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12 things that surprised me about my first visit to a national park

Monica HumphriesOct 15, 2021, 03:39 IST

The author found 12 things surprising about her first trip to Rocky Mountain National Park.Monica Humphries/Insider

  • I've explored nature on my travels around the world, but I've never been to a US national park.
  • This fall, I headed to Rocky Mountain National Park in northern Colorado.
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As leaves turned vibrant colors this fall, I visited a national park for the first time and was met with a dozen surprises.

Three friends and experienced national-park visitors joined the author on the trip. Monica Humphries/Insider

Even though fall was in full swing when I visited, there were still crowds and long lines to enter the park.

In the afternoon, the line took about 15 minutes to get through. Monica Humphries/Insider
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But I was also shocked to find moments of solitude.

I wasn't sure if my friend group would find moments where we weren't surrounded by others, but we did. Monica Humphries/Insider

While there's plenty of room for improvement, the park was more accessible than I imagined.

A crosswalk intersecting a road at Rocky Mountain National Park. Monica Humphries/Insider
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I could see so much of the park from the front seat of my car.

A two-lane road at Rocky Mountain National Park. Monica Humphries/Insider

If you plan to drive up to high elevations, make sure to pack layers.

The author wearing layers on her visit to Rocky Mountain National Park. Monica Humphries/Insider
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While I layered up, I was surprised to see some visitors wearing jeans and other less outdoor-friendly outfits.

Groups overlooking the fall foliage at the national park. Monica Humphries/Insider

The park gets so packed, there are trolleys that drop visitors off at popular destinations.

Crowds load into a bus to take them back to another parking lot. Monica Humphries/Insider
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I spotted license plates from all across the country.

People travel from all across the continent to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. Monica Humphries/Insider

I was surprised to learn you can't bring your dog to most parts of the park.

A sign indicating that dogs aren't allowed in a region of the park. Monica Humphries/Insider
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I was also taken aback when I saw the gift shop.

An arrow points to the gift shop in the middle of Rocky Mountain National Park. Monica Humphries/Insider

Sticks mark the shocking height snow reaches each winter.

An arrow points to a stick that indicates snow levels. Monica Humphries/Insider
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I expected breathtaking scenery, but Rocky Mountain National Park's views were on a whole other level.

An elk at Rocky Mountain National Park. Monica Humphries/Insider
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