Top products from r/NationalPark

The week after Labor Day would be better if you want solitude but the backcountry campsites probably won't be crowded either week.

Do not underestimate the impact of humidity on your body. Early September still feels like Summer, with temperatures frequently in the mid 80's and daytime humidity levels of 70% to 90% for a heat index that is consistently in the 90's. Sometimes the weather pattern is nearly tropical, with brief afternoon rain showers where it seems like the sky is dripping water rather than actually raining.

The only thing about the terrain to note is that the Green River is flanked by bluffs. If you choose trails that take you down to the river and back up to the top you will be covering a lot more hill climbs than you might expect.

Don't skip the cave unless you are uncomfortable underground. It's 400+ miles of awesomeness. The big group tours are touristy but a good option if you don't want to spend much time. The Intro to Caving tour (a whole afternoon, all gear provided by NPS) is pretty amazing.

My favorite sensory memory at Mammoth Cave is sitting at the bench outside the Historic Entrance, feeling the cool air rush out of the cave opening like an air conditioner on full blast.

I like to read about the parks before I visit. One of my favorite books about Mammoth Cave was one I read with my kid. Believe it or not, the American Girls books (tie-in products for the series of historical dolls) are often really good about capturing multiple sides of history with nuance. I recommend Menace at Mammoth Cave: A Kit Mystery, even for adults. It focuses on the time that the park was being built by CCC workers and the community of residents that was displaced by the creation of the park, with plenty of natural and historical info worked into the plot.

Enjoy your trip!

I've been to 43 of the 61, but 500 parks of all types.

If your goal is to enjoy nature, don't get hung up on the "national park" designation. There are lots of fantastic parks that aren't national parks but other federal, state, and tribal lands.

A lot of people have the goal of visiting all the national parks without knowing or considering where they all are or what it involves. Some are very remote and difficult/expensive to get to, like American Samoa or the Alaskan wilderness. The remote ones have no roads or facilities - you have to fly there in a small plane. Depending on your taste, some may not appeal to you, like Gateway Arch or Hot Springs.

Seeing them all sounds like a good goal, but if you just want natural wonders, it doesn't make sense to prioritize some national parks over other public lands that are easier to reach and/or better.

Which park(s) to visit depends upon where you are, how much time and money you have, and the timing. So it's best to learn about the places available to you - again, all parks.

Here is an interactive map with park ratings, links, and photos.

For timing, see: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/when-is-the-best-time-to-visit-us-and-canadas-national-parks

I suggest that you get a book like this one. The best parks are in the West.

These things work pretty darn good too. Not sure for how long and I suggest bringing a roll of good clear packing tape, but comfortable for the most part.

Here are three to get you started:

https://www.amazon.com/Prophets-Moguls-Rangers-Rogues-Bison/dp/1594858888/ref=sr_1_3_twi_pap_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1524464344&sr=1-3&keywords=national+park+service

https://www.amazon.com/National-Parks-Americas-Best-Idea/dp/0307268969/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1524463756&sr=8-3&keywords=national+parks

https://www.amazon.com/National-Parks-American-Experience-4th/dp/1589794753/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1524464233&sr=1-33

Horace Albright, 2nd director of the NPS, also wrote a great memoir about helping to create the NPS.

If you have any interest in NPS, history, or diving, I cant recommend this book enough. Its about the founding of the NPS archeological dive team, and he has some great stories.

I think the National Geographic trail maps are far better. They're also made out of a tougher material that seems like it would be water-resistant.

This stuff is supposed to be the very best. You can use that on your clothes, and then something containing DEET (like deepwoods off) on your skin.

https://smile.amazon.com/Sawyer-Products-SP602-Permethrin-Repellent/dp/B0009KMWES/ref=pd_rhf_ee_s_rp_c_0_5/134-6004049-6852410?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0009KMWES&pd_rd_r=8738c322-b691-4a47-a574-f7c803c70a30&pd_rd_w=h88iO&pd_rd_wg=SCZX4&pf_rd_p=87f46b45-938f-430f-a8e4-ecf1b1b39902&pf_rd_r=RG3QTSJW3BVCVXV7S5FB&psc=1&refRID=RG3QTSJW3BVCVXV7S5FB

There's 59 Illustrated National Parks: 100th Anniversary . It has a two page spread of every national park including the newest, Pinnacles, including one large page of history and information, and the illustrated postcard type minimalist advertisements for the park that have been popular the last few years. It was also made specifically and has information about the NPS 100th anniversary this year. They are being sold in most National Park shops, I got mine at Death Valley during their anniversary celebrations last month. It would be a cool, and certainly one of a kind gift!

These are from amazon but I have seen them at Home Depot also.

Overkill for this application but, they are cleanly finished and easy to work with .

Amazon

And it’s big! Map is 42” X 30” but I trimmed it a bit.

US National Parks & Monuments Map 24x36 Poster (Green & White) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015DYX3U6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_M23aP9C2RJmrm

https://smile.amazon.com/National-Service-Vintage-Travel-Prints/dp/B00C14Q0SE?keywords=national+park+poster&qid=1537841042&sr=8-5&ref=sr_1_5

I got mine by cutting them out of my old calendar.

https://www.amazon.com/2016-National-Poster-Calendar-Ziga/dp/1619833700

There is a whole chapter about horrible deaths resulting from people getting too close to the hot springs in the book Death in Yellowstone. It should be required reading before entering the park.