In 2009, we took the kids on a road trip from San Francisco to Utah and Arizona and back to LA via San Diego. The kids were 10, 8 and 6 and visiting the National Parks was one of the highlights. I was so impressed with their Junior Ranger program, which allowed the kids to learn more about the places we were visiting. We visited in the off-season, so in some of the parks, the activities were self-directed, but the ranger-led programs were still running at Yosemite and Bryce Canyon. So, to celebrate the National Park Service (which I read has had a lot of employees sacked), here’s a list of where we went:
- San Francisco Maritime. This was where we found out about the Junior Ranger program.
2. Yosemite: We had such a good time at Yosemite. It is so beautiful, and there is so much to do.
3. Death Valley It was hot. I think 40C+ from memory. In the photos the kids all have bright red faces from running around in the heat. We stayed overnight and got up early to go to Badwater Basin before driving to Las Vegas.
4. Zion. We did some nice hikes here. The kids love hiking where they can climb on rocks and rock hop across creeks.
5. Bryce Canyon. This place is otherworldly. We hiked the Navajo Loop Trail. I do not like heights, and the kids had a great time driving me nuts by hanging out over the steep slope. G was useless because he couldn’t handle the altitude, so I was left wrangling three kids who suddenly had an abundance of energy. We went to a Ranger walk/talk. I learnt a lot so did the kids. Afterwards, they ran around sniffing the butterscotch-smelling pine trees they’d learnt about in the talk.
6. Grand Canyon.
On our way between Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon we also visited Monument Valley which was stunning (but not a NP).
Have you visited these parks? If you visit National Parks do you take advantage of the Ranger activities and information?
Comments
15 responses to “List #19: US National Parks (AND Historical Parks) we Visited”
This looks like so much fun. What a great way to keep kids engaged while exploring.
I’ve never been to a single US National Park so have nothing to add to the story. My husband did get to helicopter in to the Grand Canyon once, so he’s been and that looked like a cool experience (FOR HIM!), but I would love to tour some of the parks in retirement.
I can just imagine you and John off on a road trip in retirement.
Such beautiful pictures! I am so glad that you shared them. It looks like an amazing trip.
I’ve been to Yosemite a few times, it’s stunning. I haven’t been to Bryce or Zion, but I’ve been to Arches, which is beautiful too. The Grand Canyon! I haven’t been there yet either. I’ve been to Muir Woods, Point Reyes, and the Golden Gate rec area. The National Parks of the US are such an amazing gift to our country and its visitors. I worry about what this current administration has planned, that they are considering mining or lumber operations. It’s so horrible.
Let’s hope that the parks are preserved for future generations. I wanted to go to Muir Woods when we were in SF but couldn’t fit it in.
What great photos. I love seeing your kids enjoy the parks. Yes! We did the ranger programs at every park we visited. I have a whole drawer full of those badges. The only park we have in common with your visit is the Grand Canyon. I’ve never been to California, but I would love to go. We’ve taken our kids to Yellowstone (I went there as a high school kid too), Estes Park, Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, Glacier, and I know there are a few smaller ones, but those are the biggies. Our kids always enjoyed doing the ranger activities and listening to the talks. They learned a lot, and it held their interest.
I no longer have a box of the badges because I handed all the kids stuff to them. I feel like the activities are pitched just right to entertain and educate. I also learnt a lot at the parks. Someday I would like to come back and see Glacier and Yellowstone, but I’ll have to see.
I sadly have not been to any of these parks! But I plan to go someday when the boys are older. I’m especially interested in the parks in Utah. Those pictures are just unreal! They’re also a lot of parks in California that I’d like to visit I would much rather do trips like that then take the kids to Disney!
We did go to Disneyland at the end of this trip. After Grand Canyon we went to San Diego, Legoland, Disneyland and LA. I did enjoy Disneyland, but I love the outdoors. Utah is pretty spectacular.
I think we can all agree that the Grand Canyon is overrated, right? It’s just a big hole? It’s super crowded? I have rarely been so disappointed in a national park. I loved Zion so much. And the Petrified National Forest (not a national park, I guess) has always been my favorite. I think I’m going to put “go to a national park” on my 2025 to do list.
It’s a spectacular hole, but compared to the other parks we visited there wasn’t as much to do. From memory I think we arrived around lunchtime and left just after sunrise the next day and did what we wanted to. Where will you pick to go? Do you have NP near you?
I had much the same reaction as Engie to the Grand Canyon, though maybe I was a little more impressed by the sheer size of the Huge Hole.
We’ve been to Yosemite, but my big memory of the was getting altitude sickness.
I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve been to either Bryce or Zion, but I can’t really remember which.
Of the parks West of the Mississippi, I’ve also been to Arches and Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain NP. Probably a few more but I can’t remember off the top of my head.
The National Parks here on the East Coast are not as impressive as out West – I think in terms of sheer size, they just don’t measure up. But I do love them nonetheless. I find they are a little easier to navigate since they are so much smaller. On the East Coast, I’ve been to Smoky Mountain NP, Acadia, Assateague, Shenandoah (we go quite often), and Great Falls (which I hardly think as a NP because it’s basically in the suburbs of DC, but it is a favorite place of mine for a local ramble.)
I’m really worried for the state of National Parks what with all the cuts and firings going on. I was really hoping to go camping at Shenandoah this summer, and I’ll have to see if I’ll still be able to make a reservation once I figure out the dates.
I saved your post in Google Keep to one day go back to it and possibly replicate.
In the US, all four graders get a free NP family pass for the year that they are in 4th grade.
I have two, so L will be in 4th grade in…2028, and my son will be in 4th grade in 2030. Hoping to do two trips out west with them in those years 🙂
The roadtrip was so good and highly recommended.
Wow, you’ve seen quite a few awesome parks here in the US. I’ve been to all of the ones you mentioned and we had my niece and nephew with us, so yes, we took advantage of the amazing Junior Ranger activities. I am so worried they’ll go away now that Tr*mp cuts all the employees at the parks 🙁
I hope the programs stay in place, but they need staff, that will probably be too busy doing basic maintenance.