General Travel Tips

While particular tips will vary from park to park, there are some universal tips that apply to every park.

1.       Bring water!  Whether you’re in Death Valley where there’s not a drop in sight, or Biscayne where it’s all around you, always bring water.

2.      Always pick up a brochure at the Visitor Center.  The brochures will almost always have a map of the park (an essential) can provide you with helpful or interesting information, and always make for a great collectible to remind you of your trip.

3.      Be sure to check the site’s page at NPS.gov.  This will be essential for planning your trip as the website will have emergency alerts and other useful notifications, such as temporary closures and renovations, and specialized schedules.

4.   Also be sure to check each site’s calendar of events.  You never know what special occasion your park might be celebrating when you visit.

5.   Purchase a Seasonal Pass.  While many of the NPS units do not have fees, many others do, and sometimes they can be quite expensive.  A Seasonal Pass might be pricey at first glance but they pay off in the long run.

6. While the hours of operation for many sites will depend upon the season, most units of the NPS are open year-round with the exception of three major holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.  However, a handful of parks are open 365 days a year.