This Is The Gear I Recommend To Pack For National Parks

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2 days ago

I will always continue to support the national parks as much as I possibly can. National parks have always been a place to disconnect, recharge and experience some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country. Last year, I went backpacking for the first time in my life at St. Elias National Park in Alaska. You probably haven't heard of it — it's the largest national park in the United States, and one of the least visited. I've also enjoyed photographing moonlight landscapes at Arches National Park in Moab, Utah.
But with record-breaking crowds, shifting regulations, and the ever-changing conditions of the great outdoors, planning a trip takes more than just picking a trail and packing a snack. Whether you're heading out for a casual day hike or a Utah road trip, having the right gear can make all the difference.
As a seasoned traveler, here are the essentials to bring for a smooth, stress-free experience in the parks.
The S'well Traveler water bottle
First things first, staying hydrated is one of the most important rules of visiting the national parks. S'well's 40-ounce water bottle uses special technology to keep your beverages colder without having the condensation on the outside of the bottle. The wide mouth is a game changer — perfect for adding ice cubes to keep your drink as cold as possible as you hike serene cliff sides in the sweltering sun.Get it from Amazon for $54.99 (available in seven colors).
The Yeti Crossroads Backpack
The Yeti Crossroads backpack is a tough, water-resistant pack designed to handle everything from national park hikes to spontaneous road trips. Its structured build and foam-padded base protect your gear, while multiple compartments keep essentials organized and easily accessible. I've brought this backpack to every national park that I've traveled to in recent years because it's reliable, and I know that my expensive camera gear is safe inside of it.Get it from Amazon for $200+ (available in three sizes and 10 colors).
A pair of polarized Goodr Sunglasses
The last thing you want is your designer sunglasses getting scuffed with dirt after a day exploring the parks. Goodr sunglasses were made for active people with a special no-slip coating and silicone nose inserts, so they won't fall off no matter how sweaty you get. Not only are these great quality shades at an affordable price, but they actually look great for all the thirst traps you may take, coming in a wide range of styles for every type of vibe.Promising review: "Great sunglasses, especially for the price. Lightweight and as advertised, don't slip while on a run. I especially like that they shade without distortion or affecting my depth perception like some other sunglasses. Already bought another pair (different color) and am looking at getting more." —APRÈSGet them from Amazon for $25.
A tube of Vacation Sunscreen to keep your skin protected
This may just be the coolest sunscreen on the market. Vacation Classic Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 offers high-performance, broad-spectrum protection with a clean ingredient list that's vegan, cruelty-free, reef-safe, and free from parabens, PEGs, and octinoxate. It encompasses blends of coconut, banana, and poolside nostalgia, earning it the title of the 'World's Best Smelling Sunscreen,' according to the brand.Designed for all skin tones, it rubs in effortlessly with no white cast, while ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil and niacinamide keep skin moisturized and smooth. Your purchase of a bottle comes with a matching air freshener.Promising review: "I am obsessed (to say the least) with this sunscreen! Smells so good, long lasting, Vacation is the best <3 Great for traveling or throwing in your bag to always have a sunscreen with you! :)" —KenzGet it from Amazon for $16+ (available in two sizes and multi-packs).
The Merrell Men's Moab 3 Mid hiking boot
Depending on where you're hiking, odds are you're going to highly benefit from a pair of shoes that aren't simple sneakers. The Merrell Men's Moab 3 is named after the town in Utah that's home to Arches National Park. This boot is durable for any terrain with its pigskin leather and mesh upper 100% recycled laces, recycled mesh lining and an air cushion in the heel that gives your footing better stability. These can take you on your first mile or 10 miles of your next trip into nature. Grab a pair in seven colors and men's sizes 7–15, with wide options available.Promising review: "This is the preferred boot for the Boy Scouts High Adventure Camp - Northern Tier in Minnesota/Canada. My son wore these for two weeks, in the water every day while canoeing. No blisters, no trench foot. A couple of his fellow scouts wore "other" boots and suffered the consequences. Same boots made it to the top of Angel's Landing in Zion National Park and hiked there Narrows there as well. I would recommend these all day long." —charlie boveGet them from Amazon for $93.60+.
A GoPro HEROBlack 13 camera to record your adventures
The GoPro HERO13 Black is the ultimate adventure camera for capturing high-quality footage in rugged environments like national parks. With upgraded stabilization, 5.3K video, and enhanced low-light performance, it's built to document everything from summit views to waterfall jumps. Waterproof, compact and voice-activated, it's a must-have for anyone who wants to stay hands-free while capturing epic moments. I use it for vlogging my trips and also capturing the night sky with the Star Trails long exposure feature.Get it from Amazon for $329.
