Basic Tips On How to Plan a Trip to Any National Park

The adventure I am on is focused on national parks in the United States¹, so some of this information will be directed towards those, however, most (if not all) of these tips can be applied to anywhere in the world.

I like to think that, one day, Somewhere Outdoors can be a one-stop shop for all the information you need to visit nearly anywhere, but until then, I will share my process for planning a visit to a national park.

If you don’t know anyone who “has been”, or don’t know where to start, you have come to the right place. Doing the right research before your national park visit is like a good slot machine; the more you put into it, the more you get out.

Find the nearest national park here!

1.) Well, at least initially.

1. Call Up a Ranger

I know some rangers who may or may not be happy that I am promoting this, because they are busy enough as it is, but the grand majority of park rangers (especially the ones you will be talking to) are wonderful people who walk the land you seek on a daily basis. Many parks even have offices that will help you plan your trip. You can start by looking up the number for one of the visitor centers if you can’t seem to find the right number to call.

I’d call for:

Trail reports
Personal suggestions (nothing wrong with a local’s perspective)
Safety information
Fee information
Fire restrictions (while you are on the subject, ask if you can/should bring firewood)
Proper food storage
Animal information (and what weaponry you are allowed to defeat them)
Proper waste management (are you allowed to burry your toilet paper there?)
General guidance on their area

Most employees of the National Parks Service aren’t in it for the sweet, sweet cash. They are in it because they believe in a noble cause. They believe in protecting and preserving one of the most precious things about being a human being on Planet Earth¹; having the ability of witnessing her natural beauty. OK, I will cool it. I only mean to convey that almost every parks employee I have met so far has been friendly, and more than willing to help ensure a safe and fun visit to their park.

1.) Top three, probably.

2. Keep Googling

I feel like a jerk for saying this, because it is terribly obvious, and there is a solid chance a google search led you here in the first place, but please bear with me. I promise I am not patronizing.

I wanted to make this a general tip, because it really depends on what you are trying to get yourself into when you are there, but the internet has not steered me wrong as I have searched for :

“best snow mobile in rocky mountain national park”
“best hiking in santa monicas”
“best camping in dry tortugas”

It helps to see if any of the campgrounds you are looking at are near the trails, beaches, etc. you plan on exploring.

3. Get the Budget Started

This could also be considered obvious, but fees can surprise you. Now, I am on an almost certainly on a different budget than you, but things you should start looking into:

Park Entry Fee (0-$100USD) – Don’t worry, most parks aren’t even close to $100, and you are normally charged per vehicle, but if you plan on visiting multiple parks in one year, the America the Beautiful Pass becomes economical fast ($80). It covers A LOT of land, and makes for a nice keepsake. Also, consider a day in which the entrance fees are waived.
Campsite Fee (0-$45USD) – Again, most places will be closer to $15 per site, per night.
Docking Fee (0-$45USD) – You have a boat, so I am pretty sure you got this figured out by now.
Rental Fees – Start looking into what it’s going to cost if you want to rent kayak, 4-wheeler, ski, etc. If this is a couples getaway, you obligated to at least check out how much it costs to ride a horse for an hour. Don’t forget to tip when appropriate.
Backcountry Permits (0-$10) – That’s right! Even if you want to just go out and pitch a tent in Nature, you gotta give the man his due. Chances of you running into a ranger are decreased, but if you want to do it, you might as well do it right. Don’t be a tool, and pay the $5.
Misc. – Never hurts to start looking into how much gas, food, water, etc. you are gonna need.
Gear – The sky is the limit.

4. Seek the Stars

When planning your trip to a national park, do not miss the opportunity to see some of the best stars of your life. Consider when the moon sets each evening, or when the next “new moon” will be. Weather is ultimately going to be the deciding factor here, but it doesn’t hurt to maximize your chances to see the Milky Way.

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

5. If You Are Camping, Consider This

To compliment tip 1 and 2, here are a few more things you will want to look into:

What will the weather conditions be, and how can you be prepared for them (always prepare for the worst)
Does the campsite have water, showers, bathrooms
How you will store your food
How you will dispose of waste (biological or not)
What are the fire restrictions
What gear and provisions you will need
What animals are in the area, and what to do if one approaches you (stop approaching the wildlife, people!)
Please do everything you can to respect the land you are on, the animals that call it home, and your fellow campers

Rocky Mountain National Park

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