Family National Park Trips

family national park trip at Arches National Park — Delicate Arch at Arches National Park in Moab, Utah, on a family national park trip. Photo credit: Tim Jones

Get Out(doors)!

National parks are sprinkled from coast to coast in the United States, just waiting for you and the kids to visit on a family national parks trip!

There are 61 family-friendly national parks in North America, covering more than 52 million square miles (211,000 square kilometers) of natural wonders. California has the most at 9; 7 of them are a road trip away from Los Angeles. Alaska has 8, including the largest national park, Wrangell-St. Elias. There are 5 national parks in Utah and 4 in Colorado. The smallest is Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis.

Beyond the Grand Canyon

Yes, the Grand Canyon with its North Rim, South Rim, epic rock formations and the Colorado River running through it, is the epitome of natural wonder. But it's just one entry on our list of the best national parks for a family vacation.

We also love: Bryce Canyon, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park and Zion National Park in Utah, Acadia National Park in Maine, Glacier National Park and its breathtaking Going to the Sun Road in Montana, Everglades National Park in Florida, the Badlands andMount Rushmore in South Dakota, Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina, Rocky Mountain National Park and Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado, Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii, Yosemite National Park and the giant Sequoias of California, Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas, and Yellowstone National Park, home to the famous Old Faithful Geyser, in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming.

What to Do on Your Family National Parks Trip

These epic natural wonderlands have something for the whole family. Put the babies in a carrier and take the older kids horseback riding, biking and hiking, fishing, camping, rafting and more. You'll find everything from scenic drives to challenging hiking trails.

Kids not happy hikers eager to hit the hiking trails? Try one of the short hikes to get them in the spirit of it. Or stick with a scenic drive through Yellowstone to spot mountain goats, bighorn sheep, bear and bison.

When you get to your park, don't forget to stop in at the park's Visitor Center to pick up a National Parks Junior Ranger program booklet!