Many of us are lucky enough to live in or close to some of the most beautiful places in the United States—country so spectacular that it inspired the song "America the Beautiful." Isn't it time we load up our children and visit some of the national parks and other sights that draw visitors from across the country and around the world?

Here Are Some Family Ideas To Get You Started:

  • Plan your trip. Travel, for kids and adults takes some planning. How long will it take to get to your destination? What route will you choose? Are there other fun family activities you want to do and places you want to visit along the way?
  • Decide how much time to spend.  Do you need reservations for lodging? While it may be easy to find accommodations in and around some of our less visited national treasures, trips to the better known attractions require more forethought.
  • Time your visit carefully. What do you want to get out of your trip? For example, if you want to see the aspen turn colors or the elks annual mating rituals, then you want to visit Yellowstone National Park in the fall. On the other hand, if you don't like crowds, that may not be the time for you.
  • Read about your destination. The best way to decide when you want to go and where you want to stay is by reading about a destination and its surrounding community. A great place to start is a bookstore. Also stop in at the library or your local visitor's or convention center for materials. Your auto club can find information, too.
  • Surf the Web. The Internet has a vast variety of resources that can help you plan your trip. If you wish to visit a national park, monument, or historic site, make your first stop on the information highway the National Park Service's site. You can also find and reserve accommodations within in the park through the NPS site.
  • Stop at the Visitors Center first. There you will find information about the park, attractions, facilities, activities, scenic drives, historic tours, nature trails, Junior Ranger programs, and current events. You can also find lots of reading materials about the park's history and geology, as well as animal and plant inhabitants.
  • Talk to the rangers about your special interests. Park rangers can help you make the most of the time you have allotted for the park.
  • Participate in special programs or tours. These are designed to expand your knowledge of the park, its history, geology, and inhabitants.
  • Check the Junior Ranger Program. Most national parks, historic sites, and monuments participate in this special learning opportunity for youngsters. By actively touring the park, doing learning activities, and attending special lectures and living history programs, kids can earn a Junior Ranger badge for each park they visit.
  • Dress for success. The right clothing is essential when visiting national parks. Make sure you and your family wear good walking shoes or hiking boots. Take water with you and be prepared for weather changes.
  • Safety first. National parks are located in the wilderness. Keep your kids with you at all times.
  • Respect animal life. A number of visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park and other sites have been injured or killed by mountain lions, moose, and other animals. Keep all food in airtight containers, maintain a safe distance, and teach your children not to run from mountain lions. Never approach or feed animals, even small ones.
  • Respect nature. Seek shelter in thunderstorms. Lightening has struck and killed many park visitors hiking about the tree line in mountain parks.


 

Lynn Dean is a Colorado writer and the mother of three children. She and her family have visited national, state, and local parks all across the United States. This article was excerpted and adapted from her book, "The Family Fun Guide: Northern Colorado Edition," published by Poudre Canyon Press,1999.