National Parks Gifts They’ll Actually Love

In 2022, almost 312 million people visited America’s national parks. With more than 400 units nationwide, you’ll find national park sites in every state.

It’s likely that if you have adventurers in your family or group of friends, they’ve been to at least one of these locations. So let’s look at 13 of the best national parks gifts you can give the traveler in your life. 

They’ll appreciate your thoughtfulness and encouragement as they journey around the country. Let’s dive in!

What Makes a Gift Good for a Traveler?

If you have a traveler in your family or group of friends, you may want to get him or her a special gift that is useful or practical.

Maybe it’s a cute ice cream scooper or a camping garden flag. These gifts are ideal for travelers because they’re items your friend will appreciate and use.

Other gifts good for travelers include products that create a sense of nostalgia. It could be a painting of one of their favorite places or a book about hiking in national parks.

If you know of their favorite places to visit, gifts that remind them of those can bring a smile to their face.

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Why Are the National Parks Popular Travel Destinations?

Your traveling friends may love national parks. These national treasures lure people from all over the world year after year because of their beautiful scenery, history, and cultural heritage.

We have well-known parks like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone and lesser-known parks like Great Basin and Congaree. But all of these 63 national parks are places of national significance.

Travelers also enjoy hiking, biking, paddling, horseback riding, and fishing in national parks. Outdoor recreation is almost limitless. People appreciate connecting with nature.

Other parks have more cultural or historical significance, like Mesa Verde or Hot Springs. They’re places to learn about American history or ancient tribes who once called these lands home.

What Are the Most Popular National Parks?

The most-visited national park in the country is Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Every year over 11 million people visit the Tennessee-North Carolina border, where they can hike to waterfalls, drive to scenic overlooks, and camp deep in the forests. More than 14 million people visited the park in 2021, and over 12.9 million people visited in 2022.

The next most-visited national park is Zion National Park in southwestern Utah. This park saw over 5 million visitors in 2021 and about 4.7 million in 2022. 

Just south of Zion is Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. In 2021, over 4.5 million people visited this park. In 2022, over 4.7 million people visited.

Yellowstone National Park, the very first national park in the entire world, is fourth on the list.

In 2021, the park welcomed over 4.8 million guests, and in 2022, the park welcomed over 3.2 million guests. This downturn was due, in part, to the torrential flooding the park experienced that closed the north entrance.

Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and Acadia National Park in Maine average about 4 million visitors yearly.

13 National Parks Gifts Your Favorite Traveler Will Appreciate

If you have a traveling friend or family member, these national parks gifts will give you some practical and meaningful ideas. Whether trying to visit as many national parks as possible or just enjoy road trips each year, travelers may appreciate these gifts.

1. Moon USA National Parks: The Complete Guide to All 63 Parks

This travel guide is one of the best resources for a national park enthusiast. It includes all 63 parks, including New River Gorge, which became a national park in 2020. It has lists of the best parks to hike and the best for families. 

You can also find itineraries to help enhance your favorite traveler’s visit to each national park. Plus, the author provides tips for avoiding crowds, where to park, and other helpful recommendations.

2. National Park Sticker Pack Set

Some travelers love collecting things to remind them of where they’ve been. This national park sticker set is a great gift because your friend can do whatever he or she wants with the stickers. 

Some people decorate a cooler, others decorate their RVs, and others have a national park scrapbook. This cheap gift may mean a lot to your traveling friend!

3. Scratch-Off Map

Another item on our national parks gifts list is this scratch-off map. Travelers may love to mark off a state or a park after visiting. It’s a sense of accomplishment, and these are bucket list places for many people. 

Encourage your friend’s adventurous spirit with this map showcasing the states and national parks they have visited.

4. Monopoly National Parks Edition

One of the most iconic board games has a national parks edition. Grab this Monopoly game with tokens like a ranger hat, a bison, and a hiking boot. The Chance cards are called