U.S. National Parks are great places to take kids. There are plenty of outdoor activities and opportunities to connect and learn about nature, enjoy camping, water sports and much more. If you’re looking for a fun family adventure, discover more about the U.S. National Parks around the country.
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There are a total of 61 U.S. National Parks across 29 states and 2 U.S. territories. California has the most with nine, followed by Alaska with eight, Utah with five, and Colorado with four.
Over 50 of the National Parks offer a variety of kids activities and programs geared for kids, such as ranger-led activities, recreational trails that small legs can handle, and other fun activities and events. The best bit is that many of these programs are free!
If you are planning on attending a guided program, check if there’s one that is specifically for kids.
This article by dad Frank, who is also a park ranger, has some super tips and insights into visiting U.S. National Parks with kids, and there are also some great tips and downloads on the National Parks website.
Remember when visiting a National Park to follow signs and instructions, stay safe and leave everything as you found it.
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Every Kid Outdoors
Every Kid Outdoors is a special programme for U.S. fourth graders and family members which gives them free access to over 2,000 places to discover wildlife, resources, and history.
To obtain a pass, fourth grade students can visit the bilingual Every Kid Outdoors website, participate in a short educational activity, and then download a paper voucher to print and bring with them to visit public lands and waters all across the country. Every Kid Outdoors begins each year on September 1st and goes through to August 31st.
U.S. National Parks in Alaska
Denali National Park, Alaska
Denali is six million acres of wild land, bisected by one ribbon of road. Travelling along it you will see low-elevation forest give way to high alpine tundra and snowy mountains, culminating in North America’s tallest peak, 20,310′ Denali. Wild animals large and small roam unfenced lands, living as they have for ages.
It’s also the only one of the U.S. National Parks with a kennel of working sled dogs! You can stop by and meet the dogs or attend a ranger-led mushing demonstration.
What’s at Denali National Park for Kids?
The Denali with Kids free travel guide is designed for parents and guardians who are traveling to Denali, covering everything from the best places to camp and hike to important safety and logistical information. This guide will help you plan your trip and you can download it for free or pick it up in visitor centers throughout the park.
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Covering 3.3 million acres of rugged mountains, dynamic glaciers, temperate rainforest, wild coastlines and deep sheltered fjords, Glacier Bay National Park is a highlight of Alaska’s Inside Passage and part of a 25-million acre World Heritage Site — one of the world’s largest international protected areas.
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve lies west of Juneau, AK and can only be reached by plane or boat. The only road merely connects the small town of Gustavus and its airfield to park headquarters at Bartlett Cove (10 miles).
The majority of people visiting typically come by cruise ship but you can explore Bartlett Cove, the only developed area in Glacier Bay National Park. a few short trails, a public dock, campground, Glacier Bay Lodge with the Park Visitor Center on the second level, and the Visitor Information Station.
What’s at Glacier Bay National Park for Kids?
Kids visiting Glacier Bay National Park can
- Spend the night in Glacier Bay
- Become a Junior Ranger
- Join a ranger-led activity
- Explore Glacier Bay on the day boat
- Visit Snow, aka Whale 68
- Stop by the visitor center
- Take a hike
- Visit the Tribal House and discover the importance of Glacier Bay to the native Tlingit people
- Explore the beach at low tide
Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
Kenai Fjords is where “Mountains, Ice, and Ocean Meet”. It’s a land where the ice age lingers. Nearly 40 glaciers flow from the Harding Icefield, Kenai Fjords’ crowning feature. Wildlife thrives in icy waters and lush forests around this vast expanse of ice.
- Explore the Fjords on a boat tour and experience Exit Glacier, the only part of the park accessible by road, offers short trails, viewpoints, and a nature center.
- Attend a ranger-led program where you can join a park ranger for a short walk, interpretive talk, or a day hike and learn more about your park.
- Go kayaking in Kenai Fjords. This is an exciting way to explore the fjords, see glaciers, and view wildlife.
- Stay in a public use cabin. There are two coastal public use cabins available in summer.
The park is open year-round; however, changing conditions can dictate what areas are accessible. Check the conditions before setting out.
What’s at Kenai Fjords National Park for Kids?
When you visit Kenai Fjords National Park you can check out an Art for Parks or a Discovery backpack. They are available at the Exit Glacier Nature Center. Kids and their families can use it to explore their artistic or scientific side while visiting the park. Ask a ranger or volunteer about earning the Junior Glacier Ranger patch.
