Make the most of your experience in the National Park sites by following some basic tips for your next trip.
National parks can also be intimidating to new travelers, especially first-time visitors with kids. We have gone to over 15 National Park Service sites with our kids, so have a lot of tips and tricks for your next visit to a National Park or National Monument.
We have taken many family vacations to some of the more popular national parks, such as Zion, Yellowstone, Great Smoky, and the Rocky Mountains, as well as to the least visited parks such as Congaree, Canyonlands, and the Everglades. It’s on our bucket list to get to all 63 of the national parks. Over time, we have found some essential tips and tricks for visiting America’s national parks. While my list isn’t all-inclusive, and you need to make the best decisions for you and your travel group, this is a great place to start.
National Park System Basics
There are a lot of terms thrown around regarding the National Park Service (NPS). The NPS is a division of the U.S. Department of the Interior, and it manages all 63 national parks and about 350 other sites around the country. You’ve probably heard of the most popular National Parks, even if you’ve never been to one: Yosemite National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Glacier National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Arches National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, etc. But there are also lesser-known parks such as Acadia National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Congaree National Park, and Dry Tortugas National Park. They all have the same classification as the big-name parks.
The National Park Service also manages several hundred other protected areas that are not national parks, including national monuments, national memorials, national recreation areas, national historic sites, and quite a few other designations. They preserve national history, conserve natural beauty, and care for communities across the country. The NPS does not manage national forests or grasslands, which are handled by the U.S. Forest Service.
Brief History of the NPS
Before the National Park Service, the future of our national parks was dire. Yellowstone, the first national park, was established in 1872 but the National Park Service wasn’t formed until August 25, 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act. This law created the NPS as a federal agency within the Department of the Interior, with the mission to conserve and protect the natural and historical sites of the United States for future generations.
In the interim, Yellowstone and all the other parks were governed independently and with little success. Yellowstone was mismanaged by the federal regulators, a civilian staff, and the U.S. Army before prominent businessman Stephan Mather intervened. Alarmed by the exploitative opportunists, poachers, and robbers that were plaguing the park, he pleaded the case of Yellowstone to Secretary of the Interior Franklin Lane.
For the ongoing protection and prosperity of the parks, he decided to form a new federal agency dedicated to preserving the purity of our national parks. The National Park Service was created, they saved Yellowstone, and 100 years later our National Parks are still thriving.
Best National Parks for Beginners
If you are looking to explore beyond what’s close to home, I have some recommendations! The following five sites are all easy national parks to visit, each for a different reason. But there are certainly many more to consider, so always consider what might be nearby to other places you are traveling.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Within an easy drive for millions of Americans, this national park spanning the borders of North Carolina and Virginia is the most visited in the entire system. Easy hikes and overlooks, waterfalls, and car touring options make it a good fit even for beginners or mobility-limited. It’s totally free to enter (but does charge a small parking fee) and is open year-round.
Great Smoky Mountains
Zion National Park
Zion is less than two hours away from Las Vegas and can be easily done as a day trip or a quick addition to a Vegas trip on either end.
Zion
Everglades National Park
Super accessible for anyone on a South Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale) or Florida Keys vacation. This park also has a really unique landscape that sets it apart from many others in the system (my kids were in awe of all the alligators we saw!).
Everglades
Cuyahoga National Park
Many national parks are off the beaten path and hard to reach for travelers coming in by plane. But Cuyahoga is located right in the city of Cleveland, a major hub for several airlines. You could even see it on a long layover in town.
Joshua Tree National Park
Just one hour from Palm Springs, this is a popular drivable national park from lots of Southern California destinations. There are quite a few places to see unique otherworldly scenery without having to do serious hiking.
Joshua Tree
Planning a Trip
Choose Your Vacation
The best way to start planning a trip to a National Park is to decide what type of vacation you want to have. If you want to relax on the water and go snorkeling or scuba diving, then Biscayne, Dry Tortugas, or even the Virgin Islands would be a great way to do that. For those who prefer hiking in the mountains, a park such as the Rocky Mountains, Joshua Tree, or Glacier might be a better option. Or, if you want to see a lot of unique land features, consider a trip to Yellowstone, Bryce Canyon, or Carlsbad Caverns.
Research the Park
Each park has its own unique features, trails, and guidelines. Check the park’s official website for maps, hours, entrance fees, and visitor center information. You can also follow the parks on social media to get an idea of what’s going on at the park, upcoming events, and any major incidents or trail closures.
