Adventure Awaits in Your Own Backyard Tips for Visiting National Parks

Prep Early

Get a Lay of the Land

Whether you prefer a quick weekend jaunt or a full-on vacation, it’s important to get the lay of the land before visiting the Southwest’s national parks, as these destinations are among the remotest areas on Earth. As such, you’ll lack access to certain necessities; cell service can be spotty; and weather and road conditions can change in the blink of an eye.

Check the Park Website

Check the parks’ official websites for things like road and trail closures before you go — otherwise you could be met with a closed road, entrance or trail that can derail an otherwise well-planned adventure. This is the wilderness, after all, and you’re at the mercy of mother nature every single day.

Plan Your Routes and Pack a Map

It’s often an hours-long drive through challenging — not to mention exhilarating — driving conditions when traveling from one end of most national parks to the other. Plan your routes and map out everything in advance. It’s also a good idea to purchase hard-copy maps, like waterproof trail map series. They not only include topography, but also roads and routes not detailed on regular maps — or, frankly, the ones you receive at the gate.

Time it Right

Because the parks are so vast, timing is everything. The Grand Canyon, for example, spans more than 1,900 square miles. Group viewpoints and hikes by regions within the park; note the distance and time between destinations; and know how far it is to your must-sees in advance. No one wants to end up mid-mountain and crunched for time. Account for the fact that these drives can take longer than expected — mountain, unpaved and meandering roads are that way. Consider, too, what time of year is right for your visit. In some parts of the country, the summer heat is oppressive, while winter brings seasonal road closures that render parts of the parks off-limits for months at a time. By contrast, off-season visits — spring and fall — prove more peaceful and less populated, while providing a beauty of their own. However, these can also be times when certain regions receive the most rain.

Get an annual national park pass

Buy a park passport — and stamp it at each visitor’s center

Book early — nearby accommodations fill up well in advance

Take Self Care

Bring proper gear — and prepare for weather changes

Dress in layers and bring a daypack

Drink water — and lots of it

Slather on sunscreen, regardless of the weather

Pack a picnic, as dining options are limited-to-non-existent

TIME TO GO!

Stop by the gift shop — they tend to be great

Gas up the night before — hours vary and options are few and far between

Combine camping with a stay in a historic lodge or Airbnb

Befriend park rangers for insider information

Download park, weather and GPS apps in advance

Check the park website for time entry requirements

Leave no trace