For a vacation as appealing to toddlers as to their parents, try visiting one of the U.S. National Parks! From transportation and lodging to special programs and main attractions, find out where to go and how to plan a trip for your family.

Planning a family vacation with your little ones? The U.S. National Park System is ready when you are. Child-friendly in the extreme and usually packed with amenities, the National Parks make ideal destinations for busy families.

If you have older toddlers, stay on the lookout for signs advertising the NPS "Junior Ranger" programs. Most parks allow children to earn a badge by completing a certain number of activities in the park. It's a great way to encourage your kids to learn about the environment and earn a reward for their dedication.

Most major National Parks feature campsites or some other sort of lodging. Reserving accommodations in advance is advisable if you're interested in avoiding homelessness along the way. Expect the parks to be crowded and use common sense. Strollers work wonderfully in some places, but can jam up other areas and might frustrate your fellow visitors. Try using backpacks or slings for transporting your tots wherever possible.

Here's the lowdown on several U.S. National Parks.

Crater Lake

Oregon
Located in Central Oregon about an hour and a half from Bend, Crater Lake is one of America's oldest National Parks. The pristine, clear blue lake is a caldera, created when Mount Mazama experienced a violent eruption more than 7,000 years ago and collapsed into itself. The calm splendor of this wilderness and its unique past draws almost half a million people each year for hiking, fishing, camping and, in the winter, cross-country skiing.

Crater Lake offers ample opportunities for hiking with kids, but there is only one access trail to the actual shoreline and it is a strenuous hike too long for most children under the age of five. Instead, take in the breathtaking lake and mountain views from the Rim Village Visitor Center (open mid-June through early October) and explore some of the easier nearby trails. The Crater Lake Lodge is located here and can provide a respite for weary families at a reasonable rate. Open year-round, the Steel Visitor Center features some interesting exhibits and an overview of the area, as well as a nice, short nature trail perfect for young children. Both visitor centers offer short films about the geologic history of the area, as well as the requisite gift shop.

Yellowstone National Park

Idaho, Montana and Wyoming
Thinking of tackling Yellowstone with kids? Two words: Plan ahead! Yellowstone is probably the most well-known and accessible park in the nation. There's no excuse for – and no wisdom in – visiting it uninformed. Read up on Yellowstone and figure out where you'll stay and what you'll see ahead of time. It's nearly impossible to avoid the busloads of tourists and traffic jams caused by bison, but you can make it easier by arming yourself with knowledge.

This National Park holds the interest of visitors young and old. Let's face it, volcanoes are cool! But don't allow yourself to get so awestruck that you forget to hold the hand of your little one. It wouldn't be difficult for an adventuresome toddler to stray off the beaten path and into harm's way. That said, Yellowstone is truly a child's paradise. Wildlife abounds, water shoots from the ground, and the pervasive odor of sulfur is bound to be a source of amusement.

Two thumbs up for the Junior Ranger program at Yellowstone! Children can earn an important-looking patch from a real park ranger.

A note on accommodations: Camping is a cheap way to go in Yellowstone, but at many areas throughout the park you can find inexpensive rustic cabins and lodges, which might be a welcome alternative to wrestling your three-year old into a sleeping bag. Consider using your room as a base of operations and taking day trips around the park.

Mount Rainier National Park

Washington
If residents of the Puget Sound area hadn't realized that they live in a volcanic region, Mount Saint Helens shed some light on that fact in 1980, showering most of Washington in ash. Visible from Seattle, the serene beauty of Mount Rainier belies the fact that it is, indeed, an active volcano. Established in 1899 as the country's fifth national park, Mount Rainier National Park is a natural wonderland – a great day or weekend excursion from Seattle. Roaring rivers, slow-flowing glaciers and fields of tiny alpine wildflowers are just some of the delights awaiting summer travelers.

Choose one of six campgrounds or two historic lodges located in the park as your base camp and venture out from there. The popularity of Mount Rainier means that congestion can be a significant inconvenience in the immediate vicinity of the visitor areas. After a long drive, no doubt your kids will be ready for some exercise when you reach your destination. Most short loops and hikes near the visitor centers are well suited to the abilities of young children. Just make sure that everyone stays on the trails to avoid trampling the plants.