The classic Southwestern Grand Circle tour loops through seven national parks and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

It took us 14 days to visit the parks, which included 2 ½ days on Lake Powell at Glen Canyon. We drove 1,803 miles. All of these parks hit temperatures in the 90s and above in the summer -- sunscreen and water in abundance, and a hat or other head covering are musts.

Each park has its own entrance fee, but if you're planning a multi-park trip, it makes more sense to buy an America the Beautiful annual pass for $80, which gains admission for the passholder and everyone in the vehicle at federally operated recreation sites.

One fun thing to do as a family is buy a national parks passport ($7.95), which has information on all of the parks and gives you a space to get a dated stamp at each one; the National Park Service issues official sticker stamps annually ($3.95) that can be placed in the book, and it also contains a U.S. map showing the park locations. Stop in the park's visitor center to find the free rubber stamp with that day's date.

Because some of the national parks don't offer full hookups, were already booked (some six months in advance) or don't even have RV parks, we sometimes stayed outside the parks.

• Arches National Park, north of Moab, Utah; open year-round.

Kid appeal: The first time we visited this visual smorgasbord, my daughters were 4 and 6; we spent hours bouldering and scrambling on the groovy rocks of all shapes and sizes. Check the rules for where you are allowed to climb (the named arches and bridges are off-limits, as is Balanced Rock, and you are not allowed to install permanent climbing hardware). There are great hikes all over.

Lodging: The Devils Garden Campground sits 18 miles into the park and offers 52 individual sites, some of which can take RVs up to 30 feet long (potable water and flush toilets, but no hookups or showers). Cost is $20 per night, plus a $9 reservation fee (accepted only between March 1 and Oct. 31). No other lodging available in the park. Moab is five miles south on U.S. 191 and offers a variety of lodging options.

Dining: There are no food services at Arches; Moab is your best bet.

Fees: $10 per vehicle (seven-day pass).

Take note: If you bring your bikes along, riding is allowed only on the main roads; however, the Willow Springs road is a dirt road that gets less traffic and offers a nice two- to three-hour ride (fat-tire bikes are preferable).

More info: nps.gov/arch

• Canyonlands National Park, northeastern Utah; open year-round.

Kid appeal: Hiking, climbing, rafting, horseback riding, four-wheeling -- it all depends on which district you wind up in and how much time you're spending. Some of the trails have potholes that fill with water, which means tadpoles and other interesting creatures; some have pictographs. Stop by the visitor center at Island in the Sky or Needles and pick up a Discovery Pack backpack (deposit required) with binoculars and other cool stuff that makes the exploring more interesting.

Lodging: Island in the Sky ($10 a night) and Needles ($15 a night) have small campgrounds with 28-foot restrictions for RVs and limited amenities (no water at Island in the Sky, no hookups at either). No other lodging. It depends on the district you are accessing, but you can stay in Moab, 35 miles away from Island in the Sky, or Monticello, 50 miles from Needles.

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