Gear up for summer national park escapades with these REI Anniversary Sale deals

Yahoo

16-05-2025

Every summer growing up, my family would pack into our SUV and road trip from Michigan, racking up miles to visit state and national parks. Since moving out West, I've explored even more to my list — and the gear below has made every trip more enjoyable.Planning to check a few national parks off your list this summer, or better yet, visit your first one? Now's the time to get ready — REI's Anniversary Sale kicks off today, Friday, May 16, and runs through Memorial Day weekend, but there are already deals to shop now. From jackets and tents to hiking gear and trail runners, the outdoor retailer's got everything you need to experience what's been called "America's best idea."
So you've bought your pass, you're all set, right? Not exactly. During the busy season, some parks require a timed entry permit as well as an entry pass. Dates and times vary, so make sure to check out the park's website before you go. Here is a list of those that require a reservation:
Acadia National Park
Arches National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Glacier National Park
Haleakala National Park
Mount Rainier National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
Shenandoah National Park
Yosemite National Park
Zion National Park
Forgot to get a permit and already have everything booked? You can always get in before or after the reservation time. For example, Rocky Mountain National Park has a permit requirement between 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Get there before or after that window and you're fine.
I recently took a trip to Moab, Utah, the gateway town to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Both my daughter and I are early risers, so we had no problem getting up, dressed and on the road right as the sun came up. No line at the entrance, parking was plentiful, the trails were empty, life was good. By 11 a.m. each day, we were leaving the park to head back to our hotel for nap time and the lines were incredible. We're talking over an hour just to get in and that was midweek in March, not exactly prime time.
Parking was even worse, with people waiting behind our car for us to leave. We went back around the time most people were leaving to go find dinner, and the lines were gone again. If you want to spend most of your day looking at a park's beautiful natural features and not the back of some other family's SUV, get there early or go for sunset. Those times are better for photos and seeing wildlife anyway.
As a one-time video producer, I'm used to micro-planning a trip, hoping to squeeze every ounce of joy out of it. Ironically, when you do that, you're usually getting the opposite of what you intended. Kids don't follow schedules. Neither does wildlife. While it is great to have a rough plan, don't expect to follow it exactly. Leave time for unexpected encounters like a herd of bison on the road in Yellowstone or stopping to watch a moose and her calf eat in Glacier. The first time I visited the Grand Canyon, I just stood there for 15 minutes, moved to tears.
There are a lot of ways to experience a national park. When I visited Glacier, I camped and hiked the entire time. My first park, though, was Mammoth Cave in Kentucky — I was 7, my sister was 5, and we stayed in a hotel, eating at restaurants. No camping involved. The only constant? I always wanted to be comfortable in my clothing. Of course, what you pack depends on where and when you're going. It snowed during my August trip to Yellowstone. Acadia in July? It hit 90 degrees. But no matter the destination, here are a few basics to bring for a summer visit.
Hiking is my favorite thing to do in a national park, though rafting, fishing and climbing are all great too. There's just so much you can do in the parks! Whether you plan on hiking the backcountry or you're just sticking to the popular paved paths, a daypack is an essential when it comes to keeping water, food, first aid and your camera with you at all times.
When it comes to camping, just about any tent will do, but I always make sure to bring along a quality sleeping pad and a sleeping bag rated for lower temperatures than are in the forecast. I'd rather be warm and have to unzip my bag than be shivering myself to sleep at night.
When it comes to hiking and spending time outdoors, it is important to be responsible for your own safety. You never know when you might find yourself alone, miles from your car or tent, and in need of some help.
That's why it's important to bring along what is called the 10 essentials, which are basically an outdoor emergency kit.
Navigation (I usually bring my phone with maps already downloaded)
Sun protection like sunscreen, sunglasses or UV blocking clothing
Extra insulating layers for when things get cold, wet and windy
Illumination (headlamp or flashlight)
First-aid kit
Fire (like a lighter or waterproof matches)
Multitool
Food and snacks (more than just that granola bar that has spent years in your backpack)
Water (and a water filter to get more when you run out)
An emergency shelter to keep you from the elements
Now, if you're just running from the parking lot 50 feet down the trail to check out the Grand Canyon, some of this may seem a bit overkill. But if you're spending any kind of time away from your car or shelter, it can't hurt to have them all along. Heck, if you're in your car, you can keep a kit in the trunk and always be at the ready.