The carful of kids love to visit the national parks of the United States and we are not alone. According to the National Park Service (NPS) over 307 million people visited our national parks in 2015.
With the National Park Service Centennial and Every Kid in a Park campaign, the program that provides fourth-graders a free annual pass, 2016 should surpass those numbers. So what do you need to know to plan your trip to visit one of our national parks.
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| Taking a picture at the entrance sign is a family tradition. |
The Top 10 Visited National Park list is a start. Let the carful of kids help.
We've been to most of the parks on the Top 10 Visited National Parks in the U.S. and they are fabulous. Even during the height of summer national parks don't feel crowded once you're away from the visitors centers and parking lots.
Top 10 Visited National Parks
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina The rolling blue mountains fade into the horizon.
2. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona An American Icon
3. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado Drive along the mountaintop and through the wildflower meadows.
4. Yosemite National Park, California Set in a valley rich in wildlife and waterfalls.
5. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming The quintessential national park experience with Old Faithful Geyser and valleys full of bisons.
6. Zion National Park in Utah A hiker's paradise with its signature red rock formations.
7. Olympic National Park, Washington Where the ocean, the mountains and the rainforest collide.
8. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming Postcard landscapes of the rugged mountain peaks reflecting in the lakes at their base.
9. Acadia National Park, Maine A wind swept ocean landscape makes me yearn to be a painter.
10. Glacier National Park, Montana The park for catching a glimpse of the vanishing glaciers.
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| If you plan carefully, you can see several national parks in one vacation. |
The Vacation Budget
National parks are inexpensive, $20 to $30 for a carful to get in for 7-days. If you want to camp, each of Top 10 Parks has developed campsites for less than $30 a day. Throw in the hotdogs and marshmallows and you are looking at one budget-friendly vacation.
If you are visiting more than one park consider an annual pass. I usually travel over July so I get an annual pass every other July since they are good for 13-months.
NPS Annual Passes
Type of Pass
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Eligibility
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Cost
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America the Beautiful Pass
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All visitors
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$80
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Military Pass
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Current U.S.
military members and their dependents
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Free
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Senior Lifetime Pass
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U.S. citizens and permanent residents 62 years and older
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$10
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Access Pass
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U.S. citizens
and permanent residents with a permanent disability
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Free
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Volunteer Pass
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Visitors volunteering 250 hours a year
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Free
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If you have a fourth-grader did you know about the Every Kid in a Park Program that President Obama rolled out this year. Your 10-year-old can go online, do some activities and get a voucher for a free annual pass.
If you don't have a fourth-grader, check out these fee-free days for 2016.
16 Fee-Free Days for 2016
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday
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January 18, 2016
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Presidents’ Day Weekend
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February 13 – 15, 2016
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National Park Week
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April 16 – 24, 2016
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National Park Service Birthday
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August 25 – 28, 2016
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National Public Lands Day
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September 24, 2016
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Veterans Day
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November 11, 2016
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Know before you go:
- National Parks are popular destinations during school breaks and holidays--make reservations as early as possible. Reservations for lodging are available 13 months in advance.
- Parking can be an issue at popular destinations during the middle of the day.
- Watch your children at all times, many features have barricades kids can climb over.
- Bring food and refillable water bottles for your visit. Food service can be limited.
- Keep wild animals wild. Don't feed them for your safety and theirs.
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