It’s no secret I love exploring the National Parks in the US. I’ve learned a thing or two on those trips to know how to better use my time in the parks. It can be a little overwhelming knowing how to utilize your time most effectively without being super stressed while fighting the tourist hoards. This could be anything from wearing the right shoes to knowing when to go where.
Before and at the park
Plan ahead (at least a little)
I don’t mean create a minute by minute itinerary for your trip, I mean look at a park map to see where everything is and check out the park website or hit up Pinterest for some ideas on hike and activities you’d like to do. I think all parks have ranger programs, but some have night sky programs, which are awesome. Great Basin is known for the dark sky and has a few programs a week. You can usually find schedules online and at visitors centers.
Wear the right shoes
Fo realz. Nothing is worse than getting halfway into a hike and realizing you’re ready to cut your feet off and drag yourself the rest of the way. Wear the right shoes for the weather and type of hiking you’ll be doing. You already know I prefer Chacos over tennis shoes, I hate getting sand in my shoes and when my feet get hot, but if it’s going to be coolish I’ll wear tennis shoes. It’s more reasonable. If it’s snowy, obviously boots would be best. If you’ll be getting your feet wet and doing regular land hiking, Chacos (or Tevas) are great.
Check ahead for any park closures
Some parks may have trails closed due to high wildlife activity, like bears or wolves killing a moose. Others may be closed because of park updates and construction, like in Arches this summer. This can also lead to campground closures, so check ahead to make sure you’re not planning your trip around something you can’t actually do.
Look up campgrounds ahead of time
Like park closures, take a look at what your camping options are, if you plan on camping. Check to see if they take reservations or are first come, first serve. See how many spots are in each and which fills the fastest. If you need RV hookups, check where they are available as well. If there’s a specific one you want get there early or reserve it if you can. Just in case they are full, make note of some others in the area as backups.
Bring some sort of snack
It’s good, but not necessary, to have some kind of snack with you if you plan on hiking all day or spending the entire day in the park. Not all of them, most that I’ve been to actually, don’t have food available in the park at all. You would have to go to the nearest town instead. And, if there is food in the parks, it’s probably not going to be great, but it will be expensive. Save your wallet and tastebuds with some jerky or something and splurge on dinner at a good restaurant. Definitely have breakfast before you go, too.
Stay hydrated
Like my Chacos, you know I love my Hydro Flask. It’s important to stay hydrated when you’re out hiking all day, especially in the desert parks. It’s nice to have a bigger one to keep lots of water on you so you don’t have to worry about finding somewhere to fill it up. Some parks will have places to do this, though. Better to be safe than sorry!
Grab a park map
You usually get these at the entrance gate, but some parks without entrance fees don’t have the pay stations, so pick one up at the visitors center instead. They will show all the camping, gas, food, bathrooms, visitors centers, and trails. It’s super helpful to have, especially in big parks like Yellowstone or if you make an impromptu visit to a park. I always reference mine when planning out a route through the park, then it’s a fun thing to have to take home with you.
Stop at the visitors center
This is always the first thing I do, mostly to get postcards and a patch, but occasionally I’ll ask about what the rangers recommend doing and their opinion on a trail, like Sulphur Creek in Capitol Reef, to get a better idea of what to expect. Take it with a grain of salt though. In Gunnison it felt like we were being discouraged from driving down into the canyon when it really isn’t bad at all. Plus, now is a great time to ask about ranger programs to see if any interest you if nothing is listed online.
Be flexible
I think this is most important. You can plan everything you want, but you need to be flexible. Everything might not go according to plan. A trail may be closed for construction, from storm damage, or because if wildlife activity. Just keep an open mind and enjoy your time in the park.
Resources to help plan
National Geographic Guide to National Parks
This is my go-to book when I decide to go to a park whether it’s my first or fourth visit. It breaks the parks down into the different areas and gives you an idea of the park’s highlights. If it’s your first visit and you have limited time, this is super helpful. If I’m returning to a park, I look for some of the less visited areas and some lesser known hikes to try. It has tips on camping, when to go, all the visitors centers. It’s awesome.
National Geographic Guide to Scenic Highways and Byways
Gotta get from park to park somehow, don’t you? Why not take the scenic way! This book will help you find the prettiest roads to get you around America. Head from Lake Powell (in Utah) to Escalante? Take Burr Trail! What about Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon? Scenic Byway 12! Great Smoky Mountains to Shenandoah? Blueridge Parkway will get you there! Going through Mississippi? Why not take the Natchez Trace!
National Geographic Secrets of the National Parks
This is another great book for finding hikes do to in the parks. It does highlight some of the well known trails, but there are a few lesser known ones that they talk about. It also doesn’t include all of the parks, so keep that in mind. If you’re looking for information on a specific one, check to see if it’s in here before buying it. It’s a good addition to the Guide to National Parks. If I were to only bring one for a trip, it would be the regular guide.
My National Parks page
Obviously I had to include this. I haven’t been to all the parks yet, not even close, but the ones I have been to I’ve created a guide with. I add every new park and update when I go back to them, so I update it quite a bit.
Park Service websites
These are obviously the best resources. I always check the specific park website to see closures and get a chart with all of the hiking trails on it. You can also find entrance fees and camping information. This is also the place to look for any park closures or advisories.
