9 Epic Things To Do While Traveling To National Park
National parks surface us with an opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty and supernatural phenomena. Even if you are on a tight budget, you can still find plenty of adventures at a park. Supposing you are in the company of your kids, it is common for them to get bored or develop a little interest in inspiring mountains and amazing landscapes. Luckily, the majority of, national parks offer enjoyable activities other than just the eye candy to their visitors every year. Here are nine major things that will ensure you enjoy the magnificence of a national park.
1) Take a hike
You are neither too old nor too young to enjoy a walk. Hiking is allowed in many local, state, and national parks. Activities range from major climbs to test your endurance to short, easy treks. Among the healthy tips for hiking include staying hydrated and wearing functional clothing with synthetic fibers and vents. Some parks provide trails for visitors with disabilities and physical limitations. It is important to check the website of the park to see whether they allow pets.
2) Enjoy a picnic
Having a picnic with your family can indeed be enjoyable and refreshing. Snatch a basket and a blanket to enjoy a lazy, leisurely feast on a lush park lawn. Alternatively, you can load some jovial fare into a backpack and take a walk to the perfect spot close to a waterfall or a peak with an endless sight. If you are going to a national park with a pond or lake, pack some extra snacks or bread to feed the birds.
3) Family reunion
With the current tight budgets, a trip to a national park is a fantastic opportunity for a family reunion. You can make reservations or hire a covered pavilion, though some parks have a policy of first come, first served. If you are planning to enjoy a meal together with your family, it is important to ensure that you stick to your best diet plan. Most parks offer plenty of space for your kids to play after socializing to prevent them from becoming bored as the old folks sit around and share memories.
4) Play ball
The majority of community parks have fields for soccer and baseball. Some even have tennis courts. You can still find others that offer leagues for organized sports, but it is not a must that you participate to enjoy around with a ball. If there is an open field, take the opportunity to practice kicking the soccer ball or enjoy a game of catch. Don’t forget to travel with a ball because you might find other willing players for a match.
5) Study nature
Most probably, you are interested in enjoying some close encounters of the natural life. Most state and national parks are crammed with wildlife, both ambulatory and stationary kinds. Exposing your kids to wildlife animals and native plants will give them an opportunity to learn more about nature. Studying nature has been shown to help ease some symptoms of depression. You should take along your camera or Smart Phone to capture the beautiful and weird things you come across. Why don’t you create a scrapbook later to detail your discoveries?
6) Try a challenge
The majority of national parks provide open spaces where travelers can stage a race, obstacle course, and other family activities. You can form a team with your family for a relay race. Select age groups for bicycle or foot races. You can carry some simple props and set up a field day with your family. Examples include jump ropes, soccer ball, and ropes for tug-of-war.
7) Special events
Parks cater for special family events, fairs, and other activities to attract visitors’ attention. These activities usually depend on the type of park. You can look for carnivals with races, games, and inflatable play tools at community parks. Find some state and national parks with events that introduce you and your children to outdoor activities such as adventurous sports. Taking your holidays in the parks can also be fulfilling. Some offer activities like winter wonderlands, Easter egg hunts, firework displays, and parades.
8) Play with pets
Parks happens to be among the few places where your pets can enjoy an outing as well. Some parks allow pets, but others are strict to the dogs. If you are traveling with your canine family member, look for parks with features specially designed for your pet. They offer grassy stretches for ball play.
9) Scavenger hunt
If you want to explore vast areas of a park in short time, a scavenger hunt is among the best ways. List down the things you want to find at a particular park and create teams. Assign each group a list and a bag to pick items. Determine a meeting place after gathering all the listed items. The team that will arrive first with all the listed items becomes the winner.
There are plenty of epic things you can try while traveling to a national park. Activities will depend on those in your company. The adventurous events you undertake while out there can cause pain in the joints and muscles for those who don’t work out regularly. You can carry with you a natural solution such as Celadrin to relieve pain and inflammation. Enjoy your trip!
About the Author
Meighan Sembrano is an enthusiast and passionate writer. She is a contributor to Consumer Health Digest. She is an expertise in Beauty and Skin-Care articles. Also, have contributed in the health and fitness field. Her work gives an enthusiast twist to the readers. You can follow Meighan on Twitter and Facebook.
toastycritic
April 26, 2017I would love to go exploring with my dog more places. He definitely could use some more outdoor time. I know he would love it.
View Commentshopgirlanonymous
April 25, 2017We did all of these as a kid every weekend. All we had where we lived was state parks. 🙂
View CommentAmber
April 25, 2017Oh fun! We might go to a national park over the summer. We’ll probably have a picnic and take tons of photos.
View CommentCeline
April 25, 2017I would love to do all these things as well! It sounds so amazing.
View CommentKathy Myers
April 4, 2017I love visiting National Parks, not only is scenery beautiful, I feel at peace. I love hiking so we always do that! You can see the wonderful things.
View CommentElizabeth O.
April 4, 2017It would be nice to go here again with the kids! I love hiking and doing all sorts of activities outdoors and there’s plenty of room for that in national parks!
View Commentalisonrost
April 3, 2017I couldn’t help but think about my neighbors when I read your post. I didn’t realize .. but any child in the fourth grade qualifies for a free family pass to any national park in the U.S. It’s true .. so they’ve been traveling around as a family and seeing all they can during this year. Definitely going to pass this one along to them!
View CommentOur Family World
April 3, 2017I think the best thing to do when visiting a National Park is to go hiking. Enjoying the views and to be surrounded with the beauty of nature in an exhilarating experience. However, if I would be traveling with small kids, the best activity would be a picnic and/or studying nature.
View CommentAna De-Jesus
April 3, 2017I think that hiking is a great idea, in Madeira they like to do the same. What a great concept for a family meet up as well x
View CommentNina
April 3, 2017I have spent some of my family reunions in national parks. It was always quite fun. I’ve never thought to do a scavenger hunt. That sounds awesome!
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