Visiting a National Park This Year? Here’s What to Bring Along.

After being cooped up for two long years, we’re overdue for a day in the sun and a big dose of nature. If you’re feeling the same way, you might be getting ready to hop in your car for a trip to the nearest national park. There will be wildlife and majestic scenery. There could also be traffic, facilities might be short-staffed, and you might not yet want to use public bathrooms.

As of right now, the strategies to operate safely vary by park, so check with your destination first. (In April of 2021, the NPS released a new, free app, available for iOS and Android devices, that has up-to-date information for the 423 parks in the system. Wirecutter trends writer Elissa Sanci used it, and a few other apps, to visit 14 national parks last year. ) For some parks, facilities may be closed or have limited hours and/or capacities Campgrounds may have limited availability, and even some park roads may be out of service or require reservations for entry. Wearing a mask is still required on all forms of public transportation within parks; masking policies elsewhere in each park will vary depending on COVID-19 levels in the surrounding communities.

All of this means that it’s still a good idea to assume your car will be your base camp, too. We’ve put together a list of our favorite gear for on-the-go handwashing, cleaning up, and eating alfresco. Find the full article writeen by Eve O'Neill here.