With significant budget cuts impacting the National Park Service in 2025, RV travelers face new challenges when exploring America’s iconic landscapes. While visiting national parks remains a cherished pastime, reduced staffing and limited services require strategic planning and adaptability from campers.
See a list and links of the national parks at the end of this article.
Advance planning is now more essential than ever. Reservations remain highly advisable, even mandatory in many popular national parks, as reduced staffing has lowered park capacities. Ensure reservations are confirmed several months ahead, especially during peak travel seasons. Directly contacting park offices or checking official websites frequently for updates on facility closures, road conditions, and service changes can prevent unexpected inconveniences.
Expect reduced maintenance of park facilities, including restrooms and waste disposal areas. Campers should anticipate less frequent cleaning, meaning it’s wise to pack personal hygiene essentials, such as biodegradable wipes, hand sanitizers, toilet paper, and trash bags. RV campers should consider equipping their vehicles with portable toilets or composting toilets to ensure sanitation standards are met comfortably.
Be prepared to Pack it in and pack it out. Don’t expect the stores to be open or stocked so bring with you what you need. Pack it in, pack it out” is a core principle of ca,mp;ing anyway. It’s a set of guidelines for minimizing the impact of outdoor recreation on the environment.
- Carry out all trash, even if you see a trash can, it may be full or rarely emptied.
- Pack out food waste, even if it’s biodegradable, as it can attract animals and take a long time to decompose.
- Dispose of human waste properly, either by burying it at least six inches deep and packing out toilet paper or using a designated restroom.
- This includes campfire waste. As always, be sure to fully extinguish fires and all embers before leaving.
Self-sufficiency becomes a key factor in a pleasant camping experience. Campers are encouraged to carry extra supplies of water, food, and fuel, as concession services and amenities such as camp stores, water refill stations, and fuel pumps may have reduced availability. Water filtration devices or purification tablets can ensure a safe drinking water supply from natural sources if park-provided water systems are compromised or unavailable.
Visitors should be mindful that fewer park rangers mean less enforcement of rules and limited emergency assistance. Enhanced safety precautions, including carrying comprehensive first-aid kits, emergency communication devices such as satellite messengers or radios, and clearly understanding wilderness safety guidelines, become essential. Additionally, traveling with detailed maps and navigation systems can help avoid confusion or getting lost in areas where trails and signs are less frequently maintained.
Lastly, flexibility and patience are essential attitudes to adopt. Reduced park services might lead to longer waits at entrances or popular attractions and potentially fewer accessible areas. Adapting itineraries, visiting during less popular times or days, and exploring alternative nearby state parks or public lands can mitigate frustrations and enhance the overall experience.
While the budget reductions of 2025 present challenges, RV campers who embrace proactive planning, self-reliance, safety preparedness, and environmental responsibility will continue to enjoy rewarding adventures in America’s national parks.
Take extra precautions if you are in remote areas, hike or participate in activities that may cause injury as there may not be as many resources to help you in the event of a problem.
Be ready to practice patience and expect changes on the fly. Check on your reservations a few days before arriving and on services available or things you should know. Be ready to change your plans at the last minute and have a backup plan for where you can stay or park.
The best advice in any situation is to be optimistic but always go prepared. Even when circumstances are perfect things can go wrong. Go with a full tank of gas, extra gallons of water and food supplies in case you need to boondock for longer than expected.
National Parks and Links
The United States boasts 63 national parks, each offering unique landscapes and experiences. Below is a list of these national parks along with their official websites for more detailed information:
- Acadia National Park, Maine: https://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm
- Arches National Park, Utah: https://www.nps.gov/arch/index.htm
- Badlands National Park, South Dakota: https://www.nps.gov/badl/index.htm
- Big Bend National Park, Texas: https://www.nps.gov/bibe/index.htm
- Biscayne National Park, Florida: https://www.nps.gov/bisc/index.htm
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado: https://www.nps.gov/blca/index.htm
- Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah: https://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm
- Canyonlands National Park, Utah: https://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm
- Capitol Reef National Park, Utah: https://www.nps.gov/care/index.htm
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico: https://www.nps.gov/cave/index.htm
- Channel Islands National Park, California: https://www.nps.gov/chis/index.htm
- Congaree National Park, South Carolina: https://www.nps.gov/cong/index.htm
- Crater Lake National Park, Oregon: https://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio: https://www.nps.gov/cuva/index.htm
- Death Valley National Park, California and Nevada: https://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm
- Denali National Park, Alaska: https://www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm
- Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida: https://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm
- Everglades National Park, Florida: https://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm
- Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska: https://www.nps.gov/gaar/index.htm
- Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri: https://www.nps.gov/jeff/index.htm
- Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska: https://www.nps.gov/glba/index.htm
- Glacier National Park, Montana: https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm
- Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona: https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm
- Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming: https://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm
- Great Basin National Park, Nevada: https://www.nps.gov/grba/index.htm
- Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado: https://www.nps.gov/grsa/index.htm
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas: https://www.nps.gov/gumo/index.htm
- Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii: https://www.nps.gov/hale/index.htm
- Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm
- Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas: https://www.nps.gov/hosp/index.htm
- Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana: https://www.nps.gov/indu/index.htm
- Isle Royale National Park, Michigan: https://www.nps.gov/isro/index.htm
- Joshua Tree National Park, California: https://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm
- Katmai National Park, Alaska: https://www.nps.gov/katm/index.htm
- Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska: https://www.nps.gov/kefj/index.htm
- Kings Canyon National Park, California: https://www.nps.gov/seki/index.htm
- Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska: https://www.nps.gov/kova/index.htm
- Lake Clark National Park, Alaska: https://www.nps.gov/lacl/index.htm
- Lassen Volcanic National Park, California: https://www.nps.gov/lavo/index.htm
- Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky: https://www.nps.gov/maca/index.htm
- Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado: https://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm
- Mount Rainier National Park, Washington: https://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm