpse has its own peculiar glow, hue, and outlook on the canyon’s labyrinthine topography. Don’t miss the sight of canyon ablaze with shades at sunrise and sunset.

Trail of Time at Yavapai point – a teeny-weeny hike (a little over a mile) to understand the geological history and Junior Ranger Program are free and fun activities for kids. For adventure-seeking teenagers, river rafting in Colorado adds to the thrill. Visit to the Grand Canyon is pure wilderness and a great learning experience for kids of any age.

TIP: Staying (camping or lodging) within the park is best, but you have to book in advance. Here you can find our complete guide to the best places to stay in and near Grand Canyon .

Grand Canyon is a family trip recommendation by Neha and Anjali from Travel Melodies .

READ MORE: How to See the Best of Grand Canyon in One Day & Grand Canyon Antelope Canyon Itinerary

8. Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park is often overlooked or shortchanged in favor of its massive neighbor to the north, Yellowstone. But if you are looking for stunning scenery, mountain hikes, and beautiful lakes, then Grand Teton should be your choice — a stark contrast to the flatter, more arid Yellowstone. Get an early start as parking lots for popular hikes fill up early.

There are many great hikes with kids, but my favorite would be to take a boat ride across Jenny Lake and then hike up to Inspiration Point. The trail isn’t too steep and offers many viewpoints across the lake along the way. The very top is a bit narrow and has a steep drop off so it’s better for families with older kids (keep a close hold on younger children).

The most picturesque spots in the park must be Oxbow Landing, Schwabacher Landing, and from the top of Signal Mountain. If you get there early in the morning, you may spy some moose at Schwabacher Landing and kids will love seeing the herds of bison as you drive through Elk Flats.

TIP: Jackson Lake Lodge is the most stunning place to stay inside the park, but it is also easy enough to stay outside in the adorable town of Jackson, Wyoming , and take day trips into the park.

Recommendation by Tamara from We 3 Travel. Here you can find more information about visiting Grand Teton NP .

READ MORE: One Day in Grand Teton NP

9. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Straddled along the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the #1 visited National Park in the US and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most of the eastern United States can reach the park in less than a days drive, making it great for families traveling with kids.

Beyond the ease of getting to, the park has many hikes, some to waterfalls, that are relatively easy for any fitness level. Kids will feel encouraged and have fun discovering new planets and seeing new animals on these easier hikes.

Our favorite activities are hiking up to Clingman’s Dome (great for sunsets), biking through Cades Cove, visiting in June when the fireflies are out and lit up the night sky, and go horseback riding along the river.

Recommended by Jade from Vagabond3. Here you can find more information for your visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park .

10. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park  on the Big Island is one of the best places for kids to explore and learn. Our family loved the stunning landscapes that included lava fields, craters, sulfur banks, steam vents, and tropical rainforest.

The park’s two main roads are the ideal way to see everything. Crater Rim Drive ends at Jagger Museum where you can see the Kilauea caldera smoking and lava flows. In the past, you could see lava glowing, but it’s not the case after the most recent eruption. 

Chain of Craters Road is a 38-mile roundtrip drive that passes through dried lava fields, petroglyphs, agricultural remains. It ends at the coastline for spectacular, panoramic ocean views. Keep your eyes open for the endemic and endangered Hawaiian goose or Nene.

Families will enjoy the walk through the Thurston Lava Tube. We also recommend to hike or bike to see where lava ran into the ocean for truly unique experiences. Boat and helicopter tours are also available. Volcanoes NP is such an incredible and unique park – highly recommended, with or without kids.

TIP: You can visit Volcanoes NP as a day trip from anywhere on the Big Island Hawaii . Organized tours are also available.

Suggestion by Mary from The World Is A Book. Here you can find more information about visiting Hawaii Volcanoes NP with kids .

READ ALSO: Maui Itinerary

11. Mount Rainier National Park

The nation’s fifth oldest national park, Mount Rainier National Park , is an ideal place for a family visit during any time of year. The park offers a plethora of family-friendly hikes with panoramic mountain views of the peak (14,411 feet high), cascading waterfalls, and peaceful walks through old forests.

The Paradise Visitor Center to the south is the most popular side to visit with its stunning peak views and views of the nearby Tatoosh Mountain Range. The Myrtle Falls hike at Paradise is an easy, stroller-accessible, 1-mile walk to see a 72-foot tall waterfall.

In late July or August, take the Skyline trail at Paradise or the Sourdough Ridge Trail at Sunrise to see wildflowers dot the landscape in every color and trails with more elevation gain & panoramic views for older kids & teens.

For a change of pace head to the relaxed & easy 1 mile Grove of Patriarchs trail at the south end of the park, with a picturesque bridge and old-growth forests.

During the winter, Paradise is filled with plenty of winter sports opportunities, due to the average 643 inches of snow they receive a year.

Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and sledding are all popular winter activities at Mount Rainier National Park. Summer or winter, Mount Rainier is a great choice for a family trip with kids of any age.

Mount Rainier is recommended by Jen from Thrifty NW Mom. She lives nearby and visits the park multiple times a year. Here you can find more information for visiting Mount Rainier NP .

12. Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is one of the best USA National Parks to visit with kids. It’s also one of the most diverse parks in the US – with glacier-topped mountains, lakes, waterfalls, a Pacific coastline, and a temperate rainforest.

Our favorite activities include hiking Hurricane Hill at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor’s Center to see fluffy marmots, mountain goats, and sweeping views. There are many places on the coastline to see the starfish and sea anemones in tide pools.

The Hoh rainforest has great, short hikes in the mossy, lush trees. If you are lucky, you might see the elk herd there as well. Other family-friendly activities include boating and fishing.

Recommendation by Lisa from The Hot Flashpacker .

READ MORE: Olympic National Park Itinerary & Travel Tips

13. Rocky Mountain National Park

With so much to see and do in Rocky Mountain National Park , you could spend your entire summer within its 415 square miles. Less than two hours from Denver, Colorado, your family-friendly road trip to Rocky Mountain National Park takes you to the top of the world with peaks rising over 12,000 feet!

Drive Trail Ridge Road to discover the park’s alpine tundra, known as the land above the trees – this will become one of your favorite road trips on the ‘highway to the sky’. 

Other not-to-miss things to do and see in the Rock Mountain National Park are: wildlife watching (with elk herds of over 800!), family-friendly hikes (my favorite is Adams Falls in Grand Lake, where even toddlers enjoy the scenery), ranger-led programs and more.

TIP: Start your park adventure at either of its book-ending gateway towns: Estes Park (eastern side) and Grand Lake (western side)—both good base camps to explore the park. Here you can find our complete guide to the Rocky Mountain National Park hotels .

Recommendation by Diana from Traveling In Heels. Here you can read find more tips for visiting Rocky Mountain NP .

READ MORE: Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary

14. Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is one of our absolute favorite U.S. National Parks to visit with kids. It’s so diverse that you never have trouble keeping the children entertained.

What kid wouldn’t love to see geysers in action, go looking for rainbows at the waterfalls, admire the incredible colors of the hot springs, or look for wildlife! And talking of wildlife, did you know that you can see thousands of bison just next to the road in Hayden or Lamar valleys…

But our favorite place in Yellowstone has nothing to do with the highlights of the park. By coincidence we discovered the Boiling River , a kind of natural hot tub – how cool is that! The whole family truly enjoyed swimming in the warm river and I would recommend this unforgettable experience for every family.

It’s impossible to shortly summarise all that Yellowstone has to offer. But rest assured, whatever your interests or travel style, Yellowstone makes for a great family vacation outdoors.

TIP: Yellowstone accommodation is bookable 18 months in advance and if you want to stay inside the park, you have to be quick to secure a reservation, especially if visiting in summer. There are also some nice alternatives outside the park. Here you can read more about  the best Yellowstone accommodation options .

Yellowstone is our personal no. 1 US National Park for families with children. Here you can find all our recommendations for the best things to do in Yellowstone with kids .

READ MORE: Best Things to Do in Yellowstone

15. Yosemite National Park

At first glance, Yosemite National Park may not seem like an ideal family vacation spot. The most recognizable symbols are El Capitan and Half Dome, which are favorites of daring rock climbers and experienced hikers.

While rigorous adventures were not in our plans when visiting with two and 4-year-old boys, we thoroughly enjoyed the views of these granite cliffs from Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point. We loved our time in Yosemite!

We hiked the kid-friendly trails to Bridalveil Fall and Mirror Lake and were dazzled by the giant sequoia trees in Mariposa Grove. The trails to the Grizzly Giant and California Tunnel Tree are easily accessible. Our kids loved the Junior Ranger activities and badge program and had a wonderful time exploring natural beauty in Yosemite.

Recommendation by Catherine from We Go With Kids. Here you can find more information about visiting Yosemite NP with children .

LEARN MORE: Yosemite Travel Guide & Tips for Your Visit

16. Zion National Park

Zion National Park used to be one of the NPS’s best-kept secrets. Nowadays, it’s one of the most popular parks in the country… Nevertheless, Zion and the entire area still offer plenty of opportunities to fully immerse yourself in nature, rather than just obverse it or see it from afar.

If there is only one thing you do at Zion, it must be hiking the Narrows. One of the most unique hikes you will ever do starts on dry land, before taking you right down the middle of a beautiful river cutting through skyscraper-tall canyons.

It’s a mesmerizing experience and one that even families with small kids can enjoy. Apart from the Narrows, there are a plethora of things to do here from beautiful family-friendly hikes to hanging out at the Nature Center.

Whether you stay in the Zion or in Springdale hotels just outside the park, the area provides great access to amazing eateries. Don’t miss Zion Pizza & Noodle Co and various shops to keep everyone happy when you aren’t on the trails.

TIP: Plan to spend a lot of time enjoying the river in all its many openings. Catch tadpoles, swim, float, and play in it. Zion National Park is unlike any other – it will keep you coming back for more!

Zion NP is recommended by Karilyn from No Back Home. On her blog, you can read more about visit Zion NP with kids .

READ MORE: Best Hikes in Zion National Park & Zion to Bryce Canyon

So, this is our guide to the Best National Parks for kids. As you can see, there is plenty of inspiration when it comes to choosing which American national park to visit with your children or grandchildren.

I hope that this post will inspire you to take a family trip to at least one of these amazing and family-friendly National Parks. If you are looking for more off-the-beaten-path places, please make sure to also check our other article that focuses on more off the beaten path, lesser-known National Parks for a family vacation .

What’s your family’s favorite national park in the US? Please leave a reply below and let us know!

READ ALSO: Spring Break Vacation Ideas (USA)

More National Parks travel inspiration:

• Best National Parks to Visit in January
• Best National Parks to Visit in February
• Best National Parks to Visit in March
• Best National Parks to Visit in April
• Best National Parks to Visit in May
• Best National Parks to Visit in June
• Best National Parks to Visit in September
• Best National Parks to Visit in October
• Best National Parks to Visit in November
• Best National Parks to Visit in December

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Sunday 24th of January 2021

Where is the very top picture? The one with the family hiking on rocky mountain on right side of photo with greenery on left? Thanks!

Hi Juliana, that picture is from Grand Teton National Park. It's taken at the Cascade Canyon, past the Inspiration Point. You can read more about that hike in our Grand Teton day trip guide. If you decide to travel there, definitely combine it with the nearby Yellowstone NP. You can find our suggested itinerary here: Grand Teton and Yellowstone.

Tuesday 5th of January 2021

My wife and I took our 18 month old to Joshua Tree National Park, and it was perfect! Most of the hikes were pretty flat, and not crazy long. Minus watching out for the cactus, it was a perfect place for a toddler.

I'm sure it was - Joshua Tree NP is a great place with kids indeed! Also nice weather for the biggest part of the year. If I'm not mistaken, we have it featured in our other guide of somewhat lesser-known National Parks for families. Maybe you'll find some other ideas for future trips in there... Happy travels!

Friday 23rd of October 2020

I have an almost 2 year old and would love to check out a park when he is 27-29 months old. What is the best park to check out for that age. We have a hiking backpack but that could get old quickly!

Hi Brittany, there are so many places you could visit with a 2-year old! But, based on our personal experience with the backpack-carriers, I wouldn't count too much on being able to do long hikes. Kids get really heavy quickly. Maybe it's ok if you are used to it, but we gave up on it long before our kids were two...

Anyway, where to go, it depends a bit on the season and how much time you have. Here are some ideas: In summer (June-September) , you can't go wrong with Yellowstone. All the main landmarks are easily reachable and require just a short walk. Many places have boardwalks and you could even take a stroller. We have lots of info about Yellowstone on the blog - see the complete overview in our Yellowstone travel guide.

In the spring or in the fall , Arches and Canyonlands would be amazing. In Arches, you can do a lot without having to hike and there are some really easy hikes that would be ok with kids too. Take a look at our Arches with kids article for ideas. Canyonlands NP is just nearby and you can easily visit Island in the Sky district with a young child. Take a look here for more info: best things to do in Canyonlands. Also, in Moab, where you'd be staying, you can go rafting (also with kids), there's a dinosaur park, etc. Also, you could combine this area with a visit to Monument Valley or Zion and Bryce NPs - lots to see even if you decide not to hike far. You could even add Grand Canyon to your itinerary which is also easy to visit with a young child.

If you are traveling in winter , take a look at places like Joshua Tree National Park, Saguaro NP, or White Sands. Or the National Parks in Florida - Everglades, Dry Tortugas. You can find more ideas here: national parks to visit in December, in January, in February.

It's really hard to give you more advice without knowing when you'd travel or for how long. In general, all National Parks can be visited with young kids. Just in some places, like the above-mentioned Yellowstone or Arches, you can easily see most of the highlights without having to hike. And there are some short hikes that you could probably do as well. Whereas some other parks like Zion, Glacier, or Grand Teton already require a bit more hiking in order to get to the nicest places. Still, even there, you can see a lot, but you might go home with the feeling that you missed something. So to save yourself frustrations, maybe leave the parks with the nicest hikes for later. Our kids could do quite a lot at the age of 3-4 already. By the age of 6-7, they could do pretty much any hike of 3-4 hours. Now, we can't even keep up with them anymore... So it's really just a matter of a couple of years.

Hope this helps.

Monday 2nd of March 2020

Hi Jurga, thanks for this inspirational post. We are thinking of visiting Zion with kids this summer and not sure where to stay. We are now pondering between the East entrance or South. Thoughts?

Thursday 5th of March 2020

Hi Paula, most Zion accommodations are set around the South Entrance, in Springdale, with some really nice choices there (check out the Cable Mountain Lodge - they also have family suites). There are several other really nice hotels there, but you have to be quick because summer is the most popular time to be there. I think that South Entrance is better in terms of facilities (hotels, restaurants) and also proximity to everything in Zion. The East side is somewhat more remote and quieter, so it might also be nice, depending on what kind of vacation you're looking for.

Tanya Raedeke

Tuesday 28th of May 2019

Such a great list! Yosemite and Zion are our all time favorites, plus Channel Islands was amazing! Can't wait to get to Mount Rainier, Olympic, Tetons and more. Headed to Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verda, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison at the end of June!

The list is never-ending, right? :) There are some truly incredible National Parks in the US. Our favorites are Arches and Yellowstone and also Rocky Mountain NP holds a special place in my heart since I spent the whole summer there once.

Family Explorer’s Guide: The Best National Parks for Kids

Post Summary: The best national parks for kids in the US, including why they’re the best, what to do, and where to stay.

When trying to decide where to travel with your kids, top on your list needs to be exploring the incredible national parks of the US. A gold mine of fun, nature-based activities make national parks the perfect choice for family travel. In our opinion, every national park in the US can earn the accolade of being the “best national park for kids,” but there are a few gems that stand out.

