Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (Fodor's) - Fodor's [53]
Souvenirs: Budget $5 to $10 per person per day for souvenirs so each person can get something small each day, or one or two larger items per trip. Total: $60 to $120.
TOTAL COST: $470 to $2,545
KIDS PROGRAMS
About half of the 390 U.S. national parks are part of the Junior Ranger Program, which offers school-age kids the opportunity to learn about the park by filling out a short workbook or participating in an activity such as taking a hike with a park ranger. After completing the program, kids get a badge (or a pin or patch, depending on the park). For availability, check with the ranger station or visitor center when you arrive; some parks also put their Junior Ranger booklets online.
In addition to the Junior Ranger Program, kids can find a variety of activities designed just for them. Some parks, such as Sequoia, loan "Discovery Packs," backpacks filled with kid-friendly tools like magnifying glasses. Call ahead for availability.
Many parks also have general-interest programs that kids love. For example, Rocky Mountain National Park offers "Skins and Skulls," where visitors can touch a bear’s fur and a marmot’s skull, among other things, says Kyle Patterson, Public Information Officer for the park. "It helps kids—and adults—understand and explore in a hands-on, yet totally safe, way."
When you’re through with the organized activities and are ready to head off on your own, remember that kids often take a shorter view of things than adults do, meaning they may need to be reminded once in awhile of why you’re there and what lies ahead. A parent in Oregon recounts, "When I was hiking with my kids in Yosemite and they started to get whiny, I’d tell then, ’Hey guys, think of how much fun we’re going to have at this swimming hole!’ We’d also play games like I Spy." Other kids might like a scavenger hunt.
WEB SITES FOR KIDS
www.smokeybear.com
www.symbols.gov
www.nps.gov/learn
www.doi.gov/kids
CAMPING TIPS
A night in a tent under the stars is the highlight of many kids’ trips to a national park. Making sure it’s a pleasant experience, however, takes some preparation.
A Cub Scouts pack leader advises that you check the weather forecast—and your tent—before you go. "We actually had a family who brought a brand-new tent that hadn’t even been taken out of the box until they got to the campground, only to discover while trying to assemble it that the door was defective so it didn’t zip closed. Imagine the mosquito bites they had in the morning!"
She also suggests that, if possible, choose your tent site carefully. "Trust me," she says, "you don’t want to pitch your tent next to someone who snores all night!"
One item you "gotta have," she adds, is toilet paper. "No explanation necessary."
TIPS FOR STARGAZING IN THE PARKS
If your typical view of the night sky consists of a handful of stars dimly twinkling through a hazy, light-polluted sky, get ready for a treat. In the parks, the night sky above you will blaze with starlight—and with a little practice, you can give your family a memorable astronomical tour.
CONSTELLATIONS
Constellations are stories in the sky—many depict animals or figures from Greek mythology. Brush up on a few of these tales before your trip, and you’ll be an instant source of nighttime entertainment.
The stars in the Northern Hemisphere appear to rotate around Polaris, the North Star, in fixed positions relative to one another. To get your celestial bearings, first find the bright stars of the Big Dipper. An imaginary line drawn through the two stars that form the outside edge of the cup (away from the handle) will point straight to Polaris (Polaris also serves as the last star in the handle of the Little Dipper). Once you’ve identified Polaris, you should be able to find the other stars on our chart. Myriad astronomy books and Web sites have additional star charts; National Geographic has a cool interactive version with images