Best National Parks for Teenagers!

While every park in the United States can be a great destination for teens, there are a few that really shine once your kids are old enough to hike a little further, sit through a longer drive, and soak up some of the park’s more nuanced adventures. These are the places where you can trade the stroller for a backpack, the short hike for thrilling miles of trails, and the playground for adrenaline-pumping experiences. 

We still have a few years before our kids hit their teen years, but we’re already dreaming of the recreational activities we’ll have together once they do. Until then, we’ve put together a list of national parks that are especially exciting for teenagers!

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode:

Podcast Episode Overview

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re diving into a topic near and dear to many parents’ hearts: finding the perfect national park for your teenagers! 

We’re sharing our top picks and strategies for turning those eye rolls into awesome moments and  Instagram-worthy adventures on epic trails. If you’re looking to spark a love for the outdoors in your teens, this episode is packed with our insights and recommendations!

Join us as we discuss…

• Why teens can actually be the perfect national park partners
• What truly makes a national park “teen-approved” like epic adventures and Instagrammable moments
• Why we consider parks like Zion, Mammoth Cave, and Grand Canyon to be prime destinations for an unforgettable teen adventure
• How to pick the national park that best suits your teenager’s personality and interests
• The experiences Denali and North Cascades offer, from wildlife spotting to landscapes that will grab their attention
• Our tips for “warming up” teenagers to outdoor recreation, even if they’re hesitant at first
• Why this list offers fresh ideas beyond the usual suspects and focuses on parks that will resonate with teenagers

We hope this episode gives you plenty of ideas for your next national park adventure with your teens! Remember, the goal is to create memorable experiences that foster a love for the outdoors. 

Today’s Task: If you’ve taken your teenagers to a park they’ve raved about, we’d love to hear about it! Head over to the Dirt In My Shoes Facebook or Instagram pages and chime in on our post.

Why traveling with teens is the best

Before we jump into our park recommendations, let’s talk about why traveling with teenagers is such a great way to enjoy the parks. John and I made a list of all the reasons teens are the ultimate travel buddies in the great outdoors!

They can go to the bathroom by themselves, which means no more squeezing into pit toilets to help little ones. You can trust them near ledges (as long as they aren’t taking selfies), and they generally know not to touch hot or sharp things like campfires or cactus needles.

They handle long scenic drives better (usually, they just ignore you), and they appreciate things like art, science, and history. No more pack-and-plays or nap schedules. Early mornings and late nights are easier, and you can do things like ziplining, rafting, or horseback riding in nearby gateway towns.

You can leave the stroller at home. They can carry their own water and snacks, hike longer distances, and keep up with the group. No more lugging car seats through airports or worrying about them wandering off. 

And best of all, they’ll actually remember the trips you take them on!

North Cascades National Park

If your teenager is up for long hikes and stunning scenery, North Cascades in Washington is a great pick. The hiking trails here are big, both in length and elevation!

We’ve taken our young kids here and managed fine, but to truly explore the heart of this park, you need more stamina and independence. Cascade Pass is breathtaking, and while we’ve done it as a day trip, we’re dying to go back and backpack through the area. Maple Pass is another favorite, with sweeping views and a solid challenge.

One of the most unique things about North Cascades is the tiny, remote town of Stehekin. It sits within the national park service boundaries and is only accessible by boat or plane. Getting there involves a four-hour ferry ride up Lake Chelan, which is a lot to ask of younger kids. Once there, you’ll explore by foot or bus, making it perfect for older kids who can handle longer travel days and a bit of independence.

Don’t miss the Ross Lake Resort. It’s made up of floating cabins right on the lake! It’s absolutely magical, but definitely better for teens. You won’t want to be worrying about a little one falling off the dock.

Aim to visit in mid to late July, before wildfire season kicks in. Cascade Pass often isn’t accessible until mid-July anyway, and wildfires tend to roll in by August. We’ve never had a smoke-free trip here later in the season, so hit that best time if you can.

Denali National Park

Alaska’s national park sites are legendary, and Denali is one of the easiest to reach, which is why we picked it to represent all of Alaska’s incredible options. Denali is wild, vast, and totally unforgettable.

To really experience the park, you’ll need to hop on a bus. Private vehicles can only go 15 miles into the park, but the road continues for over 90 miles. We’re talking ten- to eleven-hour round-trip bus rides to get all the way to Wonder Lake, where you’ll have a chance to see Denali on a clear day.

Teenagers make that bus ride so much more enjoyable! They’re able to sit still, look out the window for wildlife, and stay entertained. The more eyes scanning the landscape, the better your chances of spotting grizzly bears, wolves, or dall sheep.

Denali is also known for its off-trail hiking. You take the bus to a spot, hop off, and just start walking. There are very few established trails, so your hike is truly a choose-your-own-adventure experience. Older kids who can carry their gear and hike confidently make this much more fun.

