Your first national park trip: What to know before you go

I take a trip to a new national park every year, and the best advice I’ve ever received came from a ranger at the Grand Canyon: “Down is optional, up is mandatory.” It’s a good reminder that even with the crowds and cars, national parks are wild places, and you need to be prepared.

Here’s everything I wish I’d known before my first national park trip.

Passes and reservations

Many national parks charge an entrance fee, but plenty are free to visit. At parks that charge by vehicle, the entrance pass covers the vehicle and its passengers. Some parks instead charge per person, including visitors entering on foot or by bicycle.

If you’re visiting multiple parks or federal recreation sites in one year, consider the America the Beautiful annual pass for $80. It covers entrance fees and standard amenity fees at participating federal recreation sites, including those managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation. You can buy a digital pass online in advance at Recreation.gov.

If you’re visiting from outside the U.S., there’s a new fee to know about. Since January 2026, non-U.S. residents ages 16 and older pay the standard entrance fee plus a $100 per-person nonresident fee at 11 national parks. A $250 nonresident annual pass covers the passholder and passengers in a private vehicle; at sites that charge per person, it covers the passholder and up to three additional adults.

Some popular parks also require reservations, permits or tickets for certain roads, attractions or hikes. Requirements can change by season and year, so check the individual park’s website before your trip. Examples include:

• Acadia National Park (Cadillac Summit Road vehicle reservation)
• Carlsbad Caverns National Park (Carlsbad Cavern timed entry)
• Haleakalā National Park (summit sunrise reservation)
• Rocky Mountain National Park (timed entry)
• Shenandoah National Park (Old Rag day-use ticket)
• Yosemite National Park (Half Dome permit)
• Zion National Park (Angels Landing permit)

Lodging and campgrounds inside popular national parks can book up months in advance, so reserve early.

Be wildlife aware

Wildlife is one of the best parts of a park trip, so be ready for an encounter. Drive the speed limit on park roads and be prepared to stop for animals. Watch from your vehicle or from a safe distance. Many parks require visitors to stay at least 25 yards from most wildlife and 100 yards from predators like bears and wolves, but rules vary by park, so check before you go.

The Park Service has a handy “rule of thumb” for gauging your distance. Hold your arm straight out and give the animal a thumbs-up. If your thumb can’t cover it, you’re too close. Take a few steps back and try again.

Know what to do if you come across an animal unexpectedly on the trail. Take bears, for example. You may have heard the rhyme, “If it’s brown, lay down; if it’s black, fight back; if it’s white, good night.” But color alone isn’t a reliable way to identify a bear, and the right response depends on the species and the bear’s behavior.

A better plan is to avoid surprising a bear in the first place. Make noise as you hike, especially around blind corners, in thick brush and near loud streams. Talk, clap or call out “Hey, bear!” every so often. Bears usually want nothing to do with you, but they can’t steer clear if they don’t know you’re coming.

If you encounter a bear, stay calm and don’t run. If the bear is aware of you but isn’t acting aggressively, slowly back away while speaking calmly. Don’t climb a tree — bears can climb, too. In places where bear spray is allowed, keep it where you can grab it quickly and learn how to use it before you need it. For other animals like moose, bison and mountain lions, ask a ranger or check the park’s website, since the right response varies by species and situation.

Be prepared

Before starting your day, stop at the visitor center to check on current conditions, trail closures and weather. Check sunset and park closing times while you’re there, so you’re not hiking in the dark. I’ve started hikes in shorts on warm, sunny days, only to experience hail and freezing temperatures above tree line, so pack layers and have a backup plan no matter what the forecast says.

If you’re planning to hike, our guide to what to bring on a day hike breaks down what you need and what you can leave at home.

Always tell someone outside your group where you’re going and when you’ll be back. You can download a sample trip plan from the Park Service to share with a trusted contact, giving search and rescue personnel useful information if you don’t return as planned.

Don’t count on cell service. Many places inside national parks have limited or no reception, so consider carrying a personal locator beacon or satellite messaging device for backcountry trips. Some newer smartphones also offer satellite emergency features. Download offline maps before you enter the park, too.

Packing

What you need depends on what you’re planning to do. If you’re staying overnight, our guide to what you actually need for your first camping trip breaks down the essentials and what you can leave at home.

For any park visit, the Park Service recommends packing the Ten Essentials:

1. Navigation: Map, compass and GPS
2. Sun protection: Sunglasses, sunscreen, sun-protective clothing and a hat
3. Layers: Jacket, rain protection and gloves
4. Light: Flashlight or headlamp, plus extra batteries. Don’t rely on your cellphone flashlight.
5. First-aid kit
6. Fire: Fire starters and matches or a lighter
7. Repair kit and tools: Multi-tool, knife and scissors
8. Extra food: Pack more than you think you’ll need. Trail mix, granola bars and other foods that don’t require cooking are easy to carry.
9. Water and water treatment: Bring enough water for your trip. If you’re hiking or camping in the backcountry, bring a filter or purification tablets.
10. Emergency shelter: A tent, space blanket or tarp can protect you from severe weather.

Even if you’re planning a short walk, carry the essentials in case you get lost or someone gets injured.

Recreate responsibly

Follow the seven Leave No Trace principles. The short version: Know the rules for the park you’re visiting. Stay on maintained trails and in designated campsites. Pack out everything you bring in, including trash, toilet paper and leftover food. Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects where you found them.

Light fires only where they’re permitted, and make sure they’re completely out. Never feed wildlife, even accidentally by leaving food or trash unsecured. And be considerate of other visitors: Yield to others on the trail when appropriate, and keep music in your headphones (or, you know, you could just enjoy the sounds of nature).

Pets are welcome in some parks (and can even become official BARK Rangers), but check to see if and where they’re allowed before bringing yours.

Time your trip right

Seasonal conditions can keep roads, trails and facilities closed longer than you’d expect. In higher-elevation parks, for example, snow can keep roads closed well into spring. Check current conditions and seasonal opening dates before you book.

Time of day matters, too. An early start can help you beat crowds, avoid the hottest part of the day and give yourself more daylight for your plans.