It’s only been four months since the federal government laid off 5 percent of the workforce in our national parks and offered to buy out nearly a thousand more employee contracts. The layoffs have sparked fears about crowding and reduced services in parks. But they’ve also triggered a tremendous wave of support: In response to the layoffs, nature lovers on both sides of the political spectrum have rallied to step up for wilderness areas.
Some public lands nonprofits, like the National Park Trust, have reported double to triple the amount of inquiries this year from hikers interested in volunteering to maintain the trails they love to frequent. The regular flood of summer tourists isn’t slowing down, either. Places like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite expect to see visitation numbers that surpass 2024’s record stats.
Traveling to a national park during peak season, especially if it’s your first time, can be overwhelming. Amid all the changes this year, it’s extra important to have your strategies dialed. To better equip you, editors at Outside have rallied to offer their most helpful tips for navigating parks with ease.
Click here to explore the new rules for visiting national parks.
Tips for Navigating Peak Season in National Parks
- Greet everyone you pass on the trail. It might be crowded, and you might get stuck behind a slow party. But a “Hey, howdy. Nice day, ain’t it?” does wonders in reminding folks that we’re all out here for the same reason, and we’re all in it together.
– Corey Buhay, Interim Managing Editor, Outside - Don’t be that guy blaring music on the trails—or in camp. There’s nothing more annoying than finally lying down in your tent after a long day of hiking and adventuring and hearing everyone else’s conversations all night. Be respectful of your fellow campers, and their need for shut-eye, and abide by the quiet time rules (usually around 10 pm to 6 am). This goes for turning off music and keeping lights to a minimum.
– Kathleen Rellihan, Travel and Culture Editor, Outside - Always cut your tent capacity in half for longer stays. For example, if a tent fits six, plan on piling three people in comfortably.
– Emilee Coblentz, Packages Editor, Outside - Learn to love dawn patrol. Waking up early isn’t easy, but if you can be on-trail before sunrise you’ll beat the crowds, beat the heat, and get the sun’s first rays all to yourself. There’s really no better way to experience a national park—especially during summertime.
– Corey Buhay, Interim Managing Editor, Outside - Connect with friends and family before you depart for inspiration. The national parks have been backdrops for stunning photos for years. Check in with friends and family before you head out to see if any of your loved ones have any well loved photos from their time in the parks. You can try to recreate them, or send a postcard back. National Parks are a special place for so many, so let the people in your life know you’re thinking of them when you visit.
– Jamie Aranoff, Digital Editor, SKI - Plan on purchasing trekking poles for children under 10 no matter the difficulty level of the trails you plan to hike. This added support for kids helps on busy trail days.
– Emilee Coblentz, Packages Editor, Outside - Go beyond the ‘Gram. You might show up to a national park with a tick list of marquee views, but if it’s a busy day, you might have a way more fun—and adventurous—experience if you leave the bucket-list spots to the crowds. Pop into a visitor center and ask a ranger for their favorite off-the-beaten-path trail. You’ll probably find a view that rivals anything you’ve seen on the internet—and you’ll have it all to yourself.
– Corey Buhay, Interim Managing Editor, Outside - Keep wet wipes in your pack if exploring with kids. Bathrooms will have lines and sometimes there just isn’t enough time. Plan for pee. Lots of it.
– Emilee Coblentz, Packages Editor, Outside
