National Park Road Trip Packing List
The Essentials
- Refillable water bottles or a hydration reservoir, plus a way to treat backcountry water if you’ll be filtering from streams
- Layered clothing; mountain and desert parks can swing 30-40 degrees between day and night
- Sturdy footwear broken in before the trip, not on it
- Paper map or downloaded offline maps, since cell service is unreliable in most parks
- Sun protection: hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
Car Essentials
- Extra water and snacks in the car in case of long waits or closures
- A physical park map or entrance pass printed out as backup
- Portable phone charger
Easy to Forget
- Binoculars for wildlife viewing
- A headlamp, even if you’re not planning to hike after dark
- Bear-safe food storage if the park requires it
- Cash for small entrance stations or rural gas stations that don’t take cards
