Editor's Note: Our friend Sonja rode her motorcycle through 13 National Parks in 2024, bringing her total up to 25. Her sights are set on hitting all 63, and she’s been collecting some great wisdom in her travels. Before planning your National Park trip, check out her "Top 10 lessons learned" here. And please comment below if you'd like to share your own tips for motorcyclists about this topic.
Top 10 U.S. National Park Lessons Learned
1. National Parks Are Off The Grid
Be prepared to ride for long periods of time with no cell service. Some National Parks may have service, depending on your provider, but it’s best to expect that your phone won’t connect. In Yellowstone National Park I don’t have cell service and WIFI is only available at some of the visitor centers. Be prepared to be totally off the grid, just in case. Know your route ahead of time, plan your stops, and let someone know where you are going before you head out for the day.
2. Check The Road Conditions
Often our National Parks are in remote areas or extreme climates. It is surprising when you leave your home in balmy spring weather, but then find that the roads in the park are still closed due to snow much later than you’d expect. Storms can cause lasting road closures that take crews much longer to repair than anticipated.
3. Pack Snacks
National Park visitor centers usually have limited offerings or sometimes even small cafes or restaurants, however, the operating hours and /or price may be prohibitive for your plans. Plus, what better place to have a picnic than in the great outdoors when your view is as spectacular as the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon or the Delicate Arch at Arches National Park?
4. Have Your National Park Pass Ready
National parks that charge an entrance fee require visitors to purchase or obtain a standard pass, park-specific annual pass, or America the Beautiful pass. It’s highly recommended to check ahead of time with the park you plan to visit to find out what you will need. Some of the more popular parks also require a reservation and even a timed entry.
I like to get the all-encompassing America the Beautiful annual pass each year so I can visit as many National Parks and Federal recreation sites as many times as I want. Be sure to check whether you qualify for any discounts, such as a veteran or senior pass. The pass is good for one year from purchase and trust me, once you visit one park, you’ll want to visit another!
Once you purchase your pass, keep it where it’s easily accessible. When you’re entering a park on a motorcycle, you don’t want to be the one to stop traffic while you put it in neutral, put your sidestand down and dig through your luggage at the gate. Have a plan so that when you pull up to the window you just slip off your glove to access it quickly and safely.
Have a place to put the park map that the ranger will offer you, too. I usually have my park pass in my inside chest pocket and then I slip the map inside my jacket against my abdomen and then zip it in until my first stop where I relocate it somewhere more secure. A tank bag can also provide easy access and storage.
5. Avoid the Crowds
Go in the shoulder seasons (the time between a region’s peak- and off-season) to avoid crowds. I have been in line for over an hour waiting to get into Yosemite’s south entrance. That is not fun when your leg is feeling the heat from your exhaust pipes and your clutch hand is aching. And again, be sure to find out ahead of time if you will need a timed entrance permit. This is especially true for the more popular parks such as Yellowstone or Yosemite.
6. Be Prepared for the Weather
As a motorcycle rider, you already know how important it is to layer, layer, layer. Some days you may hit all kinds of weather and you’ll want to be prepared for it all. Have warm layers for the cold, but plan for when it suddenly heats up. Bring a bandana that will keep your neck warm in the early mornings and that you can soak in water in the hot afternoons. Bring plenty of water for your day, you don’t want to be thirsty when there may be limited resources.
Utilize the visitor centers. I learned to appreciate them on a ride through Badlands National Park. Several hours into a 104-degree day I decided to take a short hike. Once back on the bike, it only took a few minutes of riding to realize I had overexerted myself. I beelined to the nearest visitor center where I was able to take off my gear (even my boots and socks!) and cool down in the air conditioning. I also re-filled my water bottle several times as I drank like I had never tasted water before.
7. Know Your Limits
Even though this is always top of mind, my experience at Badlands was a good reminder. Always respect the environment. Remember, warnings are posted for a reason. Listen to good advice from locals or people who have taken similar trips before. Do some practice runs if you plan on doing something new on your trip, like wearing new gear, or riding more miles per day than you usually do.
8. Have a Plan for Your Pictures
Make sure that you don’t prioritize a good picture over your personal safety. Watch for soft shoulders, blind corners, or traffic following closely. Pull completely off the road safely before attempting a picture. If you are riding with others make sure they know that you may be stopping for pictures and create a signal.
I like to take A LOT of pictures with my cell phone, so I make sure it stays charged up. I plan by bringing a cord that connects to my bike. I also bring back-up power banks so I can charge up during breaks if I need to. I also have a handlebar phone mount so that I can access my phone quickly if I pull over for a picture.
9. Gas Up Before Entering a National Park
Fuel may be scarce or more expensive inside the park.
10. Have Fun!
Have fun! Start small if that feels right and then work your way into bigger multi-park trips. We have such a wealth of truly amazing natural wonders in the U.S.A. and there is no better way to enjoy them than on two wheels.
Special Bonus Section
Get in Lots of Parks in a Short Amount of Time
Arches NP, Canyonlands NP, Mesa Verde NP, Capital Reef NP, Bryce Canyon NP, Zion NP, and The Grand Canyon NP
Best Stargazing National Parks
Great Basin NP, Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP, Joshua Tree NP, Death Valley NP, Arches NP, Big Bend NP, Redwood NP, Acadia NP
Most Diverse Offerings
Yellowstone NP
Most Talked About Motorcycle Roads
• Glacier NP, Going to the Sun Road
• Great Smoky Mountains NP, Tail of the Dragon
• Rocky Mountain NP, Trail Ridge Road