Group camping and national park itineraries
Trip ideas · Camping and national parks
Group camping goes best with one campsite, early starts for the big hike, and easy afternoons so everyone has energy for the campfire. These national park weekends are planned that way, with tips on permits, water and campsites.
Itineraries
- Springdale, UTOutdoorsA Zion National Park weekendPa'rus TrailRiverside Walk and The NarrowsCanyon Overlook TrailEmerald Pools Trail3 days12 stopsSee the plan
- Joshua Tree, CAOutdoorsA Joshua Tree camping weekendJoshua Tree Visitor CenterRyan Mountain TrailPioneertownHidden Valley Nature Trail3 days13 stopsSee the plan
- Yosemite National Park, CAOutdoorsA Yosemite camping weekendYosemite Valley Welcome CenterMist Trail to Vernal FallGlacier PointLower Yosemite Fall Trail3 days11 stopsSee the plan
- Grand Canyon National Park, AZOutdoorsA Grand Canyon South Rim camping weekendMather PointYaki PointGrandview PointRim Trail3 days18 stopsSee the plan
Planning tips
Reserve early
Popular campgrounds open months ahead and fill in minutes. Have a few people try at once, and put the confirmation on the plan.
Share the gear
Tents, stoves and coolers only need one or two people to bring them. In Freya's checklist, people claim them, and everyone can see what's still missing.
Split by fitness
Mark the big hike as optional and set who's going. The rest of the group can take an easy trail and meet up for lunch.
Plan for no signal
Cell service is patchy in most parks. Freya works offline, so the plan, directions and checklist are still there.
Group camping packing list
Shared gear one person brings, gear a few people bring, and what everyone packs for themselves. Add it to Freya and friends claim what they’re bringing.
Questions
What do you need for a group camping trip?
Shared gear (tents, a stove, a cooler, lanterns, a first aid kit) and personal gear (sleeping bag, pad, headlamp, layers, water bottle). The group camping packing list splits them, so shared gear gets claimed once and everyone packs their own.
How far ahead should we book a campsite?
For popular national parks, as soon as reservations open, often five or six months ahead on recreation.gov. Weekday and shoulder-season trips are easier to book.
What's a good first national park trip with friends?
Joshua Tree and Zion are easy weekends from Los Angeles and Las Vegas, with short hikes for everyone and bigger ones for those who want them. Yosemite and the Grand Canyon are worth a longer drive.