Tick tock: it’s time to plan your US national park visit

If you want to head to one of the USA’s national parks this summer, the time to start planning is now. [Friday Around the Planet - Your source for all things travel news](www.lonelyplanet.com) Friday Around the Planet January 13, 2023   This week: If you want to head to one of the USA’s national parks this summer, it's time to start planning. [Crowds of visitors in Yosemite National Park looking at Half Dome. ] The early bird gets the permit Ever eager to add another stamp to my [Passport to the National Parks]( I have a calendar alert in my phone set for March 1. It’ll be my second year entering the lottery for a permit to hike [Yosemite’s Half Dome,]( which I hope to combine with a [Yosemite Conservancy]( art class. If you’re hoping to visit one of the more popular parks this summer, you should start planning now, as many places require timed reservations or permits. Lodging within the park – especially at iconic places like [Many Glacier]( – also fills up well in advance. Here’s a guide to what you can expect at the USA’s national parks in 2023. [Read more]( A toolkit for planning your national parks visit Bookmark these links as you prepare for your summer trip. Free parks days 2023 If you’re looking to trim your budget, the National Parks Service will offer five “fee free” days in 2023. Monday (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) is the first one this year. Here are the others. [Read more]( [Woman with backpack in a snowy Arches National Park](   Save these dates for reservations and permits Whether you want to try scaling Angels Landing, drive Glacier’s Going-to-the-Sun Road or access another popular park attraction, you’ll likely need a permit. Here’s a list of calendar alerts to add to your phone. [Read more]( [Hikers on chain section of Angels Landing in Zion National Park.](   12 stunning lodges to book in the heart of US National Parks Many of the USA’s most majestic parks have unique lodges that will add charm to your visit…as long as you plan and book well ahead. Here are some stunning ones to consider. [Read more]( [Balcony with chair with view of lush mountain.](   More hot topics from the week - [Travel to Berlin on a new night train]( - [Stargazing 2023: when and where to see planets, comets and eclipses this year]( - [15 best places to go off the grid around the world in 2023]( - [10 things that make us happy to travel in 2023](   Trending destination this week Utah Home to Arches, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, Utah is the place for an epic driving tour of the “Mighty Five.” But don’t write off all the other exciting parts of the state as well. [Read more](   Plan a trip - [The best time to go to Utah: from ski season to hot summer hikes]( - [I just got back from Moab, Utah]( - [Hiking, swimming, skiing and more of the best things to do with kids in Utah]( - [15 unique activities to add to your Utah bucket list](   This email was sent to you by: Lonely Planet Publications Ltd. | 1101 Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29707 © 2022 Lonely Planet [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy](