This year is the national parks’ centennial. Each year over 275 million people visit the parks and you should too! If you have ever wanted to visit a national park, but don’t know where to start, take advantage of this guide to give you practical information about visiting a national park.
Practical Guide To Visiting A National Park
Preparing For Your Trip
Before visiting a national park, you should learn a little bit about it. Check out maps of the park, operating hours, fees, activities and trails. This information can generally be found online. If you plan on staying in the park you will need to reserve a campsite. They do fill up fast so it’s recommended that you book your stay well in advance at Recreation.gov. There are also hotels near many of the parks, but they do tend to fill up quickly, especially during the summer months.
Determining The Best Time To Go
During the summer months national parks tend to be the most crowded. This most likely has to do with the good weather and the kids being out of school. If you want to avoid a crowd, visit a national park during the spring or fall. It’s not necessarily bad to go in the summer, it just means that many of the big attractions, like Old Faithful, will be crowded and it may be hard to get accommodations.
Packing Appropriately
No matter when you go to a national park it will probably be hot. Make sure you pack plenty of water, sunscreen and snacks. You will be doing a lot of walking so make sure you wear comfortable clothing and shoes that are suitable for hiking. Don’t forget to carry a map just in case you get lost and a first-aid kit to treat minor injuries.
Booking Tours
There are many different tours you can go on at a national park. There’s everything from mule rides at the Grand Canyon and walking tours of Yellowstone National Park that include seeing the Lower Falls. Many of these tours do sell out so it’s a good idea to book them in advance.
With over 84 million acres of national parks it can be hard to determine exactly where to go or what to do. We can help you plan a trip to a national park and even a tour to take part in while you are there. With it being their centennial this year, there’s bound to be a lot going on at the national parks.
