national park tourist mistakes

Mistakes Tourists Make At National Parks

Senior Reporter, HuffPost Life

Two of the biggest effects of the pandemic on travel have been the emphasis on domestic tourism and the increased interest in outdoor adventures. When you combine those in the U.S., what you get is a newfound appreciation for the stunning national parks.

In 2021, the National Parks System reported nearly 300 million recreation visits across all properties, and 44 parks set new visitation records. These high numbers include many first-time parkgoers, who don’t always know how to take advantage of all these stunning destinations have to offer. In fact, many seasoned national park travelers don’t hesitate to point out some of the faux pas they’ve observed from their fellow visitors.

We asked some experts to share some of the biggest mistakes they believe travelers make when they visit national parks. Read on for 11 examples, as well as advice for avoiding these common missteps.

Not Planning In Advance

“A lot of travelers get caught up in the romanticism of spontaneity,” said Heather Gyselman, a product manager for adventure travel at REI . “I get it, who doesn’t want to hit the road without a care in the world? However, when visiting a national park today it’s important that you’ve invested time in planning and organizing your trip.”

If you don’t do any advance planning, you might find yourself scrambling as you encounter daily capacity limits, trail and road closures, limited parking and fully booked campgrounds and lodgings. Go to the official website of the national park you want to visit, so you can find this relevant information ahead of time and keep up to date with any changes. Prepare a basic itinerary.

“The No. 1 rule is to have a plan,” said Dan Austin, founder and director of special projects at Austin Adventures . “While you can always adjust on the fly, it’s a good idea to plan out the key places you want to see. Once you have that list, review the layout of the park and the road system as it can take all day to get across many of our parks. Add traffic to the mix and it can really get tricky. Having a plan and mapping out everything you want to see can really help with those challenges.”

Only Visiting The Most Crowded Attractions

“Don’t limit yourself to the popular or ‘Instagrammable’ spots,” advised Alan Fyall , the Visit Orlando endowed chair of tourism management and associate dean of academic affairs at the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management . “Explore the park. Ask a ranger or campground host what they recommend that could be outside the heavily trafficked areas.”

There are countless scenic spots that aren’t packed with photo-snapping crowds. Only focusing on the most popular attractions might also keep you from some truly powerful national park experiences.

“Most people don’t get far enough away from the parking lots,” said writer and naturalist Janisse Ray . “They do the canned version of our parks, which means they see iconic sights like Old Faithful blowing in a kind of drive-by viewing, but they don’t experience the sense of place or the incredible, life-altering, deeply meaningful spectacles that occur at smaller scales and slower paces.”

She encouraged parkgoers who are physically able to get out of the car and go for long walks to immerse themselves in the wilderness.

“Stay a while,” Ray said. “Spend some nights. Prepare for your heart to burst open in a way it can’t if you don’t leave your vehicle.”

Insisting On Staying Overnight Inside The Park

“If you’re looking for lodging inside the parks, book early as reservation space is at a premium ― this includes campgrounds,” Austin said.

Even if you are able to book in-park lodging, that might not be your best option. These accommodations are often more expensive than the hotels or short-term rentals in the surrounding area.

“Sure, staying overnight at campgrounds or lodges inside the park is cool. Nature is right outside your tent, RV or hotel room,” said Joe Yogerst, author of “ 50 States, 500 Campgrounds: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do .”

“But many parks are surrounded by national and state parks with great campgrounds and small communities with outstanding accommodation,” he added. “That means making day trips into the park, but I find that a small inconvenience compared to not going at all.”

Sleeping In

“In addition to having a plan, I recommend starting very early in the morning,” Austin said. “You’ll beat the traffic and crowds, and it’s prime time for grabbing photographs and spotting wildlife.”

National parks tend to be open 24 hours a day, so take advantage of the flexibility. If you traveled out West from the East Coast for your outdoor adventures, don’t let your internal clock adjust to the time change and wake up early instead.

“The early bird gets the solitude,” said Andrea Lankford, author of “Ranger Confidential: Living, Working, and Dying in the National Parks.” “Set the alarm and enjoy the serene hours between sunrise and 10:30 a.m.”

Disregarding Safety

“National parks are amazing but wild places, so it is essential to practice basic safety while visiting them,” said Will Pattiz, co-founder of More Than Just Parks . “Every year, people die while vacationing in national parks. This is easily avoided by sticking to trails, checking the weather before going out on a hike, maintaining a safe distance from wildlife and avoiding ledges with steep drop-offs.”

Lankford cautioned against what she calls “high-altitude selfies,” pointing to the rise in photography-related deaths over the past decade.

“Stay back from the cliff edge, put the phone down, and be here now,” she said.

And as beautiful the views can be, drive carefully and be mindful of wildlife, pedestrians, bikers and other cars.

“Pay attention when in your car,” said Michael Childers , an associate history professor at Colorado State University specializing in the modern American West and the environment. “It is easy to watch a bison frolic and miss that camper stopped in front of you.”

Trying To Do Too Much In A Short Time

“Resist the temptation to do a lot in a short time frame,” Fyall said. “Doing the ‘Mighty 5’ [in Utah] plus the Grand Canyon in a week is something that people commonly inquire about. You are doing yourself and the parks a disservice in trying to ‘park hop.’”

Many breathtaking national parks are in relatively close proximity to each other, so it might feel feasible to knock out a bunch in the same trip. But attempting to do this will make the experience more stressful and rushed.

Instead, Fyall suggested narrowing the list down to one or two parks per vacation. That way you can devote the proper amount of time to each one and create a less jam-packed itinerary.

“Get a feel of the park,” he said. “Go to the same vistas at different times of day, you’d be surprised at the different experiences you could have. The same can be said for trying to do too much in a day.”

It’s also better to be flexible at national parks, which is hard if you have a full and stringent itinerary.

“If something catches your eye, go check it out,” Fyall said. “If a trailhead is busy or closed, ask a ranger what else you could do or try that trail a different day or time of day.”

Only Visiting During The Summer

“Try visiting the most popular parks in the off-season rather than summer,” Yogerst said. “I actually think Yosemite is more gorgeous in winter snow and my best-ever visit to the Grand Canyon was in October.”

If you have to do your national parks travel during the summer, he encouraged checking out less-visited parks like Pinnacles in California, Dry Tortugas in Florida, Canyonlands in Utah, Big Bend in Texas and all of the parks in Alaska.

The day of the week can make a difference as well. Avoid busy weekends when possible.

“See if you can visit on slower days,” Childers said. “Many of our larger parks are being overrun, so if you can go midweek or in the off season to alleviate the pressure and have a much more enjoyable visit.”

Showing Up Unprepared

“One of the biggest mistakes visitors to national parks make is arriving unprepared,” said Riley Mahoney, creator of the website The Parks Expert . “Not bringing enough water, expecting restaurants or other services, or not wearing appropriate shoes are things I notice often on my travels. I’ve seen visitors at parks like Sequoia or Yosemite in December planning to hike or sled but show up wearing sneakers, or sometimes even flip-flops, when there is a foot of snow on the ground.”

She noted that some parks have limited water stations, so visitors need to bring a lot with them. Similarly, there are no places to get food or gas within the boundaries of certain parks, such as Joshua Tree.

“Visitors should plan to be self-sufficient and pack their patience,” Mahoney noted.

Pay attention to the weather forecast and travel with layers so that you can adjust to any big temperature shifts. Prepare for dips in cell service, and pick up a paper map so you have backup navigation.

“Bring water if you are going on a hike,” Childers added. “And check the map before you get too far from the trailhead and find out it is beyond your abilities. Oh, and don’t forget the sunscreen.”

Disturbing The Land And Wildlife

“National parks are not petting zoos,” Lankford said. “Give park wildlife some personal space, for your sake and theirs.”

Visitors have a responsibility to be respectful of the land and creatures that dwell there, so avoid off-limits areas and make sure not to litter. Clean up after your pets as well and be considerate of where you take them.

“I love man’s best friend as much as the next guy, but our furry companions are actually not allowed on many national park trails,” said Jim Pattiz, the other co-founder of More Than Just Parks . “This is because, of course, they can have an extremely detrimental effect on native plants and wildlife. The short of it is your Siberian husky should not be chasing lizards in a federally protected area like Saguaro National Park.”

A general rule of thumb is that dogs should only go where cars are allowed to go. Pattiz also noted that the use of drones is also prohibited in national parks.

“They disturb visitors as well as the wildlife, and can damage the fragile ecosystems our national parks safeguard for us and future generations to enjoy,” he said.

Not Consulting With Experts

You don’t have to figure out your whole park adventure on your own. National park visitor centers are filled with experts happy to share their advice.

“Park staff are incredibly helpful and have great suggestions on things to see, park programs and ideas for how to avoid crowds,” said Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation .

Talk to a ranger, volunteer or campground host about the trails you’re interested in hiking and your ability level. They have a wealth of knowledge to share. You can also check out the informational videos and exhibits at the visitor centers to learn more about the history and geography of the park.

“Be adventurous!” Gyselman urged. “Ask a ranger what their favorite hike is or where you can get away from the crowds. Most of the time these areas require a little more effort, but the payoffs are huge.”

She also recommended checking out the many Facebook and Instagram groups where people share national park travel tips and ideas.

“Many National Parks also have designated social media pages managed by rangers or park administration,” Gyselman explained. “The posts they create are informative but so are the chats that fellow park lovers start in the comments section. I’ve found all sorts of helpful nuggets in those conversations.”

Skipping Nearby National Forests And Sites

“Don’t limit yourself to just the national park,” Fyall said. “Adjacent and adjoining wilderness areas, monuments, national forests and other designations that fall under the National Park Service are often less crowded, and have equally stunning vistas, making for a fantastic experience.”

Driving over to a national forest or other nearby site can offer a break from crowds during your outdoor adventure time.

“There are 155 national forests in America, many of which are equally as beautiful as the national parks they neighbor and only see a fraction of the visitors,” Will Pattiz said. “For example, try the Flathead National Forest next to Glacier National Park, the Bridger-Teton next to Grand Teton, and the Dixie which borders nearly all of the Utah National Parks.”

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12 Most Common Mistakes made by National Park Visitors and How to Avoid Them

Jennifer melroy.

• Last Modified April 22, 2021
• First Published on January 26, 2020

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you! Read the full disclosure policy here

Visitation to the United States National Park is at an all-time high.  Every year more and more people are heading to the National Parks to experience the wonder that is the National Parks.  More and more people are looking forward to hiking Yosemite’s Half-Done, see the eruption of Old Faithful in Yellowstone, or witness the sunset behind Delicate Arch in Arches.  With 419 national parks, you can visit a new park for a week, and it will take you eight years to see all the parks.  There is more park to see then there is time.  Learn how to optimize your trip without making common mistakes.

With over 200 national park service units under my belt, I have seen, heard, and made almost every mistake one can make in a national park.  For many visitors, a national park vacation is the trip of a lifetime. They should be making the most of the trip, yet many don’t.  Here are the 12 most common mistakes made by national park visitors.

Mistake #1 – Not planning ahead

Mistake #2 – not reading the park newspaper or map, mistake #3 – skipping the visitor center, mistake #4 – fill-up your gas tank, mistake #5 – decide what souvenir you are going to collect, mistake #6 – don’t be so focused on the plan, mistake #7 – get up and get moving, mistake #8 – going to bed, mistake #9 – not stopping and asking, mistake #10 – not following proper road ediquitte., mistake #11 – look up from the camera, mistake #12 – interact with the wildlife, have you made any of the common mistakes  what other mistakes have you made, most common mistakes made by national park visitors and how to avoid them.

Proposed Solution – Do your research on the park. Make sure you are prepared for the conditions and make a list of things you want to do and make reservations where possible.

The National Park system has 419 units and each one has different challenges in visiting. These challenges are as unique as the parks themselves. For some parks, a winter visit is easy and amazing. Other parks are difficult and have limited services. You need to be sure you are ready and willing to handle whatever the park can throw at you.

Don’t be like the following person in a National Park Facebook group “Headed to Glacier National Park mid-Febuary. This Texas girl is NOT used to driving in snow and ice. My Airbnb is close to the park, 6 miles. Is there transportation Uber, Taxi, etc from the Airport? What about getting around in the park?”

