Exploring desert-like national parks, such as Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park in Moab, Utah, requires careful planning. It doesn’t take long for the body to become severely dehydrated, and when you’re wandering about in direct sun chances of dehydration go up considerably. Let’s take a look at a few safety tips for ensuring your next national park trip to Canyonlands or similar park goes well. After all, you don’t want to pass out and have carrion birds circling around your lifeless body, right??
Know Where the Park Tourism Center is Located
Whether hiking or driving through a desert national park, you’re going to need an exact idea of where the park’s tourism center is located. Here you will find bathrooms, water bottle vending machines, and friendly park rangers/staff happy to answer any questions you have. It’s also important to know where this center is in case of emergency, such as you or one of your companions taking a nasty spill.
The tourism center isn’t the only place bathrooms are located, as Canyonlands, Arches and many other national parks feature latrines. These “military toilets” are essentially permanent port-a-johns, and most are found at campsite areas.
Bring Water. Lots. Of. Water.
This tip cannot be emphasized enough. You don’t have to be hiking in a desert park during the summer to become dehydrated. Hiking in the fall is just as dangerous if you don’t have a water bottle in hand–after all, trees are few and far between, or non-existent at such parks. Large shrubs aren’t much help either, unless you’re dying to disturb whatever wildlife is hanging out there. Parks generally recommend drinking at least one gallon of water per day, so bring several canteens, containers or sizeable water bottles depending how long you plan to hike. And whatever you decide to bring, you should probably add at least one more bottle to that!
Remain Cautious and Respectful of Wildlife
Wildlife found at Arches and similar parks can carry deadly diseases, including the hantavirus, rabies and the friggin’ bubonic plague. They also may become aggressive without warning, so remember never to approach them or attempt to take pictures. Examples of animals around Canyonlands include midget-faded rattlesnakes, scorpions, black widow spiders and black bears.
Be Careful When Climbing
It’s usually pretty easy to climb “slick rock,” but a lot harder to climb down. If climbing is part of your fun, be aware of loose rock and stay extra cautious if conditions are the least bit wet or icy.
Know What to Do in Case of Flash Flooding and Lightning
Storms and flash floods can occur in–you guessed it–a flash. If you are in a park and it begins to thunderstorm, stay the heck away from any of the few trees scattered about. If it’s flooding, get back to your car as soon as possible and wait the storm out.
Keep these tips in mind and enjoy exploring desert parks! Their beauty and majesty is truly something to behold. Have fun, and be safe!