How to Have the Best National Park Trip, According to Rangers

Millions of travelers flock to national parks every year (331.9 million in 2024 to be exact). Needless to say, national park rangers have a few thoughts on how visitors can improve their experience for both themselves and the park. From doing research ahead of time to respecting the wildlife, Travel + Leisure chatted with national park representatives to get tips on how to make the most of a national park trip—and what rangers wish visitors did differently.   

Don’t Underestimate Distances

One of the most common mistakes rangers see is visitors dramatically underestimating how big national parks actually are, and how long it takes to get from one attraction to the next.

Cameron Fetter, a national park ranger who previously worked at Yellowstone National Park, told Travel + Leisure that visitors often have unrealistic plans on how many attractions they want to see. “They have this very ambitious plan, which sometimes you have to applaud,” he said. “A lot of people really underestimate the sizes of our national parks, as well as the accessibility of certain features.”

Fetter points to Death Valley National Park’s Racetrack Playa as a prime example, where the famous “moving rocks” phenomenon occurs. “A lot of people come to Death Valley, and they want to see that, but they don’t often realize that it’s along a pretty crappy, 25-mile dirt road, and it often takes well over an hour and a half to get to,” he explained. 

His advice? Familiarize yourself with distances and travel times before you arrive, especially since cell coverage in most parks is limited.

It’s also important to remain flexible during your trip and keep in mind that factors like temperature and crowds may lead to a change in plans. “An itinerary that looks great on paper might need revising if it’s too hot today, or you’re already tired, or that parking lot is full,” said Karen Henker, a park ranger at Arches & Canyonlands National Park. “Have backup ideas and leave yourself room to explore.”

Watch Out for Wildlife

Beyond logistics, Fetter noted many visitors don’t fully grasp how wild national parks really are.

“A big misconception a lot of people have is that many of our national parks, if not all of them, are very, very true wilderness,” he said. “I think a lot of people overlook that, especially visitors who come from a more urban or suburban area.”

This is especially important to consider when spotting wildlife, as rangers regularly see travelers encroach on animals’ space, getting too close to bison, bears, and other animals. While most encounters don’t result in injuries, Fetter notes that Yellowstone’s most recent season saw multiple incidents, including bear maulings, bison gorings, and a wolf attack.

“Just the concept of having wild animals that run freely can be a foreign concept for some people,” he said. “An understanding of how wild wildlife really is doesn’t fully register with some of our visitors.”

But don’t keep wildlife sightings to yourself.

Rangers particularly value when visitors report wildlife sightings, not just issues. Spotting a moose or a pack of wolves on a carcass, for instance, helps resource management teams track animal activity and allows interpretive rangers to point other visitors toward memorable experiences.

“Visitors being very proactive when they come into the park, treating it with respect, leaving no trace, and exercising good wilderness etiquette is truly one of the things that we absolutely appreciate as rangers,” Fetter said.

While the vast majority of visitors are respectful and reasonable, Fetter added that it’s the simple gestures that make for a great national park visitor. “We don’t typically ask that visitors do too much when they come into the park, other than obey the signage, be mindful, and be respectful of the animals and the features that exist in the park,” he added.

Get Creative With Your Itinerary

Henker also offered a final piece of advice for visitors: “Instead of just seeing what others have recommended on top 10 lists, consider branching out to less-well-known sites.”

They also suggested hiring a local guide for an off-the-beaten-path adventure to discover parts of the park most visitors never see.