A quick search would reveal that Glacier National Park that there is no winter public transport in Glacier and only 12.5 miles of road is maintained. The weather is unpredictable and snow and ice are highly likely. These are not conditions someone with limited experience with snow and ice should be driving. Glacier is remote and has limited cell service so a small accident could turn into a serious situation quickly.

On top of the weather condition concerns, the National Parks are seeing record visitation and it is stressing the infrastructure and making reservations for camping, lodging, dining, and other permits harder and harder to get. For many of the popular parks, a reservation is a must and needs to be made as soon as possible.

For example, I am headed to Katmai National Park in July 2020. The camping permits for Katmai’s Brooks Camp are released on January 5 at noon (EST). I logged on at 12:00 pm and got my camping permits. By 12:15 pm, the entire 1,860 July camping permits were GONE. I have heard reports that Yosemite campsites being fully booked within seconds of being released.

In general National Park reservations open 6 months in advance or 6 months before the summer season. There are a lot of are exceptions to this rule so check with your desired park and start planning as early as possible.

Unless you have unlimited time and money, there are only so many activities you will have time for during your visit. It is a good idea to make a list and a rough outline of things you would like to do while in the park.

National Parks are on my Bucket List T-Shirts

Us national parks scratch your travels map, the national parks are calling and i must go shirt.

Proposed Solution – Read the park literature.

National Park Service is a busy organization. They have very limited resources to manage and maintain our parks. If they have taken the time and effort to produce a handout, there is very likely an important reason for it. So READ it.

All National park service units have a guide map with a detailed map of the park. The major stops will be listed. On the back of the maps is a collection of information on the park. This can give you a quick overview of the parks.

For the larger units such as National Park, visitors will be handed a newspaper. The newspaper has important park information.  It will cover operation hours of visitor centers, the services offered in the park, animal and safety warnings, hiking trails, ranger lead program and any other important information to know.

Proposed Solution – Stop at the visitor center.

The visitor centers are full of information to make your park visit better. The rangers have the latest and greatest information on the parks. The park rangers have valuable insight. Very few people know more about the park than they do. They will have information on trail and road closures, animal sighting, and so much more. All you have to do is stop in and ask.

The visitor center is almost always my first stop in a new national park. I want to make sure my trails are open and to check and make sure there are not any issues I need to be aware of. I also ask about recent animal sighting. I am on a quest to photograph a mountain lion and I like knowing if there are any recent sightings and where.

In Theodore Roosevelt, a ranger shared that one of the prairie dog colonies had a badger and coyote working together to hunt the prairie dogs. I spent two evenings hanging out in that colony and got to see these two predators work together to get a meal.

Before you leave the visitor center, make sure to stop and get your National Park Passport stamped.

Proposed Solution – Fill your gas tank before entering the park.

Many national parks are remote parks and visiting them can require a lot of diving. Most parks do NOT have gas available within the park boundaries, so if you run out of gas, you are looking at a rather expensive bill. Come into the park prepared and fill-up at one of the nearby towns BEFORE entering the park.

Almost all national parks have a small town near its entrances and this is the perfect place to fill-up. Do not count on being able to buy gas within the parks.

The only ones I can think of is Yellowstone , Crater Lake, and Yosemite.  It is a scary thought to get to Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park and realize that you need gas.  Fill-up when you get off the interstate and head towards the park.  Fill-up a second time at a gas station near the park entrance, just to be safe.

Proposed Solution – Pick you collectible before starting your national park adventure.

National parks offer a range of souvenirs.  If you are going to be visiting a lot of parks (and make it a goal to visit them all ), decided what you are going to collect before you start.  It is awful to start collecting something and realize you are missing your first couple of parks.  I am still missing a few iron-on patches from my adventures.

There are a range of paid collectibles such as t-shirts, iron-on patches, shot glasses, coffee mugs, stickers, postcards, or magnets. I suggest picking some small that is easy to pack.

If you are trying to visit all the parks on a budget, there are a couple of free souvenir options. The first and most popular are the cancellation stamps .  These free stamps are found in almost every national park. The other free (sometimes has a nominal fee) are the Junior Ranger badges. Many adults and children love completing the workbooks and getting sworn in as a junior ranger.

  A post shared by sandra | NationalParkPatchLady (@nationalparkpatchlady) on May 30, 2018 at 4:06pm PDT

Proposed Solution – Let go and be prepared for anything.

National Parks are a time to get away from the busy schedule of life. 

They are about exploring the park and being in the moment. It is about taking 5-30 minutes to enjoy seeing the moose or changing plans because the avalanche lilies have bloomed along one of the trails.  It’s about snagging that Zion Subway permit, the people in front of you just handed back.  A plan is great, but the plan should be an outline.  Most of the parks aren’t going away where.  Except for the glaciers, they are moving downhill and melting.  I guess a few of the volcanic parks could drastically change if they were to erupt.  But for the most parks, the parks are not going anywhere and any activities not done today can be done on another visit.

If you are in a park that offers optional paid tours such as cave visits, then you do need to make it to the meet points on time but other no need to rush a park visit.

Proposed Solution – Wake up and smell the roses before sunrise

A national park visit isn’t a time to sleep in. There are several reasons to get up early in the parks.

Many of the parks are world-renowned for their sunrises – Bryce, Acadia, and Canyonlands to name a few.  Watching the sunrise in Bryce is quite a sight, but it can be a crowded sight.  Decided on your dawn watching spot during the day and then the next morning head straight there.  Sunrise watching is becoming quite popular so getting to your sport well before sunrise is a must.

Wildlife is more active in the mornings, and it can be a great time to see wildlife. I have gotten to see some amazing wildlife like wolves returning to a den by visiting early in the morning.

The last reason to get up early is parking in most national parks is somewhat limited.  Once the lot is full, it’s full and no more parking is found nearby. If planning to hike a favorite trail, the lot can be packed very early in the morning.

Proposed Solution – Take an afternoon nap and be ready to stay up late and watch the stars.

The absolute worst thing one can do in a national park when the skies are clear is going to bed.  So many people live in cities were seeing a handful of stars in the norm. Nothing can compare to seeing the Milky way fill the sky.  Almost all the national parks are far enough from cities that light pollution is minimal. Several national parks are certified International Dark Sky Parks.  Astro-viewing can be unbelievable in many parks. 

If you are fortunate and in a northern park, it is possible to see the northern lights as well.  I once saw terrific stars and the northern lights in Badlands National Park.

RELATED – Best National Parks for Northern Light Viewing

Proposed Solution – Just ask.

The best way to spot wildlife is to look for vehicles pulled over and people standing there looking in one direction. 

If you see someone pulled over, pull over as well.  Make sure your vehicle is all the way off the roadway. Get out of your car quietly and walk over and ask what they are looking at.  Don’t be afraid to stop and ask.  99% of the people are willing to show you what they are looking at.  If they are using a spotting scope, they will probably let you look thru it.  I have never had anyone not share what they are looking at.

Also pay attention to what is going on around you. On my 2019 Yellowstone trip, I was coming got caught in a bison jam. There was a herd of bison near the road and lots of people were stopping to get a closer look. I didn’t plan on stopping, but when I drove by I noticed the park ranger who was monitoring traffic had a camera out and was looking in the opposite direction of the crowds.

That made me stop and walk over to the ranger to see what she was photographing.

Proposed Solution – Make a new friend and ask.

If you see someone pulled over, pull over as well.  Make sure your vehicle is all the way off the roadway. 

Get out of your car quietly and walk over and ask what they are looking at.  Don’t be afraid to stop and ask.  99% of the people are willing to show you what they are looking at.  If they are using a spotting scope, they will probably let you look thru it.  I  have never had anyone not share what they are looking at.

Proposed Solution – Take a second to enjoy the view without a camera in the way.

I am guilty of this one. Sometimes I get so focused on taking photos that I lose myself behind the camera. I have slowly learned that I need to stop photographing and just be in the moment and enjoy the view.

The national parks are natural wonders and historic sites and should be enjoyed out from behind a screen. Photos are a fantastic way to remember your national park visit but take a moment and look up from the camera. Stand there and say wow, I am looking at Half-dome over the Yosemite Valley or I am watching the Alaskan Brown Bears fish for salmon.  Picture are tremendous but standing there and enjoying the moment without fooling with a camera is even better.

There is a reason wildlife is called WILDlife. They are wild animals.  In the national parks, they need to stay wild.  This means that no matter what they need to be left alone.  There is absolutely no reason on this planet that you should feed them, offer them a drink of water, or try to pet them.  Think of wildlife like toddlers.  Once they learn a bad habit, it is near impossible to break them of this habit.  It is not good for the squirrels, chipmunks, and other cute furry creatures to be feed (in particular salted sunflower seeds).  All that sodium makes for fat animals that are easy prey for something bigger.   Plus those cute little animals can be disease vectors for rabies, hantavirus, and plague.

The bigger animals (like bears) become a danger to human after being fed.  A fed bear can start approaching humans and get aggressive once they know humans mean food.  As park service says “ A fed bear is a dead bear .”

Every year, a handful of people learn the hard way why you don’t mess with the large herbivores in the park system.  Any and all of the animals can be dangerous.  Bison have been known to chase and gore people.  The elk regularly kick people (Mammoth Hot Spring in Yellowstone is commonplace for this).  Stay at least 25 yards from these animals and odds are in your favor that nothing will happen to you.

29 Comments

Ryan K Biddulph

Leave the wildlife alone guys! Big fan of sitting back from a respectful distance to let wild animals behave like….wild animals. Some tourists are a little too curious and others complete morons LOL.

I totally agree with all of this.

Such great tips!! I’m currently planning a big national parks trip and the key word there is planning. 🙂 But equally it’s great to be able to be spontaneous while you’re there. I always collect postcards and usually keep maps and things too, so maybe I’ll put together a map collage at the end. 🙂 Can I ask what cancellation stamps are?

Cancellation stamps are small stamp at every NPS site that has the park name, state, and date you visited on it.

Christina Pfeiffer

There are some good tips here, Jennifer. I enjoy exploring national parks. You certainly feel uplifted while surrounded by nature and fortunately, there are still many national parks in the world to explore.

There are about 3,000 parks around the world to explore.

Medha Verma

I completely agree, not only in context of national parks but in general, about the souvenirs. I realised I didn’t collect any on my first few international trips and thereafter I began collecting fridge magnets, only to realise I was missing few for the first couple of countries I visited. Luckily, I found friends going to those countries later and asked them to bring for me. Related to National Parks, I agree about visiting the Visitor centre first, there is so much info available there, especially detailed maps, which I feel shoudl definitely be referred to. I can see you have a good amount of experience visiting National Parks, you have given some great tips here!

Yep that is my issue. I am missing about 10 patches and stamps from those 10 early parks.

Great tips. My personal favorite is star gazing and simply reveling in the beauty of the night sky. I had never thought about deciding on souvenirs or memorabilia ahead of time. Makes sense to keep a cohesive collection of momentos. I look forward to visiting more national parks including Bryce…and I will certainly keep these tips in mind.

I like to decide first because I have about a dozen parks I have visited and yet I don’t have patches from them.

Kate Flores

I am guilty of “looking on the camera” and “focus on the plan” haha! As a blogger, we always want to make perfect pictures and share it with others but sometimes we missed “being” there. As a parent, I always “focus on the plan” with the kids but tI agree with you, we can’t always stick with it. In the end, all of us are disappointed because of being torn in between – not following the rules and not enjoying as we expect it. National Parks are always fun-filled, nature-focus and informative, teaching us not to rush life. Thanks for this!

Yep and sometime even bloggers need to step back and just enjoy.

Suruchi Mittal

This is such a wonderful post. Actually one should really take care of these pointers. The most important ones I say, is to fuel up your car tank, research before heading and talk at the visitor center. The roads or trails may be closed for one or some other reason. And yes don’t sleep, take time to roam around and milky ways are best in National parks.

Most of the parks don’t have fuel in them so filling up is important.

This is a really great article – there are so many good tips on here for visiting National Parks. We visited 4 this year, and noticed a lot of people ignoring these things – especially staying away from the wildlife! Planning your visit by using the NP newspapers and ensuring you know the entry points and busy times is a great tip too.

It is frustrating how many people ignore the signs and end up damaging something.

