Family Camping - One of Life’s Rich Joys

There are few things in life quite as satisfying as family camping with happy kids. It gets increasingly difficult to persuade kids of the joys of camping in the face of competition from smartphones, iPads, XBox and laptops. Part of the secret is going to places that are so spectacular that the wow factor is built in.

In the US we are blessed with many of the World’s best national parks. Most run programs or provide features or facilities that are just for kids. Most have hiking trails that will make your jaw drop at practically every turn but, most importantly, these trails are graded for family and children.

Making your choice of destination is still not easy. Luckily those nice people over at Camping.com have put together a list of the top 10 Kid Friendly National Parks. We included the first 5 of that top 10 here (and we have added some great photographs). To see the full list read the article below and click the link at the end.

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Camping with Kids | Top 10 Kid Friendly National Parks

The protected lands of the National Parks are some of the most amazing destinations within the United States to view some spectacular pieces of nature. Many of these parks have fun family-friendly activities, making them great destinations for holidays and summer break. Not only are there some amazing sights, but they are also a great learning opportunity to see nature and much more. Here are some of the best national parks for kids.

01 Cape Hatteras National Seashore, NC

Located on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore is an amazing destination for recreating, relaxing and much more. The seashore has many beautiful beaches for the whole family to explore and enjoy. Visitors can spend vacation time searching for shells, birding, kayaking, hiking and more. The Outer Banks are also an excellent spot to go windsurfing, especially on Hatteras Island. In addition Cape Hatteras National Seashore also has three historic lighthouses and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is open for visitors.

02 Glacier National Park, MT

Glacier National Park was the tenth national park created in the nation. The park offers visitors the opportunity to explore the amazing wilderness of Montana, through biking, hiking, camping, backpacking, boating and more. The best time of year to visit is the early summer, the region is snowy in the winter and hot in the summer. Children will love all of the open areas to explore, and can enjoy learning about wildlife, glaciers and much more.

03 Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

 

One of the most amazing natural wonders, the Grand Canyon is a true must-see destination. The enormous canyon at its widest is 18 miles wide and at its deepest is a mile deep. During the summer months both the South and North Rim are open. The South Rim is busier, but the lodges and other sights along this side are worth the time to explore. The North Rim is much more rural, and offers some great backcountry options. The Desert View Drive is a great car tour option, the 26 miles of road travel between the Grand Canyon Village and the parks east entrance. The whole family can enjoy hiking, Mule trips, scenic drives, and for those that planned well in advance rafting trips on the Colorado River through the inspiring vistas of the Grand Canyon.

04 Grand Teton National Park, WY

Located in the stunning Teton Range, Grand Teton National Park is an amazing location to enjoy the pristine landscape and wildlife of Wyoming. The park is open year round and offers a wide range of recreational activities for the whole family as well as summer classes for children, and Junior Ranger programs. At Grand Teton National Park visitors can hike, bike, camp, fish, boat, raft down the Snake River, take a guided horseback ride and much more. During the winter visitors can enjoy skiing and snowshoeing. In addition for the most adventurous visitors, Grand Teton National Park has amazing backcountry camping and rock climbing.

05 Mesa Verde National Park, CO

Mesa Verde National Park is a great spot enjoy some of Colorado’s amazing archeological sites. This park celebrates the history of the Pueblo people in the southwestern United States. Visitors will find over 4000 archeological sites at Mesa Verde, including the 600 cliff dwellings. Some of the best cliff dwellings, including Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Long House, require the purchase of tickets for guided tours. These cliff dwellings and Pueblos present a great opportunity for the whole family to learn about the history of the region. In addition there are many Junior Ranger programs and guided tours and much more. Adults and children can enjoy hikes, which culminate in cliff dwelling overlooks.

OK, that’s the first 5 - to read the rest you need to get over to camping.com now.

Photographs: Pixabay.com