Best National Parks for Kids
School districts across the U.S. vary in their schedule for when school starts. Some start as early as late July; others hold off until early September. By and large, mid-to-late August are the typical "back-to-school" weeks, which means most of America's children will be back in school by now.
Now that the scramble of back-to-school prep is done, why not plan a family trip for Fall Break, or make plans for a weekend get-away? Many U.S. national parks provide great opportunities for children to learn, play, explore, and observe the beauty of American nature and wilderness, a great way to kick off the new school year.
Best National Parks for Kids
Most of the 63 American National Parks are kid-friendly, but some are more accessible to children than others. For example, Petrified Forest, Saguaro, and Great Sand Dunes are accessible and feature kid-friendly activities. Gates of the Arctic, National Park of American Samoa, and Dry Tortugas require lengthy travel just to reach them.
Acadia National Park with Kids
Not only is Acadia accessible and easy to navigate with children, but the park also offers a host of youth-focused activities. Park rangers host and organize events and activities like the Junior Ranger program, a scavenger hunt program, the Acadia Quest family event series, and more. Just check out the National Park Service's official webpage for Acadia's activities to plan the end-of-summer trip of a lifetime in this kid-friendly national park.
A must-see: Get the kids up and head to Cadillac Mountain early in the morning. It's the first place in the U.S. from which to view the sunrise!
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve with Kids
Children will be awestruck when they see Great Sand Dunes, which, to them, will be the world's biggest sandbox. Families fly kites, play in Medano Creek, build sandcastles, and sled down the dunes. This park also participates in the Every Kid Outdoors program, which offers free entry to fourth graders. Finally, the child-friendly national park also has a popular Junior Ranger program for youngsters to take part in. More information can be found at the National Park Service.
A must-see: The flow of Medano Creek varies throughout the year, but when conditions are right, the creek makes for fantastic play opportunities for children.
Olympic National Park with Kids
Olympic National Park offers a world unlike any other, one that will mesmerize the minds of anyone, children and adults included. Quoting the National Park Service, "Your kids will find many activities to do during your visit at Olympic National Park. Make a salmon hat, color an ecosystem, check out a discovery backpack, explore the discovery room, and more. The park is a wonderful year-round spot for families with children to camp, hike, and explore.” The park service has published several fun facts and great ideas about family-oriented national park itinerary items on its website.
A must-see: The Hoh Rainforest inside the park is the wettest place in the contiguous U.S., which means foliage and wildlife unlike anything else in the United States.
Petrified Forest National Park with Kids
One of the most accessible national parks for kids, Petrified Forest is a living lab where young people can learn all about science, nature, archeology, history, and much more. The park preserves petrified trees, which children can examine and study. The park has easy hiking trails and is relatively close to city infrastructure for access to lodging and dining. Petrified Forest also supports the Junior Ranger program and can provide resources for children interested in doing school projects in or around the park.
A must-see: Petrified wood can be seen in numerous places throughout the park. Be sure to find a specimen where children can get up close to examine it!
Saguaro National Park with Kids
Divided into two sections and located on opposite ends of Tucson, Saguaro is another incredibly accessible park and one of the best national parks for kids. From its Junior Ranger programming to Cactus Rangers, the Youth Conservation Corps, the Eco-Discovery Project, and Saguaro’s involvement in field trips, classroom programs, and virtual programs, this park is a wonderful place to learn, explore, and make memories. Also, children on school breaks can join free camping programs hosted by the park. Check out the park’s official website for more information.
A must-see: Saguaro cacti are quite rare in the United States, hence the importance of the park. Find a good specimen for children to inspect, but don't let them get too close to the prickly plants!
Sequoia National Park with Kids
Every child should have the opportunity to see California's mighty sequoia and redwood trees, which is why Sequoia National Park (along with Kings Canyon National Park and Redwoods National and State Parks) all work together to provide abundant national park activities for children. The parks participate in the Every Kid Outdoors program mentioned earlier, and they also host ranger-led programs for children, including the Junior Ranger program. The parks also offer ranger-led field trips and Rangers in the Classroom presentations during the school year.
A must-see: The General Sherman Tree, located in Sequoia, is the largest tree in the world by volume.
Zion National Park with Kids
One of the most-visited national parks on the roster, Zion National Park is well-suited to provide children and teens with a phenomenal experience. Several of the trails in Zion Canyon are rated as Easy and are a good fit for families. The Pa’rus Trail, Lower Emerald Pools Trail, and Riverside Walk Trail provide short hikes along a paved surface that will give hikers a good overview of the canyon. Zion also offers a self-guided Junior Ranger experience, making it one of the best national parks for families. The park is also home to the iconic Nature Center. This interactive children's museum is perfect for learning about Zion's geology, animals, and history. The center offers a host of programs designed for children and families.
A must-see: Check weather conditions in advance. The Narrows is a must-see if the forecast is good.
Your Guide to the Best National Parks for Kids in the Southwest
Several of the best national parks for children are in the Southwest. To celebrate the Grand Circle area (a "circle" region of Arizona and Utah with several national and state parks and national monuments), Team ADG is offering its Illustrated Guide to the Grand Circle for 60% off!
Pick up a hardcover copy for just $15.99 or a softcover copy for just $9.99.
This gorgeous book includes hand-rendered illustrations and maps, plus photos, timelines, and fascinating narrative by historian Daniel S. Pierce. This 9” x 12” full-color hardcover coffee table book is loaded with new poster art by Anderson Design Group and stunning photography by Joel Anderson. It is packed with trip-planning information and tips to help you plan your adventure. This artful book is perfect for any outdoor lover, poster art fan, or American Southwest history buff!
Here's to a Beautiful Close to the Summer School Break
The summer school break may be coming to a close, but that's all the more reason to make the most of the last few weeks of summer vacation. Our team of traveling artists, illustrators, and writers at Anderson Design Group are currently wrapping up the summer by visiting several national parks while seeking inspiration for future art, and we hope you get a chance to explore a park before school resumes!
And if you'd like something special to commemorate your last summer outing of 2024, Anderson Design Group offers a large collection of original national park poster art and travel art, perfect for any wall.
Happy trails,
- Ren Brabenec
Anderson Design Group Staff Writer
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