National Park Energy: The Dos, The Don’ts, and How Not to Be “That Person”

Submitted photo

So you’re heading to a U.S. national park. Elite choice. We love a main-character moment with mountains, canyons, waterfalls, and dramatic skies. But before you lace up your boots and sprint toward the nearest overlook, let’s talk about how to actually do this right — safely, responsibly, and without becoming the subject of someone else’s “tourist fail” TikTok.

First: plan like you mean it. Parks like Yellowstone National Park and Grand Canyon National Park are stunning, yes — but they are also massive. Cell service? Spotty. Distances? Deceptively long. Wildlife? Not pets. Download maps ahead of time, check weather conditions, and know how long that “quick hike” actually is.

Now let’s get into the golden rule: leave no trace. Translation: pack it in, pack it out. Trash, snack wrappers, orange peels — all of it goes back with you. Stay on marked trails (yes, even if the off-trail shortcut looks aesthetic). Those signs aren’t suggestions; they’re there to protect fragile ecosystems and, honestly, you.

Wildlife etiquette is huge. At places like Yosemite National Park, that bear is not a photo prop. In Zion National Park, those bighorn sheep do not want your granola bar. Admire from a distance, zoom with your camera, not your feet. If an animal changes its behavior because you’re close? You’re too close.

Hydration check. Especially in desert parks or high elevations. The sun will humble you quickly. Bring more water than you think you need, wear layers (because mountain weather loves plot twists), and tell someone your plan if you’re heading out on a longer trail. Being spontaneous is fun; being stranded is not.

Also: respect the vibe. National parks aren’t just pretty backdrops — they’re protected spaces. Keep music low, let faster hikers pass, and don’t carve your name into a 500-year-old rock formation. We promise the rock does not need your signature.

The upside of doing it right? You get the full experience. Quiet sunrises. Wildlife sightings. That unreal moment when you reach an overlook and just stand there like, “Oh. This is why people protect this.”

National parks are basically America’s collective backyard — but like, the sacred part. Show up prepared, move with intention, and leave it better than you found it.

Adventure hard. Respect harder.