What Is The National Park Service?

The National Park Service sits under the Department of the Interior and manages 85 million acres, including some of the most scenic parts of the country like Olympic National Park and Zion National Park. They also manage dozens of other units, 425+ across all 50 states, including National Battlegrounds like Gettysburg, National Historic Sites like the tragic Sand Creek Massacre, or Mesa Verde which preserves priceless cultural artifacts of the Ancestral Pueblo people of Colorado. While you can’t camp in all those units, the core 63 parks offer some of the most memorable camping experiences.

Areas managed by the National Park Service (84+ million acres):

• National Parks (63)
• Wilderness Areas (58 units+ out of 806)
• National Monuments (84)
• National Battlefields (11)
• National Battlefield Parks (4)
• National Battlefield Sites (1)
• National Military Parks (9)
• National Historic Parks (9)
• National Historic Sites (74)
• International Historic Sites (1)
• National Lakeshores (3)
• National Memorials (31)
• National Monuments (84)
• National Parkways (4)
• National Preserves (19)
• National Reserves (2)
• National Recreation Areas (18)
• National Rivers (4)
• National Wild and Scenic Rivers and Riverways (10)
• National Scenic Trails (3)
• National Seashores (10)
• Other Designations (11)

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Why Camp In National Parks?

• Camping in iconic places: The National Parks aim to preserve some of the most iconic landscapes in the US, and with that comes camping opportunities that will create memories for life. The National Parks offer developed campgrounds and primitive campgrounds in backcountry sites. However, car camping and dispersed camping are typically not allowed in National Parks.
• Chances for solitude: The majority of visitors to National Parks stay within 10-20% of the parks more common trails and campgrounds, rarely exploring the full backcountry. While the main areas can and will get crowded, the backcountry is a great way to escape the hustle.
• Accommodating for all visitors: While conservation of the land is first, the National Parks want to draw in visitors so they can enjoy and learn about the ecosystems, wildlife, and our impact on it. For that reason, you’ll find more amenities, campgrounds, and lodging options designed to accommodate a wide range of visitors, including families with young children, older adults, and people with disabilities.

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Who can Camp In National Parks?

National Parks are open to any type of campers from first-timers, hardcore enthusiasts, families, groups, and international visitors. So long as you respect the land, the history, the rules, and other visitors, you are welcome to camp here.

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Ways To camp In National Parks

Camping can be understood in two parts: how you camp and where you camp.

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Rules In National Parks

To ensure protection for the land and wildlife for now and future generations, National Parks have strong rules in place, which when respected allows all of us to enjoy the ecosystems and wildlife that you may find no where else. Please leave the place better than you found it.

1. Unique rules at each National Park
   • With such a variety of ecosystems, history and cultural influence, all National Parks may have some unique rules only applicable to them. Please be sure to research the specific rules for the National Park you’re planning to visit.
2. Leave No Trace Principles
   • Learn them and practice them
3. Fire
   • Build fires only where allowed.
   • Fully extinguish fires before leaving.
   • Follow all fire restrictions and bans.
4. Camping
   • Camp away from water sources, at least 100-200 feet from lakes, rivers, and streams depending on local regulations.
   • Do not clear vegetation or damage natural features.
5. Roads and Vehicles
   • Drive only on NPS roads that are open to the public.
   • Care camping and off-roading are not allowed in National Parks.
6. Trash
   • Most developed areas in National Parks will have a place to dispose of trash.
   • However, backcountry areas required you to pack out all trash, food scraps, and gear. There is NO TRASH SERVICE in the backcountry.
7. Natural and Cultural Resources
   • Do not cut standing trees or remove plants, rocks, or artifacts.
   • Leave historic and cultural sites undisturbed.
8. Pets
   • Depending on the National Parks, you may be able to bring your pet into a developed campground or certain trails. Please check with the rules at the specific National Park you’re visiting.
9. Human Waste
   • Use toilets when available.
   • Otherwise, use wag bags and carry out your waste.
     • If you must, please dig a proper cat hole away from water sources, trails, and camping areas.
10. Other:
    • The National Park Service has an excellent series of articles called “I didn’t know that!” which provides great tips and info on how to recreate responsibly – I didn’t know that! by the NPS

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Reservations, Permits, and Passes For National Parks

Most National Parks charge some kind of fee for all activities within the park, with a few exceptions.

Reservations

• Reservations are required for developed campgrounds, cabins, and most overnight camping options.
• Reservations require a fee, which can vary.
• Most reservations for camping in National Parks can be made on rec.gov, while some are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Permits

• Permits are always required for overnight backpacking and camping trips in National Parks.
• Some permits are free, and are self-issued.
• Most permits require a fee, which can vary.
• Permits often have a daily cap, and may require a lottery drawing.
• Most permits can be secured on rec.gov, or some can be picked up directly on site at a local ranger station if available.

Passes

• Annual passes like the America the Beautiful pass typically covers entrance fees and day use areas to all federally managed lands including National Parks. However, they do not cover the fees for campsites or permits.

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How To Navigate National Parks

Road access is limited (by design) in National Parks and the developed areas are pretty easy to navigate with a simple map, while the backcountry areas require more detailed maps and navigational resources.

