Even if you don’t have time to participate in a full-blown excursion, it’s always worth chatting up a park ranger for their expertise. “Rangers are deeply knowledgeable about the area and can help make your experience both safer and richer,” says Christa Hayes, an expert and interpretive park guide in the Greater Yellowstone area. “They can alert you to recent animal sightings or trail closures, offer insights about flash flood danger or trail conditions, share tips about hidden viewpoints or must-see features, and suggest how much water or gear to bring.”
4. Hire an expert guide
Even the most seasoned hikers can benefit from expert guides, who can be booked for group park tours and private excursions via local adventure companies. “There is nothing like the feeling of discovering a hidden waterfall yourself,” says Sam Highley, founder of All Roads North, a luxury road trip specialist. “But there can be some huge benefits to spending at least some of your time with an experienced guide.”
For an immersive national park experience with deep local ties, consider Indigenous tour operators. Ed DesRosier of the Blackfeet Nation, for example, broke new ground in Montana over 30 years ago when he became one of two Indigenous-owned (and -staffed) businesses recognized as an NPS concession company at the time. Today, his company, Sun Tours, operates half and full-day cultural interpretive tours of Glacier, which is located on ancestral Blackfeet land.
Whether it’s a geologist, astronomer, wildlife biologist, or seasoned trail guide, “seeing things through expert eyes can be the highlight of your national park visit,” Highley says, adding that “for many people, a guide is the difference between simply ‘visiting’ and truly connecting with the place.”
5. Prepare for remote environments
The off-grid locations of US national parks are part of the draw, but can also result in logistical challenges if you aren’t prepared. Many of the more remote parks may have little or no phone coverage. “Make a plan with your group ahead of time for how and where to meet up if you get separated,” Hayes says. “In areas with no signal, old-school methods—like choosing a meeting place or time in advance—are essential.”
If you plan on driving to the park, be sure to fill up your gas tank before you enter, Hayes adds, as services inside can be sparse and expensive. As for navigation, download your trail maps and park routes before you hit the road—or, kick it old-school and pack along the printed version of the map with you.
6. Reserve your camping spot
America’s national parks may be wild places—but they are also wildly popular. The most highly-sought after campgrounds, like those at Acadia National Park, can book up minutes after they become available online—so plan accordingly. Most parks open up their camping reservations on Recreation.gov 6 months in advance and release additional spots on a rolling basis; but some, like Yellowstone (13 months) and Yosemite (2 weeks), vary. As mentioned, NPCA’s Know Before You Go page is a helpful park-by-park guide for visitors planning where to camp. (Only a handful of parks—like Cuyahoga Valley and Gateway Arch—completely prohibit overnight camping.) Tools like Campnab, CampScanner, CampsitePhotos, and Campflare can help in a snag—they constantly monitor Recreation.gov and park releases, alerting you the instant a spot frees up.
7. Pack smart—and lock up
Think of your daypack as your mobile comfort zone. You won’t find a Whole Foods or espresso machine deep in the wilderness, so bring the essentials that can make your day better—whether that’s healthy snacks and instant coffee or your favorite sunscreen and lip balm. “Park concessions are often limited in their offerings, so being self-sufficient with personal luxuries means more time exploring and less time waiting in line,” says Mike Augustine, trip consultant at adventure company Mountain Travel Sobek. “Oh—and whatever you do, lock up your food. No one wants to return to their car to find a bear in their cooler.” Some bear country parks include Denali National Park and Preserve, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Kenai Fjords National Park, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, and Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. Travelers should read more about bear identifications and sightings before visiting any national park on the NPS bear safety website page. And while you can’t fly with bear spray, you can buy it near any American national park. In any case, though, Hayes recommends packing “layers for shifting temps, sturdy shoes, sun protection, a rain jacket, and a reusable water bottle with a filter.”
8. Check when permits are required
Before heading into any national park, it’s essential to research and secure the proper permits for activities like fishing, backpacking, and rock climbing. These are separate from park reservations, and help manage visitor impact, protect wildlife, ensuring a safe experience for all.