Camping mixed with outdoor activity is a great way to get 
ourselves involved with nature. National Parks can provide 
an excellent backdrop for some of your outdoor activities. 
Activities such as hiking, fishing, cycling, horseback riding, 
white water rafting and kayaking, skiing, rock climbing and 
mountaineering are just a few of the sports you might want to 
include on your camping adventure.

It’s important when traveling to bring along the proper clothing. 
Always include some rain and windwear, a fleece jacket is also a 
good idea. A first aid kit and plenty of drinking water should 
always be available. Of course if you are planning on doing any 
outdoor activities in the winter you will need more clothing 
etc. Bring along your bicycles and hiking boots if you have 
them. Usually equipment rentals will be available for activities 
you don’t usually do.

Whatever outdoor activity you decide on pursuing, it’s always a 
great idea to do a little research. Most of the National Parks 
you will be visiting have excellent web sites that you can look 
into and see what sort of hiking trails and activities are 
available. Information such as popular points of interest in the 
parks will also be available in travel books and park brochures. 
Depending on where you will be staying you can also research the 
area you will be visiting for information on bicycle rentals, 
kayak rentals and lessons, and boating. There will be different 
outfitters available in the area that may offer excursions and 
rentals through the park you are visiting.

One of the most convenient and popular camping activities is 
hiking trails. For some people a hike can consist of a simple 
walk around the park, while others prefer a much lengthier hike. 
Regardless of what sort of hike you will be taking, a little 
preparation will go a long way in ensuring a comfortable 
journey. Hiking trails offer highly scenic and incredible 
views of nature. Hiking is a wonderful way to view nature at 
its finest, as the parks really are preserving special pieces 
of our wilderness. Depending on what park you will be hiking, 
the trails will offer different ranges of difficulty levels. 
Many trails will lead to scenic vistas as easy hikes, while 
other hikes may be significantly more challenging and too steep 
for some. 

Always be prepared for the weather when hiking, carry a daypack 
with some water, a rain/wind jacket, a fleece/wool jacket or 
sweater, a first aid kit and some food. Good hiking boots are 
essential. On some of your hikes it is quite likely you will 
come across wildlife such as moose, black bears and grizzly 
bears, big horn sheep and deer. It is a good idea to know what 
you should and should not do when coming across animals, parks 
often will have signs up if animals have been sighted in the 
campground.

Fishing is a wonderful way to enjoy the sport and see beautiful 
streams, ocean, lakes and rivers all over the United States. 
National Parks offer both freshwater and saltwater fishing. 
Check with the state fishing regulations for exact dates and 
detailed fishing information, including proper license 
requirements. Some fishing opportunities will require overnight 
backcountry use permits. It is always important to respect the 
park you are fishing in to maintain the quality waters that 
protect the natural fish populations and food sources for bald 
eagles, ospreys and otters among others.

Cycling is an excellent and convenient way to explore the 
national park or area where you are staying. Bringing along 
bicycles allows you to just get up and go wherever you are. It 
is important to check beforehand as to where cycling is allowed. 
Most National Parks only allow biking on the paved and 
backcountry dirt roads throughout the parks. Most hiking trails 
do not allow bicycles. Most of your cycling through the parks 
will be done on the same roads used for cars, for this reason 
special caution should be used; stay alert and be visible using 
both head and tail lights along with reflective clothing. Look 
into the area you will be camping in, there may be trails 
available specifically for cycling.

Horseback riding might be a fun and exciting option while 
visiting a national park. Several parks offer gravel roads for 
horseback riding, certain parks also have horse rentals and 
guided excursions available. A list of stables and outfitters 
can be obtained at visitor centers, or checked through travel 
guides and brochures.

Whitewater rafting is one of the most unique and invigorating 
ways to visit a parks backcountry. Some of the most incredible 
National Parks may have river rafting excursions that travel 
through the park, the river rafting is usually offered by 
various companies and outfitters. If whitewater rafting sounds 
a bit too dangerous, perhaps a kayaking excursion through one of 
the splendid rivers would seem wiser. Imagine kayaking through 
one of the popular National Parks past geysers, hot spring and 
mud pots. Kayaking is a wonderful way to explore areas that are 
untouched by vehicle or foot traffic. 

Cross country skiing is another popular way for the whole family 
to visit and see beautiful winter landscapes. Many parks have 
several excellent trails available for cross country skiing. 
Several National Parks will offer novice, intermediate and 
advanced trails for skiing. Cross country skiing is a wonderful 
way to experience the parks wilderness during the winter season. 
Snowshoeing trails may also be available in parks.

The U.S. National Parks offer some of the most incredible rock 
climbing and mountaineering pursuits in the world. Rock climbing 
and mountaineering are usually sports reserved for people with 
a bit of experience. Rock climbing and mountaineering can offer 
wonderful and different perspectives of the landscapes. Both 
sports demand having the proper equipment and knowledge for 
safety reasons. Many National Parks offer established climbing 
routes that will have a wide range of difficulty levels; usually 
no permits are needed, unless an overnight stay in backcountry is 
involved. It is important to check weather conditions beforehand 
and use caution, never climb alone.

What better way to experience some of the most beautiful scenery 
in the world than with some fun outdoor activities. The options 
for outdoor activities are endless. Whether you decide to visit 
any of the amazing National Parks or choose to go camping in a 
favorite spot the list is limitless. Many of the activities you 
might be interested in will be available in the towns near the 
parks. Various outfitters and companies outside some of the 
popular National Parks will offer excursions that go into the 
parks. Whatever activity you decide to enjoy, it is always wise 
to do a little research to know ahead of time what to expect, 
always check what the weather conditions will be to avoid any 
dangerous situations.