Planning your first national park trip? After visiting national parks across the country with our kids, we’ve learned a lot about what to pack, what to plan ahead, how to save money, and how to avoid some unnecessary headaches (and hopefully some family whining 😂).
These are our national park travel tips for beginners and families, based on the things that have actually helped us on our trips (from packing food and downloading maps to planning hikes and knowing when not to cram one more thing into the day).
Before You Go
Get the America the Beautiful Pass
If you’re planning to visit several national parks, look into the America the Beautiful Pass a few months before your trip.
For us, it made sense because we were visiting multiple parks during this trip, and the pass is good for a year.
Start Early
Check for Reservations & Timed Entry
And if there’s something your family really wants to do, figure out when reservations open and put it on your calendar. Some of them go FAST! National parks can get busy, especially during peak summer months. If you have specific hikes, tours, or popular viewpoints you really want to see, check ahead to see whether reservations or timed-entry permits are required.
We’ve learned that a little planning ahead can save a lot of frustration once you’re there. And we start early in the parks to beat the crowds. Every summer I see videos of huge crowds and long lines. When we get to the park at 6:30/7am, we do not notice any of these crowds and its so worth it!
Check the Park Website Before You Go
Before heading into a national park, check the official park website for current information on road closures, trail conditions, weather, permits, shuttle systems, and other important updates.
Things can change quickly, so don’t assume information you found six months ago is still accurate.
Those mountains can get a blizzard in June or early July, which could literally derail your plans.
Download Your Maps
You will lose cell signal and could get lost—and not the kind of lost we are looking for on these adventures!
Do this before you leave Wi-Fi. Screenshot your directions and download your maps. Cell service can disappear quickly around national parks.
What to Pack
Bring Your Own Food
This is a big one for us.
I have dietary restrictions, and I also find that bringing food saves a lot of money when you’re traveling through remote areas.
We actually check a suitcase full of food.
Yes, a suitcase.
We pack things like:
- Peanut butter and jelly
- Clif Bars
- Goldfish
- Protein bars
- Snacks
- Other easy-to-pack foods
We buy bread and anything else we need once we’re all checked in.
I also bring reusable plastic sandwich bags so we’re not constantly throwing away bags throughout the trip.
Food inside the parks and remote areas can get expensive quickly, so this is one of the easiest ways we’ve found to save money.
We always carry a backpack with plenty of water and another with snacks and lunch.
It saves time, money, and whining.
Well… it reduces the whining. Nothing eliminates the whining. If you know a way to fix that, let me know!
Pack Water
Even if we’re not planning a long hike, we always head into the park with plenty of water. You don’t necessarily know when you’ll be able to refill, and services can be pretty spread out.
Bring Binoculars
Wildlife spotting is safest from afar, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a great view!
Bring good binoculars or consider purchasing a spotting scope. You’ll be surprised how much more you can see when you’re not trying to get closer to the wildlife.
While You’re There
Wear the Right Shoes
This one sounds obvious, but trust me; those cute shoes you wore for the car ride probably aren’t going to cut it on a rocky trail. 😂
Wear comfortable shoes with good traction, and break them in before your trip. Your feet will thank you later.
I’ve seen people wearing Crocs and flip-flops on these hikes. Hopefully you read that and thought the same thing I did!
Layer Your Clothes
Weather can change quickly in and around the parks. Mornings can be chilly, afternoons warm, and higher elevations can feel completely different.
Layers make it much easier to adjust without packing your entire closet.
Know Where the Bathrooms Are
Don’t wait until someone really has to go.
Bathrooms aren’t always conveniently located when you’re exploring remote areas, so we make a point of checking where the restrooms are before heading out on a longer drive or hike.
Because apparently, “I should have gone when we stopped” is one of the most common phrases on a family road trip. 😂
And it’s me again. With three guys in the family, they have it a little easier! I tend to dehydrate myself, which is not a great idea. (I am an RN. I know better!)
If you follow my itineraries, I will usually include places that have bathrooms. I specifically look this up along our routes, along with places to get gas.
Don’t Try to Do Everything
This one took us a while to learn (I actually might still be trying to tell myself this one!).
You don’t have to see every viewpoint, hike every trail, and cram every attraction into one day.
Pick the things that are most important to you, leave some room to explore, and enjoy where you are.
Sometimes the best moments aren’t the ones you planned (speaking from lots of experience here).
Don’t Underestimate Driving Time
This one surprised us when we first started visiting national parks. Something can look close on a map and still take a long time to reach.
Park roads can be slow, traffic can back up, and wildlife can literally stop traffic. Plus, you’re probably going to see something along the way and want to pull over.
Give yourself more time than Google Maps says you’ll need. You’re in a national park, getting there is part of the fun!
A Few Things We’ve Learned Along the Way
National park trips don’t always go exactly according to plan—and honestly, that’s part of the adventure.
Weather changes. Trails close. Someone gets hungry. Someone needs a bathroom right now. And sometimes you take a wrong turn.
That’s why we plan ahead where we can, but we also leave room for the unexpected.
After all, you can’t always plan an adventure. And that’s kind of the point.
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