Junior Fjord Ranger walks are available for visitors (ages 8-12) at the Kenai Fjords Visitor Center in the summer. All participants will have the opportunity to earn a Junior Fjord Ranger patch. Check the visitor center for current dates and times.
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U.S. National Parks in Arizona
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most famous sights and natural wonders of the world. A unique combination of geologic colour and eroded forms decorate a canyon that is 277 river miles (446km) long, up to 18 miles (29km) wide, and a mile (1.6km) deep. It’s fair to say that Grand Canyon really is grand!
As it’s one of the busiest parks particularly during summer season, you should plan your visit carefully. Consider staying over, but you can go for the day if you time your visit to avoid parking and traffic.
Most people go to the South Rim, which has the most facilities and is open all year while North Rim is open for the season usually from mid May through to September.
For an unusual route to the South Rim, you can take a train from Williams, AZ on the Grand Canyon Railway, you get there at 11.45am and leave at 3.30pm giving you a few hours to enjoy the Canyon. If staying overnight then enjoy sunset or sunrise (or both!) both magical experiences. Be warned accommodation books up quickly.
Bring a re-usable water bottle for each member of your family to keep hydrated.
What’s at the Grand Canyon National Park for Kids?
Kids can become a Junior Ranger and learn about Grand Canyon while they visit.
Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Petrified Forest is a surprising place, offering far more than the world renowned petrified logs. You can see so much just from your car and a few stops at overlooks. Walking one of the short maintained trails or even hiking into the backcountry along one of the ‘Off the Beaten Path’ routes gives you possible sightings of fossils, badlands, buttes and mesas, ancient petroglyphs, wildlife and wildflowers, and vast vistas for more than a hundred miles!
The Painted Desert is perfect for hiking and contemplation. Petrified Forest even starts with “pet”! They are one of the most animal friendly parks. Bring your leashed pet any place you are allowed to go except into the buildings. You can even take Fluffy on a trail or backpack overnight with Spot!
What’s at Petrified Forest National Park for Kids?
Check out these fun things to do while you are in the Petrified Forest National Park.
- Become a Junior Ranger – Earn a badge by completing activities.
- Go Sightseeing – There are lots of things to see up and down the park road.
- Walk Trails – Stretch your legs on one or all of the hiking trails.
- Hunt for Treasure – See if you can find all the geocaches hidden in the park.
- Hike in the Backcountry – Get off trail and wander through badlands, there are lots of hikes to take.
- Visit the Museums – Bones are spilling out of the ground at Petrified Forest. Become a mini paleontologist! Check out Triassic animal skeletons.
- Talk to a Ranger – You may catch a ranger in a visitor center, on trail, or during a Ranger Program.
- Meet an Artist – Artists-in-Residence give talks and walks while Cultural Demonstrators show you how they make traditional crafts.
Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation’s largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are protected by Saguaro National Park, to the east and west of the modern city of Tucson. Here you have a chance to see these enormous cacti, silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent desert sunset.
What’s at Saguaro National Park for Kids?
Young people are encouraged to discover their environment by dissecting owl pellets, cooking a trail snack on a backpack stove, hiking in the desert, and drawing a favourite cactus. These are just some of the activities children can experience when participating in one of Saguaro National Park’s Junior Ranger programs.
Stop by the Visitor Center to pick up a workbook, which takes approximately 1-3 hours to complete, and can be completed at the child’s own pace. Junior Rangers and their families explore the parks using activity booklets designed especially for them. The booklets introduce park stories and point out things of interest that might otherwise go unnoticed.
And if you see the Roadrunner, don’t tell Wile E Coyote!
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U.S. National Parks in Arkansas
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
Nicknamed “The American Spa,” Hot Springs National Park today surrounds the north end of the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas. At this more unusual park you can:
- Tour the historic Fordyce Bathhouse and watch the park movie, Valley of Vapors, and the bathing video. Ask about guided tours.
- Visit the park store, Bathhouse Row Emporium, in the Lamar Bathhouse.
- Stroll through the Bathhouse Row National Historic Landmark District which includes the Grand Promenade.
- Experience the thermal water and take a traditional bath at the Buckstaff Bathhouse (first come, first serve) or a modern spa experience at the Quapaw Baths and Spa (reservation may be required).
- Hike to the 216 foot Mountain Tower which has great views of the surrounding mountains
- Drive the park’s scenic mountain roads
- Plan a picnic at one of the park picnic areas
- Take a hike
What’s at Hot Springs National Park for Kids?
The park has a Junior Trail Ranger program. Children may pick up a program guide at the visitor center and complete walking at least three designated trails and complete five activities. They will then return to the park visitor center to receive an award pin.