A pair of these reader beloved quick-dry hiking pants
Stay cool and fashionable in these lightweight and water-resistant hiking pants. These pants will keep you safe with a UPF 50+ built-in to keep your skin out of the sun, and are a hit among our readers. My recommendation is to dress in layers, so if you do get hot as the temperature rises, you're prepared. The adjustable cuffs on the pant leg bottoms can also keep pesky mosquitos out, which we all know is a lifesaver on a day's adventure. The pants come in a bunch of colors and women's sizes XS–3XL, with regular, tall and petite sizing options.Promising review: "LOVE these pants. Got them for Olympic National Park. They were all day comfortable, and great in the colder morning temperatures and still great when it got sunny and warmer in the day. These are my new favorite pants. I did follow the recommendation to size down. I usually wear a medium, and I got a small, and they fit great." —DerickGet them from Amazon for $39.99.
A set of adjustable trekking poles with over 18,000 5-star ratings
I cannot emphasize how many times these walking sticks have saved me on a hike such as the iconic The Narrows trail through Zion National Park. These adjustable walking poles can fit into a checked suitcase and can stand between 26 to 54 inches tall, making them accessible for all sizes.The main purpose of having these is that they add another point of contact to the ground. When you're sweating and scaling an incline with your backpack on, these trekking poles will keep you grounded — literally — and take some of the weight that you're carrying off your back.Get them from Amazon for $49.99 (available in three styles and six colors).
A waterproof, adjustable headlamp
You never know when you're going to need a headlamp for visibility. Third Eye Headlamps are comfortable and easy to throw in your backpack. They're stylish with cool designs that will make you actually want to sport it. The best part? There's a lifetime warranty on these headlamps, guaranteeing that it can help guide you through the darkness for years to come. The headlamp comes in nine colorways.Promising review: "This is the perfect all around headlamp. It's comfortable and doesn't move around on your head. It's adjustable. The three brightness settings are great for whatever you're trying to do whether it's night hiking or reading in your tent. With the red light setting, you can shine a light without having to sacrifice your night vision. I love that! I've already dropped it quite a few times and it seems super durable. All in all this is the BEST HEADLAMP I'VE EVER HAD!!! And for the price it's totally worth it!" —JasonGet it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in six colors).
These Fjällräven men's hiking pants
Believe me when I say this — I'd never been stopped so much on the streets and on hikes to ask where I bought my pants from until I started wearing these. These Fjällräven trekking trousers may quickly become your favorite hiking companion. They feature stretch fabric, plenty of pockets and zippers to let some air in if you get hot. Lastly, they're simply really fashionable and you will look like a pro hiker, even if it is your very first national park. The trousers come in several neutral colors and sizes 28–44, with three inseam lengths.Get them from Fjällräven for $240.
A portable charger and power bank that can charge so many devices
This portable charger is a compact 15,000mAh power bank with two built-in cables (iOS and USB-C), plus multiple ports that let you charge up to four devices at once — no extra cords needed. There's a digital screen so I always know when I need to recharge it. Features include lightning-fast charging that delivers up to 50% battery in just 30 minutes, and the charger is compatible with nearly all smartphones, tablets and devices on the market. Lightweight and equipped with a digital display for precise battery tracking, it's the perfect travel companion for staying fully powered on the go.Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in five colors).
A Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR camera
This was my first camera, and is perfect without being too bulky to carry around. The Canon EOS Rebel T7 camera is ideal for beginners without a compromise in quality. It features a powerful 24.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor and a wide ISO range of 100–6400 (expandable to 12800), helping you capture crisp, high-quality images in a variety of lighting conditions. As you get more experienced, you can try out longer lenses that are great for shooting wildlife. Pro tip: Shoot in raw, so you can easily edit your photos post-trip.Get it from Amazon for $529.
The REI Co-op Sahara Shade hoodie
As I mentioned earlier, dressing in layers for exploring the parks is a must. This REI Co-op sun shirt can keep you protected from the sun on hot days with a UPF 50+ rating. The material is stretchy and technical knit so even if you do get damp, it's quick-drying and won't leave you like a wet dog for the rest of the day. You can get the hoodie in a bunch of colors and men's sizes S–3XL.Promising review: "Loose, comfy fit. Great for travel, hiking, paddling. Also used in high output winter activities like skinning up the hill on a sunny day." —SkierGet it from REI for $49.95.
A Quiksilver bucket hat for more sun protection
The key to having a successful day in the park is being prepared for spending hours under the hot sun. This Quiksilver bucket hat looks good, is comfortable and most importantly, keeps the sun out of your face. When it gets windy, there's a strap to secure it on your head so you don't have to worry about it going flying into the mountainous abyss. The hat comes in sizes S–XXL and a bunch of colors.Get it from Amazon for $28.