Here's How to Get the Most Out of Your National Park Trip, According to Rangers-Plus, The Biggest Mistake Visitors Make

"A lot of people really underestimate the sizes of our national parks, as well as the accessibility of certain features. A lot of people come to Death Valley, and they want to see that, but they don't often realize that it's along a pretty crappy, 25-mile dirt road, and it often takes well over an hour and a half to get to."

"An itinerary that looks great on paper might need revising if it's too hot today, or you're already tired, or that parking lot is full. Have a backup plan and remain flexible during your trip, keeping in mind that factors like temperature and crowds may lead to a change in plans."

National parks attract over 331 million visitors annually, and rangers offer guidance for improving visits. A primary mistake visitors make is underestimating the vast distances within parks and time required to travel between attractions. Visitors often arrive with overly ambitious plans without understanding park sizes or feature accessibility. Death Valley's Racetrack Playa exemplifies this issue, requiring a 25-mile dirt road journey taking over 90 minutes. Rangers advise researching distances and travel times beforehand, particularly important given limited cell coverage. Flexibility during visits proves essential, as temperature, fatigue, and crowding may necessitate itinerary adjustments. Planning that appears feasible on paper may require revision based on actual conditions encountered.

Read at Travel + Leisure