Book Reservations Early
Some parks have limited entry or require reservations, especially during peak seasons such as Yosemite, Zion, and Glacier. Book your reservations for the parks and lodging early. If you are going in the summer months, expect everything to be busy at that time of year. Since kids are out of school, that’s a very popular time for families to travel together.
Know Peak Season
If possible, visit during the shoulder season (spring/fall) to avoid crowds and experience milder weather. Also, check which season the park is open and when the roads are expected to be open.
Purchase a National Park Pass
For those who are going to go to multiple parks in a trip or within a year, consider purchasing the America the Beautiful Pass if you don’t qualify for other passes. Seniors can get the lifetime Senior Pass, those with disabilities can qualify for the Acess Pass, Military personnel can get a pass, and families with a 4th grader can get the Every Kid Outdoors pass. All of these passes work for the entire vehicle of people as long as the pass holder is in the vehicle. Otherwise, if you plan to go to the same park multiple times a year, most of the parks have an annual pass.
Make a Schedule
Some parks are large and impossible to see completely in a day or two. If your time is limited, plan ahead and decide what is a must-see for each person in your travel group. Visit that particular park’s website which allows you to explore some attractions and trails virtually so you can get a feel for what you want to see and do ahead of time. Upon arrival, check in with the park rangers at the visitor center for the best and most up-to-date information for your trip.
Pack the Essentials
Having the right gear helps everyone have a great time and a safe national parks trip.
- Backpack: To carry your supplies in without being hindered.
- Water: Bring enough water, especially in dry and hot climates like the desert. Make sure you have reusable water bottles that you can fill at stations throughout the park.
- Snacks/Food: Pack non-perishable, lightweight snacks for energy while hiking.
- First Aid Kit: Always carry basic medical supplies for cuts, blisters, or other minor injuries.
- Sun Protection: Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. The parks can be unforgiving.
- Layers: Some parks have varying temperatures, especially between day and night.
- Ponchos: Be ready for any weather changes.
- Map/Compass: Cell service is spotty, so make sure you have a paper map with detailed information on easy or challenging hikes.
- Dry-Bag for Electronics: Again, if the weather conditions change and you are caught in the rain, you want a way to protect your phone and other electronics. I large ziplock bag is perfect for this.
- Headlamp/Flashlight: Even if you are planning to be back before the sun goes down, bring a light in case you are caught out later than planned.
- Whistle or Noise Maker: This will help to keep bears and other large wildlife away, but is also essential if you get lost. Blow the whistle instead of yelling because it’s louder meaning rescuers will hear it from a further distance and it will prevent you from losing your voice.
Pets/Service Animals
Most National Parks do not allow pets on their trails. Some offer kennel services, but make sure to plan ahead for your pets to have a place to go while you are out hiking. Service animals are allowed as long as they are trained and registered service animals.
Lodging: You Don't Have to Rough It
Many travelers shy away from National Parks because they don’t like to “rough it”. I feel you. I have gone camping many times with our Cub Scouts, but never in a national park. I prefer to get dirty hiking and exploring all day long and retreat to a hot shower and warm bed at the end of it all.
Luckily, for the vast majority of national parks, you don’t have to rough it if you decide that’s not your idea of a good time. Many major national parks have iconic historic lodges located within the parks that offer quality – and even luxury – accommodations. Many more parks have inexpensive but adequate motel and hotel options located outside the park gates not too far away. Start with what is within your comfort zone and proceed from there to find the best place for your travel group to stay.
Getting Ready
Check the Weather
As your trip gets close, make sure to check the weather. Remember it can be different temperatures in the park versus the towns around them.
Last Minute Packing
Do any last-minute packing that you need to finish up before your trip.
Cell Phone Coverage
In most of the US National Parks, cell coverage is spotty or non-existent. Don’t count on your phone for use in the park. Download maps for offline use, music or audio guides, and any apps you’ll need. The NPS app has an option to download the park ahead of time, so do that as well.
Navigation
As Americans, we are pretty dependent on our cars. Most visitors road trip to national parks, so cars are an integral part of the national park travel experience. Cars are not always, however, the best transportation choice once you arrive at some national parks.
Several national parks are just completely overwhelmed by car traffic or short on parking, making a car a liability rather than an asset. Several, like Zion National Park in Utah, don’t allow cars at certain times of the year and instead have instituted a regular shuttle system to transport visitors. Still, other parks are more easily explored in certain areas on foot or by bike.
