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National Parks Guide: What You Need to Know Before You Go
From a Trail Runner Who’s Spent Decades in the Dirt, Not Just the Parking Lots
Most people experience national parks wrong.
They treat them like a checklist of photo ops instead of what they actually are.
Living, breathing ecosystems meant to be respected, explored, and experienced.
There is a major difference between seeing a park and actually experiencing it.
When you rush from one iconic pull-off to the next just to grab the same photo as everyone else, you miss the soul of the place. You also put unnecessary stress on the very environments you claim to love.
As a trail runner and hiker who has spent decades in places like Zion, Joshua Tree, Everglades, Bryce Canyon, and Indiana Dunes, I have watched the shift happen in real time.
More crowds.
More selfies.
More people getting way too close to wildlife.
Less connection.
This guide will answer the most common questions people ask about national parks, but more importantly, it will help you experience them the right way.
How Many National Parks Are There?
There are currently 63 National Parks in the United States.
That number only includes parks officially designated as “National Parks,” not the full National Park Service system.
When you include everything managed by the National Park Service, there are over 400 sites, including:
• National Monuments
• National Seashores
• National Recreation Areas
• Historic Sites
But when most people ask this question, they are referring to the 63 major parks like:
• Zion
• Yosemite
• Yellowstone
• Grand Canyon
If your goal is to explore them, don’t think of it as a checklist.
Think of it as a lifetime pursuit.
Which National Parks Allow Dogs?
This is where a lot of people get surprised.
Most national parks are not very dog-friendly once you leave paved areas.
In general, dogs are allowed:
• in parking lots
• on paved roads
• in campgrounds
• on some short, designated trails
But they are usually not allowed on most hiking trails.
Why?
Because dogs can:
• disturb wildlife
• damage fragile ecosystems
• create safety risks on narrow or technical trails
Parks That Are More Dog-Friendly
Some parks do offer more flexibility:
• Acadia National Park
• Shenandoah National Park
• Great Sand Dunes National Park
• Cuyahoga Valley National Park
What I Tell People
If your trip is centered around hiking long or technical trails, national parks may not be the best place to bring your dog.
Instead, look into:
• National Forests
• BLM land
• State Parks
These areas are often far more dog-friendly and just as beautiful.
Do You Need Reservations for National Parks?
The short answer is:
Sometimes, yes.
And honestly, it is not a bad thing.
At some of the most popular parks like Zion, Yosemite, and Arches, reservation systems have been introduced to:
• reduce overcrowding
• protect wildlife
• preserve the ecosystem
• improve the visitor experience
My Take on Reservations
If you plan right, it’s not a big deal.
In fact, it’s necessary.
I’ve seen firsthand what happens when parks get overwhelmed.
People step off trail.
They get too close to animals.
They treat the park like an amusement park instead of wilderness.
Reservations help protect:
• the land
• the wildlife
• the experience for future visitors
Pro Tip
Plan ahead and check:
recreation.gov
That is where most reservations are handled.
What Are the Normal Hours of Operation?
Most national parks are open 24 hours a day.
That surprises a lot of people.
However, there are some important caveats.
What Is Actually Limited
• Visitor centers have set hours
• Shuttle systems operate on schedules
• Certain roads may close seasonally
• Some areas close due to weather or wildlife activity
Why This Matters
If you want a better experience, go early.
As a trail runner, some of my best experiences have been:
• starting before sunrise
• hitting trails before crowds
• being deep in the park while others are still in line at the gate
You do not need the perfect Instagram lighting.
You need time and space on the trail.
The 5 Most Popular National Parks
These parks draw millions of visitors every year.
They are popular for a reason.
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The most visited park in the U.S.
Accessible, beautiful, and full of diverse ecosystems.
2. Zion National Park
One of the most iconic parks I have spent time in.
Steep canyon walls, technical trails, and unforgettable exposure.
👉 Shop the “I Hiked Zion” Shirt
https://www.slothandduck.store/products/i-hiked-zion-national-park-t-shirt?_pos=3&_sid=5377d9173&_ss=r
3. Grand Canyon National Park
Massive scale that is hard to comprehend until you see it.
