Can You Camp In National Parks For Free: Tips And Guide

Do you find camping as your stress reliever recreational activity? Wanted to visit public places for camping? Then try to ask yourself this question, can you camp in National parks for free?.

Many public places are offering for free by the authorities. Most people tend to visit these places once in a blue moon, for some reason. Thus, public places like National park offer the space for free for their people. Knowing the fact that a National park is a historical place and has value to the whole culture of a country. The government gives policies for the people to be more responsible enough, the reason why they would open it to the public. One of the best options you could visit when planning on camping is a National park. Aside from the mountains, valley, beaches, and island, the park is also the best place to have a cup of tea with your friends and family. 

This must be the reason when the good weather is finally fast approaching people to tend to visit parks constantly. For many countries, they use National park for this kind of purpose. So that, people can enjoy their privilege as a citizen. As we all know that there is no entrance fee nor a cottage fee. What you need to do is pack with your tent, this serves as your ready-to-go shelter. 

Here is the information you need to be aware of. Below are the things that will help you understand why people can do camping for free at National park and the reason why you should consider this place for camping. 

Why National Park is free for camping?

The national park is well-protected by the government as it holds an important part of the country. Thus, it is opened to the public for free in the subject of recreation. However, for some scenarios not all parks in the world allow their people to use the place as their camping site.

Top Reasons Why National Park Is Best For Camping 

1. It’s more affordable

Given the chance by the National park to camp for free is one of the best things. What you and your group need to do is prepare all the needed things. These are the following, foods, water, tent, emergency kit, and other stuff. You don’t need to worry about paying fees on the campsite as it is free. You just need to think about your strategy and technique to enjoy camping in the National park. When you choose to go on camping like this place, money is not an issue anymore. You can enjoy a great recreational activity like camping during your leisure time. 

2. Able to experience fresh air. 

One of the reasons you should look upon, for you to experience fresh air, usually, the park has it’s open wide space which means of great ventilation by nature. When you go on camping with your kids, then you can introduce a place which is good for their mental health. Not only for the kids but as well to adults. Camping helps you to divert your stress for some time. Another is it helps you to recharge from the super busy city life. Thus sometimes, your relaxation depends on the place you are with. So, if you want to feel the cool air breeze and fresh air, consider parks in your list as places for camping today! 

3. Beautiful sunsets

Aside from the top of the mountain, parks also can offer this kind of view. Many people are not aware of these things, but National park sometimes has the right position to offer this to the people. If you are a sunset person, which means you love taking pictures or capturing the best sunsets of all time, then this could be a good place to choose. Camping is one way of communicating directly with nature. So, always look for a place that could offer a natural show for the people. Sunsets view make your mind at peace and relax at the same time. 

4. More activities to do

Many people are looking for the best place for them to hold team-building and other group activities. Well, camping can also be considered as same as team-building with your friends and family. You can prepare activities in the subject for enjoyment and forget once in a while the stressful life in the city. Usually, the place where the national park is the best place for various activities. You could allow your kids to play different kid’s friendly games, like hiding and seek and many more. Another is you allow to think of group games which help you and your family keeps a warm bond and communication with each other.

5. The memories you can always treasure with the whole family. 

Probably, this one is the top priority of every parent for their children. So that a child can grow in a great kind of family. Camping helps every individual to make tons of memories with their family. It’s always a good idea to try other places in the community when you go on camping. 

So, trying to go and visit a National park as your setting for camping gives a new memory with the whole family you could treasure of. 

6. Never-ending stories and talks.

This is one of the perks you can experience when you decide to go on camping with your friends and family. You can share whatever you think, talk with them even it’s already late at night. Most people try to have this kind of activity during the night, wherein they share their “ghost experiences” and other genres of stories. Through this kind of activity, they will be able to release their feelings, by sharing their stories. 

Another thing is for the parents, they will be able to talk and know what’s happening to their kids, which is a good thing. The National park and nature are all witnessed for this kind of story and offer a unique kind of confidentiality! 

