Pack for an early start
Since the move is to arrive at dawn, plan to be out the door before anything opens. Bring your own coffee, breakfast, and a headlamp so a pre-sunrise start is comfortable rather than miserable.
The day-pack essentials
A simple, well-stocked day pack covers most of what a busy park day throws at you:
- More water than you think you need, plus a way to refill.
- Layers for temperature swings, especially at altitude.
- Sun protection: hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
- Snacks and a packed lunch to skip the crowded food lines.
- A small first-aid kit and any personal medications.
- A downloaded offline map, since cell service is often spotty.
Day packs and park-day essentials
We are building partnerships in this category. Recommendations placed here will be clearly labeled, and they will never change our crowd estimates.
Plan for parking and distance
If the close lot is full, you may walk or shuttle farther than expected. Comfortable footwear and a pack you can carry all day matter more on a crowded day than on a quiet one.
Hotels and lodging
We are building partnerships in this category. Recommendations placed here will be clearly labeled, and they will never change our crowd estimates.