What makes a kid-friendly national park? For us, it’s the breadth of nature they offer, the unique activities inside and outside of the park, and the ease of getting to them.

Extreme weather and worries about safety at a national park are something you’ll have to work with at almost every park you visit. It is the great outdoors, so it’s an excellent opportunity to teach your kids about respect for nature and practicing outdoor safety. We’ve included a short guide at the end for preparing for a national park family vacation and resources to help your kids and you understand national park safety.

For now, here’s our complete list, in no particular order, of the best kid-friendly national parks in the U.S.

Looking For More Family Travel Content? Read our other posts below: 12 Tips For Hiking With A Toddler How To Do Family Travel On A Budget 50+ Family Bucket List Items To Spark Your Adventure A Full Guide To Camping With A Toddler 11 Nature Packed National Parks In The East

*This Best National Parks With Kids post may contain affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission if you purchase from them. This is at no extra cost to you.

THE BEST NATIONAL PARKS FOR KIDS

1. yellowstone national park.

Location: Wyoming, Montana, Idaho Why Visit With Kids? Incredible wildlife sightings, exploding geysers

High on our list of best national parks to visit with kids is the first national park ever created, Yellowstone National Park . Kids will love this park for its sheer abundance of wildlife sightings. You’re practically guaranteed to see bison roaming (maybe even in your campsite) and might get lucky enough to spot elk, bighorn sheep, moose, bears, and wolves. Also…exploding geysers! Kids of all ages will enjoy watching Old Faithful explode, and since it reliably goes off every 75 minutes, it’s not something you have to take a gamble on with your kids in tow.

Other family-friendly highlights of the park are the swimming hole at Firehole River and taking in the technicolor display of Grand Prismatic Hot Spring. Kids can marvel at the vibrant green, orange, and yellow shades of this natural landmark. The park also offers fun Junior Ranger and Young Scientist programs for kids 4 and up. You can learn more about the programs here.

Unlike a lot of other national parks, hiking is not the main draw of Yellowstone, so it’s also one of the best national parks for toddlers or families who don’t enjoy hiking.

READ NEXT: For more info on Yellowstone, check out our full post on the 10 best things to do in Yellowstone with kids.

How To Get There : The closest airports are Jackson Hole Airport, located in Jackson, WY, and Yellowstone Regional Airport, located in Cody, WY. Some people opt to fly to Salt Lake City International Airport for cheaper flight options.

Where To Stay : While it’s possible to stay outside of the park, Yellowstone is HUGE, and you will be driving a lot if you stay in the nearby towns of West Yellowstone or Gardiner. It’s best to situate yourself in two different places to cut down on driving time. The most central location within the park is Canyon Lodge and Cabins . Camping is plentiful in Yellowstone, and while most sites are first-come, first-served, the following campsites allow reservations: Bridge Bay, Canyon, Grant Village, Madison, and Fishing Bridge RV Park .

For lodging outside of the park, look HERE for family-friendly house rentals in West Yellowstone, Montana.

2. Grand Teton National Park

Location: Wyoming

Why Visit With Kids? Aquamarine alpine lakes, easy hiking trails, jumping off rocks

Located 30 minutes south of Yellowstone’s southern entrance is the small but mighty Grand Teton National Park. Although it’s close to Yellowstone, they are two completely different parks. While Yellowstone is massive, Grand Teton can be explored as a short day trip or a long weekend in the mountains. With many different lakes to explore, the most famous being Jenny Lake, you’ll want to rent or bring kayaks, paddleboards, or tubes to enjoy the stunning lakes of Grand Teton National Park.

Older kids will love hiking to Jumping Rock on Phelps Lake. A 25-foot jump into cool alpine water is the perfect thrill for your adventure-seeking kids.

Colter Bay is another family favorite, with its large pebble beach offering ample play opportunities. The nearby Lakeshore Trail is a flat 2-mile trail with magnificent views of the Tetons.

Grand Teton’s proximity to Jackson, Wyoming, makes it a great choice for families who want to explore beyond the park.

Check HERE to see what kind of educational and fun Junior Ranger programs the park offers.

READ NEXT: For more info on Grand Teton, check out our full guide on visiting Grand Teton with kids.

How To Get There: The closest airport is Jackson Hole Airport, located in Jackson, WY. For cheaper flight options, some people opt to fly to Salt Lake City International Airport.

Where To Stay: With seven different choices of lodging inside the park, you can choose from luxury rooms to basic cabins. You can browse HERE to see the different choices of lodging available in the park. Camping is beautiful in the park and a great way to beat the crowds. All seven campsites can be reserved ahead of time. Learn more about the campsites HER E.

You can also stay in the nearby town of Jackson, Wyoming. It’s a hip town with cute shops and restaurants. The Rustic Inn Creekside is a highly-rated hotel 11 miles from the entrance. You can also look for family-friendly house rentals in Jackson HERE .

3. Everglades National Park

Location: Florida

Why Visit With Kids? Alligators, crocodiles, and airboat tours…need we say more?

Everglades National Park is one of the top national parks for kids because of the amazing wildlife sightings and adventurous water-based activities they’re sure to love. At 1.5 million acres, the Everglades is the 3rd largest national park in the Lower 48 and a great choice when looking for a year-round destination. While many may shrug off the Everglades as a “big ol swamp,” it’s actually an incredibly biodiverse ecosystem that is best described as a tropical wilderness. Kids will love taking the thrilling airboat tour that zips you through the marshlands, where the guide will point out wildlife like manatees, birds, and of course, the most famous inhabitant…alligators. Afterward, you can rent a kayak and take it to the Flamingo Canoe Trails to paddle through dense mangroves and narrow waterways, looking out for dolphins and otters along the way. Other fun kid-approved activities are biking the kid-friendly (in other words, it’s flat) 15-mile Everglades bike trail or taking one of the many short leisurely walks that are peppered throughout the park. Many of the walks are stroller-friendly and are a great option if traveling with a baby or toddler.

How To Get There: The two closest airports to Everglades National Park are Miami International Airport and Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers.

Where To Stay: While there is camping within the park , most people choose to stay in nearby Homestead at a hotel like the Courtyard Marriott . You can also choose to stay in Miami (a one-hour drive to the park) if you want more options for fun things to do outside of the park.

Staying in Miami will also give you proximity to the other national parks in Florida, Biscayne National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park. You can also look for family-friendly house rentals in Miami HERE .

4. Great Sand Dunes National Park

Location: Colorado

Why Visit With Kids? Sandboarding and sand sledding for days.

Home to the tallest sand dunes in America, Grand Sand Dunes National Park is one of the best US national parks for kids who love adventure. Bring your own gear or rent some sandboards and let your kids run loose as they happily spend hours sliding down the sand dunes. The park has smaller sand dunes for younger or more cautious kids and higher sand dunes for thrill-seeking older kids. You’ll want to sled in the early hours or late afternoon to avoid the midday harsh heat of the sand.

When you’re not sledding, Medano Creek is where all the action is for water-loving kids. What appears to be a shallow creek is actually a complex water system that extends a mile below the surface. The creek is home to a rare natural phenomenon called “surge flow,” where a steep gradient produces waves in the creek. If it’s been a particularly snowy winter, you can play in waves that go up to a foot high! Is there anything more magical than feeling like you’re at the beach while looking at the snow-capped Rocky Mountains in the distance? Late May to early June are the best months to experience this unique activity. Your kids will love playing in the water, building sandcastles, and kayaking in Medano Creek. When you’re not sledding or playing in the creek, you can opt to do hikes, take a four-wheel drive tour, spot buffalo, try out fat tire biking, or enjoy stargazing at night with zero light pollution.

How To Get There: The closest airport is Alamosa Airport, which is about 35 minutes from the park. Since it’s a smaller airport, you might find cheaper fares from Colorado Springs Airport (2 hours and 45 minutes from the park) or Denver International Airport (3 hours and 45 minutes away from the park). Where To Stay: There is nowhere to stay within the park, but you can camp at Pinon Flats Campground. Click HERE to learn more about it and make reservations. If you want more upscale accommodations, Zapata Ranch is a working dude ranch that’s sure to be fun for the kids. Lastly, you can look for family-friendly house rentals in Alamosa, Colorado, HERE .

5. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park

Location: California Why Visit With Kids? A magical forest land of giant trees.

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park is one of the best national parks for young kids. Home to the oldest and biggest trees in the world, any nature-loving kid is going to be mesmerized by these awe-inspiring majestic trees. No visit is complete without visiting General Sherman, the largest tree on earth. After seeing this impressive tree, you can take the two-mile Congress Trail loop to take in more of the oldest and biggest trees in the park. There are ample opportunities to take fun photo ops next to fallen trees or trees that have been cut out, so if you have a budding photographer, this is the perfect place for them to hone their skills. Your kids will also enjoy The Giant Forest Museum, where they can learn about the trees and take part in the interactive exhibits.

When visiting Sequoia National Park, you can also stop by the neighboring national park Kings Canyon National Park. The park isn’t as visited, which can make it a welcome respite if you’re looking to get away from the crowds. Kids will enjoy exploring more of the world’s oldest trees in Grant Grove and enjoying the idyllic peace of Zumwalt Meadow, where you can skip rocks and wade in the water.

How To Get There: The closest airports to the parks are Fresno Yosemite International Airport (1 hour and 25 minutes away) and Visalia Municipal Airport (1 hour and 15 minutes away). If you can’t find affordable flights, you can also fly to Los Angeles Airport (LAX), which is three and a half hours away.

Where To Stay: There is ample camping within both parks, and most are first-come, first-served. You can check HERE to see which campsites can be reserved ahead of time. A popular lodge within the park is the rustic but elegant Wuksachi Lodge. Lastly, you can look for family-friendly home rentals in Three Rivers, CA HERE .

6. Joshua Tree National Park

Location: California

Why Visit With Kids? Rock jumping, star gazing, easy hikes

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the best kid-friendly national parks for its smaller scale and proximity to the endearing throwback town of Palm Springs. 

 With massive boulders that every agile kid will want to jump, skip, and clamor on, you’ll be hard-pressed to get your child to LEAVE the park. Come nighttime, when the crowds have dissipated, and your young one is  maybe  jumped out, pull out a camping chair to gaze up at the night sky and see why Joshua Tree has earned the status of an International Dark Sky Park. 

Beyond the gnarly Joshua Trees that twist through the park, there’s also the beautiful Cholla Cactus Garden, a small section of concentrated Cholla that is particularly scenic at sunrise and sunset. 

Families will love the Hidden Valley Nature Trail, a lush one-mile loop trail that takes you into a “hidden valley” surrounded by soaring boulders. There are informative plaques along the way that will teach your kids about the plants, animals, and history of the area. You might even see rock climbers scaling the whitewashed rocks. 

The Barker Dam Trail is a 1.1-mile loop trail that offers a pleasant change in scenery. The trail can be lackluster for some if the dam is low or has no water in it, but regardless of water levels, the path offers unique rock formations, beautiful views, petroglyphs, and if you’re lucky, you can even spot big horn sheep.

Joshua Tree is a premier destination for rock climbing and has over 8000 climbing routes in the park. For families wanting guidance, book a tour specifically geared toward families . If rock climbing isn’t your thing, an organized Scavenger Hunt in the Hidden Valley will delight young ones who revel in fun game time.

Check  HERE  to see what kind of educational and fun Junior Ranger programs the park offers.

READ NEXT: For more info on Joshua Tree, check out our full post and guide on visiting Joshua Tree with kids.  

How To Get There: Joshua Tree offers a few different options for flying into the area. The Palm Springs Airport is the closest (45 miles, 1 hour), but you might find better options from Burbank Airport (143 miles, 2.5-4 hours) or Las Vegas Airport (182 miles, 3 hours).

Where To Stay: Joshua Tree National Park doesn’t offer any lodging beyond camping. The campsites are beautiful and an excellent way to take in the night sky. There are nine campgrounds, five requiring reservations, and the other four are first come, first served. You can  learn more about the different campgrounds here.

Most people choose to stay right outside of the park at Twentynine Palms or Joshua Tree. Joshua Tree offers slightly more amenities and restaurants, but the towns are only 20 minutes apart, so the difference is marginal.  Autocamp  is a hip lodging option where you stay in a beautifully designed Airstream. Kids will love the outdoor pool and fancy glamping. You can see current rates for the glamping hub HERE . For a more conventional stay, the Fairfield Inn & Suites is your standard all-suites hotel with complimentary breakfast and an outdoor pool. You can see current rates for the hotel  HERE . Lastly, you can look for family-friendly home rentals in Joshua Tree, CA  HERE .

7. Yosemite National Park

Location: California Why Visit With Kids? Rock climbing, towering waterfalls, awe-inspiring cliffs Yosemite is one of the grandest national parks and is largely considered not only one of the best US national parks but one of the best family-friendly national parks. While many national parks are minimal in their amenities, Yosemite packs a punch by offering everything from backcountry camping to luxury services. With 12 miles of smooth, flat biking trails, bike riding is a great family activity to do around the valley. No need to bring bikes with you since you can rent them at Yosemite Valley Lodge. Next up is playing in the clear waters of the Merced River. Your kids can play in the sandbanks, or you can rent inner tubes and float 3 miles down the river, where a shuttle service will take you back. Once you’ve exhausted yourself with water activities, it’s time to explore one of the many kid-friendly hiking trails offered in the park.

Yosemite is famous for being the place to be for rock climbing enthusiasts. Even your kids can join the fun with fun, age-appropriate classes that teach them the basics of mountain climbing. Afterward, your kids can sit in the valley with some binoculars and watch the daredevil climbers ascend El Capitan.

READ NEXT: 12 Actually Helpful Tips For Hiking With A Toddler

How To Get There: The closest airport is the Fresno-Yosemite International Airport (1 and a 1/2 hour drive). You might be able to find cheaper fares flying into San Francisco International Airport, Oakland International Airport, and San Jose International Airport. The latter option will be a roughly 3-hour drive. Where To Stay: Yosemite has 13 campgrounds, of which 7 of them can be reserved ahead of time. You can learn more about the different campgrounds HERE. Yosemite offers several different lodging options within the park, from basic cabins to a luxury stay at The Ahwahnee. You can learn more about the different accommodations HERE. In general, it’s best to stay within the park, but there are several options that will be less expensive outside of the park. Rush Creek Lodge is a nice lodge located right outside of the park entrance. There are also several home rentals located within the park and right outside the entrances. You can look for a family-friendly rental HERE.

8. Arches National Park

Location: Utah

Why Visit With Kids? An otherwordly landscape of red rocks and arches. Arches National Park is sure to delight kids with a remarkable landscape that begs to be climbed and explored. With over 2000 sandstone natural arches, hundreds of pinnacles, balancing rocks, and massive fins, there’s enough to keep your natural-born explorer happy. There’s no doubt that Arches National Park is one of the best national parks for families. Top on the list for toddlers and young kids is Sand Dune Arch Hike. A short hike (.3 miles) will take you to nature’s most amazing natural sandbox. Bring some toys or have them create their own out of rocks and sticks and let them play while you take a rest or explore nearby. The great thing about Arches National Park is that there are many options for short hikes that provide a great payoff. When the kids get tired of playing on rocks and living out their own Indiana Jones fantasy, you can hop into your air-conditioned car and drive the 18-mile scenic drive.

If the heat of the Utah desert puts you off, consider visiting Arches in winter when the weather is cooler, but you’ll have the entire park to yourself.

READ NEXT: For more info on Arches with kids, check out our full post on what to do in Arches National Park with kids.

How To Get There: The closest airports to the park are Canyonland Fields (15 minutes away from the park) and Grand Junction Regional Airport (1 hour and 3o minutes away from the park). A lot of people choose to fly into Salt Lake City Airport (3 hours and 40 minutes away) to make a long road trip through all 5 of the national parks in Utah.