7. You can see natural lights. 

One of the capabilities nature does for humans, is that people can see natural lighting. This is not artificial but true and infinite. When you decide to stay at home or even at the hotel you could see a light which is man-made. But, if you decide to go out and see what nature can have then you could witness its beauty to its finest. 

Camping in a national park is one way of seeing the natural style of lights. You can refresh your mind, as there are a lot of studies that show the importance of natural light to the mental health of an individual. So, if you are an individual who has bad experiences from the past few days, parks are your sanctuary to spend on.

8. You can find wood for your campfire. 

One of the best activities you can have at night with the whole family during camping is a campfire in the center. Thus, you need to bring wood for you to be able to do this kind of activity. However, if you choose parks for this, nature itself offers the people to use fallen branches from the tree for a campfire. 

You can ask your kids to get and use this kind of activity to train their mind and at the same time to spend with nature. A camping experience is different when you have this kind of activity on your bucket list. Campfire can bring a different feeling to the whole family. This is a must especially if you choose to go on camping during the winter season. 

9. Spending with your whole family. 

The national park offers a big space for the people to do their things. Camping is one of these, so you could bring the whole family to the park. You could spend a lot of time talking, eat and have fun games. 

It’s not about the free entrance, of course, it matters but what matters the most is the time you could give your family. A park is considered the best place to witness this time.

10. Foods can change their taste during camping. 

This probably the most magical thing that can happen when camping. For the most common scenario, hotdogs have the same taste but during camping, this has a different taste. We could taste this kind of food as if your first time eating and enjoys it so much. 

Camping offers different feelings and does it affects your appetite as well. The one that helps you to increase your appetite is to eat with your family. This kind of magical feeling a park could offer, where you just need to set everything for the whole family.

11. You can enjoy stargazing at night.

If you plan to go on camping with your family, then you should indicate stargazing as one of the activities you should try. The sky at night offers a free look at celestial bodies. This activity is recommended to your kids, research shows that exposing your child to this kind of view is beneficial. 

On the bigger screen, adults can also do this kind of activity. Your mind is able to relax and get the peace it deserves from the busy schedule. Stargazing is considered a time-out activity for all the people who are burning out from their work, business, and school.  

Tips When Camping At The National Park

1. Try to bring extra food and water. 

This is very applicable for the people who will camp with their kids. Oftentimes, kids are the ones who usually feel they’re hungry and they crave more. So, for you to be ready with this kind of scenario then you need to choose to bring extra foods for them. 

Before heading to the campsite you need to have a checklist for your things. Of course, on top of it is the food and water. However, getting extra of these is also a must for camping. It is always an advantage to excess in this kind of situation than experience a shortage. 

2. Bring your emergency kit.

Whether you choose to camp in the mountains or other places, it’s a must to bring an emergency kit. A national park is spacious and if you have kids with you they might be super excited and run around. You can’t predict accidents as we all know that children are so playful.

So, for you to stay safe and protected it’s always a good thing to be ready all the time with your emergency kit. 

3. You need to know the services offered by the place. 

This is an important thing to do before planning to go on camping. You need to research about the place these include the following information,  amenities, activities you can do, and the things you’ll be needing for the place. 

On the other hand, you would know the things that you might need by determining the location of the place and its facilities as well. For instance, you want to bring your own toiletry stuff, then you need to know if the park offers comfort room for the people. Another if the campsite has its own grilling area. So, if you wish to bring your materials for this, the first thing to do is to know if the place allows people to do this thing.

4. Make your reservation

This one will definitely help you in securing your time for camping activities. reservation ahead of time helps you to prevent any trouble with your schedule. Though, National parks are open for the public in some cases the place is full to accommodate people who walk-ins. 

Another is that most camping sites like parks always have this rule of first come first serve. So, it is always to consider these tips for your convenience. 

5. Know the weather and temperature

You need to ensure that you know the weather for the date of your camping. This is to ensure that you can do all the activities you have on your list. Another is you are able to pack things that you need for a certain season. 

