1. Wake up early: One reason to have an early start is that some of the busier national parks limit the amount of people allowed in. By being there early you are sure to get a spot before it fills up! It’s also my favorite way to beat the crowds. We like to wake up around 4am and get in the park early enough to have places that are typically super crowded all to ourselves.
2. Purchase the annual pass: If you plan on going to more then one national park a year, or even visit the same park multiple times you may want to consider the annual pass. You can purchase the annual pass for around $80, which could save you money in the long run. The pass is good for your entire vehicle up to 4 adults, and children are free. This also saves a bit of time when you arrive at the park if you purchase ahead of time.
3. Visit during the shoulder/off season: Research the park you plan on visiting and figure out the best time of the year for you to visit. I enjoy going during the shoulder season or off season. We recently went to Joshua Tree in February and we felt like we had the whole park to ourselves!
4. Don’t stay in the park: I like to find a town close to the park but far enough away so that the hotel/airbnb prices are a little lower, the food is more affordable and you get a chance to stay somewhere that is not as “touristy.”
5. Research before hand: This is something I am trying to get better at… having at least a rough idea of what you want to see or do can save a ton of time and ensure that you don’t miss out on anything. I also like to research trails/areas of the park that are less frequented in order to avoid the crowds. We always end up finding super cool unexpected known places when we do this.
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