You want to take your kids somewhere this summer. Somewhere real, not a hotel pool. You don't have a huge budget. Eighty dollars will get you into every national park in the country for a year.
For $80 a year, you get unlimited access to every national park, national forest, wildlife refuge, and federal recreation area in the United States. That includes Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Zion, Acadia, Glacier, all of it.
It covers the carload, not just the driver. Bring your kids. It's good for twelve months from purchase.
If you take even one trip to a national park this year, it pays for itself. Two trips and you've come out ahead.
Buy the pass at store.usgs.gov or at any national park entrance. Also available at many REI and outdoor stores.
If you receive federal benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, free or reduced school lunch, or similar programs), you may qualify for a free America the Beautiful pass through the USDA's Every Kid Outdoors program or related programs. It's worth checking.
Fourth graders can also get a free pass for the entire year through the Every Kid Outdoors program, their whole family rides free to national parks. If your kid is in fourth grade, get this pass.
Every Kid Outdoors pass: everykidoutdoors.gov, free for every fourth grader. Takes two minutes online.
Every state has its own park system, often with less crowding and just as much to do. Day-use fees are usually $5–$15 per vehicle, much cheaper than paid attractions. Many states offer their own annual pass for $50–$80 that pays off quickly.
Several states have free entry days:
California, free park days are scheduled throughout the year
New York, many state parks are free year-round
Texas, Florida, Georgia, and others have fee-free periods or specific free parks
Search "[your state] state park free days" or check your state's parks department website.
You don't need a plan. That's half the point. But here are the things that work well with kids at parks:
Junior Ranger programs, free at most national parks, kids complete activities and earn a badge
Easy trail hikes, most parks have beginner trails; 2–4 miles is right for most kids
Wildlife watching, binoculars help, patience is all you need
Picnic lunch, bring food, skip the lodge prices
Visitor center, free, educational, and usually genuinely interesting
Stargazing, many parks hold ranger-led stargazing nights, usually free
A night or two at a campground changes the dynamic completely. Campsite fees in national and state parks typically run $15–$35/night. Basic gear, a tent, sleeping bags, a camp stove, can be borrowed from your library or rented cheaply from an outdoor gear co-op.
Reserve sites at recreation.gov for federal campgrounds. Popular parks book up months in advance, check early, especially for summer weekends.
If your kids have never camped, start with one night close to home. A backyard or state park 30 minutes away is enough to see if everyone likes it before committing to a week in Yellowstone.
An $80 pass and a full tank of gas can give you a full day outdoors, or a whole weekend, for less than you'd spend on an afternoon at an indoor play place. The memories don't care what it cost.