Not Preparing Campsites for Bears

Many national park visitors imagine the chance of a bear ravaging their campsites equates with getting struck by lightning or getting caught in a flash flood.

Reality check: bears routinely visit campsites. They tear into garbage, but they also damage or destroy valuables. 

Many U.S. national parks are natural homes for bears. When park brochures present ways to minimize or eliminate these dangers, the details often are ignored.

 

Beyond the mess and the damage, you expose yourself to the danger that bears will return for more -- perhaps when you're still there. You also make these wild animals a bit more dependent on humans. 

Pay close attention to food storage instructions. Make frequent runs to the park trash cans. Be prepared for bears whenever the warning is issued.

Failing to Reserve Camping Space

Camping at a national park is one of the great outdoor experiences any budget traveler can experience. The range of camping opportunities is impressive, and it varies greatly by the park you visit. There are places where you can practice primitive camping on rarely used trails. You won't deal with crowds in most of these settings.

But stays at such campsites frequently require reservations. You'll need to check in at the park and pay fees.

In more conventional settings, it is a great idea to reserve well in advance of arrival, even if you're traveling off-peak. You'll get a better selection of sites, and you'll avoid the disappointment of arriving only to find you're going to be searching elsewhere for a place to set up camp. 
 

Assuming Services and Airports are Nearby

Some of the most popular national parks can be located quite a distance from major population centers. Even smaller towns with limited services can be many miles away.

Reaching airports with commercial service could require hours of driving. Take a look at the nearby services as you plan for a national park visit. 

Failing to Access Senior Discounts

Senior discounts at national parks can amount to some substantial savings. But many first-time national park visitors never inquire about discounts for which they might be eligible.  

For only $20, U.S. citizens and permanent residents age 62 and older can purchase a lifetime Senior Pass to U.S. national parks. Half of that cost pays for processing. You are bound to have some questions about Senior Pass, but don't neglect the research.

That price is just a fraction of the cost for a one-year national park pass, which is relatively inexpensive at $80. 

Overlooking Lodging Options in the Park

Most of us find national park lodgings practical if not luxurious. Sometimes, the relatively rustic facilities come at prices higher than you would expect at such a level of comfort.

You'll be tempted to find a nearby budget hotel that's less expensive. Consider location in that shopping equation.

Kalaloch Lodge on Washington's rugged Pacific Coast, in Olympic National Park, is fairly isolated. Staying on the property enables visitors to enjoy beautiful sunsets and many other local attractions with a minimum of driving.

If you're driving 50 miles each way just to get back into a park, that's a poor use of time and resources.

In places where the distances to services are great, the simple lodge room becomes an excellent value, even if the furnishings are basic.

If you're making full use of the park opportunities, you're likely to be so tired at the end of the day that the decor and the updates won't matter.

Avoiding Ranger Programs with a Fee

Some budget travelers become so focused on cost that they rule out anything "extra." If you've already paid an admission fee to the park, is it wise to purchase additional tours?

Many times, the answer is yes. The added fees often enhance your experience.

At Mesa Verde National Park, you can see the ancient dwellings in Cliff Palace, Balcony House and Long House from a distance with the price of park admission, or you can take a guided tour for a much closer, more memorable experience.

 

Cost? An additional $4/person.

Most travelers have a limited window of opportunity for their visits. That schedule often is dictated by work necessities or school calendars. 

But if you can find out the peak visitation periods for your destination park(s), and then avoid those peaks, you will bypass scenes such as the one pictured here during leaf season at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

That's a park where entrance fees are never charged.

Did you also know that on certain Fee Free Weekends, none of the U.S. parks charges admission fees? 

When you visit Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, you'll be reminded at every turn that it is illegal to remove pieces of petrified wood from the park. There are fines and even a checkpoint at which you'll be asked if any of the petrified wood in your car wasn't purchased in the gift shop.

Budget travelers avoid actions that lead to fines. But beyond the expense, there is a noble principle at work here.

The national park concept is built upon a core value:  preserve unique places for future generations to enjoy. That means leaving it just as you found it. The only thing you should remove is the trash you generate during your visit.

Feeding wildlife is another variation on the "leave it as you found it" theme. You might not be attacked by a wild animal expecting a handout, but the next person who visits might pay for your carelessness. Follow the rules and preserve the greatness.