Tips for Traveling to National Parks Cheaply

The Usa National Park System was once chosen America'due south "best idea" by Wallace Stegner and I have yet to notice whatever bear witness confronting that. Spanning85 million acres, National Parks can exist found in every corner of America, from Acadia in Maine to Joshua Tree in California and even downwardly to Big Bend in Texas. Unfortunately for most people, the National Parks are located far from their homes, which means the best manner to visit is by flying and renting a auto, or setting out on a road trip with your ain vehicle. This guide is to assistance you plan, budget, and pack for your epic National Parks Road Trip vacation.

I wrote this guide based on my own experience later visiting over a dozen of America's most popular parks. Later graduating college, with a few weeks off, a couple thousand saved up, a tent, and my boyfriend's x-year-old Honda Civic, I planned a foolhardy merely unforgettable trip to some of America'due south most beautiful places. Before setting out I researched as much equally possible to plan and struggled to notice one cohesive guide on planning, budgeting, and packing for my trip.

Since then I've gone on several other National Parks Route trips. From short weekend trips to Olympic National Park to a week spent in the Southwest. I've channeled what I've learned from those trips into this guide to help you plan! Decide where to get, how to go in that location, and what to practise with the helpful instructions beneath. This is to help you maximize your time and become the about out of your trip.

Budgeting for your trip? Read my Budget Breakdown From Our two Calendar week Road Trip

How Long to Plan for a National Parks Route Trip?

Whether yous have 1-2 weeks or several months, how long y'all accept volition bear upon your trip more than annihilation else. While longer is always better, 2-3 weeks will let you lot to make the nigh of your National Parks road trip.

Of course, that's not to say you cannot accept a bully vacation with less time. One week is however plenty of time to run across many parks that are close together. Fifty-fifty a weekend can lead to an amazing two days at the 1000 Canyon.

Whether yous are visiting i park or several, plan on spending at least ane day in each park, with 2-3 days planned for larger and more popular parks such every bit Yellowstone and Glacier. Make sure you leave half a day to a total mean solar day of travel betwixt your chosen parks.

Read More: 7 Mean solar day Utah-Arizona National Parks Road Trip

Choose Which National Parks to Visit

This can be the hardest role of planning. There are so many astonishing National Parks it feels impossible to narrow them down! One important factor is what time of twelvemonth you are traveling. For example, while in that location are then many things to do in Denali National Park in Alaska you demand to make sure you don't visit in a wintertime snowstorm!

If in that location is a specific hike or activity you take your eye fix on, make sure it is available the time of year you visit. I had my eye set on hiking Zion'south Narrows, only to be devastated upon arriving in Jump to learn that the river is not passible until afterwards in summer.

When to Visit National Parks

Below is a quick visual guide to cheque which months are parks' popular seasons.

Graphic of summit times in U.s. National Parks

National Parks in Jump

Jump is a great time to visit many of the Southwest parks in Utah and Arizona. It is too an platonic time to see waterfalls in parks similar Yosemite. Below are a few more parks to visit in Bound:

• Yard Coulee National Park in Arizona
• Zion National Park in Utah
• Arches National Park in Utah

National Parks in Summer

Summer is the most popular time to road trip to National Parks, just information technology is too the but time to access some of the best hikes in the mountains. Oft the snow will non melt until well into July or Baronial. Below are a few parks best visited in summertime:

• Mount Rainier National Park in Washington
• North Cascades National Park in Washington
• M Teton National Park in Wyoming

National Parks in Fall

In the Fall, visit the Midwest and East Coast parks to witness the beautiful fall leaf! Here are a few parks for a autumn trip:

• Acadia National Park in Maine
• Shenandoah National Park in Virginia
• Great Smokey Mount National Park in Tennessee

National Parks in Wintertime

Winter is a nifty time to visit popular parks in the off-season or to spend fourth dimension in the warmer climate parks. Below are a few warmer weather condition parks in the desert and South:

• Everglades National Park in Florida
• Joshua Tree National Park in California
• Expiry Valley National Park in California

Visiting Pop vs Less Crowded Parks

Another factor to consider when choosing your destination is how crowded the parks will exist. As you can probably imagine some of the more pop parks include the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Yellowstone. Sometimes these parks tin get so crowded it can feel more like visiting a Disney park than nature. Still, the crowds are for a skillful reason, as many of these locations have sites that you lot cannot encounter anywhere else in the world.