Where To Stay: Devils Garden Campground is the only campground in Arches and can be reserved for certain parts of the year. Learn more about the campground and reserve a site HERE . There is no lodging within the park, so most people situate themselves outside of the park in the nearby town of Moab. Marriott’s SpringHill Suites are a great choice for families with their fun outdoor pool and free breakfast. You can see current rates for the hotel HERE . Lastly, you can look for family-friendly home rentals in Moab, Utah HERE .

9. Zion National Park

Why Visit With Kids? A red sandstone dessert that’s LUSH. Unlike the four other amazing national parks in Utah, Zion National Park is a desert with a lush green landscape. While every national park in Utah is great for kids, we love that Zion offers fun water activities and that the nearby town of Springdale offers alternatives for when you want to do something else. Also, Bryce Canyon National Park is nearby, so you can easily add it to your Zion Itinerary. Kid-friendly hikes abound in the park, with the popular ones being the Emerald Pools Trail, The Gateway Trail, and the Canyon Overlook Trail. The Narrows, an extraordinary slot canyon hike, is an incredible bucket list hike that is best for older kids, but if you’re traveling with toddlers and young kids, you can still walk a portion of the trail starting at the Riverside Walk and turn around when you feel like it’s time. If traveling with adventurous teenagers, you can try out the other famous bucket list hike, Angel’s Landing.

Other fun activities in the park are playing in the Virgin River and checking out the Zion Nature Center. The nature center has exhibits, games, activities, and books and is the perfect choice for when you need a little break from the sun. Check HERE to see what kind of educational and fun Junior Ranger programs the park offers.

How To Get There: The closest airport to the park is McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas (2 hours and 45 minutes away). If you are planning to visit the other national parks in Utah , you can also fly into Salt Lake City airport (four hours away).

Where To Stay: Zion National Park has three campgrounds that can be reserved ahead of time. You can learn more about the different camping options HERE . The only lodging available within the park is Zion Lodge . A highly rated (and nicer) hotel is the SpringHill Suites located right outside of the park.. You can look for family-friendly home rentals in Springdale, Utah HERE . There’s also the town of Hurricane, which is 30 minutes away from Zion but will offer cheaper stays than Springdale. You can look for family-friendly home rentals in Hurricane, Utah HERE .

10. Capitol Reef National Park

Why Visit With Kids? Fruit Orchards, Pie, Off The Beaten Path

Capitol Reef National Park is the least visited National Park in Utah. It’s hard to compete with National Parks like Zion and Arches, but Capitol Reef makes up for it with its smaller crowds and thousands of fruit trees! Capitol Reef has over 3100 fruit trees that are FREE to pick and eat while you are in the orchard. Leftover from early Mormon Settlers, the trees are ready to be harvested from June to October. Depending on what month you visit, you can choose from cherries, apricots, pears, apples, plums, mulberries, almonds, and walnuts.

In addition to magical fruit orchards, you’ll want to stop by the historic Gifford House for fresh-baked pie. They sell out every day, so you’ll want to show up early and enjoy a slice of heavenly pie at one of the many picnic tables in the Fruita area of Capitol Reef National Park.

Capitol Reef is a small National Park that can be enjoyed in one to two days. Short, family-friendly hikes include the beautiful scenic hike to Hickman Bridge and the Capitol Gorge Trail.

How To Get There: The closest airports to the park are Salt Lake City Airport (3.5 hour drive) and Grand Junction Regional Airport (3.5 hour drive).

Where To Stay: Fruita Campground is the only developed campground in the park. You can learn more about the campground HERE .

There is no lodging within the park, so most people situate themselves outside of the park in the nearby town of Torrey. The Capitol Reef Resort is a popular choice for families because of the outdoor pool. You can see current rates for the hotel  HERE . Lastly, you can look for family-friendly house rentals in Torrey, Utah here.

11. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Location: Tennessee

Why Visit With Kids? Hiking, Waterfalls, Elk, Fireflies The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the MOST popular park in the US. For good reason….it’s free and gorgeous! The primary activity in the Smokies is going to be hoofing it through one of the 800 miles of trails offered in the park. From beginner to advanced, you’ll find plenty of hiking trails suitable for toddlers to teenagers. The most popular trails to hit with kids will undoubtedly be one of the many waterfall hikes. If you want the chance to walk behind a waterfall, check out Grotto Falls , a 2.6-mile moderate hike.

If visiting in the summertime, bring bathing suits so you can take a dip in one of the many waterways and streams sprinkled throughout the park. Other popular kid’s activities are driving or biking through Cades Cove, spotting elk near the Cataloochee area in the southeastern section of the park, and, our personal favorite, watching the fireflies do a synchronistic light show during their two-week mating season. The exact times can’t be known, but it generally happens from May to mid-June.

The Smokies is one of the best national parks for kids, not only because of its outstanding nature but also because of its proximity to nearby cities that offer fun activities for when you’re not visiting the park. Cities like Gatlinburg, Knoxville, Asheville (our personal favorite!), and Greenville can provide a balanced itinerary for your national park vacation.

READ NEXT: 3 Different Ways To Spend 36 Hours In Asheville

How To Get There: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is quite big, with 3 entrances spread across two states. Most people enter from the Sugarland entrance in Gatlinburg, TN. The closest airport to Gatlinburg is the McGhee-Tyson Airport, located in Knoxville (50 minutes away). Because of its proximity to other major cities, you could also choose to fly to Asheville, NC, Greenville, SC, or Nashville, TN.

Where To Stay: There is plenty of front country camping available in the park, and many allow reservations beforehand. You can learn more about the different camping options HERE . The only lodge within the park is LeConte Lodge , but it requires a 5-mile hike to get to it, so not the best option if you’re traveling with young kids. Most people situate themselves in the highly touristed towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. You can look for family-friendly home rentals in Gatlinburg, TN HERE . If you’re looking for something quieter than Gatlinburg, you can also look HERE for family-friendly home rentals in Townsend, TN.

TIP: We didn’t include Shenandoah National Park on this list, but it’s a great add-on to Smoky Mountains NP if you want to do a road trip through the Blue Ridge Mountains. You can read our guide here to Shenandoah National Park With Kids .

12. Glacier National Park

Location: Montana

Why Visit With Kids? Lakes, glaciers, huckleberry picking Glacier National Park is one of the top national parks for families and adventurers alike. With jaw-dropping scenery, crystal clear lakes, mountain goats, and wild berries to forage, kids will love this epic playground. With 700 lakes in Glacier and kids being natural water lovers, it’s hard to decide where to start your grand family adventure. A popular starting point is taking the lovely and short Trail of the Cedars, which links up to an easy to moderate-hike to Avalanche Lake, where they can look for rocks and wade in the frigid waters. While at Glacier NP, it’s a good idea always to have water shoes and water toys at the ready since everywhere you turn is another body of water to be played in.

Other fun kid-friendly activities are taking a white water rafting tour, driving the Going To The Sun Road, paddleboarding, kayaking, bike riding, and huckleberry picking (our personal favorite). Huckleberry picking season is in summer and is the unofficial fruit of Montana. While you’ll be sure to see it offered in every cafe, it’s more fun to find a patch on your own. You can ask the park rangers where the best spots are for finding huckleberry patches.

Check HERE to see what kind of educational and fun Junior Ranger programs the park offers. How To Get There: Glacier Park International Airport is the closest airport to the west entrance of the park and is about 30 minutes away from the entrance. You can also opt for a road trip and fly into Spokane International Airport (a five-hour drive) in Washington state.

Where To Stay: Glacier National Park has 13 campgrounds and allows reservations for many of them. You can learn more about the different campgrounds HERE . The park also has 8 different lodges ranging from simple accommodations to rustic luxury. You can learn more about lodging in the park HERE . Since staying in a lodge can be quite pricy, many choose to stay outside of the park in Whitefish, Montana. A great hotel option is the Wonderstone at Glacier . You can also look HERE for family-friendly home rentals in Whitefish, MT.

READ NEXT: For an off-the-beaten-path family adventure, visit Glacier National Park In The Winter .

13. Mammoth Cave National Park

Location: Kentucky Why Visit With Kids? Cave exploring While Mammoth Cave National Park may not be on the radar for most people, we think its unique offerings of a complex cave system make it an excellent choice when looking for the best national parks for kids. Perhaps you have a budding explorer or scientist in your family who would think exploring underground tunnels is just as cool as playing video games. The only way to explore Mammoth Cave National Park is through a guided tour. You’ll want to look at all the tours offered and find the one that’s the perfect fit for your family. Adventurous kids that are 10 years old and up might like the Introduction to Caving Tour , where you crawl and climb through hard-to-reach spaces. Or for kids 6 years and older, there’s the Great Onyx Lantern Tour, where you can see and learn about the unique formations in the cave. The tours change according to the season, so check HERE for updated tour information.

While exploring the caves is the top draw for Mammoth Caves National Park, you can also explore outside of the caves and go hiking, fishing, horseback riding, kayaking, and swimming.

How To Get There: The closest airport to Mammoth Cave National Park is the Nashville International Airport in TN and the Louisville International Airport in KY. Both are about a 1.5-hour drive to the national park.

Where To Stay: The park has three front-country campgrounds that can be reserved ahead of time. You can learn more about the campgrounds HERE . The Lodge at Mammoth Cave is the only lodge available within the park. You can learn more about the lodge HERE . You can also stay outside of the park in Cave City, Kentucky. A popular spot for families is Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park . You can also look for family-friendly home rentals in Cave City, KY HERE .

14. Virgin Islands National Park

Location: St. John

Why Visit With Kids? Calm water, turtles, snorkeling

The Virgin Islands National Park is located on the serene island of Saint John. It’s one of three islands that comprise the United States Virgin Islands. Saint John is the least developed, with 60% of the land a national park. It’s one of the best national parks for families that want a classic “beach vacation” without all the pandemonium of an overdeveloped island.

With warm, calm water, it’s a fantastic spot for learning how to snorkel. You can visit Trunk Bay (one of the most photographed beaches in the Caribbean) to visit the national park’s underwater trail. It’s an easy route with plaques that describe the native species that can be found while snorkeling. You can be on the lookout for squid, octopuses, turtles, and various colorful sea life.

After you’re done snorkeling, there’s plenty of kayaking, boating, and stand-up paddleboarding to be had at St. John.

For exploration beyond the beach, the Reef Bay Trail is an adventurous hike that takes you through a lush canopy of old-growth trees to see a 40-foot waterfall, petroglyphs, sugar plantation ruins, and a pristine beach at the end.

READ NEXT: For more info on Saint John, check out our full guide and post on the best things to do in St. John with kids .

How To Get There : St. John does not have an airport, so you’ll have to fly to the neighboring island of St. Thomas and then take the 20-minute ferry to St. John.

Where To Stay: For a traditional resort, The Westin St. John Resort & Villas has beautiful grounds with a private beach that’s perfect for kids. You can see current rates for the hotel HERE . St. John is the ideal spot for getting a vacation rental, so you can have a full kitchen and maybe even your own pool like this one . You can look through family-friendly house rentals on Saint John here.

Tips For Visiting National Parks With Kids

When planning a family vacation to the national parks, preparation is everything to having a great time. Before you go:

• Make sure you know about the wildlife in the park and proper safety protocols. Every park has its own website that will go over animal safety. We always hike with bear spray and know how to use it. Here’s a good example of how the Yellowstone National Park website outlines how to practice bear safety in the park.
• Use the Visitor Centers! The park rangers offer the greatest wealth of national park information for kids and can help direct you to what would suit your family best. Ask questions and let them know what kind of adventure you’re looking for, whether that’s a hard hike, off the beaten path, or super easy. They know more than anyone else!
• Teach your kids about the basics of Leave No Trace . The Leave No Trace movement is rooted in backcountry exploration but is fundamentally about respect for the outdoors and leaving it the same as you came. You can learn more about it HERE .

America The Beautiful Pass

If you’ll be visiting more than one national park within 365 days, you’ll want to invest in an America The Beautiful Pass . The pass allows you admittance into 2000 federal lands for a one-time fee of $80. You can buy and learn more about the pass HERE.

National Park Passport

A fun way to get your kids excited is to buy a national park passport. For every national park you visit, you can get a passport stamp from the Visitors Center. It’s a fun way to get them involved and excited about visiting other national parks. You can create your own passport with a spiral notebook or purchase a preformatted journal like this one HERE .

National Parks Kid Books

Another fun way to get your kids excited is to buy activity books that are centered around the national parks. We like the following: National Geographic Junior Ranger Activity Book America’s National Parks from Lonely Planet Kids National Park Mystery Series

Final Thoughts on The Best National Parks for Kids.

I want to reiterate that EVERY national park is a great park for kids, so once you’ve made your way through these, you’ll have to then get to Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Acadia National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, Death Valley National Park and on and on and on.

We’ll see you at the parks!

Let us know your favorite national park to visit with kids in the comments below!

RELATED POSTS: Toddler Hiking Gear You Actually Need The Ultimate Guide to the Best Toddler Carriers for Travel How to Survive a Road Trip with a Toddler 160 Boredom Busting Road Trip Questions

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Hi, we’re Christina and Brad, Idaho based writers and photographers who live to explore. We did a short stint of traveling full time with our two year old and discovered we're much happier as part time nomads. What does that mean? We travel a lot! And then we go home. We love helping fellow parents and everyday adventurers discover new places and experiences.

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I love this list! I’m going to have to add a few to my list!

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The Utah Mighty 5 with kids: A Weeklong Utah Road Trip

Visiting all five of Utah’s National Parks has become an iconic journey for many travelers over the years. The Mighty 5®, cleverly trademarked by Utah’s Office of Tourism, is an apt name for these impressive parks, and visiting some of the nation’s most beautiful places all in one trip is an certainly an amazing experience. From road trippers and RV’ers to National Park lovers such as ourselves, it’s a feast for the eyes and the soul.

We’ve wanted to visit the Utah National Parks with kids for a while now, and we finally decided to put it together and hit the road. For our trip, we traveled 10 days over spring break to see how much ground we could cover, and it was awesome! Our journey took us to six states and nearly 4,000 miles, and while there are quicker ways to do it, it’s a trip we’ll never forget.

Visiting the Utah Mighty 5 – Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Arches National Park.

Utah National Parks Map

Utah Mighty 5 - Zion National Park - Bryce Canyon National Park - Capitol Reef National Park - Canyonlands National Park - Arches National Park

Mighty 5 Road Trip Itinerary

Know Before You Go Utah National Park Pass Other National Parks in Utah Utah State Parks

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Map of utah national parks.

Visiting five National Parks over the course of a week is a pretty big undertaking. On this trip, we actually visited seven National Parks in 10 days because we’re lunatics that way, but that’s outside the scope of this post. 😉 In order to pull this off, you’ll definitely have to prioritize some activities. If you have longer than a week, you’ll obviously be able to spend more time in the parks exploring, and that’s always a good thing! We’ve included 1-day suggestions as well as other activities if you have more time.

We began our Utah itinerary driving from the Grand Canyon in northern Arizona, so our first park was Zion National Park in the southwest corner of Utah, working our way east from there to Moab. You can also work your way in the opposite direction depending on where you want to start. Popular starting points are Las Vegas from the west, Salt Lake City from the north, or Denver from the east.

Zion National Park

One of Zion’s most famous hikes is up to Angel’s Landing, overlooking the canyon below. This challenging hike takes you over narrow ridges and steep inclines on your way to the top. We weren’t quite up for that challenge during this visit, but if we return, I think we’ll give it a go.

Some of the easier hikes for families include Emerald Pools Trails and the Riverside Walk that leads up to the Narrows. Zion National Park has something for everyone – even horseback riding if you like.

