The 8 best national parks for family travel

Yellowstone National Park, which straddles Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, is one of the best national parks for kids of all ages. That’s because it offers so much more than hiking, including the infamous Old Faithful, a geyser that explodes about every 75 minutes. Other family-friendly attractions include swimming in the Firehole Canyon Swimming Area and the eye-popping colors of the Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone’s largest hot spring.

Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado has fun for the whole family. This giant sandbox is perfect for curious toddlers who touch everything. If you’re traveling with older kids, try renting sandboards and sleds to ride down the sand dunes—some of North America’s tallest. The fun continues when the sun goes down. The park’s elevation, dry air, and distance from city lights make it a certified International Dark Sky Park. For families with accessibility needs, the park has a number of reservable sand-friendly wheelchairs to ease navigation through the sand.

Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is one of the seven wonders of the world and one of the best national parks to visit for families. Head for the South Rim with older children (5+) to hike the 1.8 mile (2.9 km) South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point lookout, which takes about an hour round-trip. If you have smaller children, try visiting the Skywalk at the West Rim, which is also usually less crowded. There are plenty of other attractions at the Grand Canyon as well, including Native American dance performances, helicopter tours, and mule rides to the basin.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its morning fog and incredible mountain range, which peaks at Clingmans dome. Accessibility-friendly trails, waterfalls, and changing leaves during late summer/early autumn all contribute to the draw of this most-visited US national park.

Zion’s towering sandstone cliffs surround a 2,000-foot (609.6-meter) deep canyon. Hiking, canyoneering, and wildlife watching are just some of Zion’s many family attractions. Lucky hikers may glimpse the California Condor, the largest flying land bird in North America.

Easy hikes, boulders to climb, and groves of the distinct Joshua Tree make this Southern Californian national park an easy win for parents with toddlers. Surround yourself with six different mountain ranges, stargaze, and stay alert for wildlife like snakes and tarantulas.

The system of paths that wind through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park are easy for families with strollers. Attractions include historical buildings, scenic waterfalls, and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

Badlands National Park in South Dakota is home to astounding rock formations, easy hikes, diverse wildlife, and smaller crowds than other national parks.