When planning your nextbrfamily vacation, instead of searching for swimming pools and rollercoasters to entertainbryour troop, think road trips and camping, hiking and picnicking. Visiting onebror two of America's 400-plus national parks can give your family a much-neededbrrespite from run-of-the-mill summer destinations.
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
One of the largest national parksbrin Alaska, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve occupies a vast area—3.3brmillion acres to be exact—of southeast Alaska's Inside Passage. The nationalbrpark is located 65 miles northwest of Juneau in the small town of Gustavus. Sincebrthe town is only accessible by plane or boat, you can catch a flight, take thebrferry or charter a boat to reach the park.
Home to the parkbrheadquarters, the visitor center, a lodge and restaurant, and a campground,brBartlett Cove is 10 miles from Gustavus. The cove, which lies within GlacierbrBay Park, is the starting point for forest and riverside trails. On land,brGlacier Bay boasts a large bear population, both brown and black. But it's notbrthe bears to watch out for. Although moose are captivating creatures to observe,brit's best to keep a safe distance from this massive land-lover as well.
While hiking and offshorebrsightseeing is limited to the Bartlett Cove area, this is only the tip of thebriceberg when it comes to what you can see and do. Marine waters make up almostbrone-fifth of the park, which is home to the endangered humpback whale, orcas,brthreatened Stellar sea lions and sea otters. Most of the park's activities arebrwater-centered. Kayaking, river rafting, fishing, whale watching and glacier viewingbrare all popular.
Tourist season runs frombrlate May through early September, peaking in July. Although open the rest ofbrthe year, the park's visitor services are extremely limited—meaning you are onbryour own. If you love a rainy day, you're in luck; the park's forecastbrgenerally calls for an abundance of the wet stuff. Waterproof boots, rain gear,brgloves and a warm coat may mean heavier luggage, but after spending a day or sobrin 50 to 60 degree “summer” temperatures, your body will thank you—and so willbryour dry feet. NPS.gov/glba
Saguaro National Park
Although considered onebrpark, Saguaro National Park in Arizona is actually split into two districts,breach on either side of the city of Tucson, in the middle of the Sonoran desert.brHome to the world's largest cacti—the giant saguaro—Tucson sits between the twobrdistricts of Saguaro National Park, the Tucson Mountain District on the westbrand the Rincon Mountain District on the east. Thirty miles separates the twobrparts, and while each side may have cacti in common, when you set out tobrexplore each district you'll discover just how unique they are.
On the west, the TucsonbrMountain District features large stands of saguaro cactus, creating a forest ofbrthe enormous cacti. While in this district, you'll want to visit the SignalbrHill Picnic Area to view hundreds of ancient petroglyphs. On the east, the highbraltitudes of the Rincon Mountains make for great hiking and biking trails. Justbrbe sure to stay away from the bears and cougars, which call this area home. Inbrthis district you'll want to take a scenic car or bike ride around the CactusbrForest Loop Drive, which offers breathtaking views of the Rincon Mountains.
The iconic symbol of thebrAmerican southwest—the Saguaro—begins to bloom in late April with the fruitsbrripening in June and July. If you're planning a trip this summer, it's best tobrgo early; August is monsoon season in the Sonoran desert. NPS.gov/sagu
Yosemite National Park
One of the largest andbroldest national parks in the United States, Yosemite National Park coversbrnearly 750,000 acres of land in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California.brOpen 24 hours per day 365 days per year, the park is more than just campgroundsbrand hiking trails. While there are roughly 800 miles of trails, the park isbralso a mecca for rock climbers. Lessons and guided tours for beginner tobradvanced climbers are offered.
Waterfalls are some ofbrYosemite National Park's biggest attractions. Thousands of cascades speckle thebrsides of mountains and granite formations. Of them, Yosemite Falls is one ofbrthe tallest (it features nearly a half-mile drop) in North America and ranks asbrfifth highest in the world.
As national parks go,brYosemite is an experience. You can certainly rough it at one of 13 campgroundsbror stay at a AAA four-diamond hotel. The Majestic Yosemite Hotel not onlybroffers luxury accommodations, but fine dining as well. If you prefer picnickingbrto cheese plates and wine lists, you can choose from a variety of diningbroptions throughout the park, which are open from sunup to sundown. NPS.gov/yose