During the winter season, you need to prepare extra clothes and other protective gear in preparation for this season. If you wish to go camping during the winter season make sure to know the temperature, as it changes every day. 

6. Think about your budget

If you choose to be more practical then you would love to visit a campsite which is free. National parks offer this kind of perks for the people. When camping you also need to mind your budget. You need to consider the budget for the food, and other things you will be needing. 

When thinking about your budget, you also need to determine the number of people you are with on camping. Always consider setting the right amount as your budget when camping, try to stick with it and not exceed. 

7. Know the type of ready-to-go shelter you will use. 

There are two types of shelter you can choose from today, the first one is the tent and the other one is a recreational vehicle/ RV. Usually, people who have a smaller number in the group choose tents for their camping. Those who have a larger number of people in the group choose the RV for their convenience. 

The thing is when they choose to use an RV as their site shelter, they can do more things with the amenities offered by the vehicle. Usually, inside the RV has a comfort room and kitchen as well. So, if you are planning to go on camping and you choose National park as your venue then you have to decide as well, whether you want a tent or an RV. 

8. Policies and rules in the place 

Of course, there will be always rules and regulations on a particular National park. If you are first time in the place you need to research what are do’s and don’ts. This is for your safety and to be aware before packing your things. 

There are parks that are free but one of their rules is to utilize the place in a more responsible way. This is where they don’t allow pets to carry by their owner. Aside from that, there are also parks that do not allow people to have a campfire and also grilling time. So, it is always an important thing to know all of these. 

However, there are parks that allow all the above-mentioned stuff for their people. It’s always you who choose your own convenience. 

9. You should always prioritize everyone’s safety and welfare. 

This is a must for every outdoor activity that you wish to do with the whole family. Always have your emergency kit with and at the same time you serve as the lookout for everyone. Your top priority always is everyone’s safety. 

Parks are wide open, so the presence of mosquitos and bugs will always be there to disturb you. So, for you to prevent the bite from insects, you need to get yourself stuff that serves as your protective gear. Through this, you are able to avoid any accidents or unnecessary situations that might happen. 

The prevention you need if you have kids with you is on the maximum level, as they need extra care during your camping days. 

10. Be good to your fellow campers.

Whether you know or you don’t know who is your neighbor campers, it’s always a good idea to be much approachable and good. We could always expect that there is a particular season where the place is full and you need to be generous enough to share amenities and the fun feeling when camping. 

Always have a smile on your face, as most of the people who go on camping have the same purpose as yours. You don’t need to pay to be a good neighbor, it’s always free.

11. Be yourself while having a fun

It’s always important to know your purpose why you want to go on camping. This is to have fun, play as if your a little one, and try activities on your bucket lists. You don’t need need to be synchronized, what you need to do is to enjoy and just be yourself. 

To have fun camping is important, it boosts your adrenaline and at the same time keeps you younger. The kids would feel a lot better every time they would be in nature. Both adults and children can benefit and help their mental health from camping. 

12. Choose the right National Park that suits your standard. 

This is an important thing you need to do, always ensure to choose the right park for you. If you want to carry your kids and pet, look for the parks that allowed this kind of thing. You should remember that having fun is your purpose for camping so any hassle or trouble on the site is not part of it. 

Another if you wish to have the perfect view for your peace of mind, there are national parks which are near the lake which has a scenic view. Most people prefer this place as they could release their stress through nature. Choosing the campgrounds you would wish to visit will always depend on your preference. 

Final Thoughts 

There is nothing more special when camping with the Family. To have fun while being responsible for the place you choose as your campsite are the top priorities. A national park is often open for this kind of adventure. People can choose if they just want to tour around in a day or they want to stay at least one day for camping. As a citizen of the place, you can enjoy the privilege as it is free. You don’t need to think that much about the money you would spend entering the place. You could easily divert your stressful days when camping. 

Are you and your family plan to go on camping? What places do you consider visiting? Then, if you don’t have any place yet to visit, try to consider National parks!