A few years ago, a friend told me about the National Parks Pass for kids. Any fourth grader in the US can apply for and receive a free National Parks Pass, good for an entire year. Even better, this pass is good for the fourth grader and their family! This year, because of Covid, fifth graders can get one, too! We have ours, and, although we haven't used it yet this year, we used one two years ago when my oldest was in fourth grade. It got us into the Grand Canyon free, saving us $50. Score!
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| Visiting Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona with kids is so fun and educational! |
If you don't have your National Parks Pass yet, go here.
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| Don't miss out on your FREE National Parks Pass if you have a fourth or fifth grader during the 2021-2022 school year. |
I just did an article for Zulily with my Bucket List of National Parks I want to visit with the girls in the next few years- check that out here!
If you are looking to get out and about with your kids this year, consider snagging your free pass (if you have a fourth or fifth grader at home) and hitting the road! Here are some great National Parks you can visit that are within reasonable driving distance of Dallas/Fort Worth.
Visiting the National Parks in Texas
If you want to use your National Parks Pass for a Texas adventure, you have two options:
Big Bend National Park is located in Alpine, Texas, about seven and a half hours from Arlington by car. Big Bend is in the southwest corner of the state, just across the border from Mexico. This park is the only destination you need for vacation as there is so much to do there! Not sure where to start? Here is what visitors to Big Bend recommend over and over again:
- Learn about the area's history at the Fossil Discovery Exhibit
- Soak in the hot springs at the Rio Grande Village area
- Hike the Santa Elena Canyon
- Canoe along the Rio Grande
- Enjoy the nighttime sky at this designated National Dark Sky Park
Guadalupe Mountain National Park is located in Salt Flat, Texas, just east of El Paso and not far from the Texas/Mexico or Texas/New Mexico border. This state park is about seven hours from Arlington by car. Located near Carlsbad Caverns State Park, this spot is for nature lovers. Here are some of the favorite activities as reported by visitors:
- Behold El Captain, an icon made from limestone and the most visible point in Texas at just more than 8,000 feet
- Hike Devil's Hall Trail from Pine Springs
- Explore the Frijole Ranch History Museum
- Visit the Salt Basin Dunes
The Best National Parks Nearby Texas
Located about seven hours from Arlington, this national park, just over the border in New Mexico offers plenty for visitors to do. Spend time in the Big Room, a large limestone chamber that is the 5th largest in North America and the 28th largest in the world. Cool!
Only four and a half hours from Arlington, Hot Springs National Park is a fun spot for guests of all ages. Visit ancient thermal springs, explore the hiking trails and partake the historic Bath Houses right in the heart of Hot Springs.
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| Posing in front of Hot Springs National Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. |
The Best Texas State Parks
Texas is home to a whopping 80 state parks. Amazing! That means there is a lot of beautiful land in this great state to explore and enjoy.
Although there is not an annual discount or free pass to Texas State Parks like there is to the National Parks, you can find more information on yearly passes here.
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| A stunning view of Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Texas. |
Five Texas Parks to Explore with Kids
Palo Duro Canyon, located about five and a half hours from Arlington near Amarillo, is home to the second largest canyon in the country. During the summer, you can enjoy an outdoor musical at the park. Year-round you can hike, camp, explore and more.
This East Texas park is less than three hours from Arlington on the Texas/Louisiana border. Water lovers will enjoy fishing (no license required!) in the lakes... But keep your eyes out for alligators!
Oh give me a home, where the... bison roam! This Amarillo-area state park, located about four and a half hours from Arlington, offers plenty for nature lovers. Enjoy stunning bluffs, roaming bison and miles and miles of winding trails.
Have you ever been sand surfing? If not, you need to check out the Monahans Sandhills! Located about five hours from Arlington (just west of Midland/Odessa), Monahans Sandhills is for adventure-lovers. Rent sand disks and try your hand at surfing down the sand hills. Just don't forget your water- it gets super hot at this park!
There is so much to do at this Bend, Texas, state park, it's hard to know where to start! Colorado Bend State Park is located less than 200 miles from Arlington (a little over three hours by car) near Lampasas, Texas. Home to Gorman Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Texas, this park is perfect for a weekend getaway from DFW.
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| Exploring with kids is always an adventure! |
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