If you’re venturing further into Alaska, parks like Glacier Bay, Gates of the Arctic, and Lake Clark are even more remote and adventurous. Some require bush plane flights, and operators often won’t fly families with younger kids. A big Alaska parks trip with your teens? That’s a national park vacation they’ll never forget.

Zion National Park

Zion is our top pick for teens! If you’re trying to get your kids excited about outdoor adventures, this is the place to do it. Not only is Zion incredibly beautiful, but it’s also packed with adrenaline-pumping activities and incredible views.

As native Utahns, we’re in Zion a lot. Although we visit often with our younger kids, we haven’t yet been able to take them on some of the park’s most iconic hikes.

That includes the Narrows (wading and hiking through the Virgin River), the Subway (which often involves rappelling), and Angels Landing (especially the chains section at the top). Observation Point is another great hike with steep cliffs all around. These hikes are challenging and awe-inspiring, but not great for young kids.

When your kids reach their teenage years, though, Zion becomes an outdoor playground. They’ll push their limits, gain confidence, and soak in the stunning red rock scenery with every step. Plus, the area around the park offers tons of extra activities, like rappelling, canyoneering, UTV tours, and rock climbing.

Grand Canyon National Park

The Grand Canyon is a rite of passage for many families, but visiting with teenagers is a game-changer!

When our kids were younger, visiting the rim was an exercise in stress management. The edges are everywhere, and the trails often have steep drop-offs on both sides. You’ll be constantly on edge trying to keep little ones safe.

With older kids, though, you can finally breathe. And you can actually hike below the rim.

That’s where the magic of the Grand Canyon really shines. Descending into the canyon on one of the longer trails is such an awe-inspiring experience. And older kids are better equipped to handle the demands of that kind of hike, from carrying enough water and food to navigating the lack of shade and bathrooms.

Plus, there’s something special about the Grand Canyon as a family legacy. It’s one of the most iconic parks in North America, and your teen will remember it. They’ll have stories to share and may even return one day with their own kids. It’s one of our favorite national parks for a reason.

Mammoth Cave National Park

Let’s head underground for a minute. Mammoth Cave in Kentucky is the longest cave system in the world. It has short, family-friendly tours, but if you’ve got older kids, you can explore the deeper, wilder side of the cave.

My favorite tour is the Grand Avenue tour. It lasts four hours and shows off some of the most incredible cave features. The Violet City Lantern Tour is another lengthy one and offers a unique experience in near darkness. For both, your kids need to be older.

Then there’s the Wild Cave Tour. It lasts around six hours and involves crawling through tight spaces in full gear. Your kids must be at least 16, and they’ll have to pass a size test to make sure they can fit through.

Mammoth Cave has a fascinating history, from tuberculosis hospitals to slavery, which comes up in ranger-led programs like the Historic Tour. There’s also a geology-heavy tour that dives deep into the science of the cave system. Older kids who can connect the dots with what they’ve learned in high school or middle school will get more out of these experiences.

Outside the cave, we kayaked the Green River. It winds through the park, and it’s a slow-moving but long route. Teens are better equipped to handle that kind of physical effort, especially when the current doesn’t do much of the work.

Wind Cave National Park – a park made famous by a teenager

Our last pick is Wind Cave in South Dakota. This one made the list because of Alvin McDonald, a teenager who explored and mapped miles of Wind Cave in the late 1800s using only candlelight. He kept a detailed journal, which is on display in the Visitor Center Museum.

His story is incredible. It wasn’t until decades later that people discovered areas he hadn’t already reached. Alvin was just 16 when he started exploring, and Wind Cave became his legacy. This park is a reminder of what teens are capable of.

The cave tours at Wind Cave are shorter, usually around an hour, so they’re manageable for most ages. But for teenagers, it’s a chance to step into the shoes of someone their age who made a big difference. We love sharing Alvin’s story whenever we visit.

Where are your teen-approved park picks?

Teenagers are amazing travel companions! They’re capable, adventurous, and ready to experience the parks in a whole new way. Whether it’s kayaking in Alaska, rappelling in Zion, or descending into the depths of Mammoth Cave, these trips will stay with them for a lifetime.

Of course, there are so many other favorite national parks that are great for teens, like Yosemite National Park, Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and more. We didn’t include every destination on this list, but it’s a great starting point for planning your next national park family vacation.

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Links mentioned in this podcast episode:

• North Cascades National Park
• Cascade Pass Trail
• Maple Pass Loop
• Stehekin, North Cascades
• Denali National Park
• Off-trail Hiking in Denali
• Glacier Bay National Park
• Gates of the Arctic National Park
• Lake Clark National Park
• Zion National Park
• Observation Point via East Mesa Trail
• Canyoneering in Zion
• Grand Canyon National Park
• Mammoth Cave National Park
• Cave Tours – Mammoth Cave
• Wind Cave National Park
• Cave Tours – Wind Cave National Park

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