U.S. National Parks in California
Channel Islands National Park, California
The Channel Islands National Park encompasses five islands and their surrounding one mile of the ocean, ideal for quiet, uninterrupted time with family and friends. They are wonderful places to hike, camp, snorkel, take a boat trip, go whale watching, kayak, birdwatch, take photographs, sketch, or just relax to the soothing sounds of the natural world. Stop by one of the visitor centers in Ventura or Santa Barbara to plan your visit.
What’s at Channel Islands National Park for Kids?
- Tidepool Talks – throughout the year on weekends and holidays, rangers offer free tidepool talks at 11am and 3pm at the marine life exhibit in the Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center in Ventura.
- Guided Hikes on the Islands – guided hikes may take place on days that the concessionaire boats and planes run to the islands
- Junior Ranger – helping children discover and protect the wonders of the islands.
Death Valley National Park, California and Nevada
Death Valley National Park is definitely the hottest, driest, and lowest National Park in the U.S. In this below-sea-level basin, steady drought and record summer heat make Death Valley a land of extremes. Towering peaks are frosted with winter snow. Rare rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers. Lush oases harbor tiny fish and refuge for wildlife and humans. Despite its morbid name, a great diversity of life survives in Death Valley.
Be mindful of the safety advice when visiting Death Valley National Park.
What’s at Death Valley National Park for Kids?
- Indoor Activities – Explore the visitor center, see the park film, or check out the nearby Borax Museum.
- Outdoor Activities – Death Valley is a 3.4 million acre playground. Drive it, hike it, bike it, see it!
- Take a Ranger-guided nature walk – Enhance your experience of Death Valley by joining a ranger-guided tour, nature walk, patio talk, or night program.
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Joshua Tree National Park, California
Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain.
Joshua Tree National Park is open year-round. There are few facilities within the park’s approximately 800,000 acres, making Joshua Tree a true desert wilderness just a few hours outside Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, and Phoenix.
About 2.8 million visitors come to the park each year to enjoy activities such as hiking, camping, photography, rock climbing, and simply enjoying the serene desert scenery. The busy season in Joshua Tree runs from October through May.
What’s at Joshua Tree National Park For Kids?
Kids can earn a Junior Ranger Badge at Joshua Tree National Park. When you visit the park, you can complete a Junior Ranger activity book at any park visitor center and earn a badge.
Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park, California
Both Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park can be said to be in the Land of Giants. Huge mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns, and the world’s largest trees. These two parks lie side by side in the southern Sierra Nevada east of the San Joaquin Valley.
Explore Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks with the free, official National Park Service App. Download the app before you arrive to plan your visit and you can also download content to access offline even when there’s no wifi or phone coverage.
What’s at Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park For Kids?
Rangers present free interpretive programs for families throughout the year, and additional programs, such as Kids’ Campfire Talks, may be available in the summer months. Stop by a visitor center or check the weekly program flyer to find out about upcoming programs.
Kids ages 5 and up are also invited to participate in the Sequoia and Kings Canyon Junior Ranger program. Pick up a free Junior Ranger booklet at any visitor center. Turn completed booklets into a ranger at a visitor center or evening program to take the Junior Ranger pledge and receive the official Sequoia and Kings Canyon Junior Ranger badge.
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Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
Lassen Volcanic National Park is home to steaming features, meadows filled with wildflowers, clear mountain lakes, and numerous volcanoes. Jagged peaks tell the story of its eruptive past while hot water continues to shape the land.
The remarkable hydrothermal features in Lassen Volcanic National Park include roaring fumaroles (steam and volcanic-gas vents), thumping mud pots, boiling pools, and steaming ground. For your safety stay on established trails and boardwalks!
What’s at Lassen Volcanic National Park for Kids?
In the summer, there are ranger-led Junior Ranger programs for kids seven to 12 and ranger-led talks for the entire family at the Loomis Museum.
- Junior Ranger Program – Kids ages seven to 12 can participate. Just pick up a Junior Ranger booklet at the Loomis Museum, or the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center. Complete the required activities and present them to a park ranger at the park.
- Chipmunk Club and Volcano Club – Kids of any age can participate in these programs – just pick up your booklet at the Loomis Museum, or the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center. Follow the instructions and have fun!
Pinnacles National Park, California
Some 23 million years ago multiple volcanoes erupted, flowed, and slid to form what would become Pinnacles National Park, leaving a unique landscape teeming with life: prairie and peregrine falcons, golden eagles, and the inspiring California condor.
