Deal: Fourth-graders go free on these all-inclusive adventure tours of national parks

Some lucky kids are going to travel for free in 2016. First, President Obama launched an initiative that gives fourth-graders free admission to national parks in honor of the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary next year.

Now, Montana-based Austin Adventures ups the ante by offering all-inclusive, active family trips to national parks -- and fourth-graders go free. The offer is good for 2016 tours to a dozen national parks where the accent is on hiking, bicycling and kayaking to experience nature firsthand.

The deal: Austin Adventures, a partner of national park concessionaire Xanterra Parks & Resorts, operates tours that cover lodging, meals and transfers at parks such as Yellowstone (usually $1,998 for children), Kenai Fjords National Park (usually $2,798) in Alaska, and Bryce Canyon and Zion national parks in Utah (usually $1,998).

Of course, parents have to go along on the trips, which makes for good savings on a family getaway.

When: The offer is good for a dozen destinations in 2016, subject to availability.

Details: Austin offers hands-on adventure tours crafted with families in mind. For example, the tour to Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula includes searching for otters, sea lions and puffins while kayaking Resurrection Bay; taking a cruise in the national park to see a tidal glacier; and bicycling to waterfalls and meadows in the town of Hope.

The Alaska trip lasts six days and costs $3,498 for adults and from $2,798 to $3,148 for children. Airfare for all tours is extra.

Info: Austin Adventures, (800) 575-1540

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