The Camping Club

8 Fun Family Festivals

Support your local community and have fun with the whole family. Here are eight festivals across the U.S. that offer tons of activities and events for the whole gang.

Maine Lobster Festival, Rockland, Maine

The lobster crate race across the Atlantic's icy waters has a more refreshing finish but you can also participate in the Sunday morning 10K or the kids' fun run. Other events include cooking contests, arts and crafts, a parade, musical entertainment and all the lobster you can eat.

Georgia Peach Festival, Byron, Georgia

Honor Georgia's peach growers at the Georgia Peach Festival. Sign up for the 5K road race then indulge in the world's largest peach cobbler, with a side of peach ice cream of course. Weekend events include free concerts and a fireworks show.

Three Disciplines Triathlon Festival, East Tawas, Michigan

Celebrate the end of race season with a half-iron distance triathlon, then relax at the post-race beach party. Enjoy music, movies, Marshmallow roasting, beach volleyball and more.

• Camp at the Oscoda KOA Family Campground

New Belgium FIBArk Whitewater Festival, Salida, Colorado

Kayak clinics and competitions abound but don't miss the skateboarding and mountain biking competitions, the hooligan race, the pancake breakfast, the carnival, the farmer's market or the Boys & Girls Club recycled costume show.

• Camp at Arkansas Headwater Recreation Area

Discover 4 More Fun Family Festivals

Entrance Fees Waived During National Park Week

National Park Service
Press Release
April 2010

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today that all 392 national parks will have free admission during National Park Week, April 17 to 25. Parks will also offer additional family-friendly activities and special offers on tours, lodging, food and souvenirs. A listing of parks and promotions is available at www.nps.gov/npweek.

"We are rolling out the red carpet and inviting everyone to visit a national park and help celebrate National Park Week," said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. "Parks are fun and affordable destinations and great places to engage in healthy, outdoor activities, whether for a few hours or a few days."

National Park Week, a program of the National Park Service, is an opportunity to engage families and communities in America's Great Outdoors, reconnecting them with nature and creating close to home opportunities for people to get outside, be active, and have fun. "National parks preserve our heritage, promote recreational experiences, and provide places of quiet refuge," said National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis. "Most people live within a short drive of a national park so I encourage everyone to spend some time enjoying America's Great Outdoors during National Park Week."

There will be hundreds of family friendly events on Saturday, April 24, for National Junior Ranger Day. Each child participating in Junior Ranger activities will receive a certificate, patch or pin.

Other National Park Week highlights include the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and the 75th anniversary of the nation's most visited national park--the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Normally, 146 of 392 national parks charge entrance fees ranging from $3 to $25. The other 246 do not charge for admission. The fee free waiver for National Park Week does not include other fees collected in advance or by contractors--such as fees charged for camping, reservations and use of concessions.

9 Places to Celebrate National Park Week

10 Places You Should Take Your Kids

Forget expensive theme parks: Take your family camping and see some of the most beautiful destinations in the U.S.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Established in 1872, Yellowstone is America's oldest national park. Take the kids to see Old Faithful then hop down to Grand Teton National Park. Camp at the West Entrance KOA»

Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier's 700 miles of trails offer hikers every opportunity to experience one of the most pristine places in the U.S. Stay at St. Mary Campground »

Badlands National Park, South Dakota
With 37 million year-old fossil beds, this pre-historic park will thrill the scientist in your family. The eroded pinnacles create an almost erie landscape with endless opportunities to explore. Stay at the White River KOA Campground»

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Adventurous families can plod to the top of 14,259-foot Long's Peak but those who stick to the 8,000-foot valleys won't miss out on breathtaking views of the Rockies. Aspenglen Campground»

Redwoods National Park, California

It's impossible to know their grandeur until you stand beneath the redwoods. But that's not all there is to see. Redwood National and State Parks extend from Northern California into Oregon with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Camp at the Crescent City Redwoods KOA»

5 More Places You Should Take Your Kids