Use Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov is referred to quite a bit in this book. This website and accompanying mobile app are easy to use. It’s best to have an account to make reservations. Yet, for only single reservations, you can now check out as a guest. Find out more and download the mobile app from Recreation.gov.
This website has more than 113,000 reservable sites all across the United States. Having an account with them and using the mobile app will make it easy to reserve sites in all the places the system is used. Some first-come, first-served locations also allow for payment through the app using the scan and pay option. Simply scan the provided QR code at these locations and make payment through your account. This works without cell service.

First, set up an account on their website with your information and credit card and get familiar with how it works. For popular reservations, being logged in and ready to go a few minutes before permits open will give you a better chance of success.

If you are able to secure a reservation, don’t hesitate! Once you “book,” you only have 15 minutes to complete the reservation. If you don’t complete the reservation in that time, the reservation is released back into the system. Keep this in mind, and if you didn’t succeed at first, try about 15 minutes later. Someone may not have completed their transaction in those 15 minutes.

Pay Your Fees

You may find a Fee Station with pay envelopes at some trailheads, campgrounds, or park entrances. They take cash or checks only. This is where having single dollar bills will come in handy. Some trail fees are only $5.

Not paying fees is really bad form. Fees are important as they help fund visitor services, law enforcement, and other resources.

Look the Part

We cannot express enough the importance of staying hydrated.

Drink water! Drink a gallon of water a day, especially when it’s hot.

Do as the locals do: buy a water bottle that is at least 32oz and show your personality by covering it up with your favorite stickers. Carry your water bottle with you and remember to drink. Restaurants will happily fill it for you.

Only 5% of plastic water bottles are recycled, and the water in Moab tastes good. Carrying your own water bottle is smart. And, you will look cool.