I love the tips of getting up early and look up from the camera! So important. If I could add one – respect wildlife. When I was in Yosemite National Park there were signs everywhere telling visitors to stay on the boardwalks to protect the meadows. Sure enough, several people would be frolicking in the meadows for a photo opp. You are the visitors, people!

Yep the parks are being damaged by people looking for photos ops.

I realize these are mistakes not to be made. Especially the one of not looking up from camera. I am often so obsessed with capturing everything in camera I fail to observe in real. Animals shouldn’t be fed, I wish everyone followed this.

Yea, I am tired of the animals being fed. It isn’t helping them.

Anneklien Meanne

Im guilty of the camera, I tend to stop and capture every angle of the National park when ever i see a beautiful scenery. But i still make sure to stop and enjoy the nature- fresh air, wild life etc.

There is nothing wrong with taking pictures but that needs to be balanced with enjoying the site.

Really good advice and tips. The one that says, “Look up from the camera” is so true. You miss so much if you just focus on getting that perfect shot. It has happened many times. Imagine you visit Yellowstone park and you didn’t get to really see all the amazing features of it.

Yep. To many people just look thru the camera and never stop to realised where they are standing.

Great tips! Visitor Centers are so important as not only can you get great tips from rangers, but you learn about the history and geology of the park, but you get up-to-date information on road and trail conditions. I always check there first especially if where I’m going is a bit out of the way as I don’t want to head out to not reach my destination. And I love being open to the scenery. In most parks, you find yourself pulling over ALL THE TIME to take in views or wildlife. Just go with the flow. thanks for sharing!

Visitor Centers are really under appreciated.

This is so great 🙂 your content always makes me happy because I love writing about National Parks, too. Also it’s just nice to see a National Park related post NOT about the shut down right now! D:

Thanks. Hopefully, this shut down ends before people destroy the parks.

look up from the camera! So important. If I could add one – respect wildlife. When I was in Yosemite National Park there were signs everywhere telling visitors to stay on the boardwalks to protect the meadows. Sure enough, several people would be frolicking in the meadows for a photo opp. You are the visitors, people

Hi, I'm Jennifer!

Welcome to the wonderful world of National Parks. I'm here to help you plan your NEXT amazing adventure through the United States National Parks and beyond. I want the national parks to be accessible to all.

I live in Tennessee, and when I'm home, you can find me hiking in the Smokies and the Cumberland Plateau.

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15 Mistakes Tourists Make When Visiting National Parks

Millions of people visit national parks across America each year. Some drop by for quick day trips , many decide to plan extended camping excursions , and others simply want to check an item off their bucket list .

However, many travel enthusiasts and bloggers have discovered that plenty of tourists make mistakes when visiting national parks. You want to be able to make the right moves so that you can enjoy nature in all its glory while also making sure you don't do anything to harm your surroundings . Hitting up a national park may seem like a simple trip, but there are still many mistakes that you want to be careful to avoid.

Not planning ahead

How many times have you made an impromptu stop while on vacation? Visiting a national park for the day might sound like a good idea, but not preparing for the visit could dampen your trip. Every national park is different in size and scope, and a little bit of planning can go a long way toward helping you get the most out of the experience. Some parks have limited access, entrance fees vary per park, and weather can affect the trip. Know before you go.

Visiting during peak season

It pays to do some research on the peak seasons of the national parks. Off-peak times will obviously be less crowded, and you may experience some perks like a free entrance free during the off-season .

Not taking advantage of senior discounts

Restaurants aren't the only establishments with a bevy of senior "specials." In fact, for a mere $20, U.S. citizens and permanent residents age 62 and older can purchase an annual Senior Pass to U.S. national parks! For $80, seniors can get a lifetime pass. It will come through the mail, so plan accordingly.

Assuming the park is easy to get to

TripSavvy writer Mark Kahler explains, "Some of the most popular national parks can be located quite a distance from major population centers." That means that reaching some of these natural wonders could require hours of driving.

Not filling up your gas tank

If you are driving to a national park that's far away, make sure you have a full tank of gas before you get inside the park. Jennifer Melroy, of the National Park Obsessed online guide, explains that only a handful of parks sites, such as Yellowstone, Crater Lake, and Yosemite, have gas available within park boundaries.

Skipping the visitor center

While it may be tempting to just get out and go, a quick stop to the visitor center can be beneficial to your visit. You can ask questions about the best spots to see , grab a map, and find out if there's any news you need to know before you head out for the day (or week, if you're camping).

Not asking questions

Even if you've done some research and stopped at the visitor center, there's no way to ensure you know every single detail about a given national park. Employees are much more knowledgeable, and they are there to give you some help. Whatever is on your mind concerning your visit, be sure to ask.

Not reading the park map

Once you get a map, use it! Winging it might sound like a good idea, but when you have potentially thousands of acres at your disposal , you don't want to miss out on something extra special because you didn't know about it.

Failing to reserve camping space

Some travelers may want to experience a camping trip at a national park, but if they are not regular campers, they might not realize that such stays often require reservations. Reserve America  is a good resource to make sure you have a nice spot to set up camp .

Not preparing for bears

TripSavvy's Mark Kahler points to advice offered by the National Park Service concerning bears on campsites, noting that it is important to read up on safety tips (especially regarding food storage) in order to minimize the potential risk when entering a domain inhabited by wild animals.

Feeding wildlife

Just because you've thrown some pieces of bread to pigeons in a local park or fed the ducks in the pond near your home, that doesn't mean you should do the same in a national park. You have no way of knowing how wild animals in a national park will react when a human gets a little too close for comfort. Play it safe and play by the rules.

Going to bed too early

When there's a clear sky, avoid the urge to go to sleep early. Many people hail from locations where seeing only a handful of stars is the norm. Nothing compares to being able to see the Milky Way light up the sky when you're far enough from the pollution of a big city. If you're in a far northern park, you may even be lucky enough to see the northern lights !

Getting up too late

If you stayed up late, getting up early might be difficult. But if you're camping for a few days or more, make it a point to wake up early at least one day. Some spots in various national parks offer breathtaking views of the morning sunrise .

Taking unauthorized souvenirs

By all means, visit national park gift shops and commemorate your visit with a special memento. But resist the urge to lift a piece of nature while you're walking through the park. The whole concept behind the national park system is to preserve unique places for future generations. That means leaving everything just as you found it .

Only viewing the park through your lens

Pictures tell stories, but if you're so busy snapping photo after photo, you're not truly experiencing all that a national park has to offer. You might miss something amazing you'd otherwise see in your peripheral vision while you're constantly focusing your camera on a bathing bird or a cluster of beautiful flowers. Photos can certainly help you remember your visit, but make sure to look up from the camera and take in the photogenic view with your own eyes .

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10 Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting a National Park (Video)

Make the most of your national park visit.

As of 2019, the United States is home to 61 national parks (and 418 national park sites), adding up to hundreds of thousands of acres of the great outdoors to explore.

Visiting a national park is a great way to spend a vacation in pretty much every season. Millions of people flock to some of the most popular parks in the nation, including Great Smoky Mountains National Park , Grand Canyon National Park , Rocky Mountain National Park , Yellowstone National Park, and Yosemite National Park , to name a few.

There's practically a national park for everyone, whether you want to see the impressive Old Faithful at Yellowstone or marvel at General Sherman , the world's largest tree, at Giant Forest of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. Plus, many of these parks offer a huge array of activities, like camping, hiking, biking, climbing, horseback riding, dogsledding, and stargazing. You can even catch a glimpse of the northern lights in some states, such as Denali National Park in Alaska.

The country's beautiful national parks span a wide range of terrains beyond typical forests and mountains, too. For example, there's the smooth sands of White Sands National Park and the fascinating red and pink rock formations of Bryce Canyon National Park.

With so much to see and do, it's easy to make a few mistakes that could prevent you from enjoying your national park vacation to the fullest.

So, if you're planning a trip to a national park, here are a few mistakes tourists often make and how to avoid them.

1. Not Planning Ahead

For any vacation, it's always best to plan ahead. That is especially true for a national park trip. U.S. parks can vary in size and terrain, and depending on what season you're planning to visit in, you can run into a lot of roadblocks, including huge crowds, unpredictable weather conditions, and park closures. It's best to research your park before going, making sure you've packed appropriately for the weather and have all the proper permits – especially if you plan on camping or visiting popular attractions. This also gives you an opportunity to figure out your schedule, so you can check off everything on must-see your list.

All that said, it's also important to leave a little time to account for sudden changes. You never know when you might want to stray from your schedule.

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

2. Improperly Interacting With Wildlife

National parks are perfect places to spot incredible wildlife , including bison, elk, bears, wolves, coyotes, big cats, and more. However, there is a right and wrong way to deal with wildlife — and it mostly has to do with giving the animals plenty of space so they don't feel threatened.

Lots of people fail to realize that the park is not a zoo, animal shelter, or controlled place for animal encounters. None of the animals are domesticated and they will always react to things. In order to keep yourself safe, follow the National Park System's rules in regards to wildlife .

3. Being Glued to Your Camera

Yes, getting those Instagram photos is important. How else will your old friends from high school know you're in the Rocky Mountains? But in all seriousness, while you want to snap some stunning photos and capture memories that you can look back on, it's good to remember that you're in the great outdoors: the perfect place to unplug . Get your snaps, sure, but also don't forget to look up from the screen and take in the beauty for yourself.

4. Not Staying Out Late to See the Stars

Plenty of vacationers like to be on the go all day long. This is perfectly fine, and you'll definitely see some amazing sights during the daytime. However, all that activity during the day can also mean you'll be too exhausted to hang out at night, which cuts you off from half the experience of staying in a national park.

Many parks hold events at night. Not only is this the best time to get a glimpse at a sky full of stars, you can also catch things like the northern lights (depending on where you are) or natural phenomena, like the Yosemite firefall .

5. Not Getting Up Early to Watch the Sunrise

On the flip side, people who sleep in until noon may miss out on one of the best parts of being in the great outdoors: watching a stunning sunrise over the landscape. Sure, a sunrise can be beautiful in the city, too. However, missing the first hours of the day while staying in a naturally beautiful place would be a shame.

6. Not Filling Up Your Gas Tank

National parks aren't always easy to reach, especially if you're running low on gas. Remember, these areas often include tens of thousands of acres of protected land, so there may not always be a pump station nearby. Be sure to fill up when you get the chance, and bring extra tanks just in case.

7. Not Using Park Maps

Your phone's GPS won't work if you're out of the service area, and some parts of the park might not have a strong signal. Yes, you'll find some spots that are still connected to outside civilization, but if you're out on the trails, you might need to stick to a good, old-fashioned paper map. They most likely can be found in the visitor's center wherever you go. (More on that below.)

8. Going Off the Trail

Staying safe while hiking should be a top priority. The National Park Service provides a list of items you should always pack for your national park visit, including clothing layers, flashlights, water, extra food, and so on. But one other safety guideline you shouldn't break is going off-trail . Even some experienced hikers can get lost in national parks, which may lead to injury or even death. It can also damage your environment. Some parks have off-trail travel and backcountry camping, but these are best for those who have extensive experience. Be honest with yourself about your wilderness skills.

In general, sticking to the designated trails, following a map, and even getting a trail guide are the best ways to stay safe. And always pay attention to warning signs or barriers that will keep you away from dangerous areas.

9. Skipping the Visitor Center

As mentioned above, the visitor center has a wealth of knowledge and resources you can access about the park you're visiting. Not only is this a good place to find maps, but you can also talk to park rangers and get information about special events, closures, and other important details. It's the best way to not get blindsided while you're out on the trails.

10. Only Going During Peak Season or Only Visiting the Most Popular Attractions

There's a national park for every season. Some parks are best visited in the summer, while others are better in the fall. Even finding a time to go during the off-peak season can be rewarding, especially since this means you likely won't have to contend with crowds. You might even be able to get a discount on lodging.

The same goes for the most popular attractions, like Yellowstone's Old Faithful or Yosemite's Half Dome. They are beloved for a reason, but national parks have much more to offer than just the well-trodden places. Research before you go or ask a park ranger about some of the less-visited or underrated areas they recommend. Or, even better, opt to visit an underrated national park .

