There’s nothing quite like exploring the beauty of the natural world with your family. National parks offer some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes and experiences, and they’re a great way to bond with your kids while educating them about the environment. Here are our top 10 picks for national park adventures that are perfect for families:

Yellowstone National Park:

With its geysers, hot springs, and abundant wildlife, Yellowstone is a must-see for any family. Take your kids to see Old Faithful and other geysers, get up early to try and spot a wolf hunt in Lamar Valley, or hike to a waterfall. Keep an eye out for bison, elk, and wolves as you explore the park, especially in the mornings and evenings.

Yosemite National Park:

Known for its stunning granite cliffs and waterfalls, Yosemite is an excellent destination for hiking and rock climbing. Take a leisurely stroll to the base of Yosemite Falls, or tackle the challenging Mist Trail or unforgettable views. For more details on visiting this park, check out this itinerary.

Grand Canyon National Park:

The Grand Canyon is one of the most iconic natural wonders in the world, and it’s a must-see for any family. With our younger kids, we found that a stop at all the look out points to be enough for us. We look forward to hiking down when all of our kids are big enough for the adventure as there are some steep spots. The north and south Rims are both great for families, but we did enjoy a visit to the North Rim during November and found it to be much quieter and peaceful away from the south rim crowds. Photo above is of the south rim.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

This park is located on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee and is home to some of the most biodiverse forests in North America. Hike through the lush landscape to see wildflowers, birds, and black bears and enjoy the beauty. The main access point to the park is through Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN. We found the towns to be a bit loud and touristy, but the parks beauty is always wonderful. You can hike the popular trails, but with kids it’s fun to find something off the beaten path with a creek to play in. We have also entered the park through other access points and found the trails much more peaceful.

Zion National Park:

This park in Utah is known for its towering sandstone cliffs, including the famous Angels Landing hike. Take a scenic drive through the park, or hike through the Virgin River to The Narrows for an unforgettable adventure. Keep your eye out for big horn sheep! Our favorite way to see the canyon is by taking an e-bike ride through. You cannot drive it in a car and must use the park shuttle, hike or bike through.

Bryce Canyon National Park:

This park in Utah is known for its unique hoodoos, which are tall spires of rock that have been shaped by erosion. Take hike to explore the hoodoos and see the park’s colorful rock formations for a unique perspective of these beautiful rock formations. Our favorite way to view the rocks from above is finding a spot to sit alone along the cliff edge at sunrise between sunrise and sunset point. Our favorite way to view them from above is to hike down through Wall Street into the the queens garden loop trail.

Rocky Mountain National Park:

This park in Colorado is home to some of the highest peaks in the Rocky Mountains, and it offers a wide range of outdoor activities. Hike to the top of a 14,000-foot peak, or take a scenic drive on Trail Ridge Road to see elk, black bear, and bighorn sheep. Favorite hike with kids is the Emerald Lake Trail to see 4 different mountain lakes in one 3 mile hike. It does get crowded, so we like to go at dinner time when most people are heading out of the park for the day.

Acadia National Park:

This park in Maine is known for its rugged coastline and beautiful forests. Take a hike to the top of Cadillac Mountain for an unforgettable sunrise, hike the precarious Precipice and Beehive trails, and explore the many tide pool areas around the park. Our most memorable family hike was the beehive. It’s short, sweet, and a great challenge on the ladders as you hike up. If you’re hiking with littles, you might want to research a bit due to the steep drops on this one. We did this with our two year old in a back carrier, but we are a bit more adventurous than some people are.

Joshua Tree National Park:

This park in California is known for its unique Joshua trees and its excellent rock climbing. Our kids enjoyed climbing around and playing hide and seek among the giant rocks, hiking to see petroglyphs. Remember that this park is higher elevation than the valley below and you may need a jacket depending on the time of year. Find a place to pull of near Skull Rock and play!

Glacier National Park:

This park in Montana is home to some of the most stunning glaciers and alpine lakes in North America. Take a hike to see glaciers, or go on a scenic drive on Going to the Sun Road to see the park’s towering peaks and wildflowers. This is such a green park in the summertime. Be prepared with bear spray on hikes due to the healthy Grizzly Bear Population at this park. Our favorite memories were the Highland Trail and driving up to Polebridge to get a bear claw pastry before paddling Bowman Lake.

These are just a few of the many national parks that offer amazing opportunities for families. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely hike or an adventure, these parks have something for everyone. So pack your bags, grab your kids, and head out to explore the great outdoors!

As always, please respect nature by hiking and recreating responsibly. You can check out our favorite outdoor adventure gear here.