National parks are some of the most beautiful places on the planet, but I have to warn you that they are also some of the most dangerous if you’re unprepared. The good news is that a little planning goes a long way and can make your trip safer and more memorable. This being the case, I’m going to share with you three important tips you should know when camping in a national park that will make your trip safer and more fun.
1 Pick Your Camping Spot
c Naturally, the first option is safer in general, but if you want to see more of the park and spend some time away from the crowds, then finding your own spot is a good option. Even so, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First of all, you need to check and see where you’re allowed to camp in the park. Most parks only allow camping in specific areas and also have restricted areas. Ensure that you know where you’re allowed to camp because you don’t want to get kicked out of the park or get fined. Trying to camp in restricted areas could also be very dangerous because of wildlife, terrain, or weather conditions.
You also need to know how you’re going to get to your camping location and back. This is even more important when you take into account that you’ll need an exit strategy in the event of an emergency. Make sure that you have a quick way to get back to more populated parts of the park and take into account whether or not you will have a phone signal. The more prepared you are, the less dangerous it will be if there is a problem.
2 Know What to Bring
What you need to bring on your camping trip depends on various factors such as the climate, the location of your campsite, and how far away from home you’ll be. If you’re going to be camping in an isolated area, the very first things you’ll need to consider are what you need to survive and what you’ll need for an emergency situation. On the other hand, if you’re in a camping area populated by other campers and surrounded by amenities, then survival and safety items will be less important.
You should also consider what you’re going to be doing on your camping trip. Just sitting around a tent all day is no fun, so consider bringing along something to stay occupied. If you plan on engaging in specific activities such as fishing or hunting, then you’ll need to bring the appropriate equipment. Other items to consider would be a deck of cards, board games, musical instruments, and reading material. Also, while you may not have a phone signal, you can still play games that are already loaded onto your mobile device.
If you’re going to be camping a significant distance from your home, then you should also consider your car sent to your destination by a company that ships cars. This saves you the hassle of having to drive to your destination and back but still gives you the comfort of having your own vehicle when you need it. Just be aware that there are multiple shipping options, such as open carrier transportation and closed container.
3 Make Reservations
One thing I had to learn the hard way is that national parks are not always open to the public. Getting turned away after making a long trip is a huge letdown, so don’t let it happen to you. The best way to avoid this problem is through simple research and also by making reservations when you can. By making reservations, you’ll always have a spot reserved for you at the designated camping areas.
Another benefit to making reservations is that it will give you time to plan out your trip and adjust for any unexpected occurrences that happen. You can also cancel your reservation if you need to, with only a $10 fee if you’re booking through Reserve America, which is the service used for campsite bookings in the US.
Stay Safe and Have Fun
You’ll have more fun on a camping trip to a national park if you have peace of mind. This makes it doubly important to take safety important and make sure all the bases are covered before you go on your trip. It will also give your loved ones back home greater peace of mind as well. Do your research, stay informed, and come prepared. If you can do that, then you’ll have a camping trip that you’ll never forget.
