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We've gathered some tips and tricks for getting the most out of trips to national parks below.

Be Realistic About Your Boundaries

Not all national parks are the same, and some require more physical activity than others. You might also have to travel hours away from your home to visit these locations. For example, it's around a 4.5-hour drive from the Bethesda Gardens assisted living community in Arlington, TX, to Big Thicket National Preserve.

Think about factors such as:

• How far are you willing to travel? You can consider national parks within those limits. State parks also offer options for connecting with nature and history and may be closer to your location.
• Are you comfortable traveling alone? If not, consider planning a road trip with family or friends to see some national parks and other sites. You could also see if there's a charter or an option to join a senior travel group.
• What are your physical limitations? Exploring national parks can require a high level of mobility. Many include hiking trails or other exploration options. Consider what you're comfortable doing and whether the national park in question has options that work within those boundaries.

Do Plenty of Research and Planning

Start planning your trip online. Visit the websites for the national parks you're interested in. Many park websites include information such as:

• Maps. You can get an idea of trail systems, amenities and accessibility accommodations on park maps.
• Amenity lists. Look for options you're interested in, such as camping, hiking, fishing or bird-watching. You can also find out whether drinking water, food or other necessities are available on-site or you need to plan to bring them.
• Park-specific safety information. Pay close attention to this type of information, as park rangers often update it as needed. It can include tips about what to bring to best enjoy the park, specific risks to keep an eye out for and how weather might impact your adventure.
  
  
• Special programs. You may want to time your visit to a park during a special program, such as a guided hike, bird-watching event or historical reenactment. Most parks publish information about these types of programs on their websites.

Get a Senior Pass for National Parks

Not all national parks charge admission, but many do. You can pay $10 to $50 per vehicle or person for entry into parks, depending on entry fees. However, if you're 62 or older, you can buy an annual or lifetime pass that's accepted by the National Wildlife Service and many other federal park and land agencies. An annual pass costs $20, and a lifetime pass costs $80 — both represent substantial savings for older adults who may want to visit these areas regularly.

Those with a permanent disability may qualify for a free access pass, but this does come with a $10 administrative fee.

Texas National Parks That Charge Entrance Fees

According to the National Parks Service, the following parks in Texas do charge fees.

• Big Bend National Park: $30 per vehicle or $55 annual
• Fort Davis National Historic Site: $20 per vehicle, $10 per person or $35 annual
• Guadalupe Mountains National Park: $10 per person or $35 annual
• Padre Island National Seashore: $25 per vehicle, $15 per person or $45 annual
• Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River: $30 per vehicle

You're charged the per vehicle price if you enter in a car, truck, van or other private vehicle. If a park charges a per-vehicle and a per-person fee, the per-person fee is for those who enter on foot or via bicycle.

If you're interested in researching the costs of entry into national parks outside the Lone Star State, you can review entrance and parking fees of parks in other states.

Read Signs and Kiosks and Ask Questions at the Park

Most national parks include visitor centers or kiosks. Stop at these locations to read any important information for safety and pick up maps or other helpful documents. If a park ranger is on-site, take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions. These professionals are incredibly knowledgeable about the areas they work in, and they can impart interesting and helpful knowledge and often have fun stories to share.

Protect the Park for Future Visitors

Remember to respect the wildlife and land. Don't feed animals during your exploration, and pack out anything you brought in. That includes food wrappers or even fruit peels or nutshells. When you leave the trail as you found it, the ecosystem is better protected for future enjoyment.

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