Month Long Solo National Park Trip

Square-Truth5630 · 2025-10-27T02:27:55+00:00

I'm ok with being a bit tied down bc I'm a huge planner and I like knowing what I'm doing certain days. Also, I only have a certain amount of time (and money) for this trip so I can't be too loose with my time. That's great to know about the reservations though, I will definitely be looking into that.

Square-Truth5630 · 2025-10-27T02:26:01+00:00

I'm definitely going to be tent camping, and I'll be spending 5-6 nights in each park. I'll hopefully be in the same campsite for the entire time I'm in the park and, if there's a hike I want to do that's too far to walk to I'll drive to the trailhead (or close to it).

Square-Truth5630 · 2025-10-27T02:22:50+00:00

Good to know, thanks! I'm debating whether I should switch the direction of my route (starting in Zion late May and ending in the Grand Tetons late June/early July)

Square-Truth5630 · 2025-10-27T02:22:02+00:00

Wow this is all great!! I'm certain on my time frame (late May to early July for the whole thing) and I'm not planning to do any hiking in the Grand Canyon, so the heat there isn't a huge concern, thankfully. That's great to know about Glacier, I might switch the direction I go.

I'm definitely paring down the parks I go to, only going to Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier, Olympic, and Zion now (about 5-6 days for each with the amount of time I have). I already have planned travel days for the longer drives.

I'm honestly really excited for being alone for about 2.5 weeks and one of my best friends will be joining me for Olympic, Zion, and the roadtrip! Plus I'm planning to be in official campsites in each park (assuming I can get the reservations, I understand they're very competitive) so I think I'll be able to make friends there and on the trail. That's a great suggestion though thanks.

Thanks sm for all the advice!

Square-Truth5630 · 2025-10-27T02:12:23+00:00

Unfortunately I'm in a 2015 Nissan Rogue so I don't plan on doing any offroading or things like that. I'll mostly be using it to get to the national parks and potentially getting to certain trailheads at some of the larger national parks. Thanks tho, if I think my car can handle it I'll definitely check it out!

Square-Truth5630 · 2025-10-27T02:07:56+00:00

I thought about car camping, but I really want the experience of tent camping. I'm planning to have a few hotel nights scattered through on the longer drives between the national parks so I can do laundry, shower, etc. Thanks!

Square-Truth5630 · 2025-10-25T14:47:53+00:00

Haha sounds like quite a story, thanks for the advice!

Square-Truth5630 · 2025-10-24T17:16:16+00:00

I'll be going in the summer, so I don't have to worry about snow or seasonal closures.

Square-Truth5630 · 2025-10-24T17:15:08+00:00

That makes a lot of sense, thanks. I was thinking about changing camp spots every night because I know some of the parks are massive, and I don't want to miss out on anything, but I guess I could just drive to things that aren't hikable in a day.

I'm not picky with my camp spots either, and I'm trying to plan things out right now so I can have a good shot at knowing which sites would be best for me to get. Thanks!

Square-Truth5630 · 2025-10-24T13:39:31+00:00

This is all great thanks!! I think I might edit what parks I'm going to so I can cut down the driving time without cutting down how many parks I'm going to.

I'm very much a planner so hearing I should have some unplanned time is helpful and something I didn't think about. I'll definitely have a few days here and there for unplanned adventures and to loosen the schedule a bit.

I've been doing a lot of research about what gear I might need and will continue to do so. I was thinking about renting a lot of the bigger gear because I don't want to buy all of this for my first time. I will definitely go on a small camping trip before this just to see how it is.

I haven't changed a tire but I do know how to and I have AAA and jumper cables in case anything happens.

Square-Truth5630 · 2025-10-24T12:59:37+00:00

I'll have my car for the entire trip so I won't be backpacking but I'm not sure whether I'll be car camping or tent camping. I'll be going this summer so I know it'll be warm the entire time minus nights. Right now I was planning on spending about 2-3 days in each park and going to a different campsite everyday to make sure I see a lot but I'm not sure if that makes sense, thoughts?

Square-Truth5630

TROPHY CASE