Discover where to go and what to see on the NPS app. Due to great demand, many parks require a reservation six-months in advance, and some require a year.
> National Park Service (NPS) App
> Parkitecture, the National Park Service Rustic Style
> Timed entry ticket program at Arches National Park
If you’re hiking solo
When trekking out into the mountains, there might be times when your weather apps don’t work. Many of the national park’s ranger stations have weather warnings, and they also ask you to check in with them before you head out onto the trails. Recently, a 67-year-old woman was rescued from Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah National Park with impending thunder storms.
When planning long hikes into parts of parks that aren’t easy to access, consider renting a satellite phone – to stay in communication and get regular weather updates.
> Why a satellite phone is a must-have for your hiking adventures
> 67 year-old hiker rescued by helicopter after injury in Shenondoah National Park
How much is admission to National Parks? Are there parks with free admission?
Many national parks are free to enter. Visitors of 62 years of age or older may purchase a lifetime senior pass for $80.
How many National Parks are located in DC?
Thirty plus! If you live locally and want to get involved, there are many volunteer opportunities in the National Capital Parks-East area.
> Volunteer with the National Park Service
> Volunteer opportunities in the DC National Parks
Traveling in these interesting times….maybe time to visit the USA?
Alaska's Gates of the Arctic National Park is an incredible sight to see. Encompassing more than 8.4 million acres of land entirely north of the Arctic Circle, the second-largest US national park is also the least visited — with just 11,045 visitors making the trek last year.
> Learn more about Gates of the Arctic National Park
What are the darkest national parks?
Some of the most prominent dark sky parks include Death Valley National Park in California, Grand Canyon National Park, and Big Bend National Park.
Capitol Reef National Park in Utah, and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, are all certified as Dark Sky Parks, offering a safe and simple way to witness the spectacle of a truly starry night.
> Ten national parks with epic stargazing
> Protecting and restoring night skies
Which National Park has the longest cave system?
Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky is home to the world’s longest known cave system, with over 426 miles of surveyed passages.
> Learn more about Mammoth Cave National Park
More planning tips
> An opinion on the Ten Cheapest National Parks to Fly to
