Geology

Known as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks, this 500-million-year-old sandstone gorge is one of the oldest tourist attractions in the United States. Walkways and bridges take you along the rim and down into the gorge where the Ausable River has carved dramatic formations in the rock. Kids are amazed by the towering walls and the optional raft ride through the rapids at the end is a thrilling finish. Rock climbing, rappelling, and river tubing are available for older kids who want more adrenaline.

Dramatic pointed clay spires rising over 150 feet above the shore of Lake Ontario, sculpted by wind, rain, and waves into shapes that look like something from another planet. The Bluff Trail along the rim gives top-down views of these formations while the Beach Trail offers a look from below. The formations are constantly changing and eroding so they look different every year. Kids are fascinated by the alien landscape. Stay on marked trails as the clay edges are unstable. It is genuinely one of the most unique natural sites in New York.

A unique geological park with a glacial plunge basin lake surrounded by 175-foot cliffs. Glacier Lake at the bottom of the basin is a deep green meromictic lake. Trails wind along the rim and down to the lake shore with views into the rocky basin. The geology here is fascinating and interpretive signs explain how glaciers carved the landscape. The park is small but packs a lot of natural drama into a compact area. Rock climbing is popular on the cliff faces. A great short nature outing near Syracuse.

A short walk across a windswept point to a formation of sharp, jagged lava rock teeth jutting upward from the coastline that looks like a dragon rising from the earth. The rock formations were created by lava meeting the ocean and are unlike anything else on Maui. Kids are fascinated by the shapes and the crashing waves around the point add drama. An ancient Hawaiian labyrinth made of stones sits nearby. The walk is short and flat but the terrain is uneven lava so watch footing. Great whale watching spot in winter.

A barren, otherworldly landscape of wind-sculpted red rock formations and boulders that looks like the surface of Mars. Hawaiian legend says the rocks were placed here by the gods. The red, orange, and purple colors of the rock against the blue sky are striking, especially at sunrise and sunset when the light is warm. Kids love climbing on the rocks and the landscape is so unusual it sparks their imagination. A 4WD vehicle is needed to reach the site. Views of Molokai across the channel add to the drama. There are no facilities so bring everything you need.

A privately operated nature attraction with steel walkways and bridges built right into the granite walls of the Ausable River gorge. Kids get an up-close look at four major waterfalls crashing through ancient rock formations while staying safe on the fenced walkways. The whole loop takes about 30 to 45 minutes and is manageable even for younger children. A gem mining station and nature trails add to the experience. In winter the frozen falls are spectacular and snowshoe trails are available.

One of the most visited natural attractions in New York with guided tours through a massive cave system 156 feet underground. The 80-minute walking tour includes a boat ride on an underground lake that kids think is magical. Limestone formations, narrow passages, and the sheer scale of the caverns are genuinely impressive. The temperature underground is a constant 52 degrees making it a great rainy-day or hot-day activity. An above-ground adventure park with ropes courses and zip lines adds outdoor fun.

A short loop trail through a forest of eerie lava molds left behind when a lava flow swept through a forest of ohia trees in 1790. The trees burned away but the hardened lava preserved their shapes, creating hollow pillars and ghostly tree-shaped columns. Kids think the formations look like petrified forest creatures. The 0.7-mile paved loop is easy and shaded. It is a quick stop that vividly demonstrates the power of volcanic activity in a way kids can see and touch. The surrounding forest has regrown around the formations creating a beautiful contrast.

A spectacular 4-mile round trip coastal trail along Kauai last undeveloped south shore coastline. The trail passes ancient sand dunes turned to stone (lithified dunes), dramatic sea cliffs, tide pools, blowholes, and a sinkhole with an ancient Hawaiian petroglyph cave. Kids are fascinated by the geological formations and the wild coastline. Humpback whales and monk seals are seen from the trail in winter. The trail is mostly flat but exposed to sun and wind. This is one of the most geologically interesting hikes in Hawaii.

The largest marble cave entrance in the eastern US sits at the center of this family-friendly nature park. Self-guided trails wind past caves, waterfalls, and geological formations that kids find genuinely fascinating. The stone bridge itself is massive and the gorge below it is dramatic. A gem mining sluice keeps younger kids busy for a long time. Seasonal activities include snowshoe trails in winter. It is a privately run park so expect a polished experience with good signage and clean restrooms.

A privately run nature park with a one-mile trail winding through massive ancient rock formations with crevices, passageways, and caves that kids can explore. The rock outcroppings are over 300 million years old and rise up to 60 feet high. Kids absolutely love squeezing through narrow passages and climbing on the rocks. Some crevices require flashlights and a sense of adventure. The forest of old-growth hemlock and white pine adds to the atmosphere. This is one of those places where kids beg to go back.

A dramatic escarpment park with cliff-top views stretching 40 miles across the Hudson and Mohawk Valleys. The Indian Ladder Trail is the signature hike, descending along the cliff face on stairs and walkways behind a waterfall. Kids love walking behind the waterfall and the geology exposed in the cliff face spans millions of years. The park has over 25 miles of trails, a swimming pool, playgrounds, and picnic areas. The Helderberg Escarpment is one of the richest fossil-bearing rock formations in the world.

One of the best-preserved caves in Texas staying a constant 72 degrees year round which makes it a brilliant beat-the-heat option on a blazing Austin summer day. Kids are wowed by the massive stalactites and stalagmites on the one-mile paved Adventure Tour and the guides pace the experience well for families with younger children. The cavern was discovered in 1963 during highway construction and still contains Ice Age fossils of mammoths and giant sloths which gives kids something genuinely cool to talk about afterward. Tours depart every 20 to 30 minutes so you rarely wait long.

A dramatic limestone gorge carved by a massive flood in 2002 that exposed layers of rock millions of years old along with real dinosaur footprints and fossils. Access is by guided tour only through the Gorge Preservation Society and kids who are into geology or dinosaurs will be absolutely riveted. The guides are knowledgeable and make the science accessible for school-age children. Tours require advance registration and fill up fast.