Saturday's Secret: The Family Vacationist!

Everyone agrees that the national parks system is a treasury of great escapes from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But with the National Park Service overseeing 393 national parks as well as thousands of monuments, museums, historical sites and more, we wanted to help you narrow down your choices.

The Family Travel Forum community has selected 10 that represent some of the best sightseeing, recreation, nature trails, geology, historical landmarks, fishing spots, biking trails and value lodging to appeal to travelers with children of any age. Grab the kids and start planning a trip to some of the best destinations in the U.S.

1. Great Smoky Mountain National Park—Situated in eastern Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains attract more visitors than any other National Park in America. The park is free to enter and is surrounded by family fun in nearby gateway towns such as Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

2. Grand Canyon National Park— America's second most popular National Park, the biggest and deepest canyon is great for looking, hiking and river-rafting down the Colorado River. After visiting the South Rim, head west where the daring can walk a 4,000-foot glass bridge over the canyon walls.

3. Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks—Part of the Grand Staircase on the Colorado Plateau, both Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks carve their way across southern Utah. These two distinctive geologic wonders offer families great hiking trails, bicycling paths and road trips lookouts.

4. Glacier National Park—Just as the name implies, this Montana National Park has 25 active glaciers to see and explore. At one time there were up to 150 glaciers in the area, but most are now lakes that provide great boating, fishing and scenic hiking opportunities at this snow-capped gem.

5. Yellowstone National Park—Perhaps most well known for its geyser, Old Faithful, huge Yellowstone is great for exploring by road, bike or foot. With guided and self-guided tours, a live-in educational center, and an LEED certified visitor’s center, either the Montana or Wyoming entrances lead to special family adventures.

6. Mesa Verde National Park—This archeologically and geologically magnificent park is perfect for families wanting to explore ancient Native American cultures and natural sites. Located in Colorado, it's an easily accessible place to visit ancient Pueblo cliff dwellings, conquer hiking trails, try whitewater rapids or hop aboard railroad tours.

7. Yosemite National Park—Combining natural beauty with cultural history, Yosemite has a little bit of everything. From hiking through groves of Giant Sequoias and kayaking past waterfalls to exploring Native American and Pioneer history, this northern California park is packed with fun recreation possibilities for the active family.

8. Denali National Park—Discovered over a century ago, this Alaskan National Park drew the likes intrepid explorers -- miners, gold-diggers and mountaineers -- early on. Today, Denali offers families a wide range of nature activities, as well as a depot along the Alaska Railroad that transports visitors overland to other destinations in the state.

9. Rocky Mountains National Park—This expansive park in northern Colorado is home to a wide range of wildlife including large populations of elk, bighorn sheep and over 280 species of birds. Families base themselves in many gateway towns to enjoy seasonal outdoor and recreational activities year-round in the dry, mild climate of the Rocky Mountains.

10. Glacier Bay National Park-- Although this National Park can only be reached by sea or air, Glacier Bay is a must-see marine park near Gustavus, Alaska. Perfect for kayaking and whale watching, the ice-lined bay is a scenic destination for family adventurers or a magnificent cruise itinerary for less active, multi-generational trips.

Wherever you're off to, safe there, safe home,
Fran & Kyle [deals@familytravelforum.com]