Visiting national parks can be an amazing experience. Filled with stunning scenery and impressive wildlife, they are bucket list destinations for many. However, a simple mistake can easily ruin your experience. Fortunately, one park ranger is sharing his experience working in all state and national parks. Here are the top five mistakes people say they make when visiting nature reserves.
Top Mistakes People Make When Visiting National Parks
Former park ranger Danielle Jackson spoke to Business Insider about common mistakes people make when visiting national parks. He is an expert in this subject as his knowledge has taken him to various states and parks.
The outlet shared that he used to visit the parks when he was growing up. After that, he got his undergraduate degree in geology and started working as an intern for the National Park Service. From there, he spent a season at a state park in California before finally donning a park ranger uniform.
Speaking to the outlet, Jackson shared, “I’ve worked for many national and international parks and I’ve seen visitors make the same mistakes over and over again. ” So what are the top mistakes people make? The first one seems like it will be the norm.
Jackson says most park visitors assume they will have cell service and WiFi access while in the park. Jackson quickly dispels that bubble, admitting that it’s unlikely that visitors will have service or WiFi while enjoying the park. Therefore, it is recommended to write down any important navigation information before entering.
Additionally, he shared that another common mistake is that visitors don’t check the park’s website or social media pages. Although it may seem unnecessary, it can help eliminate any confusion before arriving at the park. He admitted to Business Insider that “we were constantly experiencing road closures due to falling trees, rockfalls, and vehicle accidents. Although updates about incidents like these were posted on the park’s website, I found that many travelers did not seek this information.”
Keep the Mistakes Coming
Another mistake that people often make when visiting nature reserves is that they stray from certain routes. I know this is common, given the number of stories I see in the news. Also, I swear I’ve written enough pieces about people wandering Yellowstone that I could have an entire book.
Not only is this foolish because it can be dangerous for you — getting lost, injured, or encountering potentially dangerous wildlife — but Jackson shares another potential danger. He also said, “Several areas of these trails were often closed to protect rare or sensitive plant species or to help reduce land problems, including soil erosion.”
Finally, the last two mistakes that people often make when visiting national parks are forgetting to watch out for local wildlife and failing to properly prepare for a hike. Always remember to be aware of your surroundings and give wildlife plenty of space.
Also, make sure you pack the essentials for the hike. Jackson shared a short list of things that should be in your pack the next time you visit a national park.
- Sun protection
- Water
- Easy food
- A compass or navigation system
- A flashlight
- first aid kit
- Emergency shelter
- A fire starter
- A knife
- Extra clothes