Hi, friend! Today, I’m sharing my ultimate packing list for a National Park trip. My boyfriend and I recently went on a trip to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks and it was a blast! We went in mid-September, so keep that in mind when reading the list. To prepare for our trip, I did a lot of research about what gear and clothing to bring. To be honest, I got a little overwhelmed. I know these are popular national parks that get tons of visitors each year, so I thought I would share what I packed in case that helps anyone else planning a trip there!
When visiting Grand Teton or Yellowstone in late summer/early fall, make sure you bring lots of layers so you can be prepared for any kind of weather. It can get pretty warm in the afternoons and very cold at night. Grand Teton and Yellowstone are relatively close to each other, so we were able to fit both into one trip. Also, I highly recommend getting a National Parks Pass. It will be worth it, I promise!
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Okay, let’s get into my ultimate packing list for Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Parks!
Clothing
- Outdoor Voices Rectrek Shorts (affiliate link) – I love these shorts. they’re cute, quick-drying, comfortable, and great to wear on hikes.
- Kinfield bug spray and relief balm – Kinfield’s golden hour is my favorite bug spray! It doesn’t have any of the harmful chemicals that normal bug sprays have. Plus, it smells great. The relief balm is great, too if you do end up getting some bites.
- Patagonia Better Sweater – This is the perfect mid-weight layer. I wear it all the time during the colder months.
- R.E.I. beanie – Gotta keep your head warm!
- Leggings – Be sure to pack leggings! I can’t go on any camping trip without at least one pair. My favorites are from Girlfriend Collective. P.S. I have a referral code for Girlfriend Collective! Get $10 off your first purchase of $95 or more with this link π
- Base layer tights – I purchased these REI merino wool long baselayer tights right before we left for the trip and I’m SO glad that I did. They kept me warm when the temps dropped at night
- Girlfriend Collective Undress (affiliate link) – I love my GF collective undress and wear it all the time, so of course, I had to bring it on the trip.
- Baseball cap (affiliate link) – I recommend bringing a hat that will protect you from the sun. I brought my Outdoor Voices “doing things” hat since we were in fact doing things.
- Gilly Hicks Bike Shorts (affiliate link) – My first pair of bike shorts! Can you believe it? These were great to wear on hikes when it was pretty warm outside.
- Swimsuit (affiliate link) – I brought my swimsuit, but sadly we didn’t end up swimming. There were a couple of days where it was hot enough at Jenny Lake at Grand Teton where other people were swimming, though. Bring a swimsuit just in case!
- Patagonia Base Layer – Bring a base layer to wear under your clothes when it’s cold out. Just make sure this isn’t cotton! Go for a synthetic or wool blend instead. In my opinion, you can never go wrong with Patagonia.
- Rain jacket – I took this Arc’teryx jacket on the trip. It’s lightweight and packs up very nicely. Thankfully, we only got rained on a couple of times. I did use it a couple of times as a windbreaker it worked well.
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Shoes/Socks
I am a notorious over-packer. So you can imagine my pride when I only brought two pairs of shoes on this trip. It ended up working out really well for me.
- Wool socks – Wool socks are a must for keeping your toes warm when temperatures drop. Smartwool socks (affiliate link) are a great quality option.
- Columbia Hiking Boots (affiliate link) – I’ve had the Columbia Newton Ridge boots for a little over a year and I love them. They’re waterproof, comfortable, and stylish.
- Chacos (affiliate link) – I’ve been a Chaco fan for years now. They’re great for a water shoe or a casual shoe. I wouldn’t wear them on a hike, though.
Camping Essentials
- Tent – This wouldn’t be my ultimate packing list for a national park camping trip without a tent. We just used a cheap tent that my boyfriend bought a few years ago. It works and packs nicely, though. If you are in need of a tent, I recommend going to R.E.I. and asking the store associates for advice. They are always super nice and helpful.
- Sleeping bag – We have the Sierra Designs duo sleeping bag from Target (affiliate link). It’s good for temperatures as low as 30 degrees, which was perfect for this trip.
- Sleeping pad – A good sleeping pad is necessary if you want to get any good rest, in my opinion. We have the lightspeed outdoors double sleeping pad. I was impressed with how good it is!
- Pillows – Don’t forget your pillows! We used some cheap ones from Dick’s Sporting Goods. Honestly, I regret getting these. Good pillows are essential for me to get a good night’s sleep and these just weren’t it. I wish I had gotten something better quality.
- Water bottle – Hydration is very important when you’re hiking or out and about all day. Especially when you’re in a higher-altitude area that you’re not used to. Make sure you hydrate!!! I brought my 40 oz Hydroflask aka my emotional support water bottle.
- French Press – Coffee is an absolute necessity for us. Yes, I know how dramatic that sounds. We have this special french press for camping from Stanley that you can heat over a fire. The only qualm I have with it is you can’t fill it up to the fill line without it spilling out when you try to press it.
- Utensils – It’s the worst thing when you spend a long time making a meal at your campsite just to realize you don’t have utensils! Don’t let yourself make that mistake. We have these utensils that are fork on one side, spoon on the other. They’re the best. You can find special ones at just about any outdoor store, but you can also just bring regular cutlery.
Other Camping Gear to Pack
- Bear Spray – Bear spray is a must when you’re hiking or camping in bear country. Both Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone are in bear country. Think of it like insurance: get it just in case. You’ll be relieved if you don’t end up needing it. And if you do need it, you’ll be so glad that you have it. You can rent or purchase bear spray at several different places around the park. Just remember you can’t bring it on an airplane – not even in your checked bag! Also, make sure you read the directions.
- Hand Warmers – Hand warmers were such a lifesaver when it got down to 30 degrees when we were camping. Consider getting some if you’re camping during the spring or fall.
- Headlamp/flashlight – A must-have for any camping/hiking/backpacking trip.
- Travel Towel – Get a quick-drying microfiber towel. They’re great when you’re camping and need to shower or if you go swimming. I got this one from R.E.I.
- Cocokind SPF (affiliate link) – My favorite everyday SPF!
- First Aid Kit – Same sentiment as bear spray. If you don’t need it, great! If you do end up needing it, you’ll be so glad you have it.
Thanks so much for reading my ultimate packing list for a national park trip. Whether you’re planning on visiting Grand Teton, Yellowstone, or your local national park, I hope you found this list helpful! If you’ve ever been to these parks or if there’s something you can never leave for a camping trip without, leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you!
xo,
Kyndal
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