7 Tips for a Gluten-Free US National Park Vacation

Exploring US National parks is an adventure like no other. The parks are a quintessential part of American vacationing. But, the parks have limited dining options and aren’t usually near a major city so visiting when you have celiac or a gluten allergy/intolerance can be stressful! I’ve visited 29 national parks and these are my top tips for planning a gluten-free US National Park Vacation.

Just remember, my celiac isn’t your celiac or gluten-free journey (or anyone else’s). Some of the things I’m comfortable with, you may not be, and you may have a different experience with the restaurants than I did. I hope you do because I had a great experience! But, you do you, no judgment and no pressure. I hope to shed some insight to make your planning easier.

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Wanna skip ahead?

1- Do your Research

Eating gluten-free in US National Parks is tough! The number one way I protect myself is by doing my own research before I travel. Make sure you know what restaurant options are in the park and what’s nearby. Usually, there won’t be a ton. But, it’s nice to know if you can pick up food in a nearby town before heading into the park.

Plus, you may be surprised!

Moab, near Arches and Canyonlands, has some great gluten-free options.

The grocery options in Yosemite are better than most other parks.

You can stock up in Portland before heading to Crater Lake.

Seattle isn’t far from Mt. Rainier or Olympic National Parks.

It’s just important to know what you’re working with before you get there.

My Essentials for National Park Trips

Great Hiking Shoes. I love Chacos sandals AND my Timberland boots. I really hate hiking boots so it’s high praise for these Timberlands! Chacos pro tip- don’t be tempted by the 3-string option. They are impossible to adjust.

Thick, comfortable socks to keep my boots from rubbing my feet. As a bonus, I can wear them with my Chacos like a total dork for that weird “not quite warm enough” weather.

My Osprey Day Pack. I’ve had it for years. I have no intention of ever getting another day pack.

Binoculars are a must. Every time I forget them I regret it.

My Nikon Z5 is my go-to camera. I love the 70-200mm lens for photographing wildlife.

My Eddie Bauer Rain Foil Jacket is the best rain jacket.

2- Plan Ahead

Have a plan! Know how many days you’re staying in each area and how much you’re going to need to cook for yourself.

Plan your meals before you get there. At the very least, plan your meal options so you don’t have to plan when you’re overwhelmed in a grocery store.

If you’ll have a chance to eat at a restaurant you feel good about make sure you note it in your itinerary. It’s easy to forget things!

Book your lodging as soon as it opens for the best chance of availability where you want it.

A spontaneous vacation always sounds like it could be fun. But it’s not if you’re gluten-free. Unless you’re in Portland where there are a million options!

Have. A. Plan.

A view of a campervan parked near Mount Rainier in Washington. The image shows the snow-capped peak of the mountain in the background, with a colorful campervan in the foreground.

3-Plan to Camp. Or at least cook.

I’m not into camping and you definitely won’t find me backpacking. I have no interest in tent camping.

But, campervans are a different story. I’ve enjoyed every campervan vacation I’ve had in a US National Park. The best part of the campervan is that your food is always with you.

If you need a snack it’s there.

Exploring longer than you thought you would be? Find a pull-out and cook dinner before heading back to your campsite.

Plus, the national parks typically have a large number of campsites in and around them. So, finding a place to sleep gets much easier.

If you don’t want to camp look for Air BnBs or cabins outside of the national park that have a kitchen so you can cook some meals.

OR, stay at a hotel but bring a camp stove and cooking supplies with you. You can rent most of what you need from REI. If you take this option you’ll want to have a cooler or a fridge in your room.

No matter what route you take, make sure you have a way to cook.

4- Shop in the Cities

When you’re planning your gluten-free US National Park vacation make sure you know where the cities (and towns) are. Then, look for supermarkets in each.

Typically I can just google “supermarket in X” and the options will show up.

If there is one, the National Park store is typically stocked with some items you can eat like fresh produce and meat.

For example, this is true in Yosemite. But, in Olympic or Crater Lake, there may not even be a part store near you.

Know the situation in your park. But, just plan to stock up on food in the city. The larger grocery will give you more options.

5- Bring some of your favorite snacks with you

Even though you can go to a grocery and stock up I always feel better when I have a few go-to snacks with me.

It doesn’t have to be much. But, just in case you can’t find cookies or bars you like as much have some with you to get you through a few days while you figure out your system.

These are a few of my favorite gluten-free snacks:

Bobos strawberry and apple cups are two of my favorite snacks. Not everything of Bobo’s is gluten-free though so check before you order.
Trail Mix will always be a go-to. I love having a few bags with me when I arrive at a park.
Liquid IV is a go-to for me now. It’s so nice to add to water when I’m feeling dehydrated after flying or hiking.
Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars a go-to snack for me. Plus, I’ll eat them for breakfast in a pinch!

Eating gluten-free in US national parks can be tough but it goes better when you have snacks!

6- Keep it Simple

Planning meals for a gluten-free US national park vacation needs to be simple! There is no reason to try to win any culinary awards or stun yourself with the dinners you put out.

Keep. it. Simple.

Here are some ideas:

Breakfast

Individual Yogurt Cups with Granola
Bananas, Apples, Mandarin Oranges- things that are easy to eat
Granola or Cereal
Individual juice boxes
Pre-cooked Bacon- just heat it in a skillet on your camp stove and it’s almost as good as fresh bacon
Oatmeal – just be honest with yourself about if you’ll make it. I won’t so I don’t get it.

Lunch

Lunch is, and has always been, the hardest meal for me to figure out.

Chips
Baby Carrots or Fruit
Lunch meat and gluten-free wraps for sandwiches.
Individual peanut butter if you want to do peanut butter and crackers.
Salad mixes. Especially if you can find a good individual gluten-free salad.

I typically go with chips, carrots, and some kind of wrap for my lunch.

Dinner

Pasta- be sure to buy gluten-free pasta outside of the park. Use the pre-cooked bacon as a meat option to get you some protein. Tofu works too!
Pre-cooked chicken fajitas. Sautee some onions (and peppers if you like them). Throw in some pre-cooked chicken strips. You can even do minute rice if you’re bold.
Use camp grills to make steaks/hot dogs. Go with basic chips or sauteed veggies on your camp stove with it.

Remember you’ll have to wash your dishes when you’re done so try to keep it simple for your own sanity. Whatever your favorite meals are think about how they’ll transfer to a camp stove or campfire.

Hurricane Ridge View. Snow-capped rigged mountains under a cloudy sky. With pine trees and a meadow in te foreground.

7 – Pack Spices with you

This one has taken me years to figure out. I don’t know why. It’s so simple but it’s not something you think about.

If you know you’ll use taco seasonings for fajitas or that you’ll want to toss pasta with oregano/garlic powder/onion powder pack them with you.

Whatever your favorite spices are bring them along. You can always buy them when you’re at the supermarket if you forget. It’s frustrating buying a bunch of big spice containers when you only need them for a few meals.

Plus, it feels better when you’re shopping because it’s one less thing to think about.

Planning meals for a gluten-free US national park road trip is stressful! Take some of the stress out by just packing your spices along with you.

Enjoy your Gluten-Free US National Park Vacation

Following these steps for eating gluten-free in US national parks (with a lot of planning) will, hopefully, set you up for a great experience exploring the beauty of the American outdoors!

if you’re a gluten-free traveler let me know what else you do!