During late spring and summer and into fall, plan on parking in the nearby town of Springdale. With over 2 million visitors annually and limited parking, the Park Service is trying to keep traffic in the park to a minimum. During spring when we visited, parking is available at the visitor center parking lot at the front of the park. From there, catch a park shuttle for the rest of your journey. Traffic is not allowed at all past a certain point along the main road.

Entrance Fees for Zion National Park

$35 per private vehicle which is good for seven days.

Iconic Hikes and Features

The most famous of the Zion National Park hikes is up to Angel’s Landing, and the Narrows is very popular as well. Hiking the Narrows involves traversing up the river in water over slick rocks. Consider renting a wet suit in the winter months or if you just can’t handle the chilly water. Plan on spending a half day for Angel’s Landing and a full day for the Narrows.

For easier hikes with kids, consider hiking to Emerald Pools or hiking along the river up to the horse stables near Zion Lodge. Easy to view features along the shuttle route are The Watchman, The Sentinel, and Weeping Rock.

Hotels near Zion National Park

Zion National Park camping is available, but reserve 6 months out or as early as you can. You may reserve campsites online at recreation.gov here . For something super-cool, stay in the park at Zion National Park Lodge . Again, booking as far in advance as you can is key.

Most visitors stay in nearby Springdale, UT, which is situated right next to the park and is where you will find most of the Zion National Park hotels.

We stayed at the Best Western Plus Zion Inn and Suites which is just a 2-minute drive from the park entrance. Compare on TripAdvisor Check latest prices here

To compare rates for other Zion hotels in in Springdale, UT, click here.

Zion National Park in a Day

Get up early to beat the crowds. If you sleep in, you’ll be waiting in longs lines for the shuttle from the visitor center. Pick a few stops along the way. We began our day with a hike to Lower Emerald Pools which is the Zion Lodge stop. From there we rode out to the last stop – Temple of Sinawava – to have a look around. We worked our way back down the canyon from there stopping to look at Court of the Patriarchs. We wrapped up our day with a stop at the visitors center for some souvenirs and to get our passports stamped. Find a bridge over the Virgin River near the Watchmen to enjoy sunset.

Other ways to spend a day would be a trip up the Narrows (full day), or a hike up to Angel’s Landing (half day or so).

Getting around Zion National Park

For nearly all places in the park, you will have to use the free shuttles. During busier times, it’s best to just catch the shuttle in town up to the visitor center. There are several stops in town including one right across the street from where we stayed at the Best Western .

Zion National Park Map

Related : If you love National Parks, be sure to check out our page here where we have lots of ideas and inspiration!

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park is defined by its amphitheater of eroded rock spires carved out by wind and water, called hoodoos. It’s a sight to see for sure, and during winter and spring with a little bit of snowfall, it’s pretty magical.

During our visit, Utah had experienced higher than usual snowfall, so we didn’t get a chance to drive to the farthest reaches of the park, but there is still plenty to explore here. After cruising through the visitors center for passport stamps and a map, we set out around the Rim Trail to take in the views.

From here, you can see some of Bryce’s most famous features including Thor’s Hammer and, of course, the hoodoos. The popular Navajo Trail takes you down into the canyon where you can get up close with some of these features. On this trip, winter weather kept this trail closed, unfortunately.

Besides the Bryce Amphitheater, other popular areas of the park include Mossy Cave and Natural Bridge. If you’re short on time and it’s busy, consider using the free shuttles to get around the Amphitheater areas. Also consider visiting at night where the lack of artificial light makes stargazing a popular activity.

We spent about a half day exploring this park, but during summer when more of the roads and trails are open, I could see spending an entire day here pretty easily. We would have loved to see the bristlecone pine trees, but that will have to wait for another visit. On the other hand, I couldn’t really imagine Bryce Canyon being any more lovely than with a nice dusting of snow, blue skies, and bright sunshine. Despite the trail closures, Bryce is definitely worth visiting during the colder months.

Entrance Fees for Bryce Canyon National Park

Hoodoos and rock formations are what Bryce is famous for, and Bryce Amphitheater is the perfect place to explore them. Take the Navajo Trail down below the rim get up close to Thor’s Hammer and other cool formations. Sunrise to Sunset Point along the Rim Trail is also a good hike for children.

Bryce Canyon Hotels

Bryce Canyon City is only a few miles from the entrance and has some good options like the historic Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn . We stayed at the Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel just across the street which is a bit more modern and just as close to the park entrance. Compare on TripAdvisor Check latest prices here

Bryce Canyon National Park in a Day

After a stop at the visitor center for a map, hike down from the rim along Navajo Trail. After exploring Thor’s Hammer and other features, enjoy a picnic lunch and then head out to the end of the 18-mile road to hike Bristlecone Loop. Work your way back toward the front of the park, stopping at the scenic overlooks and arriving for sunset at Sunset Point. If you have the time, stay after dark to enjoy some of the best night-sky viewing anywhere.

Getting around Bryce Canyon National Park

During the busier summer months, consider using the free shuttles to get around Bryce Amphitheater. Otherwise, use your own vehicle to travel through the park.

Bryce Canyon National Park Map

Capitol Reef National Park

In Fruita, check out the Gifford House to learn about Mormon pioneer history and take home a jar or two of preserves from the shop. Take a walk around the fruit tree orchards, and even pick some fruit if it’s in season. The fruit is free to sample, or if you’d like to take some with you, you can for a small fee.

If you’re more adventurous and have a high-clearance vehicle, you might want to visit the Waterpocket District of the park for views of the famous Waterpocket Fold. Visitors can travel all or part of the 124-mile loop – just be aware of weather conditions and have plenty of water and supplies with you just in case.

Entrance Fee to Capitol Reef National Park

$20 per private vehicle.

Capitol Reef’s most famous feature is the long ridge that runs the length of the park called the Waterpocket Fold, although it’s more difficult to get to. Consider the 1.5 hour scenic drive loop, or hop out for a hike to Capitol Gorge where you’ll find historic inscriptions from Mormon settlers. When the fruit trees are in season, pick your own snack to take with you on your hike!

Hotels near Capitol Reef National Park

While there are some places to stay in nearby Torrey , if you don’t plan to stay more than a day in this park, you may want to move on. Depending on which way you’re travelling, you would probably be better off making your way to Moab to the east or Escalante or Bryce to the west. Camping is also available in the park.

Capitol Reef National Park in a Day

Grab a map at the visitor center and then drive out to Capitol Gorge for a hike through the narrows where you’ll find some cool petroglyphs and also the names of Mormon settlers. Have lunch while you’re out and then head back towards the front of the park. Explore the Gifford House to learn about the early pioneers in the area and enjoy a freshly baked fruit pie. Be sure to buy a jar or two of jam before you leave. On your way out, stop by Chimney Rock and Twin Rocks, or take the short hike to Sunset Point for sunset. Capitol Reef is also an  International Dark Skies Park , so hang out afterwards for some (inter)stellar views.

Getting around Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef is not as busy as the other Utah National Parks, so getting around is pretty easy. Unless you plan on visiting the backcountry or Waterpocket District, your normal vehicle will work, and you’ll be able to visit the most popular areas of the park.

Capitol Reef National Park Map

Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park earns its name from the hundreds of canyons created by the convergence of the Colorado and Green Rivers. The park is fairly large at nearly 340,000 acres and is divided into four districts – Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and The Rivers.

Island in the Sky is the most easily accessible and is the closest to Moab, which makes it a good home base for exploring both Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. Here you’ll find incredible overlooks along the 12-mile scenic drive, culminating in Grand View Point Overlook. Along the way, stop off to hike out to Mesa Arch, another of this park’s most famous landmarks.

While Island in the Sky offers some fantastic scenery, be aware of constantly changing weather conditions, especially in spring. We encountered very heavy snow on our way up to the visitor center, and it made visibility poor enough that we couldn’t see much of anything. Fortunately, driving south to the Needles District worked out better.

The Needles District is named for the needle-shaped rock spires in the area, and we had a great day exploring this part of the park. We enjoyed doing some bouldering and hiking along Pothole Point Trail, and also hiking out to the waterfall at Big Spring Canyon Overlook. What started out as a disappointing (albeit snowy and adventurous) morning in the park up north, turned out to be a perfect day down south. If you have time to visit both Districts, we recommend it!

The other two districts are really more for backcountry trips or those wanting to actually float some of the rivers and tributaries. The rivers here offer up some pretty intense whitewater experiences, so if that’s what you’re after, go for it! The Maze District has some good 4×4 and off-roading opportunities if you want to rent a Jeep in Moab and have the time in your schedule to do it. Click here to check out some tours available from Moab .

Entrance Fees for Canyonlands National Park

$30 per private vehicle which is good for 7 days.

In Island in the Sky District, hike to Mesa Arch and then drive out to Grand View Point for incredible views of the canyons. In the Needles District to the south, stop by Newspaper Rock for ancient Petroglyphs, and hike Pothole Point for views of the Needles. Drive to the end of the road and enjoy the short hike out to Big Spring Canyon Overlook.

Hotels near Canyonlands National Park

Moab is a large town with plenty of options for lodging. We stayed at the Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn right in the heart of downtown Moab. It’s within walking distance to many shops and restaurants, and the rooms were clean and comfortable. Compare on TripAdvisor Check latest prices here

To compare other hotels in Moab with TripAdvisor, click here .

Canyonlands National Park in a day

Consider driving down to the Needles District from Moab. Even though it’s about an hour and a half drive, the park is less crowded here, and we found the hikes and scenery to be awesome. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy while you’re there. Take a hike around Pothole Point and clamor around on the boulders. The kids loved it.

After playing in the Needles District, drive back up to Moab for an early dinner at Antica Forma. Their Neapolitan pizzas are excellent. After dinner, head up to Island in the Sky for a drive through the park to see the sun set over the canyons.

Getting around in Canyonlands National Park

Your car is all you’ll need for getting around most of Canyonlands. If you want to explore The Maze, you’ll need a 4×4, which is readily available to rent in Moab. If you’d rather leave the off-roading to someone else, consider booking a tour . Our partner Viator has many great options for Jeep, ATV, and even rafting tours from Moab.

Canyonlands National Park Maps – Island in the Sky | Needles District

Arches National Park

As you might expect, Arches National Park is home to the largest concentration of natural arches on the planet. Double Arch, Landscape Arch, Window Arch – it has all the arches. If you think you may tire of them, think again! This park is full of terrific hikes and awesome things to see. If you’re on a timeline, you’ll definitely need to prioritize here.

Delicate Arch is probably the park’s most famous resident, which can be reached by challenging 1.5 mile hike. We opted to skip this one because of timing, but it’s certainly a hike we’d like to tackle at some point. Be aware that because of its popularity, it will be crowded. Don’t expect a perfect photo with no one in the background unless you visit in the cooler months very early in the day. If you do decide to visit in the summer, take plenty of water. There is no shade, and it will be hot!

Other areas of the park that you can explore are the short hikes out to Double Arch and The Windows – one of the most scenic areas of this park. Scramble up and find a perch with a view. (For the movie buffs, Double Arch is one of the filming locations for  Indian Jones and the Last Crusade ).  Park Avenue Viewpoint, the Courthouse Towers, and Balancing Rock are also other areas worth exploring. For our visit, we decided to hike the Delicate Arch viewpoints, which is a short half-mile hike to a view of Delicate Arch. We thought this was a good compromise, without having to hike all the way out to the Arch. After a week of traveling and hiking, we considered the view good enough for this trip.

We found that spring was a great time to visit this park, and often wondered how much heat we would have put up with if we had visited in the hot summer. We spent the entire day in the park hiking and exploring, and if it were 100 degrees, I don’t think we would’ve made it, honestly.

Entrance Fees for Arches National Park

Delicate Arch is one of the park’s most famous landmarks. It’s a strenuous, 3-mile hike round trip to get there, which may not be ideal for families. You can still see the Arch from a distance by taking the short hikes to the Delicate Arch Viewpoints. Other famous spots include Double Arch, The Windows, and Landscape Arch, which are all easy to get to. With so many interesting features and family-friendly hikes, we think Arches is one of the best National Parks in Utah.

Hotels near Arches National Park

Just like Canyonlands, Moab is where you’ll want to stay for a visit to Arches. We stayed at the Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn for both parks. Compare on TripAdvisor Check latest prices here

Arches National Park in a day

Start with a hike to either Delicate Arch or Landscape Arch depending on your fitness. Families with small children will want to stick to Landscape Arch. Explore some of the area in Devil’s Garden, then have a picnic lunch before heading back to some other parts of the park.

Make your way to Double Arch and The Windows, and explore the area for a bit. There are some fantastic photo opportunities there. On your way back towards the entrance, stop and take the short hike up to the Delicate Arch Viewpoint, then make a stop to see Balancing Rock up close. Stick around for sunset and watch the reds and oranges light up all around you.

Getting around Arches National Park

There is one main road through the park with several pull-outs to get out and hike if you’d like. Consider driving all the way back to Devil’s Garden and Landscape Arch and then working your way back to the front of the park if you only have a day to visit.

Arches National Park Map

Putting together a Utah National Parks trip

Mighty five utah road trip – sample itinerary.

Day 1:  Arrive in Las Vegas. Drive to Springdale, UT (~2.5 hours). Head to Zion NP and find a spot along the river to enjoy sunset. Overnight in Springdale, UT. Day 2: Explore Zion NP. Overnight in Springdale, UT Day 3:  Drive to Bryce Canyon City (~2 hours). Spend the afternoon and evening exploring Bryce Canyon NP. Overnight in Bryce Canyon City. Day 4: Drive to Capitol Reef National Park via Highway 12 through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (~3 hours + time for stops). Eat lunch in Boulder at Hell’s Backbone Grill . Drive on to Capitol Reef NP and spend the afternoon exploring. Then drive to Moab, UT (~2.5 hours). Overnight in Moab. Day 5:  Explore Canyonlands National Park. Overnight in Moab, UT. Day 6:  Explore Arches National Park. Overnight in Moab, UT. Day 7:  Drive to Salt Lake City (~4 hours). Fly home.

Have more time to visit?

Add 1 day in Zion to either hike The Narrows or Angel’s Landing. Add 1 day in Bryce Canyon you explore some the of the trails at the back of the park like Bristlecone Loop or book a guided tour on horseback. Add 1 day in Capitol Reef to drive out to the Waterpocket Fold and do some 4×4 off-roading. When fruit is in season, spend a half-day picking fresh fruit from the orchards. Add 1 Day to Canyonlands to explore both Island in the Sky and Needles Districts. You could also float the river or rent a 4×4 and drive part of the White Rim Road. Add 1 or 2 days to Arches to hike out to Delicate Arch, hike in Devil’s Garden along the Primitive Trail all the way around to Double-O Arch, or book a guided tour through Fiery Furnace. Add 1 day to Moab to rent a Jeep or take a guided tour through the area. Add 1 day to further explore Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument or any of the other nearby Utah Park Service Units (see below)

Know Before You Go

Best time to visit utah’s national parks.

Spring and fall are the best times to visit. We settled on visiting in spring because of cooler temperatures and smaller crowds, but be aware that wintry weather can still impact your visit. Several roads and trails in the parks were closed while we we there. Don’t let that deter you though. We still had a full day’s worth of adventure in every park we visited.

Much of southern Utah is desert

Make sure you take into account the arid climate and pack plenty of water wherever you go. Get yourself some Nalgene water bottles  for your trip. We take them camping, and they’re light weight, indestructible, and come in every color.

There is very little shade on many of the trails, so don’t forget a hat and sunscreen also. We like Sun Bum  sunscreen.

Get a National Parks Annual Pass

For a trip like this where there are multiple entry fees involved, purchase an annual pass. They cost just $80 and will pay for themselves on this trip alone, but are good for the entire year. You can purchase one at the entrance gate of your first park, and you’ll be all set for the rest of your trip!