14 Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting the National Parks

National Parks are home to some of the most spectacular landscapes and ecosystems in the entire country. The USA National Parks protect natural features like glaciers, mountains, sand dunes, geysers, coastlines, rainforests, waterfalls, craters, caves, and volcanoes, wildlife like mountain goats, bears, coyotes, mountain lions, and elk, and historical artifacts like petroglyphs, ancient wood, monuments, underwater treasure, and archeological sites.

I’ve explored dozens of our nation’s beautiful public lands, and over the years, I’ve learned so many things about visiting the National Parks. My goal for this post is to share several of the lessons I’ve learned, the things that have made my visits better, and the mistakes I’ve made.

In this guide, I’m going to list 14 mistakes to avoid when visiting the National Parks . These National Park visitor mistakes are quite common, and I have made many of them over the years. Avoid these National Park mistakes so that the next time you visit one of the parks, you can have the best experience possible.

Table of Contents

Disclaimer : This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on the links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own. Thanks so much for your support!

1. Only Visiting the Parks in the Daytime

Most visitors only see the National Parks in the daylight hours. It could be that they don’t want to wake up early, or they have to leave the park before sunset to grab dinner, and/or they have accommodations elsewhere and don’t want to drive the desolate roads in the dark.

Whatever the reason(s) may be, if you only see the park during the daytime, you’re missing out! The parks come alive at sunrise, at sunset, and under a veil of darkness.

✨ My advice…

Wake up before sunrise to hike in the dark and be among the first to witness the park light up. Brew a hot beverage with a handy-dandy Jetboil either on the trail or at the overlook as you watch the sunlight slowly fill the landscape.

Stay late in the parks. Set up a blanket and enjoy a picnic dinner and/or a hot cup of coffee at a scenic overlook while you watch the sunset.

And since many of the National Parks are International Dark Sky Parks due to how far away they are from cities and light pollution, make sure you’re awake at least one night to observe the sky lit up with twinkling stars.

2. Not Stopping By the Visitor Center

The first thing you should do when visiting a National Park is stop by the visitor center. (If you arrive outside of business hours, just stop by when it’s open!)

A park may have multiple visitor centers; it doesn’t necessarily matter which one you go inside. Just go to the one that is convenient for you!

Once you’re inside the visitor center, stamp your passport , browse the shops and exhibits, learn about the park, grab a map, and ask a ranger what he or she recommends you do/see in the park.

Park rangers – both the ones that are stationed inside the visitor centers and the ones that are roaming the park – are filled with a wealth of information so don’t be afraid to ask questions!

3. Only Visiting Popular Areas

If you only visit the popular areas of the park, you are missing out on the rest of the park.

This may seem obvious, but so many visitors just flock to the highlights – the popular, crowded trails and overlooks – and as a result, skip over some hidden gems. Reasons for this could be that they don’t have the time to dive deep into the more remote areas of the park, or it could be related to the visitor thinking that these other areas of the park aren’t worth seeing, aren’t as scenic, or take too long to explore.

But so many times, the lesser-known areas of the park are the BEST parts of the park! 🙌🏼

While I’d recommend that you still see the highlights (there’s a reason they are the most popular things to do/see, after all), make sure you allot time to venture into the lesser-known areas of the park.

Journey to the quieter sides of the park (every park has at least one!) and hike the longer trails (you’ll leave the crowds behind around mile marker one).

Oftentimes, in these places, you’ll get treated to some surprising views and get some much-needed solitude away from the hordes of people who are crowding the popular overlooks/trails.

For more tips on how to avoid crowds when hiking, click on my guide below! ⤵️

→ READ NEXT: How to Avoid Crowds When Hiking 🥾

4. Not Filling Up Your Gas Tank

National Parks typically don’t have gas stations inside their boundaries, and if they do, the prices will likely be much higher than surrounding towns/cities.

Also, since many of the parks are in remote areas, you might have a hard time filling up even outside the park. To prevent running out of gas, fill up your tank before entering the gates and/or keep a full gas can in your trunk.

Research gas stations ahead of time so that you know when to fill up before entering the park.

PRO TIP: Use a gas-saving app like GasBuddy or Upside to save at the pump. ⛽️

→ READ NEXT: National Park Etiquette: Dos and Don’ts of Visiting National Parks

5. Not Buying a Park Pass

If you’re a National Park-aholic like I am, owning an America the Beautiful Park Pass is a necessity.

The America the Beautiful National Parks Pass gets you access to all of the National Parks for an entire year for just $80. Considering many parks have entrance fees ranging from $5 to $35, the money that you spend on visiting these parks can snowball.

While all the money goes back into the park, if you frequently visit the National Parks, you’re going to want to save some money and buy a park pass ! Oh, and don’t forget to actually bring it to the parks (along with your ID).

🇺🇸 Buy your pass at REI now!

→ READ NEXT: America the Beautiful Pass: What It Is + Why You Need It 🇺🇸

6. Improperly Interacting With Wildlife

It’s never okay to approach, harass, or feed wildlife in the National Parks. I’ve witnessed these things happening way too often – both in person and on social media.

The proper way to interact with wildlife is from afar. Do not taunt, harass, feed, approach, or provoke them in any way.

Keep your distance and give animals room. You are in their home after all. The last thing you’ll want is for an animal to feel threatened by you and attack.

Every park unit has its own rules, but most rangers recommend that you stay at least 100 yards away from predators like bears and wolves and 25 yards away from all other wildlife.

→ READ NEXT: Bear Safety Tips for Hikers and Campers 🐻

7. Not Bringing Your Own Food

If you don’t bring your own food into the park, then you will inevitably have to leave the park. (The exception would be if the National Park you’re visiting has a restaurant or general store inside its boundaries, of course).

If you bring your own meals into the park, you won’t have to leave. Therefore, you will have more time to explore!

In order to spend more time in the park – hiking, camping, exploring, climbing, etc. – pack your snacks and meals for the entire day!

Day-trippers, pack a cooler! Load it down with snacks, meals, and drinks to keep you fueled and hydrated all day long. Bring a Jetboil or camp stove if you plan on cooking a meal or boiling water.

Visitors who are camping inside the park, you can either go to your campsite for your meals or pack everything in your vehicle and/or your backpack so that you can stay out on the trails the entire day. Again, a Jetboil or other camp stove is super helpful when you want to cook meals or boil water on the go.

8. Going Off-Trail

Staying on the trail is super important to the longevity of the parks.

You might wonder why it matters if you go off trail?

Going off-trail results in the trampling of fragile plants, and over time, too many footsteps create human paths that more and more people will take, thinking they’re the real trail.

Going off-trail could also result in danger to your safety. Park staff has constructed the trails in a way that’s safe for visitors, wildlife, plants, and landscapes. Taking your own route could cause you to fall, get lost, get stuck, alarm a bear on its food path, etc.

9. Only Visiting During Peak Season

Peak season is the time of year that is typically advertised as the best time to visit a park. And it’s easy to see why. During peak season, you can usually find most hiking trails, roads, campgrounds, and visitor centers fully open and accessible. So it’s no wonder why most people visit during this time!

While I see how it would be tempting to visit during peak season, if you can swing it, I challenge you to go to a park in the shoulder season. Maybe everything won’t be open, and maybe the weather will alter your plans, but you will be blessed with fewer crowds.

Many times, shoulder seasons will have most, if not all of the amenities open like peak season does, just without the crowds. I’d encourage you to do your research ahead of time to find out if this is the case for the park you’re visiting!

→ READ NEXT: 2024 US National Parks Visitor’s Guide

10. Not Planning Ahead

Not planning ahead results in not being able to book campsites, not being able to hike certain trails because they require advance permits, not being able to get into a park because they require an advance timed-entry reservation, etc.

If you get to the park, and realize you can’t pass the entrance gate, can’t hike your favorite trail, can’t bring your dog with you, and/or can’t reserve a campsite, you will be deeply disappointed. To avoid this, plan plan plan !

While spontaneity is certainly nice, when it comes to the National Parks, you’ll want to do some research ahead of time.

You’ll need to book popular National Park campsites 6 months ahead of time. Campgrounds in parks like Mount Rainier and North Cascades sell out in seconds !

NOTE: Some campgrounds, park lodges, and cabins take reservations up to 2 years in advance.

You’ll also sometimes need to reserve timed-entry reservations, trail permits, and backcountry wilderness permits ahead of time as well. Check the park’s official webpage to see current requirements.

11. Not Stamping Your Passport

Don’t forget to stamp your passport at one of the park’s visitor centers!

If you don’t already have one, you can purchase a passport book at most park visitor centers or online. Then you can start collecting stamps for each of the parks you visit! It’s a fun way to reminisce all of your park memories as you flip through the pages.

PRO TIP: Did you forget to bring your passport book ? Or do you not want to bring the precious book to the parks in fear of it getting lost, stolen, damaged, etc? No problem! You can purchase a pack of stickers either at the visitor center or online. You can use these for stamping and stick them to your passport book pages when you get home.

12. Not Staying Overnight in the Parks

Staying outside of the parks was one of the biggest regrets we had in our early National Parks exploration years.

Staying outside of the park means less time inside the park. Staying outside of the park means you have to factor in drive time between your accommodations and the park. Staying outside of the park usually means you are less likely to be there for sunrise, sunset, dark, etc.

Do yourself a favor and stay overnight in the park! Whether that be in a park lodge, cabin, or campground, you won’t regret spending more time in the park.

⛺️ Camping is way better than staying in a hotel, and I give you nine reasons why in this blog post!

PRO TIP: Make sure to book your park accommodations in advance! You’ll need to research the park you’ll be staying at but some accommodations can be booked out up to 2 years in advance.

13. Rushing Through the Park

A rookie National Park visitation mistake is rushing through the park. Thinking that you can see and do everything in a few hours, when in reality, it’s just not possible.

Take your time by slow-traveling through the parks. See beyond the highlights, immerse yourself in the landscapes, interact with the rangers, observe the wildlife, learn about the history and geology of the area, and really experience the park by dipping your toes into the various activities that it has to offer.

SIDE NOTE: I understand that time is an issue for a lot of you. You might only have a certain amount of time off work to go into the parks and explore and you want to make the most of your time off by seeing and doing as much as possible. But while you’re in the park – for whatever time you do have, whether it’s a few hours or a few days – I encourage you to slow down so that you can fully and wholeheartedly experience the park.

14. Ignoring Leave No Trace Principles

Lastly, I see way too many visitors ignoring Leave No Trace . I see visitors enter the park and leave a trail of destruction in their wake. Instead of leaving the park better than they found it, they leave it much, much worse.

Sadly, some visitors think it’s okay to disrespect our parks by covering petroglyphs in graffiti, cutting down live trees for firewood, tossing trash onto hiking trails, polluting the waterways with chemicals and garbage, and camping illegally on fragile vegetation. The list goes on and on.

Luckily, there are much more respectful park visitors than disrespectful ones. So those of you who respect and love our parks (just as I do), I encourage you to leave the park better than you found it and educate those who aren’t doing that. (❗️Read the situation and gauge how you will be received. If you feel like you could be in danger by spreading education to the person(s) harming the park, keep on walking).

Bottom Line: Make sure every time you step into the outdoors, you are practicing the Leave No Trace Principles.

Curious how you – as a National Park visitor – can help the park? Read my guide to see how exactly you can practice Leave No Trace when hiking and camping.

Discover Your Next Adventure

Which National Park should you head to next? I’ve got some guides that will help you decide!

• Florida National Parks Ranked Best to Worst
• Utah Mighty Five National Parks Itinerary
• 8 Epic Things to Do at Crater Lake National Park
• 5 Dog-Friendly Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison: South Rim vs. North Rim

PIN IT AND SAVE THIS POST FOR LATER!

Hi! I'm Alexys, a hiker, camper, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park volunteer from East Tennessee. Let me help you plan your next trip!

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I’ve Been to 18 National Parks—These Are the Worst Mistakes I See Visitors Make Over and Over

In my journey to visit all the U.S. national parks, I’ve seen these 4 mistakes on repeat.

In the last two years, I've visited 18 of our country's 63 official national parks on my journey to hit them all eventually. Along the way, I've learned a thing or two about what to do—and what not to do —to be a good citizen of nature.

