Top US National Parks for Families

U.S. National Parks are made for all to explore, but which ones take the top spot for families? As part of its 2021 Family-Friendly Travel Guide, Go Koala considered items like the number of kid-friendly attractions available, acres per visitor, average annual temperature and precipitation. Did your family favorite make the list?

Located on St. John, the Virgin Islands National Park is made up of over 15,000 acres of lush forest, pristine beaches and beautiful reefs. The average annual temperature hovers around 79.2 degrees and offers a peaceful tropical escape.

You may think you're in a Star Wars film upon entering Redwood National Park. Standing amongst these giant trees is truly unbelievable, and there's plenty of hiking trails to keep kids entertained.

One of the U.S.'s most underrated national parks, Big Bend is made up of the Chisos Mountains and is located in the Chihuahuan Desert. But that doesn't mean you won't see wildlife - the park is home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna.

Complete with your choice of two campgrounds located within the park, Badlands National Park provides ample attractions suited for families. Find fossils of saber-tooth tigers or watch as buffalo roam nearby.

Known for having a high number of annual visitors, one look at the beautiful geological vistas of Arches National Park and it's easy to see why this is one of the best U.S. destinations for outdoor sites and attractions. Spend time hiking or get your blood pumping by mountain biking, rafting or off-roading.

Known for having the highest point in Texas, the Guadalupe Mountains National Park is not known for being very crowded. There is very little rainfall here - only 7.7 inches annually - and with an average temperature of 64.7 degrees, it offers ideal hiking conditions.

With plenty of wildlife and acres to explore, the Everglades in South Florida give visitors a truly unique experience. Take to the water in a kayak, canoe or even an airboat, but be careful of encountering one of the reptilian residents of the area.

Offering a different experience, Carlsbad Caverns is known for its subterranean exploration with more than 100 caves to discover. Bird watchers will enjoy Rattlesnake Springs above ground, which is the home of dozens of birds.

Much like the Grand Canyon, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison has been carved out over millions of years by a river - the Gunnison River in this case. The deep canyon rock is highlighted by striated rocks creating the beautiful Painted Wall.

A fan-favorite in the area, Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the most visited parks in the U.S. Littered with hundreds of unique 'hoodoos' or spire-shaped rocks, the distinct rock formations become even more vibrant at sunrise and sunset.

Showcasing the spectacular beauty of southern Alaska, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is made up of mountains, streams and lakes. Watch as salmon make their annual trek to spawn in Lake Clark via the Newhalen River - just be aware of other visitors to the area like bears.