NATIONAL PARKS WITH KIDSby Paris Permenter and John BigleyExcerpted from NATIONAL PARKS WITH KIDS (Open Road Publishing)
In all there are over 375 sites in the national park system. Of these, 54 are considered "national parks," the real biggies in the system. Think of all the favorites you grew up dreaming about as a family vacation--Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Great Smoky Mountains--these are the designated national parks. But there are plenty of other jewels in the national park system, places that are also well known (or not so well known) and offer great family getaways. Here's a look at the different types of parks in the system and what you might expect to find:
Before Your VisitPlanning your trip is a big part of the fun. After you decide on a park, contact the Department of the Interior, National Park System, Office of Public Inquiries, PO Box 37127, Room 1013, Washington, DC 20013-7127. The office can answer your specific questions or provide you with park brochures to help you plan your trip. Another good source of information is the National Park Service's internet site, ParksNet. Check out http://www.nps.gov for a wealth of information, maps, and activities at all the parks in the system. Admission CostsThe cost for admission at the national park sites varies by the popularity of the park. Many are free; most range from free to $4-$10 per car. The two most expensive parks are Yellowstone and Yosemite, each charging $20 per vehicle. Golden Age� PassportsIf you are 62 years or older you can obtain a lifetime entrance pass for the national parks. The Golden Age� Passport is available for a one-time fee of $10; this entitles you to entrance (along with your passengers) in parks under the National Park Service. How do you get a Golden Age Passport? It has to be obtained in person and can be purchased at any of the parks. You'll need to show proof of age and also you must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. The passport also gives you a 50% discount on federal use fees--camping, tours, boat launching, etc. Golden Eagle PassportIf you will be visiting several parks on an extended vacation or if you're a frequent visitor to the national park system sites, consider buying a Golden Eagle Passport. For $50, this passport gives you one year access into national parks, monuments, historic sites, recreation areas and national wildlife refuges. You can buy a Golden Eagle Passport at any of the park sites or through the mail by writing: National Park Service1100 Ohio Drive, SW What does the passport cover? Admission fees for yourself and your passengers are covered (and if the park charges per person instead of per vehicle it provides admission for yourself, spouse, children and parents.) The passport doesn't provide for reduced fees for camping, tours, and other services. Golden Access PassportBlind or permanently disabled travelers qualify for free lifetime entrance at the national parks through the Golden Access Passport. You must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. To obtain a passport, apply at one of the parks with proof of disability and eligibility for obtaining federal benefits. The passport is good for you and your passengers and also provides a 50% discount for camping, tours, etc. Central reservation serviceA central reservation service handles campground and tour reservations at several of the most popular parks. You can call up to a year in advance of your visit and reserve your family a spot at a campground or a place on a tour. The following numbers, each operated by Biospherics Inc. of Beltsville, Maryland, take reservations: 800/436-park Yellowstone National Park 800/365-camp Acadia National Park, Assateague Island National Seashore, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Channel Islands National Park, Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Death Valley national park, Everglades National Park, Glacier National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Greenbelt Park, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Joshua Tree National Park, Katmai national Park, Mount Rainier National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park 800/967-cave Carlsbad Caverns national Park, Mammoth Cave National Park, Frederick Douglass National Historic Site When to visitAt almost every park in this book, you'll soon see that the busiest season is summer. From late May through August, visitation numbers soar at almost every park. There's good reason for those booming numbers. Not only do the summer months coincide with most families' vacation times, but these months also represent the best time in terms of weather at many of the parks. Many mountain and northerly parks close certain sections during the winter months so for full access the only time to visit is during the warm weather. However, spring and summer months are great times to visit many parks. While San Antonio may bask under 100 degree temperatures many August days, spring and summer visitors to the Missions park will usually have beautiful days for sightseeing, without worrying about climbing in and out of a stifling hot car. Even mid-winter days are comfortable at many of the southern and western parks. And winter can be a unique time to visit even cold weather parks. Yellowstone takes on a completely different atmosphere during the winter months, when wildlife can more easily be spotted, crowds are nil, and activities mean snowmobiling or snow shoeing. |
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National park. Just the words bring to mind family vacations--loading up the car and traveling to the natural wonders of the nation. Mugging for the camera at some of the best recognized landmarks in the country. Learning about the men and women who shaped the US. For almost a century, travelers have set their sights on these parks.