For the enjoyment, education, and beauty of this and future generations, the National Park Service has been caring millions of acres for over a century. Best us national parks for family travel today, hundreds of millions of tourists visit the 63 national parks in the United States each year to take in the amazing natural marvels and iconic vistas. U.S. News evaluated scenic beauty, variety of activities, and the views of both recent park visitors and tourism experts to identify the top U.S. national parks. To help us decide the ranking for next year, please vote for the best park below.
Which National Park Is The Most Kid-Friendly?
All national parks, in my opinion, are kid-friendly. What child doesn't like getting hands-on experience, witnessing animals in its natural environment, and experiencing the great outdoors?
Every one is different and has something distinctive to contribute. More family time away from electronics is another benefit of being in nature. However, there are seasons of the year when certain national parks are better than others. This is mostly due to the weather.
See which national parks are best for summer visits with children by reading on. I hope you and your family will notice one or two of them. I hope I've motivated you to go out on the trails and discover new places!
10 Best Us National Parks For Family Travel
1. National Park Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park will be our last stop on this list. It is the only national park of its kind in the United States. It is, in my view, one of the greatest national parks to visit with children because of its varied scenery, distinctive geyser features, and plenty of animals. It's enormous, too!
Everyone mentions how packed and well-liked it may be. This is mostly accurate, but there are also plenty of spots in the park where you may escape the crowds and yet feel its enchantment. We have made several trips to Yellowstone National Park. We resided in Bozeman, Montana, before making the decision to go to the Netherlands and travel full-time.
Yellowstone is easily accessible from Bozeman, which is about an hour and a half's drive away. You may explore Yellowstone at any time of year, but in the summer, when all the roads are open, you have the greatest access.
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2. National Park of the Rocky Mountains
A great national park to visit with children is Rocky Mountain National Park. The hikes, animal watching, and picturesque driving are all excellent. With mini golf, adventure parks, horseback riding, shopping, and more, the neighboring town of Estes Park is also a great place for families. After graduating from college, we spent around four years living in Estes Park.
We even got married in Rocky Mountain National Park. With Rocky Mountain National Park as our backyard, we cherished our time there. We returned and showed our children everything the park has to offer, despite having seen a lot of it before having children.
Your children will enjoy exploring the many Rocky Mountain paths, seeing elk herds, and traveling up the picturesque Trail Ridge road, which is only accessible in the summer. Our best kid-friendly walks are those that go to Emerald Lake or up to Ouzel Lake, where you'll cross many waterfalls. Do you want a trek that is a little more daring? Hike to Chasm Lake to test your mettle. Due of its difficulty, this climb is not suitable for little children.
Unfortunately, the summer months are when Rocky Mountain National Park becomes quite crowded. Make sure to take advantage of the park's timed admission system, which allows you to enter whenever you'd want. When traveling up to the Bear Lake region, make use of the shuttle system as well.
3. National Park Canyonlands
Geological wonders are a hallmark of Utah's outstanding national parks, and the biggest one is no different. Canyonlands National Park's most distinctive features are, as one would expect, the vast canyons formed by the Green and Colorado rivers, but its striated spires, arches, and buttes are as striking.
Highlights include trekking amid hundreds of sandstone spires in The Needles sector, driving around the rim of the immense mesa at Island in the Sky, and stopping along the route to gaze at Mesa Arch. Visitors may raft or canoe through the canyons to get a different view on the landscape.
4. The National Park of Hawai‘i Volcanoes
Mauna Loa, the biggest volcano on Earth, and Klauea, one of the most active in the world, are two exceptional volcanoes that may be seen up close in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Although eruption sightings are never assured, tourists may see the latter's almost constant eruptions from a variety of locations within the park, including viewpoints on Crater Rim Drive and the well-known Chain of Craters Road.
Plan to stop at the Kealakomo Overlook when traveling along Chain of Craters Road. Wide-ranging views of the Pacific Ocean and the historic town of Kealakomo may be seen from this picturesque overlook.
5. National Park Mount Rainier
Mount Rainer is the tallest volcano in the contiguous United States and the highest mountain in the Cascade Range, standing at 14,410 feet. Every year, hundreds of tourists attempt the strenuous walk to the top of the mountain, but it's far more common to drive to Sunrise, the park's highest point accessible by car, to take in the expansive views of Emmons Glacier and the Cascade Range.
