July is "Park and Recreation Month"

And it's also a peak month for travel to the Big Five most-visited parks in the U.S. If you're heading to the Great Smoky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Olympic, or Yellowstone National Parks, you're sure to have plenty of company. Have a look at Tips for Avoiding the Summer Crowds.

On the plus side, these major National Parks have excellent programs for kids and families. For instance, "Junior Ranger" programs are designed for ages 5 to 12: kids get an activity booklet to work on during their stay, and when the tasks are completed, the child earns a patch. Also popular with families are the guided hikes and other programs led by Park Rangers; you may even find Ranger-led group activities just for kids. A few parks -- such as Yellowstone-- also offer multi-day adventures; Yellowstone's Lodging and Learning programs are offered by the Yellowstone Association Institute especially for families.

Yellowstone National Park is a personal favorite. The famous Old Faithful geyser is just one of hundreds of "geothermal features" that spout or smoke or bubble in this giant volcanic "caldera". Yellowstone also has the classic Old Faithful Inn, the scenic Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, the chance to see buffalo and other wildlife in the Lamar Valley...

• See Yellowstone National Park: Top Things for Families to Do
• More great National Parks in the U.S.