You lot can get avoid the crowds by visiting in the off-flavour, arriving at the park early in the day, or hiking or backpacking several miles from trailheads.

How Far to Drive on a Route Trip

Where you can get besides depends on how far you are willing to travel to get at that place. Be realistic most how much yous want to drive in a solar day. I would recommend 4-half dozen hours or less of driving each solar day to ensure you don't waste most of your vacation on the route.

I've gone on two extended National Parks Road Trips. The first trip involved several days of 8-12 hours of driving betwixt parks and the second trip only had ane-3 hours betwixt parks. While both trips were amazing, the second was far less stressful and allowed for more than time enjoying the parks.

Plan Your National Parks Route Trip Itinerary

In one case you've decided on one or several National Parks to visit, it'southward fourth dimension to starting time planning your itinerary!

Some great itineraries with minimal altitude between them are Pacific Northwest National Parks and Southwest National Parks, as they are all close together. Some such as Arches and Canyonland National Parks have only minutes between them. Beneath are 2 amazing itineraries that allow yous to visit multiple parks with but a few hours of driving in between.

Pacific Northwest Road Trip

PNW National Parks- Google Maps

This National Park's route trip loop allows you to offset in either Seattle or Portland and hit some of the best scenery and mountain views the Pacific Northwest has to offering.

• Due north Cascades
• Olympic
• Mount Rainier
• Crater Lake
• Redwoods

Southwest Road Trip

Southwest National Parks Map- Google Maps

This loop is perfect for exploring the Southwest and seeing astonishing geological formations in the desert. Flying into Las Vegas allows you to first at the Grand Canyon and work your style upwards through Utah'due south National Parks on an unforgettable route trip.

• One thousand Canyon
• Zion
• Bryce Canyon
• Capitol Reef
• Canyonlands
• Arches

California Parks Road Trip

California National Parks Road Trip- Google Maps

Travel the length of California for an epic California National Park road trip. Start at either the Northern or Southernmost bespeak of California and piece of work your way to the other end stopping at the National Parks on the way. This would make a great 2 to three-week route trip.

• Redwoods
• Lassen Volcanic National Park
• Yosemite National Park
• King's Canyon
• Sequoia
• Expiry Valley
• Joshua Tree

Western Parks Road Trip

Western National Parks Map- Google Maps

Meet some of the best Western National Parks with this National Parks road trip. This itinerary takes yous to three of the United State's best National Parks. You will exist certain to see plenty of mountains, wildlife, and iconic views on this trip.

• Glacier
• Yellowstone
• K Canyon

Reserve Your Accommodations

As soon as you've fabricated your itinerary, volume your reservations! Most park accommodations require reservations upwards to six months in advance. Almost all reservations inside National Parks can be made on Recreation.gov.

Lodges in National Parks

If you have the budget, you will not regret staying at lodges or cabins within the National Parks. Many of these lodges are over a hundred years erstwhile and have the perfect mix of rustic aesthetic and modern comfort. These stays besides have astonishing views, and you lot will spend less fourth dimension traveling into and out of the park.

Other Places to Stay Near National Parks

If you tin't become a booking inside the park, there are several other places to look for accommodations nearby. If yous travel in a grouping and split the costs this tin be a great mode to save money.

Beneath are only some of the resources to assist yous programme a cabin, hotel, or rental stay.

• Airbnb
• Vrbo
• Booking
• Expedia

Read More: Cabin Essentials Checklist

Camping in National Parks

If you are traveling on a dime (or just prefer roughing it) most parks accept campsites within the park. Like the lodges, about campgrounds require reservations that open 6 months in advance. During peak vacation times these sites tin sell out within minutes then be prepared to book your site the moment reservations open up.

