Here are some thoughts from the team of US-Parks.com for those planning on traveling to National Parks in the coming season.

Camping

Camping is always a money saver compared to staying in hotels or lodges. The average campsite costs approximately $10-$20/night. This does vary depending on park as well as campground inside a park. Campsites in BLM/NFS etc will usually be cheaper than NPS sites. Camping

Lodging

If camping is not your style and yet you are on a budget, consider staying in towns outside/nearby the National Park. Lodging inside any park is typically more expensive with fewer amenities. Naturally the further you stay from the park, the less expensive the hotels will be but convenience will also play a role in deciding where to stay. Take into account how much mileage you will be driving to and from the park as well as through the park. Add this up to determine where the best place is to stay for your budget. Lodging

Important Point About Camping or Lodging

No matter where you plan to stay if it is in a hotel/lodge or a campsite, you should always plan your trip in advance and book as early as possible. Lodges and campsites inside the parks book up very quickly while hotels outside the parks you have a little more time with in regards to planning. Busy parks such as Yellowstone, you should consider making your reservations several months in advance.

Keep a watch out for early bird specials! Often the parks and towns nearby will offer specials if you visit early in the year. This is great because it is a less populated time of the year and you can save a few extra pennies.

If you do not book your hotels in advance and decide to say, "wing-it", do some drive-by's of hotels and inquire to them about room availability. If you find that multiple hotels have room availabilities, you have a chance of getting a discount. Compare the prices, visit some rooms and request at least 10% off.

If You Will Arrive Late

If you know you will be arriving late to a hotel, call in advance and let them know. This can help avoid any confusion and ensure that they don't give your room away! This is extrememly important if you will be entering areas where choices are slim and the next down is a distance away.

Guided Tours

There are many guided tour offerings in or near National Parks. They range from half day adventures to multiday adventures. You often do not need to make reservations for the half day to one day trips but it is advisable to go ahead and reserve if your plans are set. You never know how busy the park will be and if a short river rafting trip is on your mind for your adventure, you don't want to be unprepared.

When picking a tour operator, do not hesitate to ask about their credentials and emergency certificates. It is always wiser to know ahead of time if an accident occurs; your guide will be prepared.

Don't forget, the cheapest option is usually the Park Ranger Tours offered by the parks themselves. They are educational and always led by knowledgeable Rangers.

Hiking/Gear

One big thing to remember about hiking in National Parks is that the majority of visitors never go farther than 1 mile. So you can imagine how much quieter it can be if you just go the extra mile to enjoy what the park has to offer. If you do decide to venture a little further than many, make sure you have the right gear with you. Water, sun tan lotion, sun hats, a good pair of hiking boots and depending on the time of year, the right clothing. Weather can always be unpredictable so layering is always wise. Hiking Boots
Outdoor Gear Travel Tips
Outdoor Gear Store

Road Trips

There are a variety of routes you can take that include just a few parks to multiple parks like The Grand Circle Route. Depending on how much time you have, a few days to a couple weeks, this can often be the way to go. A favorite of US-Parks.com is certainly the Grand Circle Route as it includes some of the most spectacular parks the west has to offer from; Arches National Park, Canyonlands, Grand Canyon, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. The Grand Circle Road Trip

More Road Trips

1 Week Grand Circle Road Trip
Northern California Road Trip
Olympic National Park and Mt St Helens Road Trip
Portland and Crater Lake Road Trip
Yellowstone Arches Road Trip
Yellowstone and Badlands Road Trip
Yosemite and Big Sur Road Trip

Park Fees

Park fees will range anywhere from being free to $25/private vehicle. Ask yourself how many parks are you planning to visit? If you are planning a road trip that includes multiple parks, you should consider saving yourself a few entrance fees by purchasing a pass. The America the Beautiful Pass will cost $80 and covers Entrance Fees or Standard Amenity Fees at sites managed by USDA FS, NPS, USFWS, BLM and Reclamation. There are also passes for seniors and disabled. Park Fees

So research in advance how much each park is going to cost you to get in and consider purchasing a Pass. You can pick up your pass at the first entrance station that requires an entrance fee. We recommend you purchase your pass this way rather than in advance as they do punch the hole in your pass before they ship it to you.

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