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The summer is the perfect time to go on vacation with your kids, and there are plenty of places in the United States that will provide you and your family with a great experience. They get to be outside and enjoy the sun, surf, and sand at their leisure. Kids across the country are excited about the upcoming months of sunny skies and lots of fun in the sun!
The United States is home to many national parks and monuments that are perfect for a family vacation. There’s so much history in this country, you can’t go wrong with any choice. So whether you’re looking for relaxation or adventure, we’ve rounded up 15 destinations that will keep everyone happy this summer!
1. Acadia National Park, Maine
This park contains over 47,000 acres of some of the most gorgeous landscapes in America. Located on Mount Desert Island off the coast of Maine, this national park features mountains with rock slides, sandy beaches, and many trails through forests to explore.
2. The Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Located in the state of South Dakota is famous for its spectacular “badlands” that are made up of canyons and spires formed by wind and water erosion. If you’re looking for an adventure full of history with animals like bison and coyotes running free, then this is the place for you!
3. Big Bend National Park, Texas
The Big Bend National Park is located in Texas and contains over 801,163 acres of vast desert landscapes that will leave you speechless. The park features hundreds of miles of trails to explore and fantastic views perfect for unforgettable family photos!
One of the main attractions in the area is Big Bend National Park. The park contains over 801,163 acres of desert landscapes that are worth exploring. The park also offers hundreds of miles of trails to explore and amazing views that will make for some unforgettable family photos!
4. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
Located about 45 minutes south of Cleveland, this national park is the perfect escape from everyday city life. Here you’ll find wildflowers covering rolling hills with scenic rivers winding through them. There’s something here for every member of the family; you can even do some fishing on Pooch’ Pool!
5. Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier National Park is known for its glaciers and mountain peaks that tower nearly six miles into the sky. This unique national park is in Montana with wildlife, including skunks, bears, moose, and deer. The views from these mountains will have your jaw-dropping!
Glacier National Park is a beautiful place that offers many different activities to enjoy with their families, such as hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Visitors should try to see many sights in the park, including the 10,000-foot mountains, bighorn sheep, and elk. Visitors can also choose to go on a guided tour of the park by taking an educational hike. If you’re looking for something more adventurous than just hiking, you can also take horseback riding tours or boat rides through the lakes in the park.
6. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
The Colorado River carved out this enormous valley and holds many different layers of colorful sedimentary rocks and fossils dating back millions of years. If you like hiking, there are over 500 miles of trails here for you to explore! It’s a great way to spend time with family; never rush anywhere as there’s plenty to see along the way! If you’re looking for something spectacular to see, take a look at the mighty Colorado River! The canyon is 1 mile deep in some places. B oat tours are available, but to get the whole experience, take a helicopter tour!
7. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, and Tennessee
Once you set foot into this park, you’ll see why it got its name! The misty mountains will provide a fantastic backdrop for your vacation photos. There’s plenty of hiking trails to explore, especially in the summer when everything is lush green. Just make sure not to step on any black bears. There are over 100 wild bears here, so be careful! They like honeydew treats too; pack some with you on your hike or picnic, and they may come to say hello!
8. Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Glacier Bay is an active bay that extends over 1,400 miles into the Alaskan wilderness. The glaciers here are some of the largest in North America; cruise ships even stop by to see them up close! The park spans over 4 million acres with stunning views like waterfalls and massive snow-covered mountains.
9. Olympic National Park, Washington
This beautiful national park contains more than 922,000 acres full of lush forests and wildlife. There are mountain peaks everywhere you look, accented by glacial lakes and rivers running down to the sea. You can explore this for days! If you need a break from exploring nature, head on over to Lake Crescent, where plenty of water activities and breathtaking views. This is also a great place to see the Komohana Cloud Forest!
10. Wrangell – St Elias National Park, Alaska
For an adventure unlike any other, head over to Alaska and visit this park, where you can explore mountains that dwarf almost every mountain range in North America! The tallest peak here is 19,400 feet above sea level; you’ll feel like you’re walking into another world with all the wildlife around you, including bears and moose. Just make sure you avoid moose droppings; they’re enormous! The best way to travel through this area is by boat or tour bus.
11. Sequoia National Park, California
This is where you’ll find the giant trees in the world! You can hike across Giant Forest to see these beauties. If you get tired, there are plenty of other activities for everyone, including boating on Lake Kaweah and fishing at Kern River.
12. Redwood National Park, California
This beautiful park is home to the world’s tallest trees found in the giant redwood groves. The best time to visit these giants is in December/January when they’re covered in snow! The high peaks of Mount Tamalpais provide an excellent backdrop for all your photos here. You can also hike along with Muir Woods or take a boat tour of Humboldt Bay and see some whales and dolphins!
13. Death Valley National Park, California
Death Valley is a great place to enjoy the desert landscape and its plants. Experience dunes that reach heights of 750 feet tall! If you’re feeling brave, take a trip out onto the salt flats called “sailing,” as these patches look like ice from a distance. You can also see beautiful mountains surrounding this valley, including Mount Whitney, which at 14,505 feet high is the highest point in North America outside of Alaska!
14. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
This park has spectacular views that will stop you in your tracks! There are mountain peaks everywhere with plenty of wildlife roaming around, especially moose! The Jenny Lake Trail offers one of the best places to hike and take in the views while hiking through forests, meadows, wildflowers, and lakes.
Conclusion
There are hundreds of National Parks that you can visit throughout the year; this list comprises some of the most beautiful and popular. Remember to always research before planning a trip, as each park has its own rules and regulations; you don’t want to get caught breaking them! Travel safely and have fun exploring nature.