Most people never go below the rim.
That is where the real experience begins.
4. Yellowstone National Park
Geothermal features, wildlife, and wide-open landscapes.
Also one of the places where people make the most mistakes with wildlife.
5. Yosemite National Park
Home to Half Dome, one of the most recognizable hikes in the country.
👉 Shop the “I Hiked Half Dome” Shirt
https://www.slothandduck.store/products/i-hiked-i-hiked-half-dome-yosemite-t-shirt?_pos=1&_sid=5377d9173&_ss=r
The Least Visited National Parks (Hidden Gems)
If you want to actually experience a park instead of fight crowds, start here.
Gates of the Arctic, Alaska
No roads. No trails. True wilderness.
Kobuk Valley, Alaska
Remote sand dunes inside the Arctic Circle.
Isle Royale, Michigan
One of the most underrated parks in the country.
Accessible only by boat or seaplane.
North Cascades, Washington
Incredible mountain terrain with far fewer visitors than it deserves.
Great Basin, Nevada
Quiet, dark skies, and some of the best stargazing in the U.S.
My Experience in the Parks
Each park has its own personality.
Zion
Raw, exposed, and unforgettable.
Bryce Canyon
Otherworldly landscapes that feel almost unreal.
👉 Shop the “I Hiked Bryce Canyon” Shirt
https://www.slothandduck.store/products/i-hiked-bryce-canyon-t-shirt-hiking-t-shirt?_pos=2&_sid=5377d9173&_ss=r
Joshua Tree
Harsh, beautiful, and deceptively tough.
👉 Shop the “I Hiked Joshua Tree” Shirt
https://www.slothandduck.store/products/i-hiked-joshua-tree-t-shirt?_pos=4&_sid=5377d9173&_ss=r
Everglades
Completely different experience.
Flat, humid, alive with wildlife.
Indiana Dunes
Underrated and closer to home for many people.
Proof you do not need mountains to have a great outdoor experience.
How to Actually Experience a National Park
If there is one thing I would tell every first-time visitor, it is this:
Slow down.
You do not need to see everything.
You need to experience something.
What That Looks Like
• pick one or two trails, not ten viewpoints
• spend time off the main roads
• start early or stay late
• get away from the crowds
• respect wildlife and distance
The Shift That Matters
Stop asking:
“How much can I see today?”
Start asking:
“How deeply can I experience this place?”
Common Mistakes Visitors Make
After decades on trails, these are the biggest ones.
Treating Parks Like Theme Parks
They are not designed for entertainment.
They are ecosystems.
Ignoring Trail Etiquette
Stay on trail. It matters more than you think.
Getting Too Close to Wildlife
No photo is worth it.
Overplanning
Leave room for the unexpected.
Underestimating the Environment
Heat, terrain, and distance add up quickly.
Final Thoughts
National parks are one of the greatest resources we have.
They are not just places to visit.
They are places to learn from.
To challenge yourself.
To disconnect.
To reset.
And if you approach them the right way, they will give you something far more valuable than a photo.
They will give you an experience you actually remember.
Start Your Own “I Hiked” Story
If you are heading out to explore, check out the Sloth and Duck “I Hiked” collection and mark the trails you have experienced.
👉 Arches National Park
https://www.slothandduck.store/products/i-hiked-arches-national-park-t-shirt?_pos=5&_sid=5377d9173&_ss=r
👉 Zion National Park
https://www.slothandduck.store/products/i-hiked-zion-national-park-t-shirt?_pos=3&_sid=5377d9173&_ss=r
👉 Bryce Canyon
https://www.slothandduck.store/products/i-hiked-bryce-canyon-t-shirt-hiking-t-shirt?_pos=2&_sid=5377d9173&_ss=r
👉 Joshua Tree
https://www.slothandduck.store/products/i-hiked-joshua-tree-t-shirt?_pos=4&_sid=5377d9173&_ss=r
👉 Yosemite Half Dome
https://www.slothandduck.store/products/i-hiked-i-hiked-half-dome-yosemite-t-shirt?_pos=1&_sid=5377d9173&_ss=r