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Want to visit a national park but not sure where to start? Many Americans have discovered America’s national park system in the last several years. National parks are unique and breathtakingly beautiful destinations that have the added benefit of being budget-friendly. It is no wonder attendance has skyrocketed nationwide. But national parks can also be intimidating …

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When it comes to national parks, few have quite the name or cachet of Yosemite National Park. Yosemite is one of the oldest national parks in the United States and is also one of the most visited – and with good reason. The park’s majestic waterfalls, grand giant trees, and natural wonders like Half Dome …

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Tourists traditionally flock to California in summer, but fall in the Golden State is one of the best times of year to visit. My home state may not quite have the breathtaking fall foliage of New England, but California has fall fun all its own to offer. All the inland locations that are too hot …

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When most Northern Californians think of national parks, Yosemite looms large. Perhaps Lassen, Sequoia, or Kings Canyon come to mind for the more outdoor-minded. What so many travelers don’t realize is that the National Parks Service manages a number of historical and natural sites of interest all over the nation. Many of these national park …

Read More about San Francisco Bay Area National Parks: A Complete Guide

Utah’s National Parks are some of the most breathtaking and most-visited in the country. Two of the most popular are Zion and Bryce Canyon, both located in the southwestern corner of the state. Because of their close proximity to one another (about a 2.5 hour drive apart), they are often visited together by many travelers …

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While the back-to-school season sometimes puts a damper on many families’ travel plans, it invigorates me for a new season of travel. Traveling in the fall brings the chance to see amazing autumn colors as well as to enjoy outdoor adventures like hiking in the brisk cooler temperatures that the season brings. And no place …

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A very popular day trip from San Francisco for many travelers is an excursion to Muir Woods National Monument. Located in Marin County, California near the town of Mill Valley, Muir Woods protects a forest filled with old growth coast redwoods. Because of its proximity to San Francisco, it is an extremely popular national park …

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Travel with little ones always presents unique challenges, but the challenges can be even greater when taking young kids into the great outdoors. Our traveling family has found that hiking with our children, even in the extra-challenging toddler years, is incredibly rewarding. From national parks to simple trails right near home, making the extra effort …

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My home state of California has an important designation when it comes to national parks – California has more national parks than any other state. Five of California’s nine national parks are within a few hour drive from my home base in the San Francisco Bay Area. So it probably goes without saying that my …

Read More about The Ultimate Guide to National Parks in Northern California

One of the best deals in family travel is the Every Kids Outdoors program. This program provides free national park passes to all fourth graders for a full year, giving kids and their families access to hundreds of national park sites and other federal lands. The program was formerly known as Every Kid in a …

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