FEATURE
During the summer of 2021 travelers who chose to visit a national park likely wondered if the rest of the country had decided to arrive at about the same time , with many parks jammed to the brim . The result in a number of parks was overflowing parking lots , long waiting lines for food service , and , in some , a full sign at the entrance .
Yellowstone for the first time surpassed 4 million visitors in 2021 , a milestone that occurred in mid-September . Other well-known parks set visitation records as a coronavirus-weary citizenry sought relief in America ’ s national parks . The overcrowding was made worse at many parks by staffing shortages .
Depending upon the severity of the virus during the upcoming spring and summer , park visitation in 2022 may equal or surpass that of 2021 . Planning for a national park trip has always been important , but this year introduces more uncertainty . Here some ideas that may help with your planning .
If possible , visit during a park ’ s off season . The majority of national parks welcome a high percentage of visitors during three or four months of summer . Although California ’ s Yosemite National Park is open all year , a little less than half of the visitors arrive during the four months from June through September . Acadia , a popular national park in Maine , experiences 62 percent of annual visitation from July through September . Because summer is high season for many national parks , spring and fall can be ideal times to visit and avoid the biggest crowds . Another benefit is lodging park lodging is easier to reserve with prices that are sometimes reduced .
Choose one or more of the less-popular parks . Many travelers place a high priority on visiting only the better-known parks including Yellowstone , Grand Teton , Glacier , Rocky Mountain , Great Smoky Mountains and Zion . The National Park Service administers 423 sites including 63 that are classified as national parks . Each is a special place and worth a visit . Great Basin National Park in eastern Nevada is a large scenic park that in 2019 recorded 132 thousand visits as compared to 2.5 million visits to Zion National Park . We ’ re using 2019 here because visitation to most parks was negatively impacted in 2020 by COVID-19 . Big Bend National Park in southern Texas recorded 460 thousand visits in 2019 , about a tenth of the visitors to Yosemite the same year . Busier doesn ’ t necessarily mean better .
Try to book lodging inside rather than outside a park . The best time for exploring most parks is the early morning before day visitors arrive and late afternoon when most visitors have hit the road . The experience of watching a sunrise at Grand Canyon National Park is magnificent , in part because much of the rim is deserted . Likewise , the best time to stroll through Yellowstone ’ s Upper Geyser Basis is following an evening meal .
If you wish to stay in a lodge inside the park try to secure a reservation as early as possible . Like right now . But first do a little research on the different types of lodging that are offered . Some parks have several lodges . Yosemite offers lodging facilities in Yosemite Valley , near the South Entrance , and in the high country along Tioga Road . Yellowstone has nine lodges scattered throughout the park . Grand Canyon National Park has multiple lodging facilities on the South Rim and one lodge on the North Rim . Glacier National Park offers multiple lodges on both sides of the park . Park lodging sometimes includes less expensive rooms that require occupants to use a community bathroom . Book directly with the concessionaire in each park , not a travel agency that is likely to charge a fee for its services and employ agents with little knowledge of national park lodges .
Research a park ’ s website when planning your trip and continue checking for updates before departure . Park websites typically include important alerts such as road and facility closures . They also offer updates on restrictions due to the coronavirus . During the 2021 season Glacier National Park began requiring reservations for driving the Going to the Sun Road , one of the park ’ s most popular activities . Several national parks including Arches started restricting the number of vehicles permitted in the park at a given time . Websites for each national park unit can be accessed at www . nps . gov .
Make the park ’ s visitor center your first stop . Check on scheduled activities including ranger-guided walks and interpretive programs , most of which are free and nearly always enjoyable and educational . Visitor centers typically offer a video that introduces visitors to the history , geology or some other important aspect of the park . Ask a ranger how to make the best use of the time you will be in the park .
Don ’ t overdo it and try to include too many parks in a single trip . We have talked with individuals who plan to visit Glacier , Yellowstone and Grand Teton in a little over a week . This is madness . Yellowstone and Grand Teton , maybe , but adding Glacier to the trip is a mistake . Glacier , itself is worth at least a week . Don ’ t ruin a national park vacation by spending most of the time driving from park to park .
If you will be driving a significant distance to a destination park such as the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone , check if other National Park Service units are located along the way . Devils Tower National Monument and Badlands National Park aren ’ t far out of the way for many easterners driving to Yellowstone . Colorful Cedar Breaks National Monument is convenient for visitors to Zion National Park , Bryce Canyon National Park and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon .
No matter which national park you choose to visit , planning ahead is the key to having the best possible experience . And don ’ t forget to give thanks to the individuals who had the foresight to save these wonderful places for you and the rest of us .
• David and Kay Scott are authors of “ Complete Guide to the National Park Lodges ” ( Globe Pequot ). The Scotts live in Valdosta , Georgia . www . meridianstar . com
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