Planning to visit one of America's national parks this year? 280 million other people are too but you can still beat the crowds! Here are eight great tips for getting the most out of your national park vacation.

1. Make reservations early

If you want to stay the night in a popular national park, reserve your spot as early as you can. At Yosemite National Park, campsites for May through September are claimed seconds after they become available online. While all national parks also offer first-come, first-served campgrounds, these fill up fast. The Sierra Club suggests arriving between 10 a.m. and noon so you can snag a spot as soon as it's vacated.

2. Skip peak hours for national park attractions

Most national park attractions are busiest from mid-morning to late afternoon. If you get up early, or begin your park visit later, you may have the place to yourself. Here's another great crowd-avoidance tip from the Sierra Club: Drive a park's scenic routes in reverse, so you end at the point where the maps and brochures suggest you begin.

3. Get a national parks pass

$80 may seem steep for a national parks annual pass, but look at what you get: free admission to more than 2,000 national parks, wildlife refuges and federal lands. The pass covers not just the bearer, but everyone in your vehicle. You can buy your national parks pass at park visitors' centers, or online.

4. Don't over-estimate your abilities

Five million people visit the Grand Canyon every year. Many of them decide on a whim to hike into the canyon, thinking it can't be that challenging. They're wrong. The trail descends a full mile. The average high temperature in the inner canyon in July is 106. Be honest with yourself: If you're not in great shape, plan to see the Grand Canyon from your car, or sign up for a mule trip into the canyon.

5. Don't rely on your cell phone in national parks

People are accustomed to being able to pull up a map with GPS on their phones, seeing in an instant where they stand. But in the middle of a vast national park, miles from the nearest road, your phone may not be any help at all. Pack a paper map if you plan to do any backcountry hiking or drive on remote roads.

6. Visit national parks slightly off-season.
Around 200,000 people visit Yosemite National Park in an average April; in June, that number more than doubles. Schedule your national park vacation just before or after the three-month summer rush, if you can. Or consider going during the quiet winter months.

7. Take the less-trampled path

It's said that more than 90 percent of Yellowstone's visitors stay on the roads and boardwalks. While hundreds of people crowd around Old Faithful every time it erupts, just a short walk away lie bubbling pools and vents you can have all to yourself.

If you're looking a few ideas for less traveled national parks, check out our article "The Best National Parks For Getting Away From It All".