How to plan a national park weekend getaway

Living in Colorado — where there are mountains, sand dunes, lakes and other natural wonders just a short drive away — I love a weekend getaway. And national parks are among my favorite places to go because they offer a variety of outdoorsy activities, whether I want to embark on a grueling hike or relax with a riverside picnic.I recently spent a long weekend in Moab, a town in the heart of Utah's red-rock country that's known for having two national parks as well as countless other adventurous pursuits. Here's how I planned it, and how you can too.How to plan a national park weekend getawayRachel Craft/THE POINTS GUYAs with most things in the world of travel, planning ahead is key to a smooth weekend getaway. Research the park areas you want to visit to determine the best time to go; some hiking trails get very crowded on weekends, for example, and some trailheads have limited parking.Similarly, campgrounds within national parks may book out months in advance, especially during summer. Most campgrounds require reservations, which typically open for booking six months ahead. You can book your spot on Recreation.gov.You'll also need to factor park fees into your budget. For parks tha...