Some parks also have first-come up, offset-serve campsites, although those volition as well fill upward chop-chop during popular times. In the off-season you will have more than luck getting a campsite without reservations.

Camping Near the Parks

If you don't score a spot within the park, most National Parks volition have private campgrounds and nearby state park camping ground.

Below are some of the best resource to notice nearby camping:

• Recreation
• KOA
• Hipcamp

Gratis Camping About National Parks

If yous can boondock without electricity, water, or facilities, y'all can also camp for free on nearby public country. This is also known as overlanding and is popular if you lot have a campervan, a way to get power, and a method to get to the bathroom (or you lot're okay going exterior).

This is my preferred fashion to campsite because you don't have to constrain your trip to reservations, allowing for more flexibility. That being said it is non for everyone and you take to respect the state! These areas are often less regulated so be sure to properly dispose of waste, respect other campers, and follow Leave No Trace!

Where to find free camping:

• Campendium
• Agency of State Management
• iOverlander

What Are You lot Going To Exercise?

Y'all made it! You are in the park, now you have to decide what y'all tin even do at that place. Most likely information technology includes some hiking or even backpacking . Many parks have a multitude of scenic viewpoints as well as guided tours, kayaking rentals, and bike paths.

Every park has an abundance and diverseness of things to offering in terms of trails and activities. Beneath are some resources and guides on how to make the well-nigh of your time in some of the popular National Parks!

Hiking in National Parks

Hiking is past far the about popular affair to do in the National Parks. You lot can find trails to hike by reading blogs, visiting the parks' websites, and using apps such as AllTrails.

Cull one long hike or several curt hikes to do in one 24-hour interval to make certain you don't tire yourself out. Ever read trail reviews to have a skillful idea of current trail weather. You can also call ahead or ask a park ranger upon arrival.

Before showtime a big hike know your limits and set properly. Every year thousands of rescues are required due to inexperienced hikers. It is too important to follow proper hiking etiquette and Leave No Trace!

Tips for Hiking in National Parks

• Bring enough water.
• Download or bring a impress map.
• Wear or bring layers.

Applying for National Parks Permits

Just remember some of the most pop backpacking and hiking trails crave permits to exist requested far in advance! This is to prevent damage to the trail and to ensure that the trail is as safe as possible. These trails are extremally popular and permits are in high need for hikes such as One-half Dome in Yosemite and Angels' Landing in Zion.

Permits are also not express merely to trails. Some popular National Parks accept started applying permits and reservations to other areas of the parks as well. For case, Glacier requires permits for its famousGoing-to-the-Lord's day Roadand Arches National Park has a timed entry system enter the park.

Some permits become online at a set time and you must work fast to claim ane. Others y'all enter your name in for a lottery organisation and are notified if you lot win. Make sure you sympathize the requirements and timing to utilise for your desired permit.

Plan For Everything To Get Wrong!

Be flexible! On my offset road trip, we encountered two snowstorms (in May!), a apartment tire, hail storms, and views blanketed by nothing just fog.

Despite it all, those are some of my favorite memories from the trip! The snow forced me to learn how to use tire chains, the rain led to some of the virtually cute waterfalls I've ever seen, and the flat tire forced a detour to a pocket-sized bakery with the best pastry I've ever had.

Hope for the best, but set for the worst and go with the flow! Nature is unpredictable and doesn't care about your plans, so brand the best of it.

Top 5 Tips for Visiting National Parks

• Know the wild fauna in the surface area! If yous are in grizzly land, know if you should have deport spray and how to react if you encounter a bear. Always respect the wildlife and follow National Park Guidelines on giving animals their distance.
• Stay on the trail and backside protective barriers. Every year people dice from leaning too far over a cliff or trying to get that Instagram shot. It's not worth your life!
• Respect local fauna. Don't pick or bruise the wildflowers. Exit nature as you lot constitute it. Have simply pictures, leave just footprints.
• Check if you need tire chains. Over Labor Day in Yosemite, a road into the park airtight due to over forty cars sliding off the road in the snow. This was one of the less obvious tips I hadn't heard earlier, so if you volition exist in mountains brand sure to bank check if there is snow possible at that time of twelvemonth.
• Bank check the park's website. Almost parks' websites will have up-to-date information on what is open, potential hazards, and many even have webcams assuasive you lot to see the weather in existent-time.