If you have a 4th grader, be sure to sign them up for the Every Kid In A Park Pass. It’s FREE and, like the annual pass, gets the entire family into the parks for free. You can read more about this amazing deal here.

Other National Parks in Utah

Read more about all of Utah's National Parks here.

If five National Parks aren’t enough for one trip, Utah has plenty of other amazing parks and National Monuments to visit. We hit a few on our trip, and there are many more we’d love to visit on our next trip.

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Hovenweep National Monument

On our way home, we took the scenic drive out to Hovenweep National Monument in Southeast Utah. This incredible site is the location of several ancient Pueblo ruins built along a canyon hundreds of years ago. During the 1200s, it is estimated that there were 2,500 people living at this site. The workmanship of the turrets and dwellings is remarkable rivaling even those found in nearby Mesa Verde National Park. If you have the time to stop, do so. It’s pretty fascinating. Translated, Hovenweep is a Paiute/Ute word meaning “Deserted Valley.”

Cedar Breaks National Monument

Cedar Breaks National Monument lies just west of Bryce Canyon National Park and is just east of Interstate 15 and is the highest of the Utah Parks. This alpine area is nestled in the mountains at over 10,000 feet and features a forest of bristlecone pine, alpine flowers, and scenic views that look down into natural amphitheaters. Access in the winter is limited, but summer activities include bird watching, hiking, camping, and stargazing. A drive through the park is only 7.5 miles.

Dinosaur National Monument

Dinosaur National Monument contains over 200,000 acres of protected land, which not only includes dinosaur fossils but also large areas for recreation as well. Visitors can visit the famous Quarry Exhibit Hall, an enclosed space where you can gaze upon over 1,500 dinosaur bones encompassing several different species. Take a drive through the park to view some its impressive geologic features, or hike, camp, fish, and even whitewater raft. One-day and multi-day guided rafting tours are available down the challenging Green and Yampa Rivers.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Golden Spike National Historic Park

Located north of Salt Lake City at Promontory Summit, Utah, Golden Spike NHS marks the intersection where America’s first transcontinental railroad was completed, and is the location where the Jupiter and Np. 119 steam engines met up from either direction on May 10, 1969. Visitors can see exact replicas of these two engines on a guided tour of the engine house and can also explore a driving tour of the area, as well as hiking trails and a film about the railroad.

Natural Bridges National Monument

Natural Bridges National Monument was officially recognized by Congress in 1908 and became Utah’s first National Monument. It is located south of Canyonlands National Park in the southeast corner of the state. The site protects three natural stone Bridges, as well as an ancient Pueblo site called Horse Collar Ruin. The largest bridge – Sipapu – spans 268 feet and is 220 feet tall.

Rainbow Bridge National Monument

Rainbow Bridge National Monument is not easy to get to, but the payoff is big – seeing the largest natural bridge anywhere in the world up close. Day long guided tours by boat leave from Lake Powell, or you can backpack to the monument by hiking one of two trailheads that leave near Navajo Mountain in southern Utah. If hiking, you will be required to get a permit from the Navajo to do so.

Don’t Forget These Amazing Utah State Parks!

Utah’s incredible landscapes aren’t just limited to the National Parks. State parks like Goblin Valley and Kodachrome Basin are also worth a visit and are some of best parks in Utah. Click here for a Utah State Parks map .

Inspired Yet?

We hope our guide helps you plan an incredible Utah National Parks road trip. Be sure to tell us about it so we can follow along! Have you visited Utah’s Mighty Five National Parks?

Here are a couple of our favorite guides to get you going.

What’s your favorite Utah National Park? Let us know in the comments!

You May Also Like

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• Arkansas:   Soak up the fun in Hot Springs National Park
• Oklahoma:  Things to do with kids in OKC
• Skiing with kids :  North America’s Best Ski Resorts for Kids

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8 replies to "the utah mighty 5 with kids: a weeklong utah road trip".

So much information, thank you! I have a mobility scooter to help me get around do you know if it would be permissible in the parks.we would like to go in July I’m a school teacher and it’s the only time to travel until I retire.

Hi there and thanks for reading. I’m glad you found it useful. Scooters are definitely permitted and many of the parks have accessible trails that you can explore. Buses are equipped to handle scooters as well, so I absolutely think you would have a great time visiting with no trouble.

Enjoy your trip – these parks are incredible, and good for you for going!

I have to say, this is one of the most helpful blog posts if you’re looking for Utah family road trip ideas. My family and I are coming to stay at a dude ranch in Utah and this is getting me so excited to take some time to visit Bryce Canyon. We might even have to plan another trip to hit some of these other spots. Thank you!!

Jamie, thanks for checking out the post and I hope your stay at the dude ranch is awesome. Enjoy your time in beautiful Utah!

My family just got back home to San Diego after an 8-night trip using your itinerary. We added on a boat tour on the Colorado River in Moab, and a couple nights at the Grand Canyon on our way back home. Thank you so much for this blog and itinerary! It helped me so much with planning an awesome trip for us! My kids (7 and 5) had a blast every day too. We already want to go back.

We’re so excited that everything worked out! I know that I could go back again and again – it’s just such a cool place and a lot of fun. Your kids are at a perfect age to experience these types of adventures with wide-open wonder and it’s amazing to watch them take it all in!

Safe travels,

This blog is so helpful! I’m planning almost the same trip (but, the reverse) for during spring break, and I will be using so much of your itinerary. My girls are 10 and 13. When you went out for a long day of hiking, did you pack lunches and take them with you? For instance, Zion and Bryce, it sounded like you were out for the whole day. Did you each carry camelbacks?

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this!

Stacey, how exciting. You all will have a blast. To answer your questions, we had the cooler stocked everywhere we went and usually had a picnic lunch in all the parks for that day. We had one Camelbak and one other pack with just bottled water and some snacks. We didn’t do anything too strenuous that we would all have to carry Camelbaks. Most of our hikes were short and we were always within 30 minutes or so of the car.

While it’s true we were out exploring all day, it was mostly short hikes or overlooks that were easily accessible from the main roads.

Have a great trip!

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How to Get & Make the Most of FREE 4th Grade National Park Passes

By: Author Leslie Harvey

Posted on Published: March 1, 2023

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One of the best deals in family travel is the Every Kids Outdoors program. This program provides free national park passes to all fourth graders for a full year, giving kids and their families access to hundreds of national park sites and other federal lands. The program was formerly known as Every Kid in a Park and was developed for the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary several years ago. But thankfully the program has continued ever since!

While my family already travels to national parks regularly, we try to take even greater advantage during this free access year. And we think other families of 4th graders should too! In just the first few months of my daughter’s 4th grade year, we enjoyed free visits to the Everglades, Pinnacles National Park, and Muir Woods National Monument . We are gearing up to use the pass again when my son enters 4th grade in the fall.

If you are looking to obtain and maximize the value of your child’s 4th grade national park pass, here are my very best tips for the Every Kid Outdoors pass as well as tips for visiting national parks with 4th graders generally.

When & How to Get a Free 4th Grade National Park Pass

Let’s start with how to get free entry into the parks. If you haven’t heard of the Every Kid Outdoors program, you aren’t alone. It is still fairly new. It started in 2015 in for the National Park Service’s centennial year when it was then called Every Kid in a Park. Word is still not fully out among many families with eligible kids.

Why did the National Park service select fourth grade students? Here’s the official word from the National Park Service on why this age was chosen to receive the pass:

The program focuses on children 10 years of age—the age of most fourth graders—based on research that indicates children ages 9–11 are at a unique developmental stage in their learning where they begin to understand how the world around them works in more concrete ways and they are more receptive to engaging with nature and the environment. By focusing on this age group year after year, the program aims to ensure every child in the United States has the opportunity to visit their Federal lands and waters by the time he or she is 11 years old, thereby establishing a lifelong connection to enjoy and protect our American outdoor heritage.

Here’s how the program works. All 4th graders can apply for a free annual pass online at the program’s  official website . There is a brief questionnaire to complete and kids then receive a digital copy of a pass to print. Print the pass to take with you on your national parks travels. The entire process takes just a minute or two.

The pass issued is valid from the beginning of the school year (officially, September 1) through the end of the summer after 4th grade (August 31). All kids of 4th grade age are eligible – whether in public or private school or homeschooled.

The pass is good anywhere the regular America the Beautiful annual national park passes are valid. This means not only the 63 major national parks, but also national monuments, national historic sites, national recreation areas, national forests, national seashores, and many other federal lands. Officially the program is in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (in addition to the National Park Service), so it covers a lot of destinations and sites. It doesn’t include state parks, but some states have comparable programs for access to state parks as well (see my home state’s California State Park Adventure Pass ).

How to Use the 4th Grade National Parks Pass

How do you use the 4th grade national parks pass when traveling to national parks and other included federal lands? The printed pass is valid immediately and is all that is required. Just be aware that you need a physical printout. Images of the pass on a smartphone or tablet are not accepted. Your child can also choose to trade the paper pass in for a more permanent pass at most parks if you prefer. If you lose your pass, you can go to the website and print another one.

When you arrive to a park, you simply show the pass anywhere you would normally purchase admission. Sometimes that will be at a gated ranger entrance. Sometimes that is at a visitor center where you’d obtain a pass to display on your car’s dash while within the park’s boundaries. Simply display the free pass there instead.

It’s also not just your 4th grader who gets in free. Most national parks charge entrance by the car, so the pass works to get an entire family or group in nearly all parks for free as long as you arrive in a single car.

At parks that charge per person, the pass covers up to 3 adults. All kids under 16 in the same group are admitted free. So unless you have an exceptionally large family or are traveling with a big group, it really does cover everyone.

How much money does a national parks pass save you? Entrance fees in 2023 at some of the largest national parks like Yosemite and Yellowstone are now as high as $35 per car or $20 per person. A total of 109 parks charge entrance fees of some sort. So if you visit multiple included sites in a single year, you can easily save hundreds of dollars. Check out current entry fee prices on the NPS site here .

Note that a few park sites charge parking fees in addition to entrance fees. Parking fees, along with other extras like tours or entrance into a few attractions run by private operators, are not included. So always do some research specifically about the park you are planning to visit to make sure you understand what the pass covers and what it doesn’t.

Tips for Visiting National Parks with 4th Graders

So how can you make the most of your fee-free entry year with your 4th grader? Here are tips for planning and touring national park sites with kids of elementary school age.

Participate in Junior Ranger Programs

One must-do activity perfect for 4th graders is the Junior Ranger program available at nearly every National Park Service managed site. My children have really enjoyed participating in it at the many parks we have visited over the years.

Haven’t heard of the Junior Ranger program? Almost all national park sites have it. It’s an entirely free service where children can complete tasks to learn about and explore the park during their visit. Usually, you pick up an educational activity booklet at a welcome center or ranger station when you enter a park. Some parks have different booklets based on age, but others have a single booklet with customizable requirements for different age groups. Fourth graders are always within the age ranges covered by the program.

When your kids have completed the requirements, they take their completed booklets back to a ranger station and participate in a swearing in ceremony. Rangers will then award them a certificate and a pin and occasionally a few extra goodies.

You can also mail booklets back into a number of parks to get your child’s certificate and pin. We do this on occasion when we don’t have time to complete the booklet while in the park or if our travels don’t take us close by a visitor center later as we are exiting the park with a completed booklet.

Completing Junior Ranger booklets has been a highlight of our national parks travel, but especially for our older child the last few years once she could independently complete all the reading and activities. Always be sure to schedule in a little down time for your child to work on the booklet. It’s a great activity during meal times or during a break on a hike.

Involve Your 4th Grader in Your National Park Trip Research & Planning

We have learned during the last many years of family travel that involving our kids in the trip selection and planning process makes for happier travels for everyone in the long run.

How can you involve your 4th grader in your family’s national park travel planning? Do some research with your kids to find out what kinds of national parks or features within them interest them. Watch park videos on YouTube or read blogs and travel guidebooks. Whatever tools you use, 4th graders can and should be involved in the trip planning process. They’ll get so much more out of their visit to the parks if they feel they have a role in selecting where to go and what to do and see when they get there.

Finally, for those of you with a rising fourth grader, the summer before the 4th grade year is an excellent time to start national parks trip planning. Some of the most popular national park sites book up many months in advance – an occasionally up to a full year early. If you hope to visit very popular parks like Yosemite , Yellowstone, or Zion in the summer of 2024 with your 4th grader, the time to make lodging reservations is coming soon!

Spread the Word (Especially to Your 4th Grader’s School!)

A lot of parents and educators don’t know about the free 4th grade national park pass, so I encourage families in the know to spread the word to friends and family. You may be able to plan a trip with friends or extended family to allow others to take advantage too!

It’s especially important to let your child’s school know about it. Why? The Every Kid Outdoors program allows teachers and other educators of 4th graders to apply for passes on their behalf. Your child’s school can use the passes for field trips the entire school year.

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, and there are approaching a dozen national park sites within a short distance of San Francisco doable as a school field trip. Chances are good you may have options nearby too.

Schools can also pass the passes along to families who might not otherwise know to apply on their own.

Ways to Save Money on National Park Visits

Looking to travel on a budget to National Parks and other federal lands during your child’s 4th grade year? Here are a few other tips that have saved us money over the years.

• Pack a picnic : A lot of National Parks sites have limited food service, so a great way to save (as well as make sure you have food at the ready when your kids get hungry) is to BYO. Just be careful with leaving food in your vehicle at certain national parks. In Yosemite, the bears smell it and know how to break in!
• Book lodging outside the park : While there are some beautiful and iconic national park lodges inside of many national parks, a lot of them are quite pricey places to spend the night. You can usually find cheaper accommodations outside of national park borders.
• Camp : I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not much of a camper. But it’s a great option to save money when visiting national parks. And you don’t have to go to the full end of the roughing it spectrum. Some national parks may have tent cabins or other hybrid accommodations that are cheaper than a full service lodge.
• Find other free and inexpensive entrance options : Once your 4th grader’s year is up, you may be hooked on national parks travel. Keep doing it on the cheap by taking advantage of other freebies and discounted admission. There are a number of fee free days at all parks each year. And there are a number of parks and federal lands that don’t charge fees at all. Great Smoky National Park is one such example.

More National Park Information

If you are a family new to national parks travel or veteran visitors looking to do even more, check out these related posts:

• Beginner’s Guide to National Parks: Getting Started with National Parks Travel
• 20 Best National Parks for Kids in the USA
• The Ultimate Guide to Northern California National Parks
• Visiting Joshua Tree National Park with Kids
• Planning a Trip to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks
• Best National Parks to Visit with Kids
• Tips for Visiting the Grand Canyon with Toddlers
• Best National Parks to Visit in Fall

Disclosure : This post was originally created in partnership with Perseus Books. This post has been revised and updated since that time. As always, all opinions are my own. Check out some of their titles to help in your family’s national park trip planning: Moon USA National Parks & National Parks: A Kids Guide to America’s Parks, Monuments, and Landmarks .

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Wednesday 18th of November 2020

I love travelling one destination I love is visiting national parks, it gives me a sense of relaxation and comfort. Thank you for sharing! very informative content

Wednesday 9th of September 2020

Such guides are really needed. Helpful information.

Kelly Woods

Tuesday 9th of July 2019

Not sure yet. Maybe Magnolia Springs. Thank you

starzine007

To go to Yellowstone.

Nancy Payette

Saturday 6th of July 2019

I have been to Yellowstone but my kids haven't, so probably there. Beautiful place.

