Road trip rules for driving in national parks keep you and the wildlife safe

When the United States declared Yellowstone a public park in 1872, the concept of a national park was relatively unique. Among the world’s government-protected landscapes, Bogd Khan Uul in Mongolia and Main Ridge in Tobago are among the few that are older than Yellowstone National Park, and it was not until Yellowstone’s designation that the idea began to spread rapidly around the world. Since the establishment of the National Park Service (NPS) in 1916, the nation’s national parks have become the backbone of American culture.

These days, the National Park Service oversees 433 individual “units” – parks, preserves, monuments, etc. – and runs countless programs to preserve these undeveloped places and educate the public about their history and ecology. These units receive approximately 318 million visitors per year, making them certified hits. Despite the fact that nearly half of the country is ready to abandon the American car-centric way of life, national park visitors are driving in large numbers, and that is indeed a problem.

According to the National Park Service, about one person per week dies in a car accident on a national park road, and reckless and distracted driving is also endangering wildlife. The NPS is basically urging us to slow down and pay attention when visiting the country’s breathtaking parks, and we’d better listen. National parks are a top-tier road trip destination, and by following a few easy road trip rules, you can make sure your next trip is as safe as it is stunning. The main guidelines include following standard driving rules, leaving no trace, moving drivers around and being cautious around wildlife. Although these guidelines are relatively straightforward, there are more nuances than some people realize.

Once you reach the long, winding roads of a national park, it feels like you’ve entered a whole new world. I know well from experience how adorable many of these parks are, and how easy it is to forget that you’re still driving around 2,000 pounds of metal. But the truth is that you live on the road with all the normal rules and regulations.

National Park Roadways have the same speed limits as any old city road, but are generally slower. Per NHTSASpeeding is expected to account for almost one-third of traffic deaths in 2024, which means the easiest thing you can do to make your journey safer for yourself and the local fauna is completely within your control: just pay attention to your speed. Similarly, when you’re driving in a remote area of ​​the park, you’re still sharing that road with other drivers, pedestrians or animals. Drive like you’re sharing the road, even when you can’t see anyone or anything.

Driving long stretches of road through the national park can feel leisurely, especially at the recommended speed, and many people stop frequently to smell the fresh air, take photographs or touch a really nice tree. But between all those stops, always put your seat belt back on. It is still illegal to ride without a buckle, even for children. This may seem like a big ask, especially for excited children who are struggling to see the outside, but it is important. Apart from this, do not forget to drive carefully. The fact that it even needs to be told speaks volumes.

We’ve all heard this term, whether it’s from our crunchy friend or a foolish and frustrated park ranger. Leave No Trace (LNT) is an ethical guideline for interacting with the natural world, and it doesn’t just mean not littering. But seriously, no trash.

NPS adheres to the seven-principle Leave No Trace philosophy with which all visitors should familiarize themselves before visiting. The organization asks you to “plan ahead and prepare” as a first step, including checking the weather, familiarizing yourself with a specific park’s rules, and using a map or GPS for safe navigation. You may want to research and plan a route through the park to know what types of roads and terrain you will encounter.

The philosophy also urges visitors to “travel and camp on durable surfaces” and this is especially important for drivers. A wrong turn or risky maneuver could leave you facing sand, mud or even a stream. If your vehicle is not suitable for the route, you may be cited, and this includes attempting to drive an AWD vehicle on a 4WD only path. It also means staying on track. Making your way through the park can be more disastrous than it sounds.

If you have any interest in preserving the beauty and health of a protected area, leaving the park is a good practice, and staying alert behind the wheel is especially important as cars have a huge impact on our environment. Just look at what has happened in the Mojave Desert over the last 50 years. Researchers found that the Mojave tortoise population had declined by 96% since the 1970s, leading a judge to close 2,200 miles of trails.

Distracted driving is dangerous, and we all know it. Even at the low speeds found on many NPS roads, being distracted for just a moment can put people and wildlife in danger. National parks are exceptionally beautiful places, and you won’t want to miss the fantastic scenery found in many of them. However you decide to take in these beautiful views, just make sure you do it safely, and ideally not by peeking here and there from the driver’s seat. You owe it to yourself and the landscape in front of you to get a better look than that.

Assuming you have a road-trip buddy – which you should because road trips are more fun with a friend – you should consider changing drivers frequently and dividing the drive time evenly among all available drivers. This gives everyone the opportunity to experience the scenery equally while reducing the risk of distracted driving. It wouldn’t be fair to stick a person to the driver’s seat and make them choose between safely keeping an eye on the road and observing the natural beauty around them.

no seriously. Stay away from wildlife, no matter what it is or how you feel about the buddy-sized creatures that abound in national parks. Year after year, people flock to national parks across the country, and are either oblivious to the potential danger of interactions between humans and wildlife, or simply believe that they are created apart. The end results include tourists being hit on the tail, thrown eight feet into the air by a territorial animal, or even killed.

Obviously, wildlife viewing is one of the reasons we all love national parks so much, and viewing is encouraged. Still, interactions naturally pose dangers, whether to visitors or to the wildlife. After this, national park road-trippers should follow nps guidelines For safe and healthy wildlife observation. Different parks may have different rules for appropriate monitoring distance, but NPS guidelines generally recommend staying at least 25 to 50 yards (75 to 150 feet) away from most animals and a minimum of 100 yards (300 feet) away from predators such as bears, wolves, and feral cats. Not sure how far 100 yards is? Play it safe and go even further back. According to the Park Service, if an animal reacts to your presence, you know you’re very close, and a pair of binoculars are your best friend.

As mentioned earlier, keeping your distance isn’t just for your own safety; This is also to keep the animals safe. Never feed or touch wild animals when stopping during drives in national parks, and keep a close eye on any children in your party. When driving through wildlife areas, keep your eyes open for animals crossing the road or roadside, and always pull over completely when taking advantage of a photo opportunity.

Yes, I already said how important it is to avoid wildlife in these parks. But too bad, I’m going to do something else with it. Bears are cute, extremely furry, and surprisingly friendly and curious. They will also ruin your life in 1,000 different ways. Unless you want to end up like Grizzly Man, you will have to take every necessary precaution to avoid them.

If you see bear cubs, it’s a sure sign that the mama bear is hiding nearby, and you don’t want to startle her if she hasn’t seen you already. This means it’s time to move away from the area, always staying as far away from the cub as possible. If a bear is interested in you, follow these NPS Safety Tips for Bear Encounters.

However, bear safety on a road trip is as important as what you do outside the car as what you do inside the car. If you’re driving through an area with bears, don’t leave your car unattended with food, especially if you’re staying overnight. Bears have been known to open car doors in search of food, so it’s best to keep any smelly or edible items in a bear compartment in a safe place. Ford may have tested the F-150 well, but that doesn’t mean you should do the same.