Are you searching for a way to create unforgettable bonds with your grandkids? Exploring the best national parks for grandparents and grandkids during a multigenerational vacation is one of the best ways to create lasting memories. There are quite a few family-friendly national parks. Many of those parks are packed with kid approved activities. You can hike along easy trails. Spot wildlife. Or enjoy a relaxing picnic while sharing stories. Today, I am sharing some of the best national parks for kids with you. So, get ready to discover stunning destinations that bring generations together to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Best National Parks for Grandparents and Grandkids: Family Friendly Outdoor Adventures

Yellowstone National Park – An Amazing National Park for Grandparents and Grandkids

Yellowstone is one of the best national parks for grandparents and grandkids. This captivating national park offers real-life science lessons at every turn. And yet, your grandkids won’t realize they are learning something during your multigenerational vacation.

You can’t visit Yellowstone National Park and not take the time to watch Old Faithful erupt. There is no steep hiking required to reach this geyser. So, check out the eruption times for the day of your visit. Then watch the magic happen right in front of your eyes!

The grandkids will love participating in the Junior Ranger Program at Yellowstone. Help them complete the activities, so they can earn a badge.

Of course, you can’t skip past some of the other must-see destinations within this family-friendly national park. I recommend taking the time to check out the Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone Lake, and Mammoth Hot Springs.

Check out the best things to see in Yellowstone National Park for your next multigenerational vacation. 

Acadia National Park

If you are looking for the best national park for kids on the east coast, I recommend Acadia National Park. This beautiful park offers mountain views combined with gorgeous views of the nearby ocean.

Wander around the carriage roads within this national park for grandparents and grandkids. No cars are allowed on these roads. So, they are perfect for walking and biking. Jordan Pond Path is another scenic trail that is perfect for little, and older, feet.

Kids of all ages will love searching for sea creatures while tide pooling at Bar Harbor. You can watch your grandkids having fun with the sea creatures, as you drink your coffee. Or you can get into the water with them to create even more memories.

If your grandkids are early risers, watch the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain. It’s an amazing way to start your day.

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park is at the top of almost everyone’s list of destinations to visit. You may be tempted to skip this national park for this reason. However, as one of the best family friendly national parks in the world, you will regret that decision.

The South Rim is your best option for a multigenerational vacation. Everyone will love walking along the mostly flat and paved Rim Trail.

During a ride along Desert View Drive, you can stop at historical sites and scenic overlooks. And the kids will love riding the old-fashioned train from Williams to the canyon on the Grand Canyon Railway.

The Junior Ranger Program at the Grand Canyon is quite interactive. The kids will spend hours completing the activities to earn their badge.

When the kids want to purchase souvenirs to take home, venture over to Hopi House or Lookout Studio. They offer the best souvenirs.

And if you stay at the Grand Canyon until later in the evening, head to Mather Point. The sunsets there are incredible.

Great Smoky Mountains – One of the Best National Parks for Grandparents and Grandkids

When you are searching for the best national parks for grandparents and grandkids, the Great Smoky Mountains should be near the top of your list. After all, this is one of the most visited national parks in the US. Which isn’t surprising since it is full of waterfalls, wildlife, and wildflowers.

A walk along the paved trail to the Clingmans Dome Observation Tower will lead to amazing views of the park. There are benches at the top. So, you will have places to sit after this slight uphill trek.

The kids will love stepping back in time while visiting the Mountain Farm Museum. And you will all love seeing how people lived and worked back in the 1800s.

Plenty of deer and black bears are visible when you drive along Cades Cove Loop Road.

Other must-see spots within this family-friendly national park include Laurel Falls Trail and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.

Check out these other multigenerational vacation ideas. 

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park – An Excellent National Park for Grandparents and Grandkids

Sometimes you need to fly a little further during your multigenerational vacation to see an incredible national park. Over on the Big Island of Hawaii, you will find lots to see throughout Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This unique park is packed with cultural heritage, lava tubes, and volcanoes.

Start your visit by exploring the lava fields and steam vents along the Crater Rim Drive. Over at Nāhuku, walk through a real lava tube. I recommend taking flashlights with you to experience the best this lava tube has to offer.

Other must-see destinations within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park include the Halema’uma’u Crater Overlook, Jaggar Museum, and the Kilauea Visitor Center.

Everglades National Park

Animal lovers will want to spend hours within this national park for grandparents and grandkids. I recommend taking at least one of the ranger-led programs. These programs will allow you and your grandkids to learn quite a bit more about the Everglades and the wildlife that lives there.

Gators and birds are everywhere in the Everglades. And you can see many of them during the Shark Valley Tram Tour. The Anhinga Trail is another option if you don’t mind walking to see the local wildlife.

I recommend visiting the Eco Pond at dusk. Bring binoculars to see the different wildlife up close.

Shenandoah National Park

One of the best activities for grandparents and grandkids at Shenandoah National Park is driving along Skyline Drive. This ride offers more than one hundred miles of scenic overlooks.

If you, and your grandkids, prefer walking, venture over to the Limberlost Trail. This accessible loop will take you through a lush forest. Plus, there are other birdwatching, and wildflower walks you will enjoy for the peaceful moments they give you.

The hike to Dark Hollow Falls is a little steep. However, it is manageable for many people. And at night, head over to Big Meadows to stargaze or capture a firefly or two.

Check out the best destinations for multigenerational travel for 2025. 

Rocky Mountain National Park

A visit to Rocky Mountain National Park is a breathtaking experience for people of all ages. I recommend starting your journey through this family-friendly national park by visiting the Alpine Visitor Center. It is full of educational exhibits that share what you need to know about different areas of this park.

If you are searching for something unique to do during your multigenerational vacation in the Rocky Mountains, let me recommend a drive along the Trail Ridge Road. It is one of the highest paved roads in the US. So, it will feel like you are driving on top of the world.

Walking along Bear Lake Loop will allow you to take numerous Instagram-worthy pictures. This loop is flat and only a mile long. Therefore, even your youngest grandchild should be able to walk it without a problem.

Other must-see destinations within this national park include Sprague Lake and Moraine Park.

Exploring national parks with your grandkids is more than just a vacation. It’s an opportunity to create stories that span generations. These national parks for grandparents and grandkids offer the perfect mix of scenic beauty, kid-friendly adventures, and accessible fun for everyone. Each national park will invite you to slow down, reconnect, and experience the magic of the outdoors.

So, are you ready to start planning your next multigenerational vacation to one of these national parks?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a personalized planning session with me. Clicking this link will take you directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

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