About ParkPlanner

ParkPlanner is the pre-trip research done once: which season fits, which entrance avoids the line, which hikes are the reason you came, and what the park actually costs.

ParkPlanner exists because national park trips are won in the planning — permits, timed entries, and seasonal road closures decide more than fitness does. Eighteen flagship parks, each reduced to the decisions that matter.

ParkPlanner is organized so you can browse by collection or jump straight to an entry. Each entry keeps to the same shape — the facts at a glance, then the plain-language detail — so comparing two entries takes seconds, not tab-juggling.

The project is independent and ad-supported. We are not affiliated with any brand, agency, or organization whose work we reference. Corrections and suggestions are genuinely welcome via the contact page.

What makes ParkPlanner different

• Your numbers never leave your browser. Every calculator on ParkPlanner runs entirely on your device. We never see, store, or transmit the figures you enter — there are no accounts and no server-side processing of your inputs.
• Published methodology. Each calculator page explains the exact formula it uses and the assumptions behind it, so you can check our work or reproduce it in a spreadsheet.
• Free, forever, without a paywall. ParkPlanner is supported by advertising. There is no premium tier, no email gate, and no upsell.

Independence

ParkPlanner is an independent educational project. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government agency, lender, insurer, or the organizations whose formulas and public data we reference (such as National Park Service published guidance). All trademarks and referenced standards belong to their respective owners.

Questions, corrections, or suggestions are genuinely welcome — get in touch.