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Guide · 30 parks

Best National Parks for Families

Short trails, big payoffs and easy logistics. These parks work especially well with kids.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes

Hawaii · Best Jan–May, Sep–Nov

See Kīlauea's summit caldera (and the glow, if erupting)

Carlsbad Caverns

New Mexico · Best May–Oct

Walk down through the Natural Entrance

Gateway Arch

Missouri · Best Mar–May, Sep–Nov

Ride the tram to the top

Mammoth Cave

Kentucky · Best Mar–May, Oct–Nov

Take the Historic Tour

Redwood

California · Best May–Oct

Walk Lady Bird Johnson Grove

Hot Springs

Arkansas · Best Mar–May, Oct–Nov

Take a traditional bath at the Buckstaff Bathhouse

Bryce Canyon

Utah · Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct

Hike the Navajo Loop and Queens Garden

New River Gorge

West Virginia · Best May–Oct

Raft the New River (or the Gauley in fall)

Great Smoky Mountains

Tennessee & North Carolina · Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct

Drive the Cades Cove Loop for wildlife

Zion

Utah · Best Apr, Oct–Nov

Hike the Narrows up the Virgin River

Yosemite

California · Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct

Hike the Mist Trail to Vernal Fall

Capitol Reef

Utah · Best Apr–May, Sep–Oct

Pick fruit in the Fruita orchards (in season)

White Sands

New Mexico · Best Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov

Sled down the dunes (sleds sold at the visitor center)

Saguaro

Arizona · Best Nov–Apr

Drive the Cactus Forest Loop (east district)

Mesa Verde

Colorado · Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct

Take the ranger-guided Cliff Palace tour

Badlands

South Dakota · Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct

Drive the Badlands Loop Road

Congaree

South Carolina · Best Mar–May, Oct–Nov

Walk the 2.6-mile Boardwalk Loop

Shenandoah

Virginia · Best May–Jun, Oct

Drive Skyline Drive end to end

Joshua Tree

California · Best Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov

Scramble around Hidden Valley

Sequoia

California · Best Jul–Sep

See the General Sherman Tree

Grand Canyon

Arizona · Best Apr–May, Oct

Walk the Rim Trail from Mather Point to Yavapai Point

Yellowstone

Wyoming & Montana & Idaho · Best Jun, Sep

Watch Old Faithful erupt

Olympic

Washington · Best Jul–Sep

Walk the Hall of Mosses in the Hoh Rain Forest

Acadia

Maine · Best Jun, Sep–Oct

Watch sunrise from Cadillac Mountain

Arches

Utah · Best Apr–May, Oct

Hike to Delicate Arch at sunset

Everglades

Florida · Best Dec–Mar

See alligators on the Anhinga Trail

When to go

ParkJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
Carlsbad Caverns
Gateway Arch
Mammoth Cave
Redwood
Hot Springs
Bryce Canyon
New River Gorge
Great Smoky Mountains
Zion
Yosemite
Capitol Reef
White Sands
Saguaro
Mesa Verde
Badlands
Cuyahoga Valley
Congaree
Shenandoah
Joshua Tree
Sequoia
Grand Canyon
Yellowstone
Great Sand Dunes
Olympic
Petrified Forest
Acadia
Indiana Dunes
Arches
Everglades

More guides

Warm National Parks to Visit in WinterBest National Parks for Fall ColorLeast Crowded National ParksBest National Parks for WildlifeBest National Parks for StargazingNational Parks with BeachesNational Parks with CavesNational Parks with VolcanoesBest National Parks for HikingThe Most Remote National ParksNational Parks with the Best Scenic DrivesNational Parks to Visit in the SnowSummer National Parks Without the Crowds

Last reviewed October 4, 2026. Ratings are editorial. Rules and road openings change each year, so confirm on the official NPS site before you go.