Aquatic Adventures

If your family likes aquatic adventures, try an afternoon of snorkeling at a living coral reef in Dry Tortugas National Park, or a tram ride through the alligator swamps of Florida’s Everglades National Park. If the kids enjoy exploring tidal pools, plan a visit to Cabrillo National Monument in California to see starfish, anemones, octopi and a myriad of other creatures. There are also dozens of parks that offer fishing, canoeing, kayaking and rafting. Some examples are Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks in Wyoming, Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota and Olympic National Park in Washington state.

Go Spelunking

There are a number of national parks with accessible caves to explore. Caves are formed as water passes through rock, dissolving it and carving underground passageways. Water seeping into caves also creates stalactites, stalagmites, gypsum flowers, moon milk, cave bacon and other spectacular formations. Kentucky's Mammoth Cave National Park has the most extensive cave system in the world, with 300 known passages and many others that have yet to be explored. Unless you're a certified caver, however, take a guided tour in order to avoid getting lost or stumbling into dangerous conditions. Bring flashlights and search for bizarre cave-dwelling animals such as blind fish and colorless spiders that have adapted to the absolute darkness and isolation of their subterranean environment.

Next: Vacation Adventures