Specifically, I'm talking about Leave No Trace , the principles that all who value our great outdoors should abide by. Don't get me wrong: Most people I see are on their best behavior. But there are some common mistakes I've noticed visitors making during their park escapades. And since we're all about educating rather than shaming, I want to shed some light on how we can all do better when it comes to embracing Leave No Trace principles.

What Are the 7 Leave No Trace Principles?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's quickly go over the Leave No Trace (LNT) principles , which serve as guidelines for responsible outdoor ethics:

• Plan ahead and prepare.
• Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
• Dispose of waste properly.
• Leave what you find.
• Minimize campfire impacts.
• Respect wildlife.
• Be considerate of other visitors.

Mistake No. 1: Getting Too Close to Big Animals

Instagram, touronsofyellowstone

One of the most common mistakes I see visitors make is getting too close to wild animals, a pretty direct violation of that "respect wildlife" LNT principle.

There have been quite a few incidents involving the bison at Yellowstone National Park . And on the one hand, I get it—these are animals you never see in person, and that's really rad. But while it's incredibly tempting to snap a selfie with a majestic creature —I know this, I'm an influencer—it's crucial to remember that these animals are wild and, by definition, can be unpredictable.

READ MORE: The Number One Thing to Know Before You Visit Yellowstone

Respect their space, observe from a safe distance , and never feed them. Let's not forget that a fed animal can become dependent and potentially aggressive if its hunger needs are not met.

Mistake No. 2: Getting Too Close to Small Animals

Getty Images, evilord_22

While tourists interfering with big animals get a lot of news attention, it's also essential to leave all wild critters alone. During one of my hikes at Great Basin National Park, I witnessed a chipmunk munching on a cheese curl. While undeniably cute, this encounter was a clear sign that some visitors had irresponsibly fed the wildlife.

Feeding small critters not only disrupts their natural diet but also fosters dependency, altering their natural behaviors and possibly endangering their well-being.

Related Content

What not to do at a national park, and what to do instead, the ultimate guide to leave no trace principles, yellowstone visitors asked to take the 'safe selfie' pledge when entering park.

Another memorable incident occurred at Rocky Mountain National Park, where a chipmunk mistook my camera bag as a source for a potential treat and decided to investigate it closely. It was evident that previous visitors had fed these chipmunks, prompting them to be unusually friendly and invade personal space.

This appears to be a trend, because it happened again when I visited Crater Lake National Park. Chipmunks everywhere were just begging for our food. Let's resist the urge to feed wildlife, as it disrupts their natural instincts and can lead to detrimental consequences for both animals and humans.

Mistake No. 3: Graffiti and Littering

oonal/Getty Images

Another heartbreaking sight I've encountered is graffiti and litter in our parks. Spray paint and trash not only mar the natural beauty but also harm delicate ecosystems. I've seen graffiti on the rocks in Yosemite National Park and on the rocks in Joshua Tree National Park . While at the Grand Canyon, I found someone had drawn some, let's just say, male genitalia with a black marker on a bench. * facepalm straight to the forehead *

Please respect the surroundings and leave them as you found them: pristine and untouched—in other words, the very definition of "Leave No Trace." Remember, a small act of carelessness can have significant consequences for the environment and future visitors. Dispose of your trash in the proper receptacles in the park. Don't litter—not even banana peels or apple cores. (I know they're biodegradable, but please don't do it.)

Mistake No. 4: Wandering Off the Trail

Getty Images, swissmediavision

As explorers at heart, we're often tempted to wander off the beaten path. I've been there, I've wanted to, but I don't. There's a reason "travel on durable surfaces" is among the LNT principles: Veering off designated trails can lead to severe ecological damage, trampling fragile plants and disturbing wildlife habitats. Hike on the trail , enjoy the views, and help everyone preserve these natural wonders for generations to come.

What You Should Do If You See an LNT Violation

While we all love our national parks, it's essential to acknowledge the mistakes we observe and strive to do better. Educating ourselves and others on Leave No Trace principles is the key to ensuring the long-term preservation of these natural wonders . Rather than resorting to shaming, let's approach these issues with a spirit of compassion, recognizing that change happens through understanding and encouragement. We were all new to visiting these parks once, right?

Essentially, as we continue on our journeys to the great outdoors, let's embrace the beauty of our national parks responsibly. Together, we can protect these treasures, leaving behind only footprints and taking home memories that will last a lifetime. Remember, educating one another is the path to a brighter, cleaner, and more sustainable future for our beloved parks.

READ MORE: The Top Dangers in National Parks, According to New Data

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Yellowstone National Park, 1950: A black bear with a cub leans into a tourist's car. Today's park rules require visitors to remain at least 100 yards away from bears.

Tourists Behaving Badly: What Not to Do in National Parks

Avoid trouble—or worse—in the national parks by following a few easy rules.

Petting wild animals. Vandalizing ancient rocks. Destroying endangered species’ habitats. The   national parks’ busy summer tourist season has just begun, but already, some visitors are behaving badly.    

The incidents are symptoms of visitors “ loving their parks to death ,” says Vanessa Torres, a supervising park ranger for Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

A record 305 million people visited national parks in 2015, and that number is expected to grow in 2016   as the system celebrates its centennial year. Many have never been to a national park and are unfamiliar with their rules and regulations, says Torres. As a result, visitors can stumble into dangerous situations or damage natural features.

“It all comes down to education,” she says. “Park staff need to be clear about park policies, especially for new visitors, while visitors should do their homework before they go to any park. Be prepared for what you’re getting into, carry enough water, bring maps and GPS, and know the park rules. Walk into a visitors center and ask questions.”

While each park’s rules and regulations differ slightly, their common purpose is to protect people and natural resources. “Visitors should leave the parks as they find them, so we can protect these places and preserve them for the enjoyment of others,” Torres says.

Here are six tips for behaving better when you visit these national treasures.

Leave wildlife alone.  

Parks encourage wildlife viewing from a safe distance with the aid of binoculars, spotting scopes, or telephoto lenses. You should never get close enough that you alter animals’ behavior. Not only is approaching too closely dangerous for you, but it also provokes animals and may cause them to react defensively. And it’s illegal according to federal law.

In any park, visitors should stay at least 100 yards (300 feet) away from bears and wolves, and 25 yards (75 feet) away from bison, elk, and other animals, says National Park Service spokesman Jeffrey Olson. More people have been killed by bison in Yellowstone National Park than by any other animal, and if you encounter them on the road, remain in your vehicle. Don’t be like the tourists who found a lone bison calf on one of the park’s roads and put it in their SUV because they thought it was cold. (The calf had to be euthanized when it was unable to rejoin its herd.)

Visitors should also check a park’s website and its newspaper for specific rules about local wildlife, Olson says.

An American bison in Yellowstone National Park next to a sign advising park visitors to stay back

Leave natural objects where they are.

Just this month, a child learned the hard way that it’s against the rules to carry seeds out of the parks. The young visitor to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park had taken a single pinecone from underneath General Grant, a giant sequoia that is the world’s second largest tree. When the kid realized that wasn’t allowed, the cone was returned with an apologetic letter.

Unfortunately, most of the objects removed by visitors never make it back. In addition to pinecones, visitors pick up animals, plants, seashells, feathers, rocks and minerals, fossils, petrified wood, Native American pottery, petroglyphs, arrowheads, Civil War relics and other objects as souvenirs. All are federally protected   and should remain in the park.

Stay on the path.

Many underestimate the hazards in many of our most popular parks, Torres says. Straying from a path or jumping over a safety fence can lead to injury or death in an instant.

Recently, at Yellowstone, a man died after wandering off the boardwalk and falling into a hot spring, and a father and son suffered burns from touching the highly acidic thermal pools. At Acadia, a man trying to photograph the sunset fell off a cliff to his death. In 2011, three people were swept over a waterfall and killed in Yosemite after ignoring a safety barrier.

Prevent vacation-ruining accidents by sticking to the trails and boardwalks and obeying warning signs. “The rules are in place for a reason—to ensure the safety of park staff, visitors, and the natural resources," Torres says. "Staying on the trails is a big part of that."

Carry in, carry out.

Park lovers were outraged when photos of an abandoned campsite full of trash , tents, and plastic lawn chairs in California’s Shasta-Trinity National Forest was posted on social media earlier this year. Fortunately, authorities easily tracked down the culprits—members of a University of Oregon fraternity—because they’d left behind coolers emblazoned with their frat’s logo. (The fraternity later apologized.)

National park visitors generate a hundred million tons of trash every year, which has led three major parks—Denali, Yosemite, and Grand Teton—to launch an ambitious effort to reduce their landfill contributions to zero. But individual parkgoers can help by carrying out all of the stuff they bring in, including gear, food wrappers, bottles and cans, and even used toilet paper.

Tourists ignore a warning sign in Yellowstone National Park. Disregarding signs and other rules can put parkgoers in harm's way, officials say.

• Nat Geo Expeditions

Store food properly, save bears.

First, the good news: Bears are making a comeback in their historical North American ranges. Now, the bad news: The close proximity of bears and humans presents problems for both, especially in national parks. Food odors attract bears to campsites, picnic areas, and parking lots where people gather, and for that reason, park regulations require visitors to store food, toiletries, and trash in bear-resistant containers at all times.

Lock all food, beverages, coolers, stoves, grills, cookware, pet food, and pet bowls in your car, and dispose of trash in bear-resistant dumpsters. Backpackers and hikers without vehicles should store food and utensils in bear-safe storage lockers or hoist the items up in a tree, away from tree trunks. Most importantly, do not leave food unattended or store food or coolers in your tent.

It may go without saying, but you should never feed bears (or any other wild animals), or leave food out for them. Animals that become accustomed to human food can become aggressive and threaten human safety. In that case, park authorities must relocate or euthanize them.

Leave no trace.

The seven tried-and-true “ leave no trace ” principles encourage park visitors to make as little impact on the natural surroundings as possible. Given the recent incidents of vandalism and destruction in national parks—a couple spray-painting graffiti in Grand Canyon, visitors carving their names into priceless petroglyphs in Zion, a drunken rampage at an endangered fish habitat in Death Valley—perhaps a refresher course is in order.

Planning ahead and preparing for a low-impact experience is the first step. Once you’re in the great outdoors, travel and camp on hard surfaces where you won’t injure plants or anything else on the ground. Likewise, minimize your campfire’s impact on the terrain. Dispose of waste properly (or carry it away), and leave everything as you find it. And finally, have respect for wildlife and your fellow hikers, campers, and backpackers.

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Plan, Ready, Go®

Oops! Avoid These National Park Tourist Mistakes

Making any of these national park tourist mistakes can quickly turn an adventure into a lesson in what not to do. I love that more people want to explore the great outdoors, but a little preparation goes a long way.

First-time visitors to national parks often miss important details, like park rules or the weather forecast. However, these oversights can lead to inconvenient, or even dangerous, situations. Staying informed and respecting park guidelines not only protects you but also preserves the parks for everyone to enjoy.

On a quest to visit all 63 U.S. National Parks?  Grab your own copy of the  printable national parks tracker  to check off your progress as you visit each park.

Key takeaways

• Check the national park’s website for any reservation or permit requirements well in advance of your trip.
• Book accommodations early , considering options both inside and near the park. In larger parks, pick a place to stay that’s close to the sights you plan to visit to save on daily travel time.
• Avoid trying to see everything. Don’t rush. Focus on a few key areas and plan to spend quality time at each, balancing sightseeing with relaxation.
• Food and gas may not be readily available inside the parks. Bring necessary supplies and fill up at the nearest gas station before entering the park.
• Check the visitor center for the latest park information, maps, ranger advice, and updates on conditions.

Mistake #1: Not Checking the National Park’s Website for Reservation or Permit Requirements

When you’re gearing up for a trip to a national park, the excitement might make it easy to overlook the nitty-gritty details. But, it’s crucial to remember that several parks now require a reservation to enter or a permit for certain activities . Failing to secure these in advance can turn your adventure into a letdown.

Different parks may require various types of permits or reservations. Keeping tabs is key, as these can vary from park to park and may also change with the seasons.

Make sure to

• Check the park’s official website for the latest reservation or permit requirements.
• Find out when reservations open and the timeframe within which you need to book.
• Find out if having a pass like America the Beautiful affects the need for reservations or permits.

