Many of our National Parks are vast and expansive land areas, often covering hundreds of thousands of acres. Ideally, you would want to spend day’s or even weeks in some of these wonderful places, but not everyone is able to allot that amount of time to a single place. While there are certainly some National Parks that can be thoroughly explored in a single day (I’m talking about you, White Sands National Park!), let’s focus on how to make the most of your one day journey into some of the largest protected lands in the National Park System.

1. Do Your Homework

Before arriving at the entrance gates, be sure to make a list of your must-see sights and where they are in the park. While some National Parks like Acadia, Petrified Forest, and Grand Canyon have many of the primary attractions located on a single road, others have distinct regions of the park that often require significant driving from one area to another. When planning for a 1-day trip, be sure to focus your attention on how you can explore the most must-see sights without spending too much time traveling back and forth.

2. Pack Properly

When time is of the essence, the last thing you want to do is wait for a table at a restaurant! Be sure to pack a lunch, some snacks, and ample fluid so you never need to miss a moment in the park. As always, practice Leave No Trace principles, and pack out whatever you packed in!

3. Be an Early Bird

Many of the National Parks are crowded..especially during summer months. The best way to beat the crowds is to get there before everyone else! While some National Parks have operating hours, many are open 24 hours a day. In addition to beating the crowds with an early morning start, you will also increase your chances of spotting wildlife during the quieter hours of the day. Plus, is there anyone that doesn’t love a sunrise?

4. Hike for Quantity

Let’s be honest, there are no bad trails in any National Park. Sure, trails such as Angel’s Landing at Zion, The Beehive at Acadia, or the Rim to Rim hike at Grand Canyon get all the attention, that doesn’t mean the other trails in the park are any less spectacular. When you have 1 day to spend in a National Park, the longer 6-10 hour hikes need to be put on the shelf as they will consume your entire day. Instead, look for short, scenic hikes which allow you to see multiple areas and sights within the park. Be sure to take into consideration the distance, elevation gain, and altitude of the hike, as a 1-mile hike that climbs 2000 ft at an altitude of 10,000 feet above sea level is not necessarily easier than a 3 mile hike with a 300 ft of gain at just above sea level!

5. Know Your Limitations

National Parks such as Yellowstone, Glacier, and Capitol Reef are large, segregated parks with great distance and distinct areas with the park. Before entering a park like this for a 1 day trip, be prepared to accept that you will not be able explore everything the park has to offer. Do your best to see what brought you to the park in the first place, and enjoy every minute of what might end up being the best day of your life!