Okay so national parks getaway — look, I’m sitting here in my messy apartment outside Denver with coffee stains on the keyboard and the heater making weird clicking noises, and all I can think about is how badly I need to get back out to one of those parks before I lose my mind completely.
Like seriously, national parks are the ultimate getaway for nature lovers (or at least for people like me who want to be nature lovers but still scream when a chipmunk runs by too fast). Nothing else does it the same. I tried a beach weekend last year — too many screaming kids, sand everywhere, sunburn in places I didn’t know could burn. Then I did a city trip — cool bars but I came home more tired than when I left. But throw me into a national park and suddenly I’m okay with smelling like bug spray and eating the same PB&J for three days straight.
Why a National Parks Getaway Just Hits Different (Even When It Sucks Sometimes)
Most vacations feel fake. You’re performing “relaxation.” In a national parks getaway you’re mostly just trying not to twist an ankle or run out of water while staring at scenery that makes your chest hurt in a good way. Last fall I went to Zion and did the Narrows — you know, wading through the river between those giant red walls? Beautiful. Also I slipped on a mossy rock like five minutes in, fell butt-first into freezing water, and my phone almost died. Still one of my favorite memories though. Go figure.
Yellowstone’s Old Faithful geyser might stop erupting, here’s why – The Weather Network
This kind of canyon shot — yeah, looks peaceful. Doesn’t show me flailing like an idiot in the water.
And don’t even get me started on the animals. In Yellowstone I once sat in traffic for 40 minutes because a herd of bison decided the road was theirs. I was annoyed… then I realized I was watching actual wild bison from like 50 feet away. Mind blown. Slightly terrifying. Worth it.
For anyone reading this who’s never done it: read the NPS bear safety stuff before you go. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/bears/safety.htm I used to think it was overkill. Then I saw fresh bear scat on the trail. Now I carry spray and I’m not embarrassed about it.
186 Black Bear Great Smoky Mountains Stock Photos – Free & Royalty-Free Stock Photos from Dreamstime
Parks I Keep Going Back To (and the Dumb Things I Did There)
- Yellowstone — Geysers are cool but the Lamar Valley at dawn with wolves howling? That’s the stuff that makes you believe in magic a little. I also once left my cooler open and a raven stole half my sandwiches. Rude.
explorewithalec.com
The Best Places to Watch & Photograph the Sunset in Yosemite National Park- Great Smoky Mountains — Cheaper, less crowded than some, misty mornings that look like a painting. Also where I had my closest bear encounter and basically speed-walked back to the car whispering apologies to the forest.
adventureinstead.com
11 Most Stunning Locations to Elope with Wildflowers in the USA
Smokies mist like this — makes everything feel quiet and ancient.
Real (Messy) Tips From Someone Who’s Still Learning
I’m not gonna pretend I’ve got it all figured out.
- Bring twice the water you think you need. I learned this the hard way in Arches when it was 95° and I was chugging the last drops like it was fine wine.
- Download offline maps. Cell service is a joke in most parks. I’ve been that person standing in the middle of a trail yelling “where the hell is the car” at Google Maps that won’t load.
- Pack out your trash. I used to be lazy. Felt gross after. Now I’m that annoying person triple-bagging wrappers.
- Go in shoulder season if you can. Fewer people, better photos, but also maybe snow or mud. I once hiked in May in Rainier and post-holed up to my knees. Fun times.
Oh and always tell someone your plan. I forgot once. Got stuck after dark. Lesson learned.
The Parts That Aren’t In the Brochure
Mosquitoes are demonic. Crowds at popular overlooks can make you hate humanity. You will probably poop in a hole at some point (bring trowel and hand sanitizer).
But then the sun comes out or you see a moose or the stars are so bright you forget how small your problems are… and yeah. Worth every blister.
So Yeah… Go Do It
If you’re feeling like everything’s too loud and too fast, just pick a national parks getaway.
