No. 2 national park pick: Arches National Park

Fred Flintstone would be at home in Arches National Park, one of Earth’s most astounding assortments of rock archways, windows, fins and unforgettable desert vistas. This high-desert landscape near Moab, Utah, showcases towering balanced rocks, skinny spans of stone (that a football field could fit beneath), and rocky mazes perfect for hide-and-seek. At last count there were more than 2,000 sandstone arches, the most famous of which, Delicate Arch, graces Utah’s license plates. 

AGE APPROPRIATE 

Mom Nature engineered the national parks for fun and Arches delivers. Kids can climb into windows cut into rock by erosion, dance on the massive sandstone stage beneath Delicate Arch, or try to tally the lizard brigade that skitters across the desert. Older kids can cultivate climbing or mountain-biking skills, while budding artists have countless landscapes for inspiration.

TOO MUCH FUN 

Arches is a three-dimensional wonder that can fill days if you do more than motor the 36-mile Scenic Drive. Neighbors ensure a week or more of vacation exploration: Dead Horse Point State Park (utah.com/stateparks/dead_horse.htm, 435-259-2614) and the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park (nps.gov/cany, 435-719-2313) lie minutes away. And the more adventurous will want to head 75 miles south to the surreal Needles District. Also nearby, the Colorado River is a whitewater playground.

BEST ADVENTURE

You won’t soon forget dangling from a rope while canyoneering through this rockscape. The pros at Desert Highlights (deserthighlights.com, 800-747-1342) lead you in, drop you down and bring you back out. Not interested in Spidey moves? Then schedule your trip for the full moon and hike out to Delicate Arch for a star party.

KEEP 'EM HAPPY 

Youngsters can’t get bored in this land of towering rock walls and minarets. If somehow they do, head to the amazing natural sandbox of Sand Dune Arch. ‘Tweens and teens with a penchant for mazes will feel at home on the 7.2-mile-long Devils Garden Primitive Trail. It passes eight arches, winds along narrow sandstone fins and meanders sandy washes.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

July and August are not the months to visit Arches. Many summer vacationing families do, but the park can turn into a convection oven with daily highs surpassing 100 degrees and talc-dry air that quickly saps your moisture. Spring break is perfect -- the contrast of the park’s red rock against the snowy LaSal Range in the background is gorgeous -- with mild temperatures and manageable crowds (but avoid Easter weekend; the annual Moab 4-wheel-drive Jamboree). October is a glorious month, with mild temps and waning crowds.

AVOID THE CROWDS

Watching the sun -- or moon -- rise against Delicate Arch creates a memory you’ll not soon forget, and you’ll do it without crowds. Dally over a leisurely breakfast in Moab and you’ll reach the park with hundreds of others. Instead, visit Klondike Bluffs, a remote area of the park reached via a 7.7-mile dirt road. Once there, hike past the Marching Men to Tower Arch.

CAN'T MISS 

If “Fiery Furnace” sounds like a place you’ll want to avoid, don’t. The name actually stems from how the afternoon sun glints off the rocky maze. Rangers lead tours into the Furnace twice daily. Although you can visit on your own, it’s not recommended. Before, or after, be sure to hike to Delicate Arch.

BARGAIN LODGING/DINING

You won’t find rooms or restaurants within Arches, so head 5 miles south into Moab. The budget-minded tend towards the Super 8 (super8moab.com, 435-259-8868) or Aarchway Inn (aarchwayinn.com, 800-341-9359 or 435-259-2599). Couples will enjoy the B&Bs Sunflower Hill (sunflowerhill.com, 1-800-MOAB-SUN) or Cali Cochitta (moabdreaminn.com, 888-429-8112 or 435-259-4961). Eddie McStiff’s Restaurant and Brew Pub (eddiemcstiffs.com, 435-259-2337) is family tested, the Jailhouse Cafe (435-259-3900) has the best breakfasts in the region, and the Desert Bistro (desertbistro.com, 435-259-0756) on the north end of town is an elegant step up from brewpub atmosphere.

INSIDE TRACK 

The park abuts Moab, rated one of the nation’s best places to ride a mountain bike. Experts rave about the Slickrock Bike Trail, but the options are endless for families who want to discover mountain biking.

-- Kurt Repanshek,  author of "National Parks With Kids"