Best National Parks for Families

Last updated on 09/03/2024

For many families, adventure and the outdoors are important factors to consider when planning for the perfect vacation. National parks are a firm favorite for families, with their endless opportunities for exploration. National parks have something for everyone, whether enjoying a relaxing picnic with a view or touring the many trails to encounter wildlife.

In this study, InsureMyTrip looked at different qualities of each national park, including the number of campsites, costs of visiting and safety across the 61 parks across the United States.

Top 10 Best National Parks for Families

The list widely varies, with many different terrains and environments to be explored with your family. There is a close knit of states in the east, with the Carolinas, Missouri, and Kentucky, with their great temperatures over summer months and glorious natural beauty.

Below are the top 10 national parks for families:

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan – 7.69 overall
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee – 7.52 overall
National Park of American Samoa, American Samoa – 7.49 overall
Congaree National Park, South Carolina – 7.49 overall
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky – 7.25 overall
Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri – 7.21 overall
Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida – 7.13 overall
Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota – 7.12 overall
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico – 7.12 overall
Channel Islands National Park, California – 7.01 overall

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

In the top spot is Isle Royale National Park, Michigan, with an overall score 7.69. The national park is located on an island just off the coast of Minnesota and is known for its campsites, with 33 to choose from, along with more outdoorsy activities like fishing, paddling, and hiking. This is also one of the lesser-known national parks, just under 29 thousand visitors in all of 2023, making it the ideal spot for families looking to avoid the crowds. It is also very safe with a score of 9.89 out of 10.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee

Next best national park is the Great Smoky Mountains, found across North Carolina and Tennessee, it is a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains. It invites those who are into extraordinary nature and wildlife inhabitants, with the largest number of different species at more than 21,000. It also has mild temperatures across summer, with an average of 80°F.

National Park of American Samoa, American Samoa

In joint third place, the National Park of American Samoa is a secret oasis, preserving coral reefs, rainforests, and is a wealth of Samoan culture to learn and appreciate. It had around 12,000 visitors in 2023 and is a short distance away from its local airport (14 miles). The climate is also cool enough during summer at an average of 83.6°F, with opportunities to hike and snorkel around the most stunning scenery.

Congaree National Park, South Carolina

Also in third is Congaree National Park in South Carolina. It has a high ranking of safety with a 10 out of 10 score. It is also on the smaller side, spanning 22,000 acres, with much of it being made up of forest. It is historically rich, with many settlers calling it home through the ages and it is a great spot for those looking to hike or fish as part of their trip.

Conclusion

This data shows that all and any type of national park might be the perfect fit for your family, from island excursions to mountainous exploration. They are a perfect opportunity for experiencing the natural beauty the United States offers.

Methodology

Each data point consists of the latest research available from reputable sources. All sources are destination-specific level data points. The data was standardized using minmax normalization. The minmax normalization value is multiplied by 10 to create a score (between 0-10). A score of 10 is always the best result, while a score of 0 is the worst. Each destination is then ranked on their overall rating across all metrics to find which national parks are the best fit for families.