Our national parks are national treasures, and it’s no surprise that people from all over not just the country but also the entire world flock to them to experience their wonders. National parks, though, despite how crazy-busy they can get, are not amusement parks.
They’re places of raw nature where Mother Nature always has the upper hand. As such, there are accidents and outright tragedies in them every year, and most could have been avoided by following some basic tips. So here are the most important ones to help you make sure you stay safe and have fun.
Check the Weather and Be Prepared
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Check the forecast on the day you go out so you know what to pack. Dress in or pack layers. Be aware that especially in the mountains, weather can change rapidly, with thunderstorms a major risk and snow possible any time of the year. If conditions cause poor visibility, stay put rather than risking getting lost.
Use Proper Footwear
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Your new sandals may look stylish, but they’re not very good for any trail but a flat, paved one. Many injuries occur when people go for a hike without wearing proper hiking shoes or boots.
Protect Your Skin and Eyes
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You’ll spend a lot of time outside in a national park, exposing yourself to a lot of UV rays, so have sunscreen and wear a hat. Sunglasses are important in places with snow or very bright rock or sand (example: White Sands National Park) because without protection, the glare can temporarily blind you and/or cause permanent eye damage.
Stay Behind the Rails
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It’s tempting to hop the railing at an overlook to get close to the edge for a better look, but it’s also dangerous. People have fallen to their deaths doing this. The rails may also be there to protect sensitive terrain behind them.
Stick to the Boardwalks
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Some parks have boardwalks, and they exist to protect both you and the landscape. For example, Yellowstone has boardwalks in geothermal areas to keep people from breaking through the thin crust and getting badly scalded or killed. Glacier has boardwalks in one area to protect easily damaged alpine tundra from being trampled.
Carry More Food/Water Than You Think You’ll Need
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When you go out for a hike, you’ll be burning a lot of calories, so have plenty to eat and drink, more than you normally would. The extra food and drink add weight, but you’ll be glad to have it if unexpected weather or other issues make your day a lot longer than expected or even strand you overnight.
Have a Good Map
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And preferably a paper one! We might rely on our phones for mapping most of the time now, but a lot of national parks are in remote areas with bad or no cell service. Also, batteries die. Knowing how to read a topographical map can also be critical if you get lost.
Have Emergency Shelter
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If you’re caught in sudden thunder, snow, or heavy rain, find the best shelter you can and then keep yourself as warm as possible. Space blankets are great for this, and they’re light and cheap, and they pack down small.
Shed Some Light
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If you’re going on an all-day hike or out in the late afternoon. Have a headlamp or small flashlight stowed in your pack. You’ll be glad you did if things take longer than expected and you’re out after dark. A lot of people use the flashlights on their cell phones this way, but that will use up battery power fast. If you’re lost in the dark, stay put with your emergency shelter and wait until morning.
Know the Signs of Altitude Sickness and What To Do
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If you don’t live at high altitude, your body is going to need some time to adjust to altitude when you go to parks at high elevations. Before it does, you’re susceptible to shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and other conditions, and the higher you are, the more likely you are to experience symptoms. When this happens, the best thing to do is to get to a lower elevation fast or to rest and drink water and eat salty, high-calorie foods. Extreme cases of altitude sickness can be fatal.
Leave a Plan
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Somebody else who isn’t with you should know what your plans are in case something happens to you. This is especially important if you’re going out alone, which isn’t advised but which is still common.
Be Bear Aware
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Black bears inhabit the majority of our national parks, and grizzly bears inhabit all the Alaskan parks as well as North Cascades, Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton in the Lower 48. Most visitors are thrilled when they see bears, but bears are large, powerful, unpredictable, and dangerous. At the parks, learn about proper bear etiquette and practice it. Never approach bears, and that includes cute, harmless-looking cubs (the mother is nearby and will be extremely defensive of them).
Respect All Wildlife
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Bears aren’t only dangerous animals in the national parks. Potentially dangerous and even deadly animals of all sizes make the parks their homes. For both your safety and theirs, plus out of respect for the fact that they live here, give all wildlife a healthy distance. If an animal’s behavior changes when you’re around, you’re probably too close.
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