When our wedding was canceled, we decided to take a honeymoon road trip out west

Problem is, a lot of Americans had the same idea

We thought it might be helpful if we shared what we learned traveling to US National Parks during the coronavirus pandemic

(Thread)
1. Expect to encounter ppl from all over the US. In one parking lot alone I counted license plates from twenty different US states. #coronavirus #nationalparks
1. Expect to encounter ppl from all over the US. In one parking lot alone I counted license plates from twenty different US states. #coronavirus #nationalparks
1. Expect to encounter ppl from all over the US. In one parking lot alone I counted license plates from twenty different US states. #coronavirus #nationalparks
1. Expect to encounter ppl from all over the US. In one parking lot alone I counted license plates from twenty different US states. #coronavirus #nationalparks
1. Expect to encounter ppl from all over the US. In one parking lot alone I counted license plates from twenty different US states. #coronavirus #nationalparks
2. While the great outdoors can be safe if you get far enough away from tourist hubs, some trails are crowded and not everyone wears masks.

Here at Old Faithful in @YellowstoneNPS hundreds gathered in crowds to watch the geyser go off, so we made sure to keep our masks on. – bei Old Faithful Geyser
3. Closures closures closures. Don’t rely on national park maps, make sure to ask what’s really open at entrance stations. Most visitor centers are closed.

#coronavirus #yellowstone – bei Lake Lodge & Cabins Yellowstone National Park
3. Closures closures closures. Don’t rely on national park maps, make sure to ask what’s really open at entrance stations. Most visitor centers are closed. #coronavirus #yellowstone – bei Lake Lodge & Cabins Yellowstone National Park
3. Closures closures closures. Don’t rely on national park maps, make sure to ask what’s really open at entrance stations. Most visitor centers are closed. #coronavirus #yellowstone – bei Lake Lodge & Cabins Yellowstone National Park
4. Expect long lines for groceries, bathrooms, everything. Most indoor spaces have limited capacity... so bathrooms that have 20 stalls may only let four people in at a time.

This pic was from minute 30 of waiting in line at the Jenny Lake store to buy firewood. #coronavirus
4. Expect long lines for groceries, bathrooms, everything. Most indoor spaces have limited capacity... so bathrooms that have 20 stalls may only let four people in at a time. This pic was from minute 30 of waiting in line at the Jenny Lake store to buy firewood. #coronavirus
4. Expect long lines for groceries, bathrooms, everything. Most indoor spaces have limited capacity... so bathrooms that have 20 stalls may only let four people in at a time. This pic was from minute 30 of waiting in line at the Jenny Lake store to buy firewood. #coronavirus
5. After a 15 mile hike we came down to the Jenny Lake ferry to a wait time of an hour to get on the boat, because they were only filling it at half capacity for social distancing.

Pack more water than you think you need. One woman fainted while we were waiting in line. – bei Grand Teton National Park
6. There are less tour buses. A Yellowstone ranger told me that the park is at 51% capacity at night, 91% at the entrances. Without big tour buses there are less people in the park.

Here, a Yellowstone employee picks up a medical mask off a geyser at Old Faithful
Many lodges are closed. Those that aren’t have shuttered restaurants and empty lobbies to prevent congregation.

This is the famous Lake Yellowstone Hotel. Staff said it hasn’t been this empty since WWII.

#coronavirus #nationalparks #traveltips – bei Lake Yellowstone Hotel
8. Limited lodging means campgrounds fill up quick. By 7am, we counted 33 cars waiting to get into the famous Jenny Lake campground. (Only 10 got spots). Luckily, we had arrived at 430am and were third in line. – bei Jenny Lake
8. Limited lodging means campgrounds fill up quick. By 7am, we counted 33 cars waiting to get into the famous Jenny Lake campground. (Only 10 got spots). Luckily, we had arrived at 430am and were third in line. – bei Jenny Lake
8. Limited lodging means campgrounds fill up quick. By 7am, we counted 33 cars waiting to get into the famous Jenny Lake campground. (Only 10 got spots). Luckily, we had arrived at 430am and were third in line. – bei Jenny Lake
10. We met a LOT of honeymooners - we thought we were unique traveling instead of wedding but met dozens of couples who were doing the same. 🤪
11. National Park staff deserve a lot of credit. They are trying their best to make this summer as normal as possible and keep everyone safe.

This sign from Yellowstone is my favorite - they’ve adapted the animal warning to include social distancing as well. @YellowstoneNPS
12. The animals aren’t aware there is covid and will take your mind off the state of the world for a bit. About a mile from the main tourist hubs you can be alone and take off your mask.
13. Remember, not everyone is approaching the pandemic the same. While lost on our canoe trip, we asked a fisherman in Wyoming where we were. I put on a mask to approach and he looked startled. Turns out he thought coronavirus was over. – bei Foote Public Access
14. Lastly, no one wants to touch your phone to take a picture of you. Either bring a selfie stick or accept that this year no ones coming home with great photos. #coronavirus #traveltips #nationalpark @YellowstoneNPS @GrandTetonNPS
Last tip - be mindful of what roads you’re taking

Google Maps took us on a route through Red Shirt, SD on our way to the Badlands and we were stopped at the border of the Pine Ridge Reservation and asked to turn back

Understandably, no tourists allowed through due to covid
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