Unlike many national parks, Pinnacles National Park is most popular in the cooler months. During the spring, when the grasses are green and a variety of wildflowers can be seen along any trail, hiking is at its best. Fall and winter are also excellent times to visit.
There are over 30 miles of hiking trails at Pinnacles National Park, ranging from easy, flat walks to more challenging, all-day hikes. Please remember to carry and drink plenty of water, especially during the hot summer months.
Ranger programs are a fun way to enhance your experience at Pinnacles National Park. Programs are offered on weekends through mid-December. All ranger programs are free, and when you arrive at the park you can either ask a park ranger or consult one of the Ranger Activity Boards located outside the Pinnacles Visitor Center, the Bear Gulch Nature Center, or the West Pinnacles Visitor Contact Station for the day’s opportunities.
What’s at Pinnacles National Park for Kids?
Kids can learn more about Pinnacles National Park as you hike and explore, just ask about their free Junior Ranger program at either visitor center.
Redwood National Park, California
Most people know Redwood as home to the tallest trees on Earth but did you know that Redwood National Park also protects vast prairies, oak woodlands, wild river-ways, and nearly 40 miles of rugged coastline?
From scenic drives, to exploring beaches, to watching gray whales migrate, there’s plenty to do at the Park. Trillium Falls Trail is a 2½ mile loop trail through ancestral forests and has one of the few waterfalls in the parks. This trail is many rangers’ favourite, and it has plenty of parking for all vehicle sizes, picnic tables and restrooms.
Programs and activities are available from mid-May to mid-September. Activity schedules are posted at information centers, and on campground bulletin boards.
What’s at Redwood National Park for Kids?
There’s plenty for kids at Redwood National Park:
- Junior Ranger Programs for ages 7-12 have fun while learning about the people, plants, animals, and life systems of the redwood region.
- Guided Kayak Tours – For a limited time in summer, Redwood National and State Parks conducts kayak tours of the Smith River—a crown jewel of the National Wild & Scenic River System and the largest free-flowing river system in California.
- Tidepool Walks – Get your hands (and feet!) wet while discovering delicate tidepool creatures accompanied by a park ranger-naturalist who leads this investigation into the hidden world beneath the waves.
- Campfire Programs – As darkness descends on the North Coast, the Jedediah Smith, Mill Creek, and Elk Prairie campgrounds are ideal settings for an informative and inspiring night cap. Programs may include narrated slide shows, storytelling, music, and/or games.
- Nature Walks – Immerse yourself in the forest, shore, or prairielands. Join a park ranger-naturalist for a down-to-earth exploration of the natural communities that contribute to one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth.
Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite National Park is one of the most well known, and most visited of the U.S. National Parks. Millions of people visit Yosemite from April through October. Yosemite Valley is the main destination for most visitors, but there are many places to go in the park. A myriad of activities awaits from hiking to guided tours to water activities to picnicking.
Early birds avoid traffic! From spring through fall, arrive in the park before or after peak hours (before 9am and after 5pm) to avoid delays and traffic congestion. Also it pays to plan ahead: reservations are not required to enter Yosemite, but it’s strongly recommended that you make reservations for lodging, camping, and backpacking.
You can download the Yosemite National Park free app to help plan your visit.
What’s at Yosemite National Park For Kids?
- Be a Junior Ranger – Kids aged 7-13 can become a Yosemite Junior Ranger by purchasing a self-guided booklet at one of the visitor centers. In order to earn a Junior Ranger patch, the booklet must be completed, a bag of trash collected, and a guided program attended.
- Be a Little Cub – Yosemite also has a program for ages 3-6 with a self-guided booklet that encourages young visitors and their families to discover Yosemite ’s wonders and to earn a Little Cubs button.
U.S. National Parks in Colorado
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
Black Canyon of the Gunnison exposes you to some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. With two million years to work, the Gunnison River, along with the forces of weathering, has sculpted this vertical wilderness of rock, water, and sky. Things to do at Black Canyon include:
- Hiking Trails – Trails for all abilities are available on both South and North Rims.
- Scenic Drives – Gorgeous scenic routes are available along the rims and down to the river.
- Fishing – The Gunnison River within Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is well known for outstanding trout fishing.
- Kayaking – This stretch of the Gunnison River is only for the most experienced kayakers.
- Wildlife Watching – Black Canyon provides a unique vertical environment for wildlife.
- Explore the Night – Black Canyon offers night sky viewing opportunities throughout the year.
What’s at Black Canyon of the Gunnison For Kids?