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One of the best group trips I have ever been on. Rene was absolutely fantastic! Zion national park, Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon are absolutely amazing places to visit. Photos can not do justice to the sheer magnificent beauty. Our group was amazing, friendly, fun, always on time and ages 30s-60s. The accommodations were sufficient and the hikes were manageable even for someone like myself who is not the most physically fit. I would suggest arriving a day or 2 early in Vegas or staying the night you return to get the most out of the experience. The Hoover dam is not included but there are short day trips from Vegas that cover this area which is definitely worthwhile. The days were long but there was sufficient rest at night to cope with some of the early morning wake up times. Which was WELL worth it!! Seeing the Grand Canyon at sunset was a sight I will never forget. If I can give 10 stars I would. This was my first intrepid trip and I have to say it won’t be the last. Even though we were unable to kayak lake Powell because time of year, we saw antelope canyon which was quite spectacular. Monument valley was also an experience to remember. If you have the opportunity to go, do it! You won’t regret one minute!

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Our Utah Mighty 5 Tour exceeded expectations in every category imaginable. This was our first guided travel tour and we felt spoiled in every respect. As close to an all inclusive hiking tour I think you could find. Our guide, Christopher, was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the Utah National Parks-the geology, history and culture of each region and really catered to the needs of each guest on his tour. Every detail of our day was planned and well thought out. I would not hesitate to book another tour with Christopher. Amazing experience!

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What a lifetime experience everyone needs Jun 2023 • Solo Within 7 days, we drove in 3 states, visited 5 national parks / 2 state parks, hiked 60 miles, made friends from 7 different states/nations, and eventually traveled through the iconic Route 66 back to Las Vegas. What a lifetime experience everyone needs Day 1 - Zion National Park Day 2 - Bryce Canyon National Park Day 3 - Canyonlands National Park Day 4 - Arches National Park Day 5 - Monument Valley Navajo Nation Day 6 - Grand Canyon National Park / Antelope State Day 7- Grand Canyon back to Las Vegas via Historic Route 66 AMAZING!

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Find things to do with your pets at parks all across the country.

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9 National Parks That Are Still Overrun With Tourists (And Where to Go Instead)

Posted: September 8, 2023 | Last updated: September 8, 2023

Now that the summer has ended, you might be looking forward to some terrific autumn conditions for strong camping. Unfortunately, many others probably have the exact same plan.

A surplus of tourists can easily obscure the beauty of nature, and many parks are notoriously busy during this time of year. But other places may offer the quieter experience you are looking for.

Following are some of the busiest national parks, and alternative places that you can visit so don’t waste time — and avoid wasting money — on your next vacation.

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Tennessee and North Carolina

The most visited national park is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located in Tennessee and North Carolina. It received 12.94 million visitors in 2022 alone.

As the name suggests, the trails offer stunning views of the Great Smoky Mountains, but it's often busy. That can be hard no matter what, even if you're traveling for nearly free . 

Go here instead: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

If you want to see the Appalachian Mountains without the fuss of the busy park, consider Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.

It spans Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia, and offers equally breathtaking views of the Appalachian Mountain range. There is also the opportunity to explore caves at this site, as well as to learn about its rich Native American history.

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Rocky Mountain National Park — Colorado

Colorado is a state known for its stunning mountain ranges and breathtaking nature scenes, which is why 4.3 million people made the trek to the Rocky Mountain National Park in 2022.

The park has gorgeous mountains, pristine bodies of water, sprawling meadows, and unique native wildlife — a perfect mix for outdoor lovers. However, it will also be crawling with tourists come the summertime.

Go here instead: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

If you want to get a look at the Rockies from a distance, make a trip to another Colorado park: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

The sand dunes are nestled under the Rocky Mountains, so you can still see all of the mountains’ imposing glory at a distance. You can also enjoy activities such as sand sledding, hiking, backpacking in the surrounding forests, and visiting wetlands, grasslands, and lakes.

Grand Canyon National Park — Arizona

Visiting Grand Canyon National Park is on many people’s bucket list, so the park receives a major influx of sightseers every year — 4.73 million in 2022. You can expect it to be packed in the warmer months.

Go here instead: Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park

However, the Grand Canyon isn’t the only stunning canyon and registered national park you can visit. If you are willing to travel to Colorado, you can see the Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park.

This park has deep canyons that are just as gorgeous as its more famous counterpart, but less packed with tourists. There’s also a river running through the canyons that you can hike to, fish in, or enjoy by kayak.

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison also earns praise for its dark and clear skies, where you can see as many as 5,000 stars at night.

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Yosemite National Park — California

Yosemite National Park is one of the nation’s most famous parks. In 2022, 3.67 million people took in its breathtaking views.

This park is famous for its waterfalls, steep hiking and climbing opportunities, and gorgeous native California flora. The biggest drawback, however, is the busy and crowded feel.

Go here instead: Devils Postpile National Monument

Devils Postpile National Monument has Rainbow Falls, which plunges more than 100 feet. The cooling of basalt lava helped form a huge wall of columns.

Yellowstone National Park — Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho

Yellowstone National Park was the first place in the U.S. to earn that designation. More than a century later, visitors still flock to the park for its variety of geological wonders.

Here, you will find geysers and hot springs, but also waterfalls, forests, and other natural wonders. It is crowded during the summer months — 3.29 million people visited in 2022.

Go here instead: Lassen Volcanic National Park

If you like the geysers of Yellowstone, chances are good that you will enjoy Lassen Volcanic National Park in California. It has lakes, volcanoes, and steaming fumaroles.

The Bumpass Hell Trail leads to a large hydrothermal area that’s only open to visitors in the summer and fall. It takes two hours to hike there and back from the main park.

Zion National Park — Utah

Utah is another state that provides exceptional landscapes in its national parks, the most popular of which is Zion National Park.

Not only is it steeped in rich history, but the vibrantly colored sandstone cliff faces are marvelous. The park attracted 4.69 million tourists in 2022, so expect it to be busy again this summer.

Go here instead: Capitol Reef National Park

Zion is far from the only geological beauty to see in Utah. Capitol Reef National Park has equally stunning cliff edges, domes, and canyons. You will also find monoclines, which are folds in rock strata.

Spring and fall are the busy seasons here, so you’ll enjoy a quieter summer trip if you choose to visit then.

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Olympic National Park — Washington

Olympic National Park in Washington State showcases the best the Pacific Northwest has to offer, including glacial mountains, rainforests, beaches, valleys, and old-growth forests.

Summer is a busy time to visit, though. In 2002, nearly 2.5 million people visited.

Go here instead: Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park has many of the same attractions as Olympic, including rainforests, glacial mountains, and old-growth forests. You’ll also discover meadows, waterfalls, and an active volcano.

Acadia National Park — Maine

Acadia National Park in Maine offers a variety of activities, including hiking and cycling, visiting historic structures, bird-watching, and stargazing.

The biggest draw, though, are the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, where you can swim or go boating. In 2022, 3.97 million people visited.

Go here instead: Isle Royale National Park

For a quieter summer trip, go a little west to Michigan’s Isle Royale National Park. 

This park is on Lake Superior and offers many aquatic activities, including fishing, swimming, paddling, canoeing, and kayaking. You can also go scuba diving and see intact shipwrecks.

Lincoln Memorial — Washington, D.C.

If you’re less of an outdoorsy person and more of a history buff, you have probably thought of visiting Lincoln Memorial National Park in Washington, D.C.

This is a very busy place, with 7.83 million people visiting in 2022.

Go here instead: Multiple options

You don’t need to visit the capital to learn about the country’s history, however. There are plenty of other national historical landmarks to visit and learn about, such as:

• Harriet Tubman National Historical Park in New York
• Colonial National Historical Park in Virginia
• Taos Pueblo World Heritage Site in New Mexico (if you don't mind traveling further away)

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Bottom line

There is certainly no shortage of national parks in this country. So, if you're seeking solitude, there is bound to be a perfect place for you to visit this coming season.

So, don’t be afraid to change your plans and explore something new. And before you leave, grab a credit card that helps you earn travel rewards or other perks.

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• 6 genius hacks Costco shoppers should know
• 9 things you must do before the next recession.
• Can you retire early? Take this quiz and find out.
• 9 simple ways to make up to an extra $200/day

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How to Still Enjoy National Parks when Traveling with a Dog

It has happened to most U.S. families with a dog at some point. You are on a road-trip and want to stop at a national park. You quickly review the pet regulations at the park you want to visit and find that your dog is not allowed on most trails and can’t be left unattended.

So how do you enjoy a visit to a national park when your dog is traveling with you?

After visiting over 40 national parks with my two pups, here are my tips for making the most of a national park visit with dogs.

Read the Rules Ahead of Time

Before visiting a national park, I find it is helpful to either print or download the national park’s pet policy page. Almost all of the national parks have a page dedicated to making sure you know where your pet can and cannot go within the national park boundaries.

On a computer, the pets policy is easy to find underneath Plan Your Visit > Basic Information >Pets.

On a phone, you have to look for the 3 little horizontal lines that indicated an expandable menu. They will be located in the upper right hand corner of the webpage. Click on that menu, then the pet policy information will again be under Plan Your Visit > Basic Information >Pets.

Many of the pet policy pages indicate areas that you may not know about unless you research ahead of time.

For example, at Yosemite , the pet policy page indicates that there are a few very obscure and unsigned places where pets are allowed. These are described on webpage, but could potentially be missed if you had not researched ahead of time.

Other national parks, like Redwoods , describe dirt roads that can double as good dog-friendly hiking trails. We found some great dog-friendly alternate trails from reading the pet policy pages ahead of time.

Ask the Visitor Center Staff

When you get to each park, stop by a visitor center and ask about where dogs are allowed within the park. Not all visitor center staff will be knowledgeable about this. And we found some staff members that said things that contradicted the online pet policy page.

However, we also were told of some lovely dog-friendly options within the parks that we were unaware of from reading the website alone.

An example of a nice walk we found this way, is this dirt road we walked along in Kings Canyon National Park . It is not listed as a dog walking option on the website, but the Visitor Center staff let us know that it was a good place to allow our pups to stretch their legs.

At the visitor centers, we also were able to ask about policies on leaving pets unattended. This was important if we wanted to leave the dogs in the RV while we took a short walk to an overlook for example. Some parks state that dogs can not be left unattended at all, but if you aks on an appropriate weather day (not too hot), many parks are okay with dogs waiting for their owners in an RV for a short period of time.

Walk Your Dog Ahead of Time

Most of the national parks will have limited opportunities for your dog to leave the parking lots and roadsides. So if you know that there are not dog-friendly hiking options inside the park, I highly recommend that you walk your dog before entering the park. If your dogs are appropriately exercised before you visit, they will be more content to hang in the car while you drive around.

At least for us, have relaxed dogs in the RV made us feel less guilty when we stepped outside without them to check out short sightseeing trails that the dogs were not allowed on.

Consider Alternatives Outside the Park

And since we are discussing walking/hiking with your dog before entering the national park, this is a great time to remind you about all the wonderful dog-friendly alternatives to national parks.

Many national parks are near national forests, bureau of land management (BLM) areas, or state parks. And often all three of these public lands are dog-friendly. Some state parks may require an admission fee, but most national forests and BLM areas typically have no fees for hiking trails or, if they do, they accept the same America the Beautiful Pass as the national parks do.

We love to take advantage of the fantastic national forest trails. For example, at Sequoia National Park, we had to leave the dogs in the RV to see the largest tree in the world – General Sherman. But afterward, we drove a couple of miles outside of the national park to take a hike in the adjacent national forest. It was wonderful to have miles of dog-friendly hiking trails just outside the national park entrance.

Take Turns Watching the Dogs

I have mentioned leaving the dogs in the RV a couple of times, but if the weather is too hot or cold or the park you are visiting doesn’t allow dogs to be left unattended in vehicles, consider traveling with other people so you can take turns watching the dogs and sightseeing.

It is important to follow each parks regulations about leaving dogs unattended. These rules are in place to keep dogs safe and some national parks are very strict about this regulation.

For example, at Wind Cave National Park , I went into the visitor center to get maps and double-check dog policies and left the dogs in the RV with my travel partner. She was sitting in the back of the RV and park staff saw the dogs before they saw her with them.

She heard them discussing the unattended dogs, so she let them know she was there. But it just goes to show that I was only away from the RV for a total of 10-15 minutes and the dogs were noticed. So make sure to follow the rules and not leave your dogs unattended if the park doesn’t allow you to.

Don’t Forget the Dirt Roads

As mentioned above, dirt roads can often double as hiking trails at many national parks. They are often less trafficked and have a more remote feel than the paved roads. Several national parks, including Redwoods (mentioned above), Death Valley , and Joshua Tree , have specific dirt roads mentioned on their website that they recommend as dog-friendly hiking trails.

We didn’t take advantage of as many of these as we could of, as we were a little limited in the types of roads we could drive to. RVs are not as rough road friendly as an AWD SUV. But if you have a good vehicle to get you to these roads, don’t forget about them as a dog-friendly option when available.

Campgrounds Can Double as Paved Hiking Trails

Another good place for your dogs to walk and stretch their legs are the campgrounds. Many of the national park campgrounds are quite large and offer a mile or more of paved or gravel walking if you walk up and down the campground loops.

Maybe the best sights aren’t in the campgrounds, but walking your dog around the campground can give them a chance to stretch their legs in a low traffic area.

We spent many mornings and evenings exercising the dogs this way so that they were content to drive around the park and sight-see from the roads and overlooks.

Be Okay with Knowing that You Won’t be Able to See Everything

When it comes down to it, expectations are everything. If you are traveling with dogs, you need to understand that you won’t be able to see and experience everything that you could if you traveled without your dog.

For me, the trade-off is worth it. But there are some national parks that I hope to return to without the pups in the future. There are some amazing trails that I want to hike that Glia and Sasha are not allowed on.

It is hard to pass by some amazing experiences just because dogs aren’t allowed, but when we planned our 3-month road trip, we knew that the dogs would limit our national park experiences.

I sometimes call our road trip my sample-platter of the national parks. We were able to drive into and see highlights of all the parks, but there were many parks that we weren’t able to explore deeply. Since we knew ahead of time that the dogs would limit our explorations, we made the most of what the dogs could experience with us and still had an amazing national park road-trip experience.

Pick Dog-Friendly National Parks to Visit

While overall, most of the United States national parks are not very dog-friendly, there are definitely some exceptions to this rule. If you want to explore a national park more fully with your pup, than consider planning a visit to one of the dog-friendly national parks and skipping the ones that don’t allow your dog on hiking trails.

The following national parks are among some of the most dog-friendly in the United States. We haven’t visited all of them, but links will take you to our blog post about the ones we have been to.

• Hot Springs National Park
• Petrified Forest National Park
• White Sands National Park
• Acadia National Park
• Congaree National Park
• Cuyahoga Valley National Park
• Grand Canyon National Park
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
• Gateway Arch National Park
• Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
• Indiana Dunes National Park
• Mammoth Cave National Park
• Shenandoah National Park

Or check out our overview post of dog-friendly parks west of the Mississippi River below:

The 6 Most Dog-Friendly U.S. National Parks West of the Mississippi River

Additionally, we are currently working on creating a blog post that ranks all 62 United States national parks for dog-friendliness. And we could use your help in deciding the order in which to rank them in.

If you are interested in providing feedback, head over to our survey on SurveyMonkey . Or you can fill out the survey below, right here on this blog post.

Do you have any tips to add?

Even if you don’t want to fill out a survey, we would love to get your feedback on how you feel about visiting national parks with dogs. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Kate is the writer of Pawsitively Intrepid. She has spent the last 9 years working full-time as a veterinarian, treating dogs and cats. But as of June 2023, she is taking a year to travel with her dog, volunteer, and work on some passion projects.

One thought on “ How to Still Enjoy National Parks when Traveling with a Dog ”

This is a great site you’ve set up. My partner and I are travelling cross-country this summer with our pooch, and your advice has definitely helped guide some of our decisions.