Always book reservations through official channels like Recreation.gov to avoid any mishaps at the park entrance.

Mistake #2: Not Researching Lodging Options Well in Advance

Choosing a place to stay is an important part of planning your national park trip. Inside parks, you can find a variety of accommodations including campsites, cabins, and luxury lodges. Plan early because accommodations in and near popular parks book up fast during peak seasons.

• Book Early: Find out when reservations open for the park you’re visiting and reserve as soon as they open if you can. You may need to book a year in advance for very popular parks such as Yellowstone.
• Consider Alternatives: Look outside the park borders for potential options. These can sometimes save you money and may not be booked as far in advance.
• Understand Park Size: Match your lodging reservations to your itinerary. Larger parks might need a few days to explore, so pick a central location to minimize daily travel time.
• Cancellation Policies: It’s smart to know the cancellation or change policies in case your plans shift.

Rates for accommodations vary widely. Lodges inside the park often cost more because of their prime location and high demand from guests. Some parks offer rate reductions during off-peak times. Keep in mind that lower rates often mean fewer crowds, which can also mean fewer services like dining are available.

Mistake #3: Trying to Cover Too Much in Your Itinerary

When planning your visit to a national park, you might be tempted to pack your schedule with every hike, overlook, and landmark. It’s natural to want to see it all, but national parks can be vast, and rushing from site to site can make your trip less enjoyable overall.

Rather than trying to visit every attraction, choose a few highlights to create a balance between sightseeing and relaxation .

Select a few key areas and plan to spend quality time at each. Think ahead about what you’re most interested in, whether that’s wildlife, scenic views, or hiking trails. Then schedule these into your itinerary in a mindful way.

Mistake #4: Sticking to Your Plan Too Rigidly

It’s great to have a plan. However, sticking too closely to your plan can cause you to miss unexpected opportunities. Plans are valuable, but so is a bit of spontaneity. 

• Be open to trail closures or weather changes. Prepare backup activities in case your original plans are disrupted. When we traveled to Grand Teton National Park at the end of May, we had no idea that many of the hiking trails would still be under waist-deep snow. So we did a Jenny Lake boat tour instead. It was great!
• Talk to rangers. They can offer the latest updates and maybe suggest a hidden gem you didn’t know about. 
• Prioritize : Know what you must see but leave gaps in your schedule for exploration.

Mistake #5: Only Visiting the Most Popular Spots

It’s easy to focus on the hotspots that every Instagrammer and travel blog raves about. Sure, they’re popular for a reason. However, only visiting these spots may limit your experience of the park. Many amazing sites are located just off the beaten path.

• Research areas of the park that are less trafficked and add them to your visit.
• Park rangers are a wealth of knowledge, and they can tell you about hidden gems.
• Ask for recommendations from friends who frequently travel to national parks.
• Visiting popular spots at off-peak times like sunrise or dusk can feel like discovering a whole new place.

Check out these Yellowstone hidden gems .

Mistake #6: Assuming You Can Bring Your Dog

When planning a national park trip, you might imagine your dog being right there with you. After all, you’re going to be outdoors, so why not? But, national parks have pet policies in place , and they vary from one park to another. Ensure you review each park’s specific rules before your visit.

Generally, dogs in national parks must be leashed at all times, typically with a maximum leash length of six feet. Many national parks restrict dogs to developed areas, such as campgrounds and picnic spots. Be aware that many parks restrict dogs from trails and backcountry areas.

Mistake #7: Approaching Wildlife

Remember that national parks are home to many wild animals. They’re not there for your social media posts. Getting too close can be dangerous—for both you and them. Always observe wildlife from a safe distance.

If you’re wondering what a “safe distance” means, the National Park Service generally recommends at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves, and 25 yards from other wildlife like elk or bison. This isn’t just for their comfort, but also for your safety.

What to Do:

• Observe Quietly : Use binoculars, spotting scope, or a telephoto lens for a closer look.
• Be Aware of Your Surroundings : Wildlife may not be immediately visible.
• When hiking in bear country, carry bear spray and know how to use it.

Mistake #8: Only Touring the Park in the Middle of the Day

Exploring a national park can be magical, but fighting crowds can lessen that charm considerably. Blocked views, scarce parking, long shop lines, and busy food spots can all create frustration.

Visiting parks early in the morning or later in the day can enhance your experience a lot. And there are benefits beyond just lower crowds. Wildlife, for instance, is more active during dawn and dusk. Touring outside peak hours also reduces the impact on trails and attractions, helping preserve these sites.

Mistake #9: Not Asking for Advice from Experienced National Park Travelers

While planning your park visit, it’s wise to talk to someone with experience. Seasoned travelers can provide you with a ton of information. Experienced park-goers are often eager to share their stories and tips.

They can help with advice on:

• Where to stay
• Where to eat
• How to save money
• The best places to go for sunrise or sunset
• The best places and times to view wildlife
• Hikes with the best views
• And much more

Mistake #10: Not Dressing Appropriately for the Climate

When you’re packing, checking the weather forecast is crucial. Your comfort and safety can depend heavily on wearing the right clothes. Weather in national parks can change fast, so be ready for anything within a single day.

Remember, you might find higher altitudes in the park cooler than in the surrounding areas. And you might not expect how cold it can get if the park’s climate differs from your home. Make sure your outer layer is waterproof; rain or snow can appear without much warning.

Mistake #11: Overestimating Your Physical Abilities

Before you embark on a national park hike or any activity in the park, be honest with yourself about your physical fitness. And keep in mind things like altitude, hike difficulty, and distance.

Starting a hike without solid preparation can be very risky. Remember, if you get lost or can’t finish your hike, rescuers may have to assist you, which also puts them at risk. Remember, the trails aren’t going anywhere and there’s no shame in short and/or easy hikes.

• Always carry a map and know how to find your way back should you need to end your hike early.
• Be aware of your hike’s length and the time it should take to complete.
• Carry enough water with you . Bring at least 1 liter of water for every two hours you plan to hike.
• Take breaks. Listen to your body, and take a breather if you need it.

Mistake #12: Making Assumptions About What Services Are Available in the Parks

You might expect national parks to have all conveniences close by, as at home. That is the case for some places. Grand Teton National Park is just a few miles from Jackson, Wyoming, for example. However, parks can lack nearby amenities, so it’s important to know what’s available.

Don’t assume you’ll be able to buy food easily inside a park. Some national parks have limited to no food services or are situated far from the nearest grocery stores. Here’s what you should know:

• Smaller parks may not have dining facilities at all.
• Many parks close all or some food service areas outside of the peak summer travel season.
• I recommend always bringing snacks and drinks.
• It may also be a good idea to bring a cooler so you can pack your lunch each day and keep drinks cold.

I suggest packing a lunch for most days in the park. Even in larger parks with open food services, finding a place to eat can disrupt your plans and you might face long lines.

Many national parks do not have gas stations inside their boundaries, and those that do may charge much more per gallon than what is available in the nearest town.

• Find out where the closest gas stations are before entering the park.
• It’s best to fill up your tank before your park visit.

Mistake #13: Assuming You’ll Have Cell Service at All Times

National parks often have spotty or non-existent cell reception due to their remote locations and rugged terrain. 

What this means for you:

• Without reliable service, GPS and map apps can fail, making it more difficult to find your way.
• You could miss out on important updates from park services.
• Staying in touch with your group or family back home may not be possible.

What you should do:

• Download offline maps before you arrive.
• Always have a physical map as a backup. Even with a strong signal, map apps can give wrong directions in a big national park.
• Inform others about your travel plans and expected return time.
• Look up and note down the locations of emergency phones in the park you’re visiting, if available.

Get ready for a chance to unplug from tech, and you’ll be okay. In fact, you might even enjoy the time not tethered to your phone.

On our trip to Yellowstone , I made the mistake of not telling my family to expect that I wouldn’t be able to respond to their calls or texts for at least a few days. Of course, by the time we entered the park and I lost service, it was too late.

I was anxious for 36 hours until we checked into our Canyon Lodge room and I could use the Wi-Fi. If I had told my family not to expect regular contact, I could have avoided that worry.

Mistake #14: Skipping the Visitor Center

If you’ve heard me say it once, you’ve heard me say it a thousand times: your first national park stop should be the visitor center. At the visitor center, you’ll find informative exhibits, park maps, and the latest updates on road and trail conditions.

• Get your bearings with maps and park literature.
• Ask a ranger about what they recommend you see if you’re a first-time visitor or what trails might be the best fit for your interests and abilities.
• Learn about any current advisories or weather conditions. This can include temporary trail closures due to bear activity.
• Discover scheduled talks or tours by park rangers.
• Get updates on the availability of park services.
• Get your national park passport stamp.
• Find the perfect national park T-shirt or souvenir.

Not stopping by the visitor center means you might miss out on essential information you need for your visit. For example, on our Grand Teton trip, I didn’t expect the trail to be covered in deep snow in late spring or the Jenny Lake shuttle to be closed. Fortunately, I spoke with a ranger our first morning in the park, so I knew what to expect once we made it to Jenny Lake. Many other visitors had not asked a ranger for information and were waiting at the boat dock for a shuttle that wasn’t running . 

So, in short, don’t skip the visitor center . The visitor center is a hub of valuable information that will help you be well-prepared for your visit.

You might believe a national park trip needs less planning than other vacations, but actually, it often needs more. Doing research, planning ahead, and being flexible are keys to an enjoyable national park visit. Mistakes can happen, but planning ahead can greatly reduce their impact on your trip.

More articles to help you plan your national park trip

• The best national parks on the East Coast
• Top southern U.S. national parks
• Tips for visiting Yellowstone National Park
• Grand Teton travel tips
• The best national parks in Utah (The Mighty 5)
• Top books about national parks

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Darcy Vierow is a busy professional and travel planning expert with years of experience maximizing travel with limited time and on a less-than-average salary. Her tips have been published by Forbes, MSN.com, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Finance, Aol, Newsbreak and GOBankingRates. Read more about Darcy Vierow .

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8 ways to be the absolute worst national park visitor

Toad licking and hitting golf balls into the grand canyon are definite no-nos.

National parks evoke memories of summer road trips, hiking adventures and peaceful communions with nature.

But every so often, tales of visitor misbehavior shake that idyllic image: vandals leaving graffiti along a trail, parkgoers getting dangerously close to bison, a TikTok personality launching a golf ball into the Grand Canyon.

A guide to America's 63 national parks

“We try very hard at our organization not to shame people and to instead sort of flip it and talk about why everyone should care enough to protect resources,” said Kristen Brengel, senior vice president of government affairs at the National Parks Conservation Association , which advocates on behalf of the National Park System. “This is why visitor education is so important.”

Bad behavior at the country’s 63 national parks — not to mention hundreds of other historic sites, memorials, monuments, rivers, seashores and other areas — often make headlines. These are some of the actions park officials are asking visitors to avoid.

5 expert tips for visiting national parks

Licking psychedelic toads

The National Park Service put out a attention-grabbing warning in late 2022: Please keep your tongues off the toads. Specifically, the request was about Sonoran Desert toads, which have glands that “secrete a potent toxin.” The toads produce a natural psychedelic, but international research group Drug Science says it is a “popular myth” that licking toads can result in a high.

Please stop licking psychedelic toads, National Park Service warns

“It can make you sick if you handle the frog or get the poison in your mouth,” the park service said in social media posts. “As we say with most things you come across in a national park, whether it be a banana slug, unfamiliar mushroom, or a large toad with glowing eyes in the dead of night, please refrain from licking.”

Chucking items into the Grand Canyon (or anywhere)

“Do we really need to say, ‘don’t hit golf balls into the Grand Canyon?’ ” the national park said in a plaintive Facebook post in October. Apparently, the answer is yes. A TikTok star posted a video of herself hitting a golf ball into the depths near Mather Point; her club goes flying, too.

She went on to face charges for littering, creating a hazardous condition and throwing objects over the canyon rim, The Washington Post reported . She’s not alone in her illicit sporting activity: In 2021, one man was seen hitting a baseball into the canyon. A comedian also faced charges for hitting a golf ball at Yellowstone National Park that year, according to the Wall Street Journal .

A TikToker hit a golf ball into the Grand Canyon. She now faces charges.

