posted on April 20, 2022
As many more people have turned to national parks as the ideal pandemic getaway, the U.S. National Parks Service is experiencing record numbers of visitors. To help you take a responsible and outrageously fun trip to a national park, we’ve gathered tips for planning ahead, keeping yourself safe, and helping conserve the pristine beauty of the land and wildlife.
Preparation makes perfect
Not that perfection is the goal, but the more research and planning you’ve done for your trip, the more easily you can just show up and enjoy the park. For starters, check out the official NPS website of the park you’re visiting because you’ll very likely need a reservation to stay overnight, and at popular parks like Yosemite, you might even need an entry reservation.
These sites are also the best places to get the latest updates on weather event warnings, road closures, regulations for bringing in pets, and whether or not campfires are allowed during your trip. Also take some time to check out the park map and identify activities you want to do, so you can pack the right gear and get a permit, if you need to.
Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace is an outdoors philosophy for diminishing your impact on the natural environments that you visit, and all national parks encourage you to follow the seven steps it outlines. The underlying concept is to respect the wildlife, land, water, and Indigenous communities within the park by leaving what you find as it is, and packing out everything you bring in — from orange peels to pet waste.
Respect the wild and wildlife
Being outside and close to nature is the entire draw to national parks, but this isn’t Disneyland, so not every encounter is an interactive opportunity! When it comes to wildlife, keep your distance and do your best not to interfere with their livelihoods, which includes not getting too close for a photo, not feeding them, and storing your own food in your car or in lockers, so it’s not accessible to animals.
On hikes, stay on marked paths and trails so you’re not causing destruction to plant and animal life off-trail — there’s often much more life than meets the eye! Should nature call when you’re not near a bathroom, pick a spot 200 feet away from a water source, trail, or campsite, and always pack out any toilet paper you use. For backcountry hiking and camping, try to choose routes or sites on durable surfaces like rock, gravel and sand that can withstand being tread upon, and leave open paths to water so wildlife isn’t blocked by your camp.
Tend to your fire
There is truly nothing as magnificent as a campfire at night in a gorgeous nook of the desert or the woods. If fires are permitted in the park, set yours ablaze in designated fire pits or rings only, make sure you put a fire out all the way out before leaving it, and for extra Mother Earth points, try to burn wood from a local source so you’re not introducing new insects or diseases to the park. There are also parks that have designated grill and BBQ areas for day-use, and following the same guidelines, you can have a fabulous meal away from your campsite! If fires are not permitted, it’s because Smokey Bear is helping YOU prevent wildfires, and even though it’s a bummer, it’s for your own safety and the benefit of the park to not light one.
Follow the rules of the road
Driving in national parks gives you tons of flexibility and can be an excellent way to see multiple parts of a park. While behind the wheel of your vehicle, remember that you and your car can make a big impact on your immediate surroundings, so stay on marked roads and observe speed limits, because you don’t know when a bear, deer, or blissed-out hiker will suddenly appear right in front of you. Also, only park in designated parking spots, and in more crowded parks, consider taking shuttles around so you don’t have to worry about parking at all.
Keep your safety in mind
While you’re surely invincible in many realms, out in the wilderness, you’ll want to pay extra attention to your safety. For the most part, safety and preparedness go hand in hand, so that can mean wearing the right shoes and clothes for the elements, using hiking poles if you need help through treacherous terrain, packing snacks that boost your energy, or always having a flashlight in case you get caught somewhere after dark.
Another aspect is knowing your body, including giving it time to acclimate to higher elevation and knowing your physical limits when you choose your hikes. In the summer and in hot or desert climates, managing heat and bringing enough water can be crucial to safety, so avoid doing longer hikes during midday, and you’ll want to bring about two cups of water for every hour you’re hiking.
Respect your fellow visitors
It goes without saying that part of visiting a national park responsibly involves being considerate of other park visitors. Do your best to make room for people on trails, keep your noise levels low, and remember that the whole idea of national parks is to collectively share the beauty and preserve it for future generations.
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Kamala Puligandla
Kamala Puligandla is a writer, editor, and bon vivant in LA. She is the author of two books, Zigzags and You Can Vibe Me On My Femmephone, and is always on the look-out for strange stories, excellent eats, and relaxing locales.