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How To Safely Travel With Your Firearm to National Parks

The National Park Service, an agency of the Department of the Interior of the US Government, operates all National Parks.  On February 22nd, 2010, Congress approved a new law allowing loaded firearms in national parks. It was a provision inside the Credit Card Accountability and Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 approved by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama. HOWEVER, don't stop reading here, or you could get yourself into some serious trouble.

What Does the Law Actually Say?

From the new law, here is the relevant text:

Protecting the Right of Individuals To Bear arms in Units of the National Park System and the National Wildlife Refuge System—The Secretary of the Interior shall not promulgate or enforce any regulation that prohibits an individual from possessing a firearm including an assembled or functional firearm in any unit of the National Park System or the National Wildlife Refuge System if—(1) the individual is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing the firearm; and (2) the possession of the firearm is in compliance with the law of the State in which the unit of the National Park System or the National Wildlife Refuge System is located.

What this then essentially does is apply state law to the possession of guns in National Parks. So, with that in mind, here are considerations you need to study and be familiar with:

The Individual States Can Prohibit Guns In Their National Parks

Since the new law essentially extends state firearm regulation into the National Parks located in that state, you need to research state laws before traveling into a National Park. Since you likely have to drive through that state to get to the park, and because you are a responsible gun owner, you know it is best to research gun laws in any state before you travel to or into that state. Add an extra step to check that state's regulations relative to having a firearm in a state or national park within that state.

The best resource for keeping up with all the various state gun laws is our Concealed Carry Gun Tools smartphone app . It has a full legal rundown for every state's gun laws, reciprocity maps and so much more. And it is completely free!

In addition, our mobile app includes a legal summary for each of the 50 states providing current information about the restrictions in State and National Parks. You can find it on our site here: Gun Law Summaries by State .

Some Parks Cover Multiple States

If you are traveling to Yellowstone National Park, for example, you may be in the boundaries of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho at one point or another. Be sure to be familiar with and comply with each state's laws in their respective state boundaries within the park.

Some Guns Could be Prohibited

The state may have regulations about what specific firearms may be allowed or legal, including limitations on magazine capacity.

Concealed Carry Permit May Be Required

The state may require that you have a valid and recognized permit to have your firearm concealed on your person and/or in the vehicle.

Public Transportation Like Shuttle Buses, Ferries or Boats May be Prohibited

Riding or using public transportation within the park may be prohibited within any given state.

Hunting is Illegal in Most National Parks Except Under Special Permits

Don't shoot at that deer. I like the meat as much as the next guy, but the discharge of a firearm in a National Park is a big no-no, and unless you have a special permit or license, you will likely face prosecution for any hunting.

Guns Cannot Be Carried Into Federal Buildings (And Their Parking Lots)

At Lake Lodge In Yellowstone National Park 2017

If you have researched all the above state-specific nuances and are moving forward with carrying your gun into the park, beware of the federally owned or operated buildings. Federal law continues to prohibit firearms inside of any federal building or any building at which federal employees operate full time despite any other local law. Within national parks, most of the buildings would qualify, and they only sometimes go to the effort of posting a sign. Also, an appellate court ruled in 2015 that gun owners do not have the right to keep/store firearms in their cars when on Federal property, so even getting caught with your gun in your car in the parking lot of a Federal Building could be an issue.

Target Practice-Banned in National Parks

While it is lawful for gun owners to discharge firearms in National Forests , National Parks remains off-limits to any firearm's target practice or discharge.

Other Weapons (Bows, Swords, & Airguns) Remain Prohibited

And lastly, a reminder that while the law that went into effect in 2010 removed the firearm possession restriction, it did not appeal or remove the rules in place on other forms of weapons. Take the Glock but leave the BB gun home .

*this has been updated and republished from a 2018 post*

36 Comments

Well, hmm. So you’re allowed to carry in the park, but not in any building in the park or to have your gun in any parking lot. And you probably can’t have your gun in a bus, so you can’t park outside and take a bus in. You’d have to park your car somewhere outside the park’s boundaries and then walk in, and you can’t enter any buildings.

Seems like in practice this means you still can’t carry in a national park.

I believe you have got it right. What kind of crazy B.S. are the laws that entrap law abiding people like this.

Makes it a whole lot easier for the state to snatch your car under those asset forfeiture laws.

When it says no guns allowed in the parking lot does this mean even if it’s unloaded and locked in a gun box in the trunk of your car?

Correct. The recent federal district court decision said no guns allowed in federal buildings OR their parking lots regardless of the status of the gun or how it is kept in the vehicle.

Which court of appeals had this ruling and are any cases pending in others court of appeals?

If you are legally allowed to carry, you should be able to. My gun is safest with ME, not locked in a car because I have to enter a NO GUN ZONE…….should be either you are in or out….too much gray area

CA law prohibits open carry regardless so unless I have a permit for carrying a concealed weapon it’s a no-go zone. How often are people in areas where bears or mountain lions will go while in a national park? I’m guessing that it’s often. Oh well.

All guns should be allowed without restriction with one proviso: They should be used in self defense against another human being.

In fact, you may be surprised that bears commit more homicides than the NPS would care to let you know! Try googling “National Park bear killing human.” If fact, Wikipedia conveniently gives you data of bear attacks by each decade!

Happy hunting… bears, I hear humans are tasty and quite a delicacy!

It definitely goes against my beliefs, but it is probably necessary for the Fed to step into this mess. It may be a States Right issue but uniformity is needed just as with Driver Licenses..Gun Licenses should be handled same way.

That’s why we need to work on have a national reciprocal gun law to all abiding citizens no matter the state, county or place. The second amendment community should work with your state and congress to push for it.

Respectfully Don, I disagree that it needs to be a uniform policy because of the vast differences in the park themselves. Terrain and population density could make weapons more or less dangerous, wildlife endangerment levels could make it more or less critical to prevent guns and it may be drastically more or less important for one to have a weapon for protection from wildlife. To be fair, it wouldn’t bother me if the fed maintained a few rules. No guns in buildings they own seems fair, maybe maximums for weapons, ammo, etc. Overwhelmingly widely agreed on safety measures that every state should adopt anyway. However, I think any decision more specific than that should be left to the state, or even better the county government, that the park resides under. Again, I respect that your view is valid, I just feel differently

I believe the parking lot restriction is for the building parking lot only not a parking lot that is not intended to service a building ie: a trailhead parking lot. Even so I agree the parking lot restriction (applies to post office lots as well) is draconian.

(h) Notice of the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) shall be posted conspicuously at each public entrance to each Federal facility, … and no person shall be convicted of an offense under subsection (a)… with respect to a Federal facility if such notice is not so posted at such facility, unless such person had actual notice of subsection (a) or (e), as the case may be.

So if a bad guy comes in the park he will know that all the people and visitors won’t have any guns to protect them selves or any one else because of all the laws that stop law abiding citizens from carrying a gun.Easy pray come now law makers lets our HEAD OUT OF OUR A#&

So, if we cannot discharge our weapon while in the park, what happens if we discharge our weapon in self defense? Or is that a grey area?

Amanda, I would say it isn’t clear by any national legal standard. It could vary depending on the state in which the park is located; but ultimately I think you should do whatever necessary to live to fight the legal fight.

This is good news for me because it means that since I will be in an open carry state camping/hiking in a primitive area, I can open carry my sidearm for self-defense. I’ve had my fill of raccoons over the years but when it comes to coyote and bobcat, rattling a few pans might not do the trick.

In Texas, a parking lot is not generally considered “property”. I.g. you cannot carry on school property But, you’re legal leaving it in the car or wearing concealed as long as you do not exit the vehicle. How does this align with three federal regulation?

I don’t think the laws in TX have any bearing on the Federal definition. A few years ago someone was arrested for having their firearm in their car in the parking lot of a post office. That individual appealed the conviction and a federal district court upheld the decision so its seems both clear and recently affirmed that you cannot have a firearm in your vehicle in the parking lot of a federal building.

is this just for handguns? how about a kel-tek fold up rifle?

Broadly speaking the federal law referenced refers to all firearms. But the state specific laws that may apply within a unit of the National Park Service may be specific to certain types of firearms.

Just a point go clarify on parking lots. If you are going to the Ranger’s Office to check in and register for a hiking trail or campsite, you cannot have the weapon on your person or in your vehicle. However, if you are stopping at a concession and in their parking lot, that is not a federal building or federal parking lot. Same with a general public parking area. Fine line but one as conscientious concealed carry citizens that we should understand and abide. As stated in the article, understand the state laws also.

Open carry should be the law everywhere, because the crooks don’t pay any attention to the Law.Skipper

So in California you can open carry in national park if you have a license to own a gun.just not in any federal building or parking lot?

That appears to be the case. You can always contact the National Park Service with questions.

Could it be safe to say that my Devil advocate would be correct when applying the “it’s all legal until you get caught “. I am and always will be a responsible gun owner, but in those occasions when the restrictive gun laws interfere with good common sense I will take the risk bending the law. My gun is always safest with me, period.

What is fine if you have your firearm in your vehicle or camper in a parking lot in Nat. Park? Is not a camper considered your home?

Jimmy, this is a question I don’t think anyone can answer with certainty. The federal law only specifies that you can’t have a firearm in a federal building. It doesn’t specify that you can’t have it in the parking lot of that building but there is a court precedent out of Colorado where a man was convicted for having a firearm in his vehicle in the parking lot of a post office. He appealed that decision and it went up to an appellate court where the decision was supported. As such, we assume that precedent would be or at very least could be followed in all other jurisdictions. As to if your camper or vehicle somehow becomes an exception to that rule becomes difficult to answer since we have limited information and precedents to guide us. I will emphasize however that the idea that your vehicle is an extension of your home is mostly a false myth. A small number of states do extend similar rights of protection to the vehicle as they do the dwelling but for the greater part that isn’t the case. A camper on the other hand that is specifically designed to be slept in and inhabited is much more likely in a much larger number of states to be viewed as a temporary habitation and as such it MIGHT have SOME of the same rights as your home. Regardless it may not apply here since we are talking about Federal law and Federal Property where no such protections exist so far as I’m aware.

I can tell you that a semi truck sleeper has no more protection from a search than a regular automobile does. So I doubt your camper does either.

This may be a dumb question but does this also cover outhouse/pit toilets as a federal building?

We need to have a discussion about Indian Reservation. My state, Arizona, has an open carry law and a concealed permit law, but I can not carry on a Reservation without the approval of that specific tribe. We have 22 Federal recognization tribes covering 28% of the state. If I am on a state or federal road that crosses through a reservation; do I need to be concerned?

Wow, it’s a good thing the federal government doesn’t allow criminals in the parks. Oh, wait a minute…..

I am planning a motorcycle trip which will include a couple nights tent camping in a National Park. I have a concealed permit which is respected in all states involved, so long as I take a detour to avoid one particular state. When I enter the park, I will be carrying. Does the ranger station count as a federal building? I’ll just be showing them my “old fart” pass and rolling through. I have no practical way to secure my firearm other than on my person. My tent certainly isn’t secure and my motorcycle has soft bags which cannot be locked. Any thoughts?

I knew a fellow that was attacked (mauled, 130-140 stitches) by a cougar in a fed forest – so it would be illegal for him to defend himself except with his hands correct? Sounds quite ignorant of reality. I’ve been able to scare off 3 black bear encounters my self – but that was luck on my part.

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Lake Mead visitors caught on video destroying ancient rock formations

National park service rangers are looking for information on two male suspects in the vandalism incident.

Earlier this month, a video posted to social media captured two men destroying ancient rock formations at Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada. National park rangers are asking for the public’s help in identifying the visitors, who could face federal charges for vandalizing protected land.

In the footage from April 7, a man in a long-sleeve red shirt and another man in a black T-shirt stand atop a rock formation at Redstone Trail , one of the protected site’s most popular hiking trails. In the video, the pair dislodges and shoves boulders over the edge while a frightened girl screams and pleads with her father to not fall. The sandstone chunks crumble on their descent, millions of years of geologic history pulverized in seconds.

“These aren’t just rocks. They’re ancient resources. They were formed millions of years ago,” said Neal Desai, senior program director for the Pacific region of the National Parks Conservation Association . “That’s why we as a country have set them aside and have ensured that they will be equally owned by all of us forever.”

On social media , Lake Mead officials shared incriminating images of the perpetrators defacing the rocks and requested information about the pair. Authorities are accusing the men of vandalism, which the National Park Service describes as “an act of cultural violence.” It is also illegal.

An NPS spokesman said law enforcement rangers are investigating the case. The penalty depends on the type of damage and level of severity, and can range from a misdemeanor to a felony.

John Haynes, the recreation area’s public information officer, told Fox 5 KVVU-TV the vandals could face six months of jail time and a $5,000 fine. Lake Mead officials did not respond to a request for information.

The agency urges anyone who witnesses an illegal or irresponsible act on protected public land to take a video or photos of the infraction. They can anonymously share the information through the NPS tips line (888-653-0009), an online form or via email ( [email protected] ).

Desai said the majority of visitors respect the sanctity of national park sites, but a few bad apples do roll through every so often.

According to NPS’s Investigative Services , visitors attempted to break into the Mission San José , part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park , last June and damaged the church’s baroque Rose Window. In May 2022, park rangers sought help from the public to recover reptile track fossils stolen years before from Capitol Reef National Park in Utah.

State parks are equally vulnerable to vandalism. In 2013, three men leading a Boy Scout outing in Utah’s Goblin Valley State Park pushed a boulder off its spindly rock pedestal. Two of the culprits were initially charged with third-degree felonies but pleaded guilty to misdemeanors.

According to the NPS , nearly 5.8 million people visited Lake Mead last year. The 1.5-million-acre natural playground features the largest reservoir on the Colorado River and a trove of geologic features sculpted over millions of years.

“Geologically, it’s really interesting because it has rocks spanning from really old — 480 million-year-old sand dunes — to much more recent volcanic rocks that are 5 to 7 million years old,” said Matthew Lachniet , a geology professor at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas.

Lachniet said the defiled rocks originated from the Aztec sandstone unit that dates from the early Jurassic period. The rocks are roughly 180 million years old, and the formations are younger — only a couple million years old.

Though common in the Southwest, he said, the red sandstone is unique to desert environments. Over time, the confluence of rain, frost and erosion shapes the rock into castle-like spires, delicate arches and sculptural shapes with peek-a-boo holes. These formations are typically weaker and easier to break, but they would not have shattered without human intervention.

“They would have slowly disintegrated away, sand grain by sand grain, over hundreds of thousands to millions of years,” Lachniet said.

The destruction of the rocks will permanently alter Lake Mead’s distinctive landscape, one of the primary reasons the recreation area was established in 1964. Park officials can’t patch up the fallen rocks and perch them back on their original site. Once people intervene, the attraction is no longer a product made by Mother Nature.

“If you restore it, then it becomes anthropogenic. It is art rather than something natural,” said Elizabeth Cottrell , a geologist at Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. “That doesn’t invoke the same wonder and awe of nature.”

More travel news

How we travel now: More people are taking booze-free trips — and airlines and hotels are taking note. Some couples are ditching the traditional honeymoon for a “buddymoon” with their pals. Interested? Here are the best tools for making a group trip work.

Bad behavior: Entitled tourists are running amok, defacing the Colosseum , getting rowdy in Bali and messing with wild animals in national parks. Some destinations are fighting back with public awareness campaigns — or just by telling out-of-control visitors to stay away .

Safety concerns: A door blew off an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 jet, leaving passengers traumatized — but without serious injuries. The ordeal led to widespread flight cancellations after the jet was grounded, and some travelers have taken steps to avoid the plane in the future. The incident has also sparked a fresh discussion about whether it’s safe to fly with a baby on your lap .

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How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Montreal — Luxury Hotels, Beautiful Parks, and Canada's Best Restaurant Included

Here's where to eat, stay, and explore in Montreal, according to a local.

