6 Great National Parks You've Never Heard Of

August 25th is the next National Park Service free admission day. Where will you spend it?  Like most people, you probably think of national parks as grand vistas and natural wonders like Yellowstone, Yosemite or the Grand Canyon. You could head out to one of the biggies with a couple thousand other people, or you could try one of these lesser known, family friendly parks that are sure to spark your kids' imaginations.

(Can't make it August 25th?  Here's a list of all Free Entrance Days in 2015.)

Photo Credit: All the photos in this post are from the NPS websites.

Saratoga National Historical Park, Stillwater, New York

Located in beautiful upstate New York, this park commemorates one of the most important battles of the Revolutionary War. My kids loved dressing up in period dress in the "try on tent" and other activities at the visitor center and they were fascinated by the living history actors. Use the mobile app or listen to the cell phone or MP3 tours as you drive from one point of interest to another. Try the new Wilkinson Trail Kids MP3 tour-it's narrated by kids for kids! On your way home, climb the 188 steps of the obelisk known as the Saratoga Monument, located 8 miles north of the battlefield and get a bird's eye view of the area.

Most days in the summer you can find living history displays and actors. On Tuesdays throughout August, the park enhances the experience with music from the Revolutionary period. Look for the Ticonderoga Fife and Drum Corps on August 25th.

In addition to a great Junior Ranger program, Boy and Girl Scouts can earn a special patch for completing a series of activities.

Lowell National Historic Park, Lowell, Massachusetts

Ok, I'll be honest here. I was excited to check out this park but I was fully expecting about 2 hours of "are we done yet?" from the kids. After all, a park dedicated to the Industrial Revolution? What kid is going to enjoy that? Well, start with the Industrial Revolution, add a fun hands on area for younger kids, a trolley tour through town, a moving loom, an engaging Junior Ranger program that is easy to complete in an afternoon visit, a canal boat tour and an animated park ranger with a classic Massachusetts accent and you've got yourself an experience your kids will be talking about for months to come.

Trolley tours are given daily at 2:30, but sign up early. Canal boat tours are offered 4 times daily in the summer only. A fee does apply to the canal boat tours.

San Juan National Historic Park, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Yes! There is a National Park in Puerto Rico! This huge complex includes the fortifications of San Cristobal, San Filipe del Morro, as well as the San Juan gate and the city fortifications. It is easy to understand why this site has also been designated a World Heritage site. Think tunnels, turrets, towers, dungeons, and exploring maze-like halls and passages. Dress up as a pirate, soldier or lady at the Discovery Center. My kids loved exploring the fort and playing pirate so much that we spent several hours here even on a very hot and humid day. The memories continued even after we returned home as the kids have been able to spot the forts featured in some of their favorite movies and shows like "Agents of Shield". It is fun to see them get excited all over again every time they see it.

Ranger led talks happen every hour and are conducted in English and Spanish.

Jewel Cave National Monument, Custer, South Dakota

Located just west of Custer, South Dakota, about an hour from Rapid City, Jewel Cave is the third longest cave in the world. Step into another world and explore some of the 177 miles of this cave system on one of the four tours offered daily. Be sure to sign up for tours in advance. The Discovery Talk tour is recommended for families with small children and is wheelchair (and stroller) accessible. The Scenic and Lantern tours are more strenuous so children 5 and under are not allowed. Remember that parents are not allowed to carry children on the tour and that the cave stays a chilly 49 degrees all year long, so bundle up!

San Francisco National Maritime National Park, San Francisco, California

Located in the heart of Fisherman's Wharf, this museum is easy to miss. Check in at the visitor center at Jefferson and Hyde streets and then head across the pier to one of the eight historic ships at the Hyde Street pier. Try the three masted Balclutha, a steel hulled ship first launched in 1886, or the paddle wheel tug, the Eppleton Hall. There is a ship for every interest. Don't forget to stop in at the Maritime Museum-it's shaped like a boat!

I really like all the support material on the website designed just for kids. So kids can keep on learning even after they have returned home. Look for the kids and youth link for games, activities and the junior ranger program. 

Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial, Put-in-Bay, Ohio
Remember all that stuff you learned in school about the War of 1812? Yeah, neither does anyone else. Your kids won't forget a visit to this National Park, though. First of all, it's on an island. You can only get there by ferry or plane. Second, you can see a black powder demonstration every weekend hourly from 11 am to 5 pm. That's right-they fire flintlock muskets and on some scheduled days they fire a reproduction of a 32 pounder carronade. That's something kids won't forget anytime soon. Then, take the elevator (you will also need to climb some stairs) to the observation deck of the tower that stands 352 feet above Lake Erie. That's taller than the Statue of Liberty!

Be sure to check the operating schedule-the Memorial is only open from mid-May to October. Can't make on NPS free day? Not a problem. This park is always free for kids age 15 and under.

NOTE: Only 127 of the 408 national parks charge an entrance fee. Find a list of all parks participating in Free Entrance Days here.
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