Be a Junior Ranger! Become a Black Canyon of the Gunnison Junior Ranger during your next visit and learn how to protect the park. Pick up a Junior Ranger Activity Booklet at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison South Rim Visitor Center. Complete the requirements listed in the booklet for your age group. Requirements include writing your observations, drawing pictures, completing field activities, and attending a ranger-led program.
Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Open all day and night year round, at Great Sand Dunes National Park you’ll find the tallest dunes in North America. You’ll also discover grasslands, wetlands, conifer and aspen forests, alpine lakes, and tundra.
Download the free Great Sand Dunes Visitor Guide to plan your time and activities at Great Sand Dunes.
What’s at Great Sand Dunes National Park for Kids?
The Great Sand Dunes are super fun for kids and teens! You can:
- Play in the sand
- Sled or sandboard
- Splash in Medano Creek
- Hike in the mountains
- Earn a Junior Ranger badge, pick up the booklet and carry out the activities to earn a badge or patch. There are different age groups in the booklet: 3-6, 7-9, 10-12, and 13 and up
- Check out a Junior Ranger Backpack with compass, magnet, measuring tape, magnifying glass, binoculars, tracking guide, and more. On your clipboard, draw pictures and record your measurements and observations. Return the backpack to the visitor center and show the ranger your drawings, measurements and observations to earn a badge or patch. Just stop at the Junior Ranger Station in the visitor center when you arrive, pick up your booklet or backpack, and go explore!
- Go to a fun ranger program (ask at the Visitor Center for the best kid-friendly programs during your visit)
- Discover animals of Great Sand Dunes
And if you visit during August, then you can enjoy Junior Ranger Day when kids of all ages participate in a variety of fun activities and stations to earn little prizes, t-shirts and other items.
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Mesa Verde National Park was established in 1906 to preserve and interpret the archeological heritage of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from 600 to 1300 CE.
Today, the park protects nearly 5,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States.
What’s at Mesa Verde National Park For Kids?
- Junior Ranger Program – Children from age 4 to 12 can become a Junior Ranger at Mesa Verde. Just pick up an activity booklet at the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center or the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum, explore the park, complete the activities, and take the booklet to any park information center for review. A special Mesa Verde Junior Ranger badge is awarded for a job well done.
- Junior Ranger Station – Visit the Mesa Verde Junior Ranger Station at the Chapin Mesa Museum for some extra Junior Ranger fun. Learn more about the Ancestral Pueblo people with kid-friendly hands-on activities. This is a great place to be sworn in as a Mesa Verde Junior Ranger and receive your badge. Open during summer months.
- Discovering Morefield Campground – Camping is a wonderful time to discover the natural side of Mesa Verde. For a fun, family-oriented way to explore your natural surroundings, pick up a Junior Naturalist Activity Booklet and check-out a Discovery Pack filled with kid-friendly field guides, binoculars, hand lens, Native American storybook, and a “My Mesa Verde Memories” logbook. Available for free check-out at the Junior Ranger Station at the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum and the Morefield Campground Ranger Station.
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Rocky Mountain National Park’s 415 square miles encompass and protect spectacular mountain environments. Enjoy Trail Ridge Road – which crests at over 12,000 feet including many overlooks to experience the subalpine and alpine worlds – along with over 300 miles of hiking trails, wildflowers, wildlife, starry nights, and fun times.
What’s at Rocky Mountain National Park For Kids?
Rocky Mountain National Park is a natural playground for kids and families. Free programs geared for kids happen all around the park.
Junior Ranger Headquarters, located in the summer at Hidden Valley, on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park along Trail Ridge Road, is a great place to start. Join a ranger-led program or become a Junior Ranger. Pick up the free Junior Ranger activity booklet at any visitor contact station, discover the park, and become a ranger by earning your badge. There are 3 different activity books for ages 5 and under, 6-8, and 9 and up.
U.S. National Parks in Florida
Biscayne National Park, Florida
Within sight of downtown Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne National Park protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. The park offers a variety of ways to help you get to know and enjoy its rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands and vibrant coral reefs.
Recreational opportunities include fishing, boating, diving, snorkeling, paddling, hiking, camping, wildlife watching, cultural exploration and the rare opportunity to experience largely undeveloped Florida Keys. There are also boat tours, ranger programs, art exhibits, special events and more.
What’s at Biscayne National Park For Kids?
Kids may enjoy snorkelling in the bay or coral reefs, poking along the rocky shoreline near the park visitor center and canoeing through mangrove forests. There are great visitor center exhibits and a touch table to help kids learn about the park’s watery world. Kids can bec