Best Us National Parks For Family Travel mount Rainier National Park offers a variety of shorter walks that allow tourists to discover the Carbon River's temperate rainforests, smell the wildflowers in Paradise's meadows, or look for waterfalls in Ohanapecosh's old-growth woods.
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6. National Park of the Great Smoky Mountains
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which spans more than 500,000 acres in North Carolina and Tennessee, has a wealth of hiking and wildlife-viewing options, including the well-liked Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and Chimney Tops Trail.
In the spring, the national park organizes a festival of programs and guided treks to highlight the more than 1,500 different kinds of flowers that grow in the higlands. The maple, beech, and birch trees that border the hiking routes will be covered with vibrant leaves for visitors who are interested in visiting in the autumn.
7. The National Park of Acadia
Acadia National Park, regarded as the "crown gem of the North Atlantic coast," is without a doubt the most popular tourist destination in Maine.
Mount Desert Island is home to around 160 miles of hiking trails. There are several less demanding sightseeing options in the park if you're not up for the task of climbing the Beehive Loop, where climbers struggle over granite cliffs.
If hiking isn't your thing, take a stroll or a bike ride along the 45 miles of carriage roads that cross Acadia, or drive the 27-mile Park Loop Road.
8. National Park Glacier
Glacier National Park, which features more than 700 lakes spread over three mountain ranges in northwest Montana, is regarded as one of the greatest tourist destinations in the world. Utilize the park's many hiking paths, making sure to visit well-known routes like the Iceberg Lake Trail and the Trail of the Cedars.
A journey to Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Canadian border, and a ride down the picturesque Going-to-the-Sun Road are both must-dos. Additionally, Glacier offers free ranger-led programs for guests of all ages, such as stargazing parties and guided walks.
9. National Park Yosemite
In addition to its towering granite rock formations like Half Dome and El Capitan, California's most visited national park is notable for its abundance of striking waterfalls, including Vernal Fall and Bridalveil Fall. Yosemite National Park has plenty of beautiful hiking and camping spots as well.
However, bear in mind that campsites sometimes sell out minutes after they are made available for reservations, so pay attention to release dates. Make sure to visit the Tunnel View viewpoint, which provides breathtaking views of Yosemite Valley, regardless of your plan. Furthermore, it is not necessary to hike to reach the scenic viewing location.
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10. National Park Grand Canyon
You just must visit the Grand Canyon in person to fully appreciate its immense splendor, since even the best photographs cannot capture its grandeur. With routes of varying lengths and levels of difficulty, the 18-by-278-mile UNESCO World Heritage Site provides many hiking possibilities in addition to the opportunity to float the Colorado River.
Visit the less crowded North Rim (open from mid-May to mid-October) for a little respite from the tourists. For a fresh perspective, think considering taking a helicopter tour to discover more about Grand Canyon National Park and see its splendor from above.
Conclusion
More than simply a holiday, visiting the top US national parks with your family offers a chance to foster curiosity in both children and adults, create enduring memories, and establish a bond with the natural world. Every park provides an original mix of adventure, education, and leisure, whether you're trekking beautiful paths in Yosemite, seeing animals in Yellowstone, or taking in the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon. Best Us National Parks For Family Travel there is something for every age and interest in these parks thanks to their varied landscapes and family-friendly features. So prepare to discover one of America's natural wonders as a family by packing your luggage, grabbing your camera, and getting ready..
FAQ's: Best Us National Parks For Family Travel
What is the most family friendly national park?
- Yellowstone National Park.
- Zion National Park.
- Acadia National Park, Maine.
- Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.
- Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, North Carolina.
What is the nicest national park in the United States?
- Denali, Alaska.
- Grand Canyon, Arizona.
- Crater Lake, Oregon.
- Zion, Utah.
- Everglades, Florida.
- Death Valley, California.
- Olympic, Washington.
Is Yosemite kid friendly?
For children of all ages, Yosemite provides a number of easy, scenic paths. Many of these stroller-friendly walks are perfect for small children, and they allow families to experience the park without exerting them.
What is USA most popular park?
Because of its exceptional hiking paths and year-round splendor, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited park in the United States. The park is one of the biggest in the east of the nation and covers numerous counties in both North Carolina and Tennessee.