Yellowstone Named Best For Kids

Above, one of Yellowstone 10,000 hydrothermal sites. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before getting into the subject of this blog post, this coming Saturday, all national parks will be waiving entrance fees for all visitors as part of National Park Week.

Now for the topic of this post.

Travel + Leisure posted that The Family Vacation Guide named Yellowstone National Park as the best national park for kids.

They wrote:

America's national parks have long been a favorite for family road trips. So The Family Vacation Guide examined which of the country's 63 national parks is the most kid-friendly, looking at the number of hotels, trails, attractions, and landmarks suitable for young travelers. In its Best National Parks for Kids in the U.S. study, revealed last month, it determined that Yellowstone National Park rises to the top.

Mostly in Wyoming — with sections in Idaho and Montana — the country's first national park is having an especially big year, having celebrated its 150th anniversary in March. Its enduring appeal stems from its geothermal features, with more than 10,000 hydrothermal sites, including about 500 geysers — half of the active ones on the planet. The bubbling waters and sky-high eruptions, like the famed Old Faithful, are a thrill for kids and adults alike, and are among the 37 kid-friendly landmarks within the park that also include other favorites, such as Grand Prismatic Spring and Mammoth Hot Springs.

Yellowstone also caters to its young visitors with five themed virtual adventures, accessible via online portal, that explains each in a kid-friendly manner. Children can choose their own adventure in geology, hydrothermal, wildlife, history, or preservation. Most importantly for parents: the park also cautions children to explore the park while keeping safety top of mind, stressing the importance of staying on the boardwalks and trails to keep away from the boiling waters.

To read the full article, go here.