Best National Parks For Kids

Vanessa M.:  Explore Mammoth Cave with kids! The longest known cave system in the world is located right here in the USA, as a national park in central Kentucky. Buy tickets for guided walking tours at the visitor's center, then go underground and see the Frozen Niagara, a giant flowstone formation, or experience Fat Man's Misery, a portion of the cave one must stoop and squeeze to get through. Note that reservations are recommended and because of some narrow passageways, there are stroller and baby carrier restrictions.

Kristy Pepping:  The Indiana Dunes is a registered national park just a short drive away from Chicago, offering a perfect weekend getaway for Chicago families or bonus add-on destination for families visiting the Windy City. Located along the southern tip of Lake Michigan in northwest Indiana, the Indiana Dunes attracts millions of visitors each year. While best known for its world class beaches, the Indiana Dunes offers so much more, including outdoor activities such as paddling, hiking, horseback riding, birding, biking and geo-caching.

Tracy Snyder Molina:  Bring the family to Everglades National Park in Southern Florida, a short drive from Miami. This unique landscape is home to countless species of wildlife including manatees, alligators, crocodiles and birds. You'll find all-level trails for hiking, biking and kayaking, too. The best things to do in Everglades with kids include taking a guided tram or boat tour through the wilderness, getting your feet wet while slough slogging in the marsh, and taking part in a Junior Ranger program to meet and greet local species. Nearby attractions, too, offer adventurous airboat tours through the swamp landscape.

Shila:  The blue sky against bright white gypsum sand dunes is a beautiful sight to see, whether you have time to linger for hours or just a quick pitstop. The park offers wide open space for family-friendly play and picnics, and you can even rent sleds at the visitor center!