Chasing Magic with Chelsey

These are the 5 things that surprised us the most during our National Parks road trip ⛰️👇

1. The mountains are COLD.. even in the summer. 🥶
We definitely underestimated the temperature changes at higher elevations. Pack layers…or do what I did and use it as an excuse to shop in the gift shop. 😂

2. Some mountain roads are not for the faint of heart. 😅
Not every scenic drive has guardrails, and some roads have pretty steep drop-offs. If heights make you nervous, make sure you really trust whoever’s driving.

3. Wildlife traffic is a real thing. 🦬
Forget rush hour! Sometimes you’ll be sitting in traffic because there’s a herd of bison crossing the road. Honestly, it’s part of the experience. Roll the windows down, be patient, and enjoy the moment.

4. Get to the popular spots EARLY. 🌅
We learned this the hard way at Grand Teton. Parking filled up quickly, and arriving earlier would have saved us a lot of time and frustration.

5. Every park has different rules. 📍
Don’t assume they’re all the same! For example, Rocky Mountain National Park requires a timed entry reservation before certain times of the day, and Bear Lake has its own separate timed entry requirement. A little planning ahead can save a lot of stress!

✨ Which National Park is at the top of your bucket list? Tell me below!

📌 Save this for your future road trip!