Topographical Maps

These show elevation, terrain, and land features and are essential for any navigation. Physical topographical maps are strongly recommended. Never rely solely on your phone or GPS.

• US Geological Survey Maps
• National Geographic Maps 

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Stewardship & Etiquette for Camping In National Parks

We can’t enjoy camping unless we all care to keep these places clean, safe, and accessible to all who use them. Like riding a bus, you’re in the public arena when camping and your presence always makes an impact. What kind of impact is up to you.

Car Camping Stewardship And Etiquette

• Do not leave your car running or your headlights on.
• Park in proper pull-offs and not on sensitive vegetation or off-limit areas.
• Do not steal other campers’ parking spots for convenience.

Backpacking Stewardship And Etiquette

• Do NOT go dispersed camping unless it is allowed in the National Park you’re visiting.
• Do not cut trails or switchbacks. This can damage vegetation and create erosion and flood risks.
• Do not disturb trail markers or cairns.
• Do not play music loudly unless necessary for safety (like in bear country).

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What to expect when camping In National Parks

Notes About Camping In National Parks:

• National Parks are some of the most popular of our public lands, by far. And with that, you’ll receive a healthy dose of competition when it comes to camping in certain parks. With the right understanding, planning, and practice, you can learn to navigate any of the challenges associated with crowds and popular seasons.

General Camping expectations

• It always requires some hard work.
• There will be bugs.
• There will be bad weather.
• There will be spooky sounds.
• You will get dirty and smell.
• You will forget something.
• Your feet, back, and shoulders may be sore.
• It can feel a little scary at first.
• Weather exposure and falling tree limbs are way more of a threat than animal encounters.
• You will have a lot of fun.

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How to Plan A Camping Trip In National Parks

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A Note on Public Lands Today

Public lands in the United States exist because people chose long-term care over short-term gain. Lands that had been previously been stewarded for generations by Indigenous nations. That protection is never guaranteed. It depends on laws, funding, leadership, and public attention.

Unfortunately, recent federal decisions have weakened protections and increased pressure from extractive use and private enterprises, putting ecosystems, natural resources, cultural sites, historical sites, the economy, and public access and benefits at major risk.

If you appreciate public lands, and the benefits they provide to all of us regardless of political disposition, there are many ways to take action and support them.

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Other Camping Resources

Camping Foundations

• An Intro To Camping
• Backpacking Basics
• Car Camping Basics
• Solo Camping Basics
• Dispersed Camping Basics

Public Lands

• An Intro To Public Lands
• How To Camp In National Forests
• How To Camp On BLM Land

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Glossary

Click to expand

• Car camping – Driving up to a camping area and packing your gear in a car. This can be at a designated campground, primitive campground, or on your own as “dispersed camping” (see below). Ultimately, anywhere you camp with your car is “car camping.”
• Developed campgrounds – A designated campground with basic amenities and facilities including fire rings, vault toilets, tent platforms, potable water spigots, firewood for sale, and picnic tables. Oftentimes a campground host will be present to answer questions and collect fees. Amenities and facilities will vary depending on the campground. Many times these campgrounds will have electric sites and hookups for RV’s and trailers.
• Primitive campgrounds – A designated camping area with little to no amenities or facilities, usually just a place to set up your tent. You may get lucky with a fire ring, but these campgrounds are mainly to provide safe areas for people to camp in less accessible areas, and to help protect the landscape by preventing excessive dispersed camping.
• The Bureau of Land Management (BLM): The BLM oversees the largest portion of public land with about 250 million access. BLM lands are very accessible, and typically have fewer restrictions than you’d find on other public lands, which attracts a large variety of adventure seekers and campers. This includes (but is not limited) to places like Wilderness Areas and National Conservation Lands.
• The U.S. Forest Service: The USFS manages almost 200 million acres of land and provides some of the best places to camp among majestic forests, mountains, and a great way to escape the crowds. This includes (but is not limited) to places like National Forests and National Grasslands.
• The National Park Service: The NPS manages 85 million acres and over 425+ units, including some of the most scenic parts of the country like Olympic National Park and Zion National Park, as well as National Monuments and other gems. Everything from designated camping, backpacking, and car camping can be had in public lands managed by the National Park Service. This includes (but is not limited) to places like National Parks, National Rivers, and Wilderness Areas.
• Wilderness Areas: Each agency manages Federal Wilderness Areas with over 111 million acres and 806+ units, Wilderness Areas are the highest level of protection and designation public land can receive. Only accessible by foot traffic (no cars, bikes, or pets) it certainly offers the chance to see some of the most remote and pristine wilderness in the country, and is excellent for wildlife and natural ecosystems. However, the subject of management and the notion of “untouched” wilderness has received some criticism over the years as potentially not the healthiest way to manage wild lands.
• The US Fish and Wildlife Service: The US Fish and Wildlife Service manages 95 million acres on land, and over 755 million acres on water across all 50 US States, which is mostly composed of units called National Wildlife Refuges. Because the agency’s main goal is to protect and restore wildlife species and ecosystems, very few of them have camping areas. This includes (but is not limited) to places like Wilderness Areas and National Wildlife Refuge Units.