There are hundreds of state and national parks in the United States, all of which can be beautiful settings for a fall family adventure. Every state has at least two national parks and the US territories have historic sites. The major parks like Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Tennessee, the Grand Canyon in Arizona, and Yellowstone in Wyoming have more than 100 million visitors during the summer months, but are relatively quiet during the fall. It's also often an excellent time for wildlife watching. Families should plan ahead to learn what the various parks have to offer. If you're planning a national park visit at the last minute, check out these suggestions: How to Plan a National Park Vacation at the Last Minute.
Eileen Ogintz, author of the award-winning syndicated column "Taking the Kids", offers a number of suggestions in these columns: National Park Memories, Standout National Park Moments, and Planning a Trip to a National Park.
Park rangers can be a big help in making suggestions for the more kid-friendly areas in the parks. Think about what your family is interested in doing; there are activities for every level of ability. Visit Your National Parks website helps you choose parks by several different categories such as locations, themes and state maps. Usually one park is highlighted and reviewed on the home page.
For more information check out the government's informative website: National Park Guide.
