I've traveled solo to all 63 US national parks. Here are my 10 best tips for first-time visitors.

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2024-10-30T14:32:15Z

A female wearing heart-shaped sunglasses posing astatine Canyonlands National Park.

Angle down icon An icon successful nan style of an perspective pointing down. I've visited each 63 awesome US nationalist parks. Emily Hart
  • I've traveled unsocial to each 63 US nationalist parks and person picked up tons of tips on nan way.
  • Travelers should unafraid reservations up of clip and sojourn during off-peak hours to debar crowds.
  • I promote solo travelers to return tons of pictures during their trip.

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I've spent my 30s walking solo connected a quest to sojourn each 63 United States nationalist parks.

Nearly 9 years later, I've visited each of nan awesome parks successful nan US National Parks Service strategy – and to opportunity I've learned a batch would beryllium an understatement. 

I'm often asked for tips for caller visitors who want to make nan astir of their clip successful nan parks. Of course, location is nary 1 correct measurement to travel, but respective considerations will make a first-time travel overmuch smoother.

Here are my 10 champion tips for first-time visitors:

Don’t beryllium acrophobic to spell alone.

A female pinch a straw hat, backpack, and sunglasses astatine nan Grand Canyon.

I traveled solo to Grand Canyon National Park. Emily Hart

When I entered my 30s, I wanted to sojourn nan Grand Canyon but had nary 1 to spell with. Instead of waiting for company, I went for it alone. 

That was conscionable 8 years ago, and now I've visited hundreds of NPS sites and all 50 states connected my own. None of that would person happened if I hadn't taken that first measurement solo. 

Arrive early (or late) for smaller crowds.

A female pinch a bluish sweatshirt, shorts, and a backpack astatine Acadia National Park astatine sunset.

I visited Acadia National Park astatine sunset. Emily Hart

Visitation astatine immoderate of nan astir iconic nationalist parks has exploded, starring to frustrating crowds and congestion. 

To mitigate this, I ever urge entering a parkland early successful nan morning. If you're not an early riser, later successful nan afternoon, erstwhile different visitors leave, is besides a bully clip to explore.

Invest successful an America nan Beautiful Pass.

A checklist of National Parks successful beforehand of a chromatic beach.

If you often recreation to nan nationalist parks, nan America nan Beautiful Pass tin prevention you money. Emily Hart

For conscionable $80, an America nan Beautiful Pass gains you (and those successful your vehicle) introduction into each of nan 63 awesome nationalist parks.

It besides covers nan introduction fees astatine lands managed by nan US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and US Army Corps of Engineers. 

With immoderate parks charging entranceway fees of $35 alone, conscionable a fewer visits per twelvemonth will recoup your investment.

Ask a parkland ranger for tips — and past inquire a section what they'd do connected their time off.

A female opinionated successful beforehand of nan Glacier National Park sign.

Park rangers tin thief you find nan champion spots successful nan parks. Emily Hart

Park rangers are an unthinkable assets for readying your day. 

After I talk pinch them, I emotion to spell into a gift shop aliases adjacent edifice and ask a local what they do successful nan parkland connected their time off. Often, their recommendations are little crowded and much peaceful.

Keep your itinerary fluid.

A female taking a selfie successful beforehand of a reservoir and mountains.

Flexibility is cardinal erstwhile visiting nan nationalist parks. Emily Hart

I've visited Glacier National Park 4 abstracted times, but owed to wildlife and upwind closures, I was only capable to complete a hike I've had connected my database during my past visit. 

Although nationalist parks tin look for illustration a earthy Disneyland, it's important to retrieve that you can't power nature. Have immoderate hikes and stops successful mind, but besides person backup plans successful place.

Respect and sphere nan land.

A female pinch a backpack hiking successful Big Bend National Park.

Respecting nan onshore ensures that early generations will beryllium capable to bask beautiful places for illustration Big Bend National Park. Emily Hart

It should spell unsaid, but erstwhile visiting immoderate park, you must ever respect nan land. Be considerate of others, of wildlife, and of nan onshore itself. 

Becoming acquainted pinch nan 7 Leave No Trace Principles is simply a awesome measurement to minimize nan effect connected early generations.

Don't beryllium awkward pinch photos — your travel is simply a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

A female looking up astatine elephantine cacti.

I'm gladsome I took pictures successful places for illustration Saguaro National Park. Emily Hart

When I started traveling solo to nan parks, I was embarrassed to return photos of myself. 

I didn't want to look narcissistic, beryllium seen mounting up my tripod, aliases tie attraction to nan truth I was unsocial by asking others to threat a image for me. I now regret not taking much photos and would emotion to beryllium capable to bespeak connected those typical memories.

Research and unafraid reservations and permits up of time.

A female wearing a pinkish vessel top, denim shorts and sandals sitting successful nan trunk of a metallic car.

Many nationalist parks now usage timed-entry systems. Emily Hart

Like it aliases not, galore of nan astir celebrated parks person implemented immoderate shape of preservation aliases timed-entry strategy successful nan past fewer years. 

Although it's basal to combat nan overuse and degradation of pristine landscapes, immoderate of nan systems tin beryllium confusing. That's why it's captious to investigation nan preservation process up of clip and travel it closely. 

Visitors can, and will, beryllium turned distant astatine entranceway stations without a reservation.

Don't put excessively overmuch unit connected yourself to cheque each nan boxes — conscionable bask nan beauty.

A female looking retired astatine Yosemite National Park.

I've visited beautiful places for illustration Yellowstone National Park. Emily Hart

Traveling tin go stressful quickly, moreover erstwhile surrounded by nature's beauty. In my experience, trying to fresh excessively overmuch into 1 travel aliases acquisition is simply a look for disaster.

Instead, my extremity is to conscionable bask nan beauty. And if I do that, it's each been worthwhile.

This communicative was primitively published connected September 24, 2023, and astir precocious updated connected October 30, 2024.

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