8 Ways To Leave It Better: Tips for a Sustainable National Parks Trip
National parks give us an awful lot—they connect us to our wild sides, they leave us in awe of their landscapes, they teach us what it is to be human among so much magnificent flora and fauna. But what, really, do we give them?
Our favorite wild places don’t just need our Insta stories and thoughtful appreciation—they need our protection. To do so, make your next national parks trip a sustainable one, one that's dedicated to leaving these earthen wonders better than you found them. Here’s how to plan your sustainable national parks trip.
1. Ditch the car ...
You probably don’t need a car to explore the best of a national park in the US anyway.
Eight percent of all carbon emissions are thought to come from tourism—aka travelers loading up in fuel-guzzling airplanes and hitting the road in their cars. If you can avoid either of these steps, you’re off to an impactful start.
To get started, think about how to get to your park—can you ride the train or bus, or can you make a short drive? Once you’re in the park, can you get around with shuttles, buses, or group tours? In other words: ditch your car as soon as possible. And if you can’t make the car-free leap, try to drive less within the park to minimize your carbon footprint once you’re on the ground. Besides, taking in just one area of the park (rather than multiple hot spots) can lead to a more visceral, connected experience with nature.
2. … and if you can, ride your bike or go on foot
Going by bike or on foot is way better for both you and the environment.
Shuttles and buses are a convenient option for exploring national parks—if and when they exist—but they’re not emission-free. To be truly green (and if this is a viable option for you), hit those naturescapes by bike or on foot. No carbon produced, no noise made, no more red lights adding to that traffic jam.
To manage this, nab a campsite—the greenest option!—or in-park lodging near an area of the park you want to explore on foot (or near one of the park’s trails or roads open to bicycles). Some parks are starting to offer e-bikes to help with exploration, too.
3. Visit outside peak season
Enjoy the US national parks at their quietest by visiting in the quieter "off" seasons.
National parks being flooded with visitors isn’t just a parking-lot grievance—when hordes of humans descend upon a landscape, they bring with them light, trash, noise, pollution … a smorgasbord of negative environmental impacts.
Visit outside peak season to allow the environment (and the park staff) a little room to breathe. You’ll find better deals, less-crowded viewpoints and parking lots, have more uncommon adventures, and contribute a bit less to overcrowding and overloving.
4. See the park after dark
Some of the best things happen at night in our national parks—visit after dark for a whole different experience.
Similarly, going after dark will limit the time you spend idling in your car, waiting in lines, and clogging up the park’s resources. Grab a solar-powered headlamp or flashlight, pack your reusable water bottle, and go full-moon hiking or stargazing in the backcountry.
Depending on your destination, you’ll likely catch nocturnal wildlife, gaze into the Milky Way, or maybe even catch some ocean or forest phosphorescence—in the morning, it’ll be like you were never there.
Related: 9 of the Best National Parks in the US for Stargazing
5. Opt for an in-park campsite
Camping at a national park is a true eco option, ideal for a sustainable visit.
You’ll want lodging that has the smallest impact, so that means camping—especially if you bring your own gear (or rent used), pack in what you pack out, opt for reusable products, and leave no trace other than a few ashes in your campfire ring. If you’re not a camper, choose a lodge making true sustainability efforts, and do your part to reduce A/C usage, turn off all lights, and recycle at every opportunity.
Whatever type of lodging you prefer, nab a spot within the park, so you can explore from there on foot, by bike, or via park shuttle. If that’s not possible, try to find a nearby hotel that offers shuttle service to the park entrance.
6. Obey the do’s and don’ts
Unfortunately, that old adage is true: There are rules for a reason—follow them.
Park rules and regulations are there to protect you and to protect the park, its landscapes, and its wildlife. Across the units, the rules are largely the same: stay on trails; don’t feed the wildlife; do use designated trash and recycling bins; don’t take flowers, rocks, or other “natural” souvenirs. But do take pictures. Lots and lots of pictures.
7. Leave no trace ...
As the saying goes, the only thing left behind should be footprints when visiting a national park.
Who loves running into candy wrappers on their mountain hike or seeing napkins piled up along the shore? Don’t be the person who uses a national park as their personal garbage can. Pack in what you pack out, bury your poo appropriately (it messes with wildlife and other hikers if you don’t), use designated camping and fire areas—frontcountry or otherwise—and leave what you find, unless what you find is trash. Plus bring plastic and/or resealable bags with you to take care of business.
8. ... or, preferably, leave it better
Don't just limit yourself to not leaving national parks worse off; you can help *improve* them, too.
Many national parks offer volunteer opportunities, whether it’s trash pick-up on popular trails; removing invasive plants; or participating in citizen science programs, grabbing data on local flora and fauna. In the US, volunteers with 250 service hours with federal agencies even qualify for a free parks pass.
If your destination doesn’t offer similar programming while you’ll be there, what can you do on your own? Bring gear to do your own trash pick-up; clear brush from park trails; and lead by example with good hiker’s and camper’s etiquette.
Book more things to do in US national parks
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