National Park Service App
The NPS has created a mobile app for your phone with a lot of detailed information. It’s a good idea to download the app and save the park for offline use before you visit. From the app, you can check the entrance fee, find a ranger station or visitors center, discover the scenic drives offered, locate the nearest restrooms, find the popular trails, check locations for the national parks passport stamps, and more.
Tips for at the Park
Passport Book
I learned about the National Parks Passport Book after I had visited many sites within the National Park Service. We were able to go back and ask for some of the previous cancellation stamps from prior visits. Now, I don’t go anywhere without taking this small book with me. You can purchase them online or at most of the bookstores within the National Park Service. I like to collect the stamps from as many of the public lands sites as we can.
Souvenirs
Before you go to a national park service site for the first time, decide what you want to collect on your travels. For me, it’s a Christmas ornament from every park and place that we travel to. I set up a Christmas Tree each year for our travel ornaments. My boys like to get a stuffed animal from each national park. Yes, their rooms are overloaded with stuffed animals, but it’s what they enjoy.
Some examples of things to collect include:
- Passport Book Stamps
- Passport Book Stickers
- Christmas Ornament
- Keychain
- Magnet
- Stuffed Animals
- Unigrid Maps
- Patches
- Pins
- Walking Stick Medallions
- Car Bumper Sticker
- Postcards
- Stickers
- Hats
- Shirts
- Sweaters
Junior Ranger Program
If you are traveling with kids, make sure you check out the Junior Ranger program! The books are free at most parks and contain activities for the kids to work on as you travel on your national park visit. Once they complete the correct amount of activities for their age, it can be brought to any visitor center and turned in to the park ranger. Then they will “swear them in” and give them a Junior Ranger badge.
Pro Tip: If they are wooden badges, you can then use the passport book cancellation stamp on the back to have the date on the stamp. Some places still give a plastic badge. If they have the small round stickers for the cancellation stamp available, you can stamp that and stick it to the back of the Junior Ranger badge.
Visitor Centers
The first stop we make at any national park is the closest visitor center. We can get important information about the park and any trail closures, speak with the rangers about our trip plan, check out the bookstore, get that passport book stamp and Junior Ranger book, and more. The rangers often give the best tips to find those hidden gems even in the most popular parks.
Ranger-Led Programs
While at the visitor center, check into any available ranger programs. Depending on the park, the season, and the time of day, these ranger programs can include guided hikes, learning programs, and more.
Leave No Trace
Follow the “Leave No Trace” principles to protect the environment and reduce your carbon footprint while enjoying the national parks of the United States:
- Plan Ahead & Prepare
- Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What you Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Others
Arrive Early
Popular parks can get crowded, especially during peak season. Getting an early start ensures better parking, avoiding large crowds, and a more peaceful experience. Some parking areas in the most popular places, such as Logans Pass in Glacier National Park or General Grant Tree in Kings Canyon, will fill even in the early morning hours.
Know Your Limits
Choose trails and activities that match your fitness level. Overestimating your abilities can lead to exhaustion or injury, especially in parks with challenging terrain. This can be especially dangerous when there’s no cell service to call for help. Some hikers carry a satellite phone or emergency contact device for this reason.
Stay Hydrated and Take Breaks
Especially in desert parks like those in Arizona and California, dehydration is a real risk. Carry plenty of water and take frequent breaks in shaded areas. Bring more water than you think you’ll need and fill it at every water filling station you can find.
Wildlife Safety
Always maintain a safe distance from wild animals, even if they seem harmless. Follow guidelines for bear safety, snake awareness, or other wildlife you might encounter. Never feed animals, as it can endanger both them and you. Keep well away from wildlife and never try to touch any animals.
Navigation and Communication
Maps
While GPS is helpful, cell service can be unreliable. Carry a physical map of the park and a compass. Know which trail you are on, about how long it should take, where you started, and where you expect to end up.
Emergency Communication
Let someone know your plans in case of emergency, especially when venturing into remote areas or going on a backpacking trip into the wilderness. Leave a note in your vehicle of where you are going and when you plan to be back in your vehicle. This way, if a ranger comes across your vehicle, and you aren’t back when you should be, they have an idea of where to start looking to send emergency help your way.
Respect the Park Rules
Pay attention to park signs and follow all regulations, such as campfire restrictions and designated camping areas. If a trail says to stay on the path, then stay on the path. This can be for both your safety as a hiker, the safety of the ecosystem you are hiking through, or both.
