The United States is full of beautiful national parks and state parks, offering scenic getaway destinations for families on all budgets. On a family vacation to a national park, you are virtually guaranteed a fun time for the whole family: Kids relish a chance to explore and create their own adventures in a natural setting, and national parks offer so many ways for them to develop new skills and have a blast at the same time.

From exploring rivers and waterways to climbing trees and spotting new animals, kids can find a thousand things to do in the great outdoors. And for the parents, a family getaway to a US national park offers a chance to explore nature, enjoy fresh air and relax in a peaceful setting. Take a family hike, play with stones in a river, or just get a break from city life. In this guide to great US National Parks and State Parks for a family vacation, we share our been-there-done-that tips on our favorite famous and not-so-famous national parks across the country. Find the right one for your next family vacation, pack your hiking boots - and enjoy!