How to Have the Best National Parks Trips This Summer, According to Experts

Summer national parks road trips are going to be different this year – while the parks remain as beautiful and worthy of exploration as ever, the recent staffing cuts in the National Parks Service put extra onus on park visitors to follow Leave No Trace principles in 2025. Nearly 332 million people visited national parks in 2024, and the parks are expecting numbers to rise in 2025. Collaborative stewardship is the only responsible way to visit national parks this year. Fortunately, guests have resources from the parks, the Leave No Trace organization, and Xanterra, which manages concessions, accommodations, and activities within the parks. Matador spoke with JD Tanner, Director of Education at Leave No Trace, and attended a webinar with Tanner and Todd Walton, Director of Marketing and Sales at Yellowstone National Park Lodges, operated by Xanterra, to learn how to put Leave No Trace principles in place to have the best experience at the national parks this summer.

For a successful summer, travelers must be aware of their impact

Photo: Andriana Syvanych /Shutterstock

Leave No Trace was formed in 1994 as a means to educate outdoor users on proper protocols. Leaving what you find and being responsible with campfires is applicable knowledge whether you’re near home or on the other side of the planet. The organization has marketed its work to and partnered with Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) as well as parks, conservation organizations, and elsewhere to help these groups develop their own guidelines for encouraging responsible tourism.

“Our Tourism Program’s expansion to over 60 Destination Management Organization partners in recent years has significantly amplified our educational outreach, promoting sustainable travel practices among a broader audience,” Tanner told Matador. “Many state and regional tourism offices are collaborating with us, developing stewardship-focused education and messaging campaigns to ensure that outdoor visitors have ample opportunities to learn about Leave No Trace.”

A recent example of this is Do Colorado Right, a program from the Colorado Tourism Office that seeks to educate travelers to the state on how to properly experience its great outdoors without being harmful. Pamphlets and signage is now posted throughout the state, including at national park gateway towns including Montrose, near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Estes Park, just outside Rocky Mountain National Park.

“It’s important to note that these collaborations have not only enhanced the visibility of Leave No Trace but also fostered a culture of environmental stewardship among travelers. By incorporating Leave No Trace education into tourism strategies, DMOs have empowered visitors to make responsible choices, reduce impacts on natural resources, and ensure the preservation of outdoor spaces.”

What is collaborative stewardship?

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A concept harked on repeatedly by both Tanner and Walton is collaborative stewardship. This refers to a cooperative approach where multiple stakeholders— government agencies, local communities, Indigenous groups, conservation organizations, recreation users, and private industry—work together to manage and protect public lands. Collaborative stewardship is more important than ever with staff reductions taking place in the parks at the same time visitation is at all-time highs.

Collaborative stewardship underlies the mission of Leave No Trace. It’s seven principles, from planning ahead to respecting wildlife and others in the outdoors to disposing of any waste, are designed to foster responsible use that ensures the longevity and health of public lands. Notably, Xanterra will implement a zero-emission battery powered locomotive at Grand Canyon in 2027.

“A common misunderstanding is the belief that the seven principles are strict rules instead of adaptable guidelines,” Tanner says. “This perspective can result in a limited application of Leave No Trace ethics, while the principles are intended to be flexible. They guide individuals in making informed decisions that reduce environmental impact in different situations. This misunderstanding may also cause DMOs to perceive incorporating Leave No Trace into their tourism language as a burden for their visitors. However, a report by Booking.com found that 76% of travelers are interested in learning about sustainable travel practices.”

An interesting statistic, Tanner notes, is that a person trained in LNT is five-times more likely to protect the outdoors than a person who isn’t, according to the organization’s data. Furthermore, that education tends to be conveyed to others while out enjoying open spaces.

Awareness can indeed prevent tragedy. 95 percent of wildfires are human-caused, for example, with Tanner noting during the webinar that it’s “not just campfires, but cigarette butts and other human-caused issues are causing those wildfires that we’re dealing with on a regular basis.”

Responsible public lands use starts with proper planning

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“A key mindset shift that needs to occur is recognizing that responsible recreation begins before reaching a destination,” LNT’s Tanner says. “Many people view Leave No Trace as actions taken while outdoors, but preparation—such as understanding a site’s rules and regulations, securing necessary permits, learning about local conservation issues, and packing the right supplies—plays a vital role in reducing negative impacts.”

When planning a trip to a national park, Xanterra’s Walton notes it’s good to book accommodations, camping, and tours ahead of time. This allows a chance to identify providers who are straightforward about their environmental impact. For stays and activities within the parks, Xanterra, for example, outlines its efforts on its website. It sources the majority of food from within 500 miles of the location, and is constantly increasing recycling and compost efforts across its portfolio.

It’s also a good idea to plan out hiking routes, campsites, and other activities in advance. This is the best way to set yourself up for success knowing there will be staff shortages. The same is true for dining and booking guided tours. Bring a “blue bag” when camping to dispose of human waste.

“Furthermore, utilizing technology, such as real-time trail updates, educational apps, and AI-driven trip planning tools, can assist outdoor enthusiasts in making informed choices,” Tanner says. “By cultivating a culture where planning is viewed as a core responsibility, outdoor users can more effectively minimize their footprint, protect public lands, and ensure these spaces remain accessible for future generations.”

What happens if a park closes?

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Some 1,900 NPS staffers have already resigned with 1,000 fired, and rumors abound that some visitors’ centers may be closed this summer if further cuts follow. While the federal government narrowly averted a federal shutdown, the impact of staffing reductions hasn’t been realized yet. This could result in reduced camping availability, cancellation of activities like guided walks with rangers, and in some cases, even the shutdown of visitors’ centers. The parks themselves are expected to be open, however, and Walton noted that lodging in amenities where Xanterra operates — Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountain, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Death Valley, Petrified Forest, and Everglades National Parks — will operate at full capacity. Concessionaires at other national parks have not announced impacts, as of the date of publication.

Some parks themselves have already implemented changes:

• Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in Colorado is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
• Saguaro National Park in Arizona has closed its visitor centers on Mondays
• Yosemite National Park has postponed reservations for several campgrounds
• Grand Canyon National Park is experiencing longer wait times due to reduced staff at entrance stations

“If there is a major closure we will reach out to all of our guests who have booked and be in communication with them,” Walton noted during the webinar. “As long as the gates are open, we will operate as normal.”