Helpful resources for planning national park trip​

An example: Say you want to reserve a campsite for two nights in Acadia (a good choice!). Use the search feature to enter the keyword “Acadia”; the website will respond with a list of

everything that’s reservable in the park, with information on each. Select a campground (we like Blackwoods), enter the dates you prefer as well as any other information to help filter

your results, and the website will respond with an "Availability Grid" and a campground map indicating which campsites are open. Then it’s simply a matter of making the

purchase. If you have questions at any point throughout the process, take advantage of the site’s chat function and phone number, which allows you to speak to a real person. THE NPS APP If

you have a smartphone, you can access a new virtual portal to the national parks: the NPS app. This free app that was launched last spring is the only one created by the NPS, so you can

trust its accuracy. It covers all the national parks, plus the hundreds of other areas managed by the NPS — national monuments, national historic sites, national recreation areas and more. 

You can search for a place to visit by location, name, activity or subject matter. Once the selections appear, tap on the picture that interests you in order to pull up a screen that offers

a preview and abbreviated information. If you like what you see, tap on Explore Full Park and you can access interactive maps, activities, visitor center locations and hours of operation,

and other useful information. There’s even a section for amenities, such as restrooms and picnic spots. If a reservation is required (for a tour or campsite, for example), you’ll be directed

to the appropriate site — most likely Recreation.gov — to do so. The app is especially handy when you’re in the park. Because you’ll probably not be able to access the internet during

parts of your trip, it’s a good idea to download material from the app for viewing offline before you go.  AARP’S GUIDES TO THE PARKS And don’t forget AARP’s many in-depth guides to popular

national parks. They include tips on when to go, things to do, where to eat and stay, accessibility, and what to know about gateway towns and nearby attractions.