27 Must Have National Park Essentials for 2023

If you need some inspiration and information to help you start planning your national park trip, this is a fantastic resource. This book covers sixty-three national parks as well as four hundred other national sites (i.e. historic sites, lakeshores and more).

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If you are taking a road trip as part of your national park journey, make sure to have a good road atlas. GPS is not always accurate in areas, so it’s always good to have a map to navigate. I like this one because it is spiral bound, making it easy to use and includes some of the most popular national parks.

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This map is great because you can scratch off the national parks as well as the states you visit. The map also has other information such as the highest peaks in each state. It’s a great way to keep track of all your travels.

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If you like collecting stamps from each of the parks you visit, you will need a place to put them. This fun travel sized book will allow you to journal briefly about your visit and place your treasured stamp in the corresponding park.

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I was skeptical of luggage cubes before I began using them, but now I love them. They help keep everything organized and save space. You can get different colored cubes for each member of the family so each person’s belongings are easily spotted. These are the ones I use.

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It is always important to take care of your skin when you are traveling. When you are visiting parks at higher elevations, the sun can feel more intense, and you can get sunburned more easily and faster than usual. Remember sunscreen to help protect yourself.

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Bug spray or repellent is a must when spending time outdoors. This one works effectively and comes in a spray bottle vs aerosol can (which isn’t always convenient). Lasting 8 hours, this will be sure to help keep you protected from mosquitos, ticks and other biting insects.

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Lip balm is great to keep your lips from drying out. I like this one for a couple of reasons. First, it also has some SPF to prevent your lips from burning. Second, it comes in a variety of flavors. Third, it’s not tested on animals. It is also affordable!

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Be prepared for every situation by having a handy travel size first aid kit. This one is great because it contains a little bit of everything so you’ll be prepared no matter what.

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Stay hydrated so you don’t feel tired and sluggish. This will allow you to explore more and make sure you are taking care of yourself. Refill stations are at most national park visitor’s centers.

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When you are exploring in chilly weather, use this thermos to take a hot beverage with you! It will not only help keep you hydrated but keep the chill off as well. This thermos can keep beverages hot for 24 hours! It also keeps cold beverages cold, so you can use it no matter the weather.

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Full disclosure, I have not personally tried these as I wear prescriptions glasses, however, the design is great and these are made for both men and women. They are polarized, lightweight and perfect for protecting your eyes from the sun.

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You may be wondering why I recommend a bear bell vs bear spray and there are a couple of reasons. First, bear spray is used as a last resort, and the best prevention for a bear encounter is making noise while you’re hiking or out in the wild. Second, not all states or national parks allow bear spray, so make sure to check regulations if you plan to bring it. I like this bell because it comes with an emergency whistle, has a pleasant tone and can be hung from your pants, pack or whatever.

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Flashlights come in handy when you are exploring after dark… think about walking back to the car after stargazing. This one is small and easily portable. It has a wrist strap and you can adjust the zoom on it. Perfect for any adventure.

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If you are a wheelchair user, you know that it is hard to regulate your body temperature. I love these towels because on hot days, they can make things more bearable. Just wet, snap and put around your neck to help get some relief from the heat. Great for people of all abilities.

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Backpacks are great to keep your water bottles, first aid kit, snacks and other items in during your adventures. The one pictured is for wheelchair users and can fit over the handles on your chair (it may not work if you don’t have handles). Another option for people with limited or more mobility is this one, as it is lightweight with a good amount of storage.

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If you plan to do hiking or just have a poor sense of direction, a compass can come in very handy. Sure, phones can have an app or feature that does the same thing, but cell service is often very limited within the national parks. Have a compass handy to prevent getting lost.

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Make sure you have a cooler to keep your drinks and snacks cool. Better yet, pack a picnic lunch to enjoy while you are out exploring. Just make sure to properly dispose of your trash.

I Need a Cooler!

Watching wildlife is a favorite past time when visiting the national parks, however, they are not always right by the road. Having a good pair of binoculars will help you in your search for these incredible animals.

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Don’t let a little rain keep you from enjoying your trip! Be prepared by having appropriate rain gear. I like this rain poncho as it is specifically designed for wheelchair users.

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Make sure to bring layers as temperatures can get cool depending on the season and time of day. I love this long-sleeved T-shirt as it is functional but also declares your love of the national parks.

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Sometimes mornings can be chilly but temperatures warm up as the day goes on. Having convertible pants is a great option for these days as when the day gets warmer, you can unzip the pants and turn them into shorts. There are both men’s and women’s versions and both are practical and handy to have.

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Having good socks will keep your feet comfortable when hiking or rolling through the national parks. If the weather is chilly, merino wool socks like these are great and when the weather is warmer, you’ll want socks like these to help keep you cool and comfy.

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While cell phones do take good pictures, where they lack is having a good zoom option. Having a good zoom is critical when photographing wildlife. I use this camera and love it. This package also contains all of the accessories you will need. I love the mini tripod as it helps keep the camera steady and is great as I have poor range of motion which can make photography for disabled individuals challenging.

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While I love the mini tripod that my camera came with, sometimes, especially for wildlife photography, you may want one that is adjustable but can stand on the ground. This one is great as it folds down to a size that is easy to travel with and is lightweight.

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If you want to upgrade you camera case, this is the one I use for my camera. It has a hard shell to help protect my camera and a pocket so I can carry an extra battery, my charging equipment and an extra SD card. It is also small enough that it doesn’t take up a ton of room.

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