10 Must-Visit U.S. National Parks for Families with Kids

Climbing over boulders, splashing in refreshing streams, perfecting the art of stone skipping, and catching a glimpse of a majestic bald eagle—all while snacking on trail mix to fuel your adventures. National parks are where unforgettable family vacation memories are created.

Whether you’re adventuring with little ones (consider reading them the picture book, If I Were a Park Ranger) or teenagers, explore the wonders of nature together—towering mountains, expansive forests, pristine lakes, and much more—at these 10 family-friendly national parks across the U.S. With kid-friendly trails, Junior Ranger programs, and chances to learn about nature and wildlife, there’s plenty to keep every child engaged.

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Located just sixty miles from Seattle, Mount Rainier rises majestically to 14,410 feet and is home to approximately 25 glaciers. A fantastic starting point for families is Paradise, situated just south of the mountain, where the 1.8-mile Alta Vista trail begins right from the visitor center. Kids can enjoy playing in snow patches during spring, while late summer brings a breathtaking array of colors in the alpine meadows surrounding the mountain.

Accommodation options

For extended stays, consider the park’s 121-room Paradise Inn or a nearby lodge. For those making a day trip from Seattle, the 223-room Edgewater on Elliott Bay is conveniently located within walking distance of Pike Place Market and the Space Needle.

Joshua Tree National Park, California

Amid the whimsical, spiky trees that seem straight out of a Dr. Seuss tale and the inviting granite boulders just waiting to be climbed, Joshua Tree is a beloved destination for families. Easily reachable from the north (Twentynine Palms) and west (Joshua Tree) entrances, the Hidden Valley trail offers a delightful one-mile loop filled with rock formations perfect for scrambling, followed by a lovely picnic spot.

Accommodation options

Many families choose a house rental (with a pool) in the vicinity, but don’t overlook the stylish Autocamp, featuring upgraded Airstreams equipped with high-thread-count linens and walk-in rain showers, offering a camping experience without the hassle.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee (and North Carolina)

The Smokies derive their name from the organic particles released by the vegetation, creating the iconic bluish mist that cloaks the mountaintops. Pick up a Junior Ranger booklet at the Sugarlands Visitor Center and make your way to Clingman’s Dome, an observation tower in the park that rewards families with breathtaking views without a strenuous uphill trek. While popular waterfalls like Laurel, Rainbow, and Grotto attract crowds, consider visiting the lesser-known yet equally stunning cascades like Mouse Creek Falls or Lynn Camp Prong Cascades, where kids can take their time enjoying fallen leaves, splashing in streams, and searching for salamanders.

Accommodation options

Tucked away in the wilderness outside Gatlinburg, Stony Brook Cabins offers a range of multi-bedroom mountain homes featuring expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, contemporary kitchens, and inviting wraparound decks.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Understanding the Grand Canyon’s geological marvel can be a challenge for both adults and kids. For a more immersive experience, consider booking a family tour with the nonprofit Field Institute, where a guide will highlight fossils and teach kids how to collect pinyon pine nuts. You can also rent bikes from Bright Angel Bicycles next to the visitor center and cycle along a section of the South Rim, enjoying this vast natural wonder. Tandem bikes are available for younger children, and with a stone wall and wide bike path, you’ll be safely distanced from the edge.

Accommodation options

Enjoy watching roadrunners dash by from the porch of your minimalist “tent” at Under Canvas (just 30 minutes from the South Rim entrance), where the family can roast s’mores and gaze at the stars at night.

Acadia National Park, Maine

Situated along Maine’s rugged coastline, Acadia covers around 47,000 acres, primarily on Mount Desert Island (MDI). Here, pine forests meet rocky beaches adorned with lighthouses and granite peaks, including Cadillac Mountain, creating a stunning landscape perfect for photography. Families shouldn’t miss the tide pools in Bar Harbor (located on the eastern side of MDI), where kids can discover hermit crabs, sea stars, urchins, mussels, and more.

Accommodation options

Overlooking Somes Sound, the historic Claremont, which dates back to 1884, revealed newly updated rooms and a pool in 2022. The hotel’s associated cottages and cabins, equipped with kitchens, provide families with great flexibility.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Known for its wild beauty, Glacier features rugged peaks and stunning turquoise lakes, including the breathtaking Lake MacDonald, which stretches 10 miles. The 0.9-mile Trail of Cedars, primarily a flat boardwalk, is an excellent starting point. Alternatively, you can join one of Swan Mountain Outfitters’ beginner-friendly horseback riding tours, departing from three locations (Apgar, Lake MacDonald, and Many Glacier).

Accommodation options

The longstanding concessionaire, Glacier Park Collection by Pursuit, manages several lodges in and around the park, along with various excursions like rafting and fishing. Given the vastness of Glacier National Park, families should start at the 144-room Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish, just outside the park, before moving to Glacier Park Lodge on the park's eastern side.

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

A convenient day trip from Denver, Rocky Mountain National Park boasts 355 miles of hiking trails, 147 lakes, and 77 peaks that rise above 12,000 feet. Popular family-friendly hikes and drives include the easy half-mile loop at Bear Lake, rock scrambling at Alluvial Fan, and the scenic Trail Ridge Road, often called the highway to the sky for its quick elevation gain. Keep an eye out for elk, moose, bighorn sheep, black bears, and marmots along the way.

Accommodation options

The 200-room Limelight Hotel (formerly Kimpton Born) offers a modern chalet vibe. Its prime location next to Union Station, Denver’s historic 1914 Beaux Arts train station now transformed into a hub of trendy restaurants, bars, and shops, makes it an ideal choice.

Redwoods National & State Parks, California

This collection of parks, including Humboldt Redwoods State Park, in northern California features the tallest remaining stands of ancient coastal redwoods, reaching heights of 350 feet. Explore the Founders Grove, where you can see the fallen Dyerville Giant (17 feet in diameter), and wander through the ferns and towering trees along the 0.7-mile Rockefeller Loop. Both trails are located within Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Don’t forget to visit Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, known for its grazing Roosevelt elk.

Accommodation options

While campgrounds and rentals are plentiful in the area, the Carter House Inns—a collection of charming Victorian homes and cottages—are ideally situated in old town Eureka, close to coffee shops, restaurants, and beaches.

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

The tranquil beauty of Shenandoah, with its rocky peaks, wooded valleys, and cascading waterfalls, received ultimate recognition in John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” making it an excellent national park for families. The Blackroad Summit offers a brief 1.1-mile hike that culminates in breathtaking valley vistas, while Lands Run Falls features a stunning series of cascades flowing into a gorge. Skyline Drive, a picturesque route through the park, transforms into a vibrant display of golds, oranges, and scarlet reds each autumn.

Accommodation options

Just 30 minutes from the park, the quaint college town of Charlottesville presents various hotel and dining choices (alongside Jefferson’s Monticello). Consider staying at the art-filled Draftsman, a member of Marriott’s Autograph Collection.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Famous for its striking crimson-hued hoodoos (irregular rock columns), Bryce Canyon in southern Utah resembles an alien landscape. Several accessible hikes, such as the flat, paved half-mile Rim Trail, along with Mossy Cove and Bristlecone Loop, are perfect for families. For those night owl teens, Bryce is renowned for its dark, starry skies. Be sure to ask about ranger-led astronomy programs or book through Dark Ranger Telescope Tours.

Accommodation options

Experience another glamping adventure by staying at the solar-powered Under Canvas’s Bryce Canyon location, where the sMytouri-style tents are nestled among juniper trees.