National Park Fun Facts for Kids

Hey there, young adventurers! Did you know that the United States is home to some of the coolest and most beautiful national parks? These parks are “beary” interesting – they’re like giant playgrounds where nature takes center stage. Let's explore some national park fun facts for kids!

What Are National Parks?

National parks are special areas set aside by the government to protect and preserve the natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage of our planet. They’re like nature's playgrounds, where people can explore majestic mountains, vast forests, unique rock formations, and vibrant ecosystems. In national parks, the landscapes are carefully protected, so future generations can enjoy their wonders just as we do today.

Fun Facts About National Parks

Each national park has its own unique landscape. Every national park and forest is beautiful, but we came up with a short list and we decided to share unique fun facts for each of our favorites with you. We have quite a few national parks to include, so buckle up. Ready? Here we go!

1. Acadia National Park: Acadia is the oldest national park east of the Mississippi River and is known for its beautiful coastal views. If you're an early riser, you can be one of the first people in the United States to see the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain!
2. Yellowstone National Park: Yellowstone is like a giant science lab! It's home to more than 10,000 hot springs, geysers, and mud pots. The most famous geyser, Old Faithful, shoots water up to 180 feet in the air, and it erupts almost every 90 minutes! Before you go, get our Yellowstone National Park Puzzle with some of the most popular places to visit and animals you might see in the park.
3. Zion National Park: Known for its massive pinkish-red sandstone cliffs and adventurous hiking trails, Zion was established on November 19, 1919. One of the coolest hikes is through The Narrows, where you walk in the Virgin River with towering walls on either side.
4. Great Smoky Mountains National Park: The Smoky Mountains get their name from the natural fog that often hangs over the mountains, looking like smoke. This park is also famous for its biodiversity, with over 20,000 documented species of plants and animals! You can find a few of them in our Great Smoky Mountains Puzzle.
5. Grand Canyon National Park: The Grand Canyon is so big that you could fit the entire state of Rhode Island inside it! It's around 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and over a mile deep – the exposed layers of rock reveal millions of years of Earth's history.
6. Everglades National Park: The Everglades is like a giant, slow-moving river and is home to lots of alligators and crocodiles. It's the only place in the world where you can find both of these reptiles living together! Which one do you think you'd see more of? We think our Roll With It Alligator Pajamas are cool either way.
7. Rocky Mountain National Park: The Rocky Mountain Range is famous for its towering peaks. In this park, you can drive on Trail Ridge Road, which is the highest continuous paved road in the United States, reaching over 12,000 feet!
8. Glacier National Park: This park is known for its beautiful, glistening glaciers and over 700 miles of hiking trails. One of the coolest things about Glacier is that it's home to the Going-to-the-Sun Road, a scenic drive that offers jaw-dropping views of the mountains and valleys. Try packing our Follow Your Dreams pajamas for good luck next time you pass through and who knows, you might even catch sight of a moose or two!
9. Arches National Park: Arches is home to over 2,000 natural stone arches, including the famous Delicate Arch. These amazing formations were created by millions of years of erosion.
10. Denali National Park: Denali is home to North America's tallest peak, Mount Denali, which stands at a whopping 20,310 feet. This park is also a great place to see wildlife like grizzly bears, moose, and even wolves! And if you like all of those animals, you'll probably like our Alaska Wildlife Pajamas.
11. Bryce Canyon National Park: Bryce Canyon is known for its unique rock formations called hoodoos, which look like tall, skinny towers. Some people think they look like giant stone chess pieces!
12. Redwood National Park: Redwoods are the tallest trees in the world, and some of them can grow over 350 feet tall! That's taller than a 30-story building! Walking among these giant trees can make you feel like you're in a storybook, or in a forest on another planet. It might even look familiar if you're a fan of our Matching Forest Be With You Pajamas.
13. Yosemite National Park: Yosemite is famous for its stunning waterfalls, and the tallest one is Yosemite Falls, which drops a total of 2,425 feet. That's like seven Statue of Liberties stacked on top of each other! 

BONUS FUN FACT: Over 500,000 people camp in Yosemite Valley each year. Do you think some of them wore our Happy Camper Pajamas there?

Take LazyOne Along for Your National Park Adventure

National parks aren’t just places to have fun; they're also places to learn about nature and the world around us. So the next time you're exploring one of these incredible parks, remember these fun facts and share them with your friends and family. We hope you enjoyed these national park fun facts for kids. Don’t forget to check out our super fun collection of LazyOne National Park Puzzles. Happy exploring!