Once we decided which parks we wanted to visit and mapped out the trip; I had a timeline to work with for planning lodging. I had visited many blog sites and purchased “Your Guide to the National Parks”; Michael Joseph Oswald and “Moon, USA National Parks, The Complete Guide to all 63 Parks”; Becky Lomax. Both books are excellent and were purchased for specific reasons. I purchased the Lomax book because it provided a plan for each park; highlighting “If you only have one day to see the park.” I purchased the Oswald book for the large size maps it provides of each park. Everything I read said make your reservations at least a year in advance. I started making reservations as soon as possible, not quite a year in advance, and I only ran into a few places where I did not get my first choice. I do not recommend this approach, but this was my experience. I worked on the same Excel spread sheet under a new tab – Lodging. I recorded all pertinent data related a to our reservation.
| Hotel | Check IN | Address | Phone # | Check out | Confirmation # | Cancellation Date | Cost | Amt Paid | Paid by |
| Maswick Lodge South Rim Grand Canyon | XX | 202 South Village Loop Grand Canyon AZ | 928-638-2631 | xx | 123456 | xx | $$ | $$ | JSC |
Additional columns to the right held a column for my friend and what she paid and then notes. Notes contain specifics about the room such as Microwave and fridge, and a second column of notes contain sights we do not want to miss and any scheduled tours- the site, date and time. We purchased the senior pass to the national parks which covers the entry fee to each park through out the country. Additionally, some parks require a timed entry pass that you must register for. This reservation determines the date and time that you may enter the park.If you do not have this pass, you will only be permitted to enter at off times, and from what I have read, the lines are very long. I purchased timed reservation passes for Glacier, Rocky Mountain, and Arches. The Recreation.Gov site sells the timed reservation passes. Read carefully to determine if the park you are visiting requires this additional step. Most parks will clearly state they do or do not require timed entry passes. Both the recreation.gov and the National Park System -NPS have Apps, which I downloaded. The apps are quite helpful for the trip. The NPS app provides maps, activities, lodging in the area, self guided tours, park news ie – road closures, park calendar – events, park ranger tours, day hikes and things to do. The recreation .gov -app stores your timed entry passes for easy access to enter the park. Although I printed mine out also- just in case. They provide maps of the parks, as well as, reservations for lodging, activities, and campgrounds. That is a brief synopsis of both apps; they are very helpful.
Next look for Trip Activities.
joansantacroce 