Best Hotels

• Best Things to Do

Best Places to Eat

Best nightlife, best shopping, best neighborhoods to visit, best time to visit, how to get there, how to get around.

R.M. Nunes/Getty Images

Despite its sometimes divisive language politics, extreme seasons, and chronic traffic headaches, Montrealers, or les Montréalais , are justifiably proud of their distinctive, if idiosyncratic, city — and for good reason. Travel + Leisure readers named Montreal one of their favorite cities in Canada in 2023 .

The sophisticated, French-speaking (yet very bilingual), culturally diverse city lays claim to world-class restaurants, lovely parks, superb art galleries and museums, a dynamic music scene, inspiring 18th- and 19th-century architecture, and vibrant nightlife.

It can also be a lot of fun in the winter , when locals like to get out and celebrate the cold and snow, even extending the revelry at outdoor festivals and concerts at night.

Thom Seivewright, a Montreal expert and former hotel concierge, launched his small-group tour company, Living Like a Local , in the Canadian city in 2016. “Our art scene is on par with cities two or three times our size,” he says. “There’s obviously a big emphasis placed on arts and culture in Montreal.”

There’s a big emphasis on food , too. Montrealers love their bagels, cheeses, poutine, and maple syrup, and they’re loyal to their chef-owned restaurants. “It’s a little gem of a city that has world-class dining — and world-class junk food,” says Seivewright. 

Long known for its exuberant after-dark scene, Montreal has it all, from cocktail bars to Irish pubs, jazz bars to pulsating dance clubs. The city is even planning to create a 24-hour nightlife district .

Here's everything you need to know to plan a memorable trip to Montreal.

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• The fashionable, Parisian-style brasserie and rooftop terrace at Hôtel Le Place d’Armes, a boutique luxury property overlooking Place d’Armes and the Notre-Dame Basilica, attracts locals and tourists alike.
• Designed by American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who was also responsible for New York City’s Central Park, Parc du Mont-Royal is an oasis of greenery in the city center.
• Mon Lapin, a cozy wine bar and restaurant in Little Italy serving natural wines and an ever-changing menu of small plates, was voted Canada’s best restaurant in 2023 . 
• Bar Furco’s lovely terrace becomes lively in the summer during Montreal’s ritual cinq à sept (happy hour).
• Saint Laurent Boulevard, a.k.a. the Main, is a good place to get a glimpse of Montreal’s 19th- and 20th-century immigrant history. It's also the historical dividing line between French and English in the city.

Courtesy of Four Seasons Resorts

Hotel Nelligan

Hotel Nelligan , located in the heart of Old Montreal, was T+L readers' favorite city hotel in Canada in 2023 . Spanning four 19th-century graystones, the 105-room boutique property lies near the Notre-Dame Basilica and Old Port waterfront. Its seasonal rooftop terrace is a summer favorite for its picturesque views and lively happy hour.

Hôtel Place d’Armes

Another T+L reader favorite, Hôtel Place d’Armes is housed in four 19th-century neoclassical buildings opposite the Notre-Dame Basilica. The property is highly rated for its tasteful rooms featuring hardwood floors and brick walls, swanky French brasserie , and popular rooftop terrace. 

Hôtel Uville

One of the city’s newer hotels, opened in 2020, Hôtel Uville got its name thanks to its location in Old Montreal’s Place d’Youville. Uville is part design hotel, part museum — a love letter to the Montreal of the 1960s and '70s. This was transformative period, a time when francophone Quebecers were turning away from the Catholic church and leading the charge in North America vis-à-vis cuisine, style, and design — the culmination of which were Expo 67 and the 1976 Olympics.

“This hotel is very cool,” says Seivewright. “They did a great job. The details, like the tiled bathrooms and custom-made wallpapers, are amazing. They’ve got archival photos and artifacts from the '60s and '70s in each of the rooms, and documentary films from the National Film Board that you can watch on your room’s TV.”

The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal

Montreal’s grande-dame hotel, the Ritz-Carlton , opened in 1912 in the city's Golden Square Mile. In addition to housing chef Daniel Boulud's Maison Boulud , the refined property offers afternoon tea in the ornate Palm Court and seasonal garden terrace, Spa St. James, and an indoor saltwater pool.

Four Seasons Hotel Montreal

Located in Golden Square Mile since 2019, the posh  Four Seasons Hotel Montreal is connected via a third-floor walkway to the luxury department store Holt Renfrew Ogilvy . The hotel boasts Marcus Restaurant + Terrace, in partnership with legendary Manhattan chef Marcus Samuelsson; a Guerlain Spa; and a skylit swimming pool with an upstream current generator.

Best Things to Do 

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Parc du Mont-Royal

What Central Park is to New Yorkers and Hyde Park to Londoners, Parc du Mont-Royal, or Mount Royal Park, is to Montrealers. At 764 feet high, Mount Royal may not be much of a mountain, but the park is, as Seivewritght says, “the heart and soul of the city.” He adds, “The fact that Montreal is a four-season city and Mount Royal is a four-season park makes it even better because you’ve got skiing, skating, and tobogganing in the wintertime. And in the summer, you can go biking and walking.” You can also go for a picnic and rent a rowboat or Mölkky or spikeball equipment at Beaver Lake. 

Old Montreal

With its graystone buildings and narrow streets, Old Montreal can sometimes feel like a slice of Europe in North America. Certainly no visit to Montreal is complete without a stop here. Not only will you find the city’s most important historic landmarks, including the Notre-Dame Basilica , the 18th-century Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel , the Second Empire-style City Hall, and the neoclassic Marché Bonsecours , but it’s also home to pretty boutique hotels, haute-couture shops, and chef-owned restaurants.

Pointe-à-Callière

A national archaeological site, Pointe-à-Callière , now an impressive archaeology and history museum, sits above the ruins of the birthplace of Montreal. “The Pointe-à-Callière museum is amazing,” says Seivewright. “They’ll take you underground to see the ruins of the original fortifications of Montreal, the original city the French built here in the 1600s.” Visitors can also see Indigenous artifacts uncovered during a dig and part of North America’s first collector sewer, built between 1832 and 1838.

Arsenal Contemporary Art Gallery

Opened in Montreal in an 80,000-square-foot building in 2011, Arsenal Contemporary Art has since expanded to include locations in Toronto and New York City. “Outside of the museums, I would send my clients to certain galleries around town. These days, one of my favorites is Arsenal. It has an amazing [selection] in its permanent collection, but it also puts on temporary exhibits that are just mind-blowing,” says Seivewrigh.

Montreal is a city of festivals, with everything from jazz (the city hosts the world’s largest jazz festival) to Pride to circus arts celebrated here. There’s even a dedicated festival and outdoor performance space downtown called the Quartier des Spectacles . While there are festivals year-round , May to September is the city’s busiest period.

eyedias/Getty Images

La Banquise

One of Quebec's most beloved foods is poutine, traditionally a mess (translation of "poutine") of french fries, cheese curds, and gravy. But poutine continues to get more upscale. A veritable institution since 1968, La Banquise doesn’t claim to be high-end, but the casual eatery serves 35 kinds of poutine and it’s open 24 hours. “La Banquise is a classic. I’m [vegetarian], and in my opinion, the veggie gravies are even more delicious,” says Seivewright. “A lot of people knock La Banquise because it’s popular, but I stand by it.”

Montreal Plaza

The design at Montreal Plaza is elegant and stylish, yet also notable for its eccentric touches like a dollhouse hanging upside down from the ceiling and Elmo sitting on the bar. Even certain dishes, like crudo or oysters, are served atop a toy triceratops or among plastic Smurfs. Chef and owner Charles-Antoine Crête and his team enjoy serving great food in a playful, joyous way. “This is my favorite place,” says Seivewright. “It’s not the just the way the food is prepared or what it is, but the whimsical, creative way it’s presented.”

Sushi Momo , from Mexican-Canadian chef Christian Ventura, is Montreal’s best vegan sushi restaurant. The sleek, dimly lit, botanically adorned space in the Plateau area is inviting, while the artfully plated confections are a feast for the eyes and the fusion of flavors a song for the taste buds.

Nora Gray , a lively, casual restaurant in Griffintown, is known for its southern Italian cuisine, updated cucina povera , and privately imported natural and organic wines. The dark wood, banquettes, long bar, and warm candlelight lend the restaurant an intimate, romantic, and club-like feel. 

Dominique Lafond

Voted Canada’s best restaurant in 2023 , Mon Lapin is a cozy wine bar and restaurant in Little Italy. It serves natural wines and an ever-changing menu of French- and Italian-inspired small plates. Each dish highlights fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients plus unexpected flavor combinations.

Henryk Sadura/Getty Images

Cloakroom Bar

The 25-seat Cloakroom Bar , with a cloak-and-dagger atmosphere, was named Canada’s second-best bar in 2023 . “It’s one of my favorite bars anywhere in the world,” says Seivewright. “It’s hidden behind a menswear shop, which makes it even cooler. It’s very exclusive feeling. You tell them, 'I like gin, I like citrus,' and they’ll create something for you. If you’re three people and you all like the same thing, they’ll create three different drinks.”

Situated in the Plateau Mont-Royal, Diese Onze is an intimate jazz bar that also serves tapas and mains. “I’m a big jazz fan, and I love Diese Onze,” says Seivewright. “It’s a good mix of local and out-of-town musicians.”

Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill

A Montreal institution since 1995, Upstairs is, funnily enough, located in a basement. It attracts big-name international jazz acts who make this a routine stop on their tour itineraries.

Pub Le Sainte-Élisabeth 

Established in 1997, this European-style pub between the Quartier des Spectacles and student-heavy Quartier Latin is quite cozy inside, but it’s the enclosed, leafy terrace at the back that draws people here come summer. The service many not win any awards, but Le Sainte-Élisabeth is about the ambience. 

The minimalist redesign of the Canadian Fur Company building (hence Furco ), located on a downtown back street, is a big draw for wine lovers and the happy hour crowd. It features an adventurous food and wine menu, in addition to more traditional charcuterie and cheese plates.

Maison Marie Saint Pierre

Marie Saint Pierre 's Montreal-made, ready-to-wear pieces marry timeless feminine styles with contemporary flair and function.

Entering this handsome Crescent Street atelier-cum-boutique near the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is like stepping into an old-school European tailor shop. Started by their father, Arthur Der Shahinian, sons Tavit and John carry on the tradition of crafting impeccably fitted and designed bespoke men’s suits and shirts, with damask silk lining and hand-sewn button holes, never compromising on quality or friendly, professional service.

Simons is originally from Quebec City, but it’s popular in cities across Canada. The small, mid-range department store downtown carries popular fashion brands as well as its own collections, in addition to homewares. “I’m a big fan of Simons,” says Seivewright. “I buy half my clothes there. The price point is good, the quality is good, and I like that it’s a local brand.”

Holt Renfrew Ogilvy

Montreal’s answer to Saks Fifth Avenue, Holt Renfrew Ogilvy is a one-stop shop for all things luxury, including clothing, shoes, and accessories. Clients can also enjoy a personal shopping experience in one of the five fifth-floor suites or the glamorous art-deco Café Holt, with its remarkable solar-like orb set above the central bar.

Saint Laurent Boulevard

“Saint Laurent [Boulevard], between Saint Joseph Boulevard and up to Van Horne Avenue, has the best boutique design shopping nowadays,” says Seivewright. “You could go all the way up to Little Italy and it’s still amazing. I was walking there the other day and every single window I walked by made me want to go in. There are furniture shops, clothing shops, and jewelry shops — some of it is new, some of it is vintage, and it’s all local.”

Saint-Henri

Saint-Henri, once a francophone working-class neighborhood, is now gentrified, replete with popular, chef-owned wine bars and restaurants, antiques shops, cafes, and boutiques. Still, it retains pockets of its former self. “I love it because it has parts that haven’t changed in a hundred years and others that make it the most modern neighborhood in Montreal,” says Seivewright. “It’s got a cool, little rough-around-the-edges vibe. It’s one of those neighborhoods where you’ll have a multimillion-dollar home next to a really rundown place, and you see that contrast. Then, you listen to the people and hear French and English. You've got old people, young people — it’s a neighborhood where everything mixes.”

Plateau Mont-Royal/Mile End

Once relegated to working-class European immigrants, the Plateau/Mile End area is the epicenter of Montreal’s creativity and bohemian joie de vivre. Leafy streets lined with triplexes fronted by balconies and steep, often-winding, wrought-iron staircases invite visitors to explore this neighborhood bursting with convivial cafes, top-drawer restaurants , funky vintage shops, and trendy boutiques.

For a glimpse into how the upper crust of Montreal lived until the 1970s and '80s, head to the neighborhood of Outremont. Its two main shopping and dining strips are Bernard Ouest and Laurier Ouest avenues — part of the former turns into a pedestrian-only area come summer, with restaurant terraces sitting directly on the street.

Montreal is a four-season city. Late April to mid-May tends to be best for blooming trees, while October to early November is usually prime for leaf peeping. The holiday season is lovely, but a white Christmas is increasingly rare. For a stronger chance of experiencing the romance of winter snow, January and February are ideal. Summers in Montreal are hot and humid, and heat waves can now begin as early as May. Visit in May, June, or late August through September and October to avoid the worst of the summer temperatures and crowds.

Chris Jongkind/Getty Images

Montreal can be reached via regular flights with Air Canada, Delta, American, and United. Flying from New York’s LaGuardia to Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, better known as Dorval (YUL), takes about 90 minutes gate to gate. Driving may be cheaper, but it takes about seven hours, and unless you’re planning to pay for hotel parking, parking in Montreal can be a hassle. For travelers living in New York or Vermont, a more scenic and leisurely option (10 hours) is Amtrak’s Adirondack train from Moynihan Train Hall to Montreal’s Gare Centrale (Central Station).

Patrick Donovan/Getty Images

In summer, the best way to get around is on foot or by Bixi, the city-wide bicycle rental system. In 2023, Bixi decided to end the storage of their bicycles during the winter, so they are now available year-round. However, there are not as many stations as in summer. The metro (subway) is fairly reliable and frequent during rush hour — and often the quickest way to get from point A to point B. Buses tend to be less reliable, but they go everywhere the metro does not. An Opus card can be purchased with several fares added, if you’re planning on using the metro and/or buses often. Taxis and Ubers are readily available, too, and taxis can be hailed on the street.

If you lie to this Disney program, you will be banned from the parks for life

Walt Disney World and Disneyland recently updated their policies for guests with disabilities , and those who lie and misuse the program will be banned for life. 

The two resorts announced changes to their Disability Access Service (DAS) last week to keep up with the rapidly growing number of requests and continue to accommodate those who truly need it. Requests for DAS have tripled over the past five years. 

As the most popular service, DAS helps those with disabilities and their families have an enjoyable experience at the parks. 

The program is intended to assist a “small percentage” of “guests, who due to a developmental disability like autism or similar, are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time,” according to the DAS website . 

Need accomodations? Travelers with disabilities need this card for accommodations at some theme parks

Learn more: Best travel insurance

To qualify for DAS, Disney does not require any proof of disability or access needs.

However, if any of the statements a guest has made during the DAS enrollment process are found to be false, the guest will be “permanently barred from entering” Walt Disney World and Disneyland, the website said. Any Annual Passes, Magic Key passes, tickets or other park products will also be forfeited and not refunded. 

Although DAS was recently updated, this policy has been in place for a while. 

Once enrolled, guests can go to an attraction, request a return time, and wait somewhere else until it’s time to redeem their return time. 

To qualify and enroll in DAS, guests need to do a virtual video meeting with a specially trained cast member – previously, this was possible to do in-person – to “determine what services may be appropriate to support their visit to the theme parks, including DAS,” according to the website. 

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected] .