Ultimate National Parks Packing Listing

Make sure to pack the essentials!

Below is a listing of some of the most of import items to take with yous if yous programme on camping ground in National Parks on the inexpensive:

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if yous click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Camping ground Gear

• Tent– A tent is one of the most crucial parts of camping on a budget. The perfect pop-upwardly tent volition brand your camping trip much easier.
• Basis Tarp– A ground tarp protects your tent and keeps wet from getting in.
• Sleeping Bags– Kelty makes a great upkeep but warm sleeping bag for Women and Men.
• Auto Air Mattress– If yous don't want to sleep on the ground, or it volition be common cold or windy on your trip, a automobile camping is a great culling.
• Libation– A cooler will both go along your lunch cold and can be used to chill your road trip snacks and drinks.
• Camping ground Chairs– Camping chairs are great specially if you programme on boondocking or camping at free sites that may not have picnic tables.
• Coffee– Java is always a necessity when camping either from a Pour Over parcel or a Portable Press.
• Hammock– A hammock while camping is corking for relaxing, but make sure yous apply the right straps to not damage any copse.
• Flashlight or Headlamp– If you are hiking at sunset or sunrise bring a headlamp or flashlight to assistance yous discover your manner back in the nighttime
• Plastic Numberless– Always bring lots of plastic bags to aid keep your gear free of water and pack out all of your trash
• Burn Starter
• Sleeping Pad
• Pillow
• Plastic Dishes
• Utensils
• Camp Stove
• Pot
• Mugs
• Towel
• Rope
• Knife
• Record
• Pair of scissors
• Issues Spray
• Bucket

Clothing & Hiking Gear

• Tr ekking Poles– Many National Parks have hikes that are made easier with hiking poles such as Angel's Landing and Upper Yosemite Falls Trail.
• Hiking Boots– Don't forget hiking boots if you are planning on hiking a lot. Good traction and ankle support will save your feet on long hikes. Merrell makes both Women's and Men's Hiking Boots that I have used in many National Parks.
• Windbreaker/ Rain Jacket– E'er keep a rain jacket in your pack, as weather tin can alter in an instant, specially in mountain atmospheric condition. Marmot makes height-quality rain gear, andColumbia has a great, inexpensive option
• Heavy Jacket– A puffy glaze is necessary no matter the time of year in some National Parks, such as Glacier, North Cascades, and Rainier which are further N.
• Thick Socks–  If you practice clothing boots, make certain to bringgood socks to reduce the hazard of blisters!
• Moisture Wicking Shirts- Any shirt will do, simply the all-time hiking shirtsare made of natural or synthetic moisture-wicking material that is breathable and dries quickly.
• Hiking Pants or Leggings– Columbia makes proficient hiking pants and shorts for women. I personally tend to habiliment hiking leggingsmore than than shorts. If you are hiking in the winter,Carhartt makes great thick women's leggings.
• Haversack– Aexpert daypacktin can make your hike and then much more enjoyable. Properly distributing weight tin ease your trip and let you to bring all the essentials above!
• Acquit Spray– This is not needed in every park, only if you are hiking in grizzly country bring or hire bear spray!
• Kickoff Aid Kit– A beginning aid kit is a must in whatsoever hiking daypack no matter the trail length!
• Sandals– After a twenty-four hour period of hiking you will want to take off your hiking boots.Teva'south are my favorite sandal, only even a cheap pair of flip flops volition practise for some sandals to wear around camp.
• Sunscreen
• Hat & Gloves

Route Trip Gear

• Battery Pack
• GPS
• Newspaper Map
• Print Outs of Reservations
• Medications
• Spare Tire
• Tire Chains
• Camera

Toiletries

• Toothbrush and Toothpaste
• Newspaper Towels
• Wipes
• Hand Sanitizer
• Shower Toiletries
• Feminine Hygiene Products
• Toilet Newspaper (even if the campground has toilets it never hurts to have)

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