Grand Canyon National Park public affairs specialist Joëlle Baird said there’s an inherent public safety issue, not to mention environmental concerns.

“We have trails that descend into the canyons where a lot of visitors are concentrated,” she said. “That’s something that a lot of people don’t necessarily realize when they get to the edge of the canyon: that there might be people below.”

The park’s request applies to other objects, too. Baird said volunteers rappel over the edge of a popular South Rim viewpoint every year and “collect an obscene amount of coins.” Those can be dangerous for wildlife, who sometimes die with foreign objects in their guts, she said.

National Park Service spokesperson Cynthia Hernandez said visitors shouldn’t leave anything behind that isn’t naturally part of a park’s environment.

“It detracts from the experience that other visitors will have in that space and also could negatively impact plants, animals and even entire ecosystems,” she said.

Getting too close to wildlife

At Yellowstone National Park last year, bison gored three visitors in the span of a month. The park says people must stay more than 25 yards from the creatures, which are the largest land-dwelling mammals in North America.

Baird, at the Grand Canyon, said the park also has issues with people feeding — and getting bit by — squirrels and approaching elk and deer at a close distance.

In 2021, a grizzly bear charged a woman in Yellowstone who approached her cubs within a distance of about three yards to take photos. The woman was charged with feeding, touching, teasing, frightening or intentionally disturbing wildlife , The Post reported .

“You have to keep your distance from these animals,” Brengel said. “You’re in their home, and you have to be very, very careful with them.”

A mother bear rushed a woman snapping a photo of her cubs. The parkgoer now faces federal charges.

Loving nature to death

So many visitors have trekked to see Hyperion, an out-of-the-way redwood that holds a Guinness World Record for height , that the base of the tree has degraded. Trash and human waste have been found on the way to the tree, which is in a closed area of Redwood National and State Parks.

“Those accessing and viewing the tree have trampled, and in some instances killed, the surrounding native vegetation,” the National Park Service said . Last summer, the agency said it was discouraging people from visiting the world’s tallest living tree, warning that people found in the prohibited area could be hit with a fine of $5,000 and six months in jail.

Want to see the world’s tallest tree? You could get fined $5,000.

Hernandez said parkgoers across the system need to follow directions on signs or from rangers in the field about where they can and can’t go.

“No matter how many times we say to stay on the trail, I think we often see people straying to get a better spot for a photo or something,” she said. “Depending on the location, it damages the environment there by trampling on potentially endangered or threatened plant species or degrading the ecosystem that is important to a lot of wildlife.”

Taking souvenirs

Federal regulations prohibit taking “pretty much everything” from national parks, Baird said, including “plants, even soil, minerals, wildlife or parts thereof.” Still, she said, there’s a common problem of visitors taking rocks or minerals from the Grand Canyon.

In 2019, a child identified only as “Karina” sent a package to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a picture, note and heart-shaped rock that she had taken with her during a trip. “I’m sorry, and I want to return it,” she wrote . A worker took a photo of the rock with a waterfall in the background, then tossed it back into nature.

A girl took a heart-shaped rock from a national park. Then she felt guilty and sent it back.

Chopping down trees

During the government shutdown in 2019, viral photos showed some of the namesake Joshua trees cut down in Joshua Tree National Park. With limited staffing to deal with misbehaving visitors, the park was temporarily shut down.

“While the vast majority of those who visit Joshua Tree National Park do so in a responsible manner, there have been incidents of new roads being created by motorists and the destruction of Joshua trees in recent days that have precipitated the closure,” the park said in a news release.

‘A travesty to this nation’: People are destroying Joshua trees in Joshua Tree National Park

Leaving a mark

Zion National Park released a video on YouTube last April showing the effect of graffiti, noting that seven rangers and volunteers had to spend more than 35 hours sanding rocks to remove 150 square feet of spray paint. Blaming “a very small number of visitors,” the ranger who narrated the video said workers were also having to remove stickers, permanent marker, and rock and tree carvings.

A couple months later, Yosemite National Park officials asked for help on Facebook identifying people who left blue and white graffiti at about 30 sites on Yosemite Falls Trail. Some of the markings were larger than 8 by 8 feet.

Brengel said sometimes even touching fragile objects, such as a petroglyph on the side of a rock at Big Bend National Park or formations at Carlsbad Caverns, can do damage.

“If we want to preserve these places for other people to enjoy, in most cases, seeing with your eyes and not your hands is really important,” she said.

Driving carelessly

An unidentified ranger at Yosemite National Park wrote a pained post on Facebook in 2021 describing how they had responded to a report of a bear cub who was struck by a car, only to find its mother nearby calling for her young.

A bear cub was killed by a car. Its mother mourned by its side, a park ranger says.

In 2016, a cub belonging to “the most famous living wild bear on Earth,” a grizzly named No. 399 at Grand Teton National Park, was hit by a car and killed.

And Yellowstone National Park said in 2019 that two wolf pups were hit by a vehicle and killed, according to USA Today’s For the Win .

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The 3 biggest mistakes tourists make when visiting national parks, according to a former park ranger

• Ash Nudd spent three seasons working as a National Park Service ranger in three national parks.
• "It's really important to make a good plan before you get there," she told Insider.
• Getting too close to a wild animal to photograph it is a bad idea, as is going off the trail.

Ash Nudd has gotten a lot of dirt in her shoes over the years, but she doesn't seem to mind.

The Utah resident spent three seasons giving tours, teaching safety instruction courses, and even participating in search-and-rescue efforts as a National Park Service Ranger in three different national parks across the US. Now, she runs a blog called Dirt In My Shoes where she shares trip itineraries full of expert recommendations.

National parks are likely to be a popular vacation option again this year — just make sure you've checked if you need a reservation before heading to one . You should also be prepared and know the do's and don'ts.

Here are the three most common mistakes Nudd saw tourists make when visiting national parks.

Don't wing it — plan your trip beforehand

Exploring a national park requires advanced planning like any other trip. Park rangers are happy to offer guidance, but they can't write your whole itinerary for you.

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"A lot of people show up to the park thinking that they can just have a good time without making any plans," Nudd said. "People would come up to the desk and ask, 'What do we do now?' It's really important to make a good plan before you get there."

Getting too close to wild animals isn't worth the photo-op

Wildlife has the right of way. jacob w. frank/nps.

A national park is not a zoo. People often forget that the parks and animals are, in fact, wild.

Nudd remembers one instance when a photographer crept too close to a mother and baby moose. The photographer brushed off her warnings and insisted he was fine, but Nudd could tell that the mother was getting dangerously agitated. (He lived to tell the tale.)

"I think everyone wants that Instagram-worthy photo of them when they're there, and it can put the wildlife and the resources at risk," she said.

Don't stray from marked paths

Everyone thinks they're the only one to stray from a path and carve their own way, but millions of people visit national parks each year ( 237 million people  in 2020). Wandering off a trail damages the ground around it, obscuring the real path and making it difficult for future visitors to find and follow.

"Maybe the smaller things don't seem like as big of a deal, but if everybody did it then it would ruin the landscape," she said. "I'd rarely see huge rule-breakers when I worked in the parks. Usually it was just the little stuff that adds up when you have millions of people there."

Watch: This crystal clear lake is known for its changes in water temperature

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The secret Grand Canyon: 10 hidden gems to escape the crowds

The canyon, which turns 100 this year, sees 6 million annual visitors. An Arizona travel writer reveals how to get off the beaten track

T he Grand Canyon is already a pretty famous hole in the ground in Arizona. Now, with Grand Canyon national park celebrating its centennial in 2019 , it’s receiving an additional jolt of publicity. Six million people visit each year, and if you happen to be there on a holiday weekend, it feels like you’re stuck behind all of them.

Yet here’s the thing – Grand Canyon is big, an immense tear in the earth’s fabric 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and a mile deep. So it’s not hard to find privacy if you know where to look. Here are some tips to get you started.

Shoshone Point: the South Rim’s best-kept secret

How to get there: Shoshone Point is inside the national park and begins from a small parking lot on the north side of Desert View Drive, 1.2 miles east of Yaki Point

Only a few canyon visitors know the unmarked trail to Shoshone Point. Unless a “Closed” sign is posted (weddings are sometimes held here), walk down the one-mile dirt road through open forest where deer and elk graze. When the timber breaks apart, expansive canyon vistas spread before you. A narrow ridge thrusts out from the plateau, providing views in excess of 180 degrees. Enjoy this private perch far from crowds.

Desert View campground: an intimate outpost with sunsets and starry skies

How to get there: Desert View campground is located inside the park, 25 miles from the bustle of Grand Canyon Village.

Desert View puts the Grand Canyon on a personal level. Perched just yards from the yawning South Rim amid a clutch of pines, Desert View offers only 50 campsites, with no RV hook-ups. The little outpost sits 25 miles from the bustle of Grand Canyon Village but isn’t completely isolated. The campground is an easy walk from the historic Watchtower, a trading post, and snack bar – so you have some creature comforts while scandalous sunsets and star-laden skies seem to exist only for you. Desert View is open 13 April through 13 October on a first-come, first-served basis.

Grand Canyon Field Institute: find hundreds of classes and guided hikes

How to get there: Classes can be booked online or by phone and take place throughout the park.

See the canyon in brand new ways when you sign up for a Grand Canyon Field Institute outing . The Institute is part of Grand Canyon Conservancy, the non-profit partner of the national park. They conduct more than 360 classes and guided hikes each year led by expert instructors, and range from easy day hikes to photography workshops to yoga retreats to multi-day backpacks to Colorado River rafting trips.

Rim trail: miles of solitude with epic panoramas

How to get there: The Rim Trail stretches along the edge of the South Rim from Hermits Rest to South Kaibab trailhead.

This gem hides in plain sight. The 13-mile long path is mostly paved. Away from the hubbub of Grand Canyon Village, hikers enjoy soothing solitude. Find a shady spot and pick your own personal overlook to savor the epic panoramas. Don’t forget to pack a picnic lunch.

Grandview trail: an advanced hike that plunges below the rim

How to get there: Grandview is inside the park; the trail begins at Grandview Point along Desert View Drive

Experienced hikers who want to dip below the rim without encountering a stream of mules and people: try Grandview Trail. Built in 1892 by the miner Pete Berry, this engineering marvel features upper sections still braced by logs and steel rods. The trail plunges three miles in a series of cruelly steep switchbacks to the top of Horseshoe Mesa, where remnants of Berry’s Last Chance Mine can still be found.

Roosevelt Point: stunning views of the lesser-known North Rim

How to get there: Roosevelt Point is inside the park at the North Rim, located on Cape Royal Road, about halfway between Bright Angel Point and Cape Royal .

The whole North Rim is a hidden gem. Only 10% of Grand Canyon visitors make the long spectacular drive to reach this side of the Big Ditch. (The North Rim is only open 15 May though 15 October.) Those who do are rewarded with lush forests and green meadows. Cape Royal Road makes a winding scenic drive along the canyon edge. At Roosevelt Point viewpoint, folks enjoy vistas from the parking area but for the more adventurous, a slender path skirts the rim, then drops to a saddle before scrambling up to a rocky ledge. It’s a narrow neck of land, a quiet place where the canyon sprawls beneath your feet.

Pipe Spring national monument: d iscover life in the old west

How to get there: Pipe Spring national monument is outside the park, 15 miles west of Fredonia, Arizona, on State Highway 389.

An intriguing side trip when you visit the North Rim, Pipe Spring national monument is a 40-acre speck near the Utah border. The natural spring held sacred by Native Americans was discovered in 1870 by Mormon pioneers, who constructed a fort to protect the water source, and it became an important stop for weary travelers. Pipe Spring later served as a refuge for wives hiding from federal marshals enforcing anti-polygamy laws. Today the monument offers a vivid look at Native American and pioneer life in the old west.

Lees Ferry: a picturesque fort by the Colorado river

How to get there: Lees Ferry is 43 miles west of Page, Arizona, on US Highway 89A.

Although located outside the national park, Lees Ferry marks the beginning of the Grand Canyon . Mormon leaders established a ferry here because it was one of the few places where wagons could be driven to the Colorado river. Today, it is the put-in spot for Grand Canyon rafting trips. Visitors can hike a handful of scenic trails, explore the picturesque ruins of an old fort and wander back to the oasis of Lonely Dell Ranch, the original Mormon homestead, where the orchards are heavy with fruit. Anglers come for the remarkable fly-fishing.

Little Colorado River Navajo tribal park: vistas en route to the canyon

How to get there: Little Colorado River Navajo tribal park is 12 miles west of Cameron on State Highway 64, just before reaching the east entrance of Grand Canyon national park.

Most Grand Canyon visitors arrive via the south entrance near the town of Tusayan. Those who drive to the eastern entrance at Desert View will enjoy fewer crowds and a stunning scenic drive dotted with canyon overlooks. Even before visitors reach the national park, there’s another worthwhile stop along the way. The small tribal park west of Cameron peers into the deep narrow gorge of the Little Colorado river as it crosses the Navajo Nation. Tribal members display arts and crafts here in roadside stands.

Coal Mine Canyon: The Grand’s smaller, blazingly colorful cousin

How to get there: Coal Mine Canyon lies east of Tuba City, Arizona. Specific directions are revealed with the purchase of a permit from the Navajo Nation.

A much smaller canyon, albeit one that bursts with color, lies east of the mighty Grand. Coal Mine Canyon straddles the Navajo and Hopi reservations east of Tuba City. Multihued spires, columns and hoodoos punctuate the defile. Named for a thin seam of coal near the top that was mined as needed by tribal members, the canyon offers no amenities. Visitors must be accompanied by a Hopi guide ( tours can be arranged by phone or email ) or have a permit from the Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation department. The closest permit location is the tribal visitor center in Cameron.

Roger Naylor is an Arizona travel writer and member of the Arizona Tourism Hall of Fame. He is the author of several books, including The Amazing Kolb Brothers of Grand Canyon

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Is Ecotourism Helping or Hurting Our National Parks?

Please try again

This post is part of KQED’s Do Now U project. Do Now U is a biweekly activity for students and the public to engage and respond to current issues using social media. Do Now U aims to build civic engagement and digital literacy for learners of all ages. This post was written by the following students from Dr. Thomas Wood’s “Mysteries of Migration” course at George Mason University: Caroline Kittle, Elizabeth Rovira, Maria Larios, Clara Ben Ayed, Lauren Murray and Surraya Abbasi.

Featured Media Resource AUDIO: NPR National Park Service Celebrates 100th Anniversary Hear about some challenges facing our national parks 100 years after the creation of the National Park Service.

Is ecotourism helping or hurting our national parks? #DoNowUParks

How to Do Now

To respond to the Do Now U, you can comment below or post your response on Twitter. Just be sure to include #DoNowUParks  and @KQEDedspace in your posts.

Learn More About Ecotourism and Our National Parks

Our national parks have been described as America’s Best Idea . They belong to all of us and provide tremendous opportunities, but require us to be responsible stewards as well. In 2015, America’s national parks saw their highest visitation rate yet, topping 300 million for the first time ever, just in time for the centennial of the National Park Service (NPS). The NPS used 2016 and the celebration of their hundred years of service as an opportunity to promote their Find Your Park campaign, their latest effort to get more people outside to learn about and enjoy nature, as well as visit museums, local parks and historic places. In addition, the NPS launched the Every Kid in A Park   program, which provides every fourth grader and their family free entry to national parks for one year. Some wonder how increased visitation in recent and upcoming years may negatively and positively affect our wild lands, and how we might curb the negative impacts.

Ecotourism is an industry that promotes responsible travel to natural areas. It can provide income and promote conservation–rather than exploitation–of natural resources.  Sometimes, ecotourism is looked at as a solution to a lack of political will or general apathy toward conservation issues. The idea of ecotourism is to enhance the conservation of wild spaces and species in an ecosystem through the promotion of natural resources as a tourist attraction. As an industry, it also has the potential to lead to some unintended consequences associated with bringing too many people to our wild places. Federal government agencies, including the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service, use a Visitor Experience Resource Protection (VERP) framework to help ensure an appropriate balance of visitation and protection, which can be difficult.

Ecotourism has many benefits. It boosts local economic growth, provides jobs and improves conservation awareness as it stimulates the desire to protect our parks. NPS activities provide more than 200,000 jobs and have $30 billion impact on the economy of the U.S. through visitor spending. Getting outside is also good for people’s physical and mental health, helping with everything from reducing stress to improving memory. Companies are recognizing these benefits for employees, and students’ performance can improve after spending time outside. In addition, our national parks provide a unique American experience, bringing people together to learn about our national heritage. Due to all of these benefits, many people support sustainable tourism .

But let’s not fail to consider the drawbacks as well. To make an area accessible to visitors, infrastructure has to be built and transportation has to be arranged. The revenue generated for local economies is often seasonal. Areas may start to cater to more tourists, over time changing the landscape that we are trying so hard to protect. There is also the issue of keeping wildlife “wild.” Sometimes increased human interaction with wildlife can be degrading or disruptive to the balance of a natural area’s systems. Wildlife can become habituated to people , or change their behavior to avoid people, decreasing their use of habitat around trails as more people come along. There is also the potential of impacting wildlife directly on roads or in remote areas. Recently, a bear with cubs killed a hiker’s dog in Shenandoah National Park when she encountered the bear near a hiking trail.

Visitors’ poor behavior has been a growing problem, too. especially in national parks. In the past couple of years, the national parks have made headlines several times because of human misbehavior. In 2015, a family interfered with a bison calf in Yellowstone National Park, which they had presumed was in danger because it was alone in the snow. Bison are physiologically equipped to handle the harsh winters in the midwest. In the end, the family’s misjudgment cost the bison its life after attempts to reunite it with its herd failed. In another, more subtle case, Big Meadows, in Shenandoah National Park, faces a particular chronic human-wildlife conflict that affects meadow ecology with visitors frequently going off trail. This misstep causes a disruption of the plants in the meadow , which is an especially big problem because Big Meadows is a unique type of wetland and host to the highest concentration of rare plants in Shenandoah National Park. Recently, a woman was sentenced for vandalizing sites in parks around the country, something that unfortunately has impacted many parks over the years.  

Ecotourism provides benefits to visitors, local economies and our national identity. But it also has drawbacks, impacting wildlife, ecosystems and the historic heritage parks are designed to protect. What do you think? Is ecotourism helping or hurting our national parks?

More Resources

Audio: NPR Keeping Bears Wild — Or Trying — At National Parks With about 1,600 black bears in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and about 10.7 million people visiting every year, wildlife biologists have to balance educating people and protecting the bears.

Website: National Park Service Leave No Trace Watch a video and read the seven principles of “Leave No Trace”–how to minimize human impacts on the environment.

Website: National Park Service and National Park Foundation Find Your Park Find a national park to visit!

Find  best practices for using Do Now, using Twitter for teaching , and using other digital tools .

KQED Do Now U is a biweekly activity in collaboration with SENCER . SENCER is a community of transformation that consists of educators and administrators in the higher and informal education sectors. SENCER aims to create an intelligent, educated, and empowered citizenry through advancing knowledge in the STEM fields and beyond. SENCER courses show students the direct connections between subject content and the real world issues they care about, and invite students to use these connections to solve today’s most pressing problems.

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Animal groups are urging tourists not to visit Wyoming after a man hit a wolf then took it to a bar

FILE - In this April 15, 2008, file photo, a bison makes its way across the historic gate to Yellowstone National Park at Gardiner, Mont. As Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming opens for the busy summer season, wildlife advocates are leading a call for a boycott of the conservative ranching state over laws that give people wide leeway to kill gray wolves with little oversight. (James Woodcock/The Billings Gazette via AP, File)

FILE - A track from a wolf is seen in the mud near the Slough Creek area of Yellowstone National Park, Wyo., Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. As Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming opens for the busy summer season, wildlife advocates are leading a call for a boycott of the conservative ranching state over laws that give people wide leeway to kill gray wolves with little oversight. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)

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CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — As Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming opens for the busy summer season, wildlife advocates are leading a call for a boycott of the conservative ranching state over laws that give people wide leeway to kill gray wolves with little oversight.

The social media accounts of Wyoming’s tourism agency are being flooded with comments urging people to steer clear of the Cowboy State amid accusations that a man struck a wolf with a snowmobile, taped its mouth shut and showed off the injured animal at a Sublette County bar before killing it.

While critics contend that Wyoming has enabled such animal cruelty, a leader of the state’s stock growers association said it’s an isolated incident and unrelated to the state’s wolf management laws. The laws that have been in place for more than a decade are designed to prevent the predators from proliferating out of the mountainous Yellowstone region and into other areas where ranchers run cattle and sheep.

“This was an abusive action. None of us condone it. It never should never have been done,” said Jim Magagna, executive vice president of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association and a Sublette County rancher who has lost sheep to wolves. “It’s gotten a lot of media attention but it’s not exemplary of how we manage wolves to deal with livestock issues or anything.”

Wolves are federally protected as an endangered or threatened species in most of the U.S. but not the Northern Rockies. Wyoming, Idaho and Montana allow wolves to be hunted and trapped , after their numbers rebounded following their reintroduction to Yellowstone and central Idaho almost 30 years ago. Before their reintroduction, wolves had been annihilated in the lower 48 states through government-sponsored poisoning, trapping and bounty hunting into the mid-1900s.

Today, Wyoming has the least restrictive policies for killing wolves. There are limits on hunting and trapping in the northwestern corner of the state and killing them is prohibited in Yellowstone and neighboring Grand Teton National Park, where they are a major attraction for millions of tourists. But outside the Yellowstone region, in the 85% of the state known as the “predator zone,” they can be freely killed.

The wolf allegedly was run down, shown off and killed within the predator zone.

Wolves roam hundreds of miles and often kill cattle and sheep. Gray wolves attacked livestock hundreds of times in 2022 across 10 states including Wyoming, according to an Associated Press review of depredation data from state and federal agencies, the most recent data available. Other times livestock succumb to other predators, disease or exposure or simply go missing.

Losses to wolves can be devastating to individual ranchers, yet wolves’ industry-wide impact is negligible: The number of cattle killed or injured in documented cases equals 0.002% of herds in the affected states, according to a comparison of depredation data with state livestock inventories.

The predator zone resulted from negotiations between U.S. and Wyoming officials who traded away federal compensation for livestock killed by wolves in exchange for allowing free killing of wolves in that area.

Saharai Salazar is among out-of-staters changing their travel plans based on what allegedly happened Feb. 29 near Daniel, a western Wyoming town of about 150 people.

The Santa Rosa, California, dog trainer posted on the state’s tourism Instagram account that she would not get married in Wyoming next year as planned. The post was among hundreds of similar comments, many with a #boycottwyoming hashtag on social media in recent weeks.

“We have to change the legislation, rewrite the laws so we can offer more protection, so they can’t be interpreted in ways that will allow for such atrocities,” Salazar said in an interview.

Wyoming’s rules have long invited controversy but are unlikely to harm the overall population because most of the animals in the state live in the Yellowstone region, said wolf expert and former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wolf biologist Ed Bangs.

Bangs said the incident of the wolf brought into the bar was a “sideshow” to the species’ successful recovery. The predator zone is made up largely of open landscapes that generally don’t support wolves, he said.

Wyoming’s rules, including the predator zone, have withstood multiple court challenges that have put wolves on and off the endangered species list since they were first delisted in 2008. Wolves haven’t been on the list in the region since a 2017 court order and their current Wyoming population of more than 300 is similar to their number in 2010.

Though state law doesn’t specify how wolves in the predator zone can be killed and doesn’t specifically prohibit running them over, the Humane Society and others argue the state’s animal cruelty law applies in this case.

Widely circulating photos show the man posing with the wolf with its mouth bound. Video clips show the same animal lying on a floor, alive but barely moving.

The Sublette County Sheriff’s Office said it has been investigating the anonymous reports of the man’s actions but has struggled to get witnesses to come forward.

“We’ve had the tip line open for two weeks hoping for witnesses or something helpful,” sheriff’s spokesperson Sgt. Travis Bingham said. “I know there’s some hesitation for people to come forward.”

The only punishment for the man so far is having to pay a $250 ticket for illegal possession of wildlife.

The suspect has not commented publicly and did not answer calls to his business. Calls to the bar went unanswered.

Matthew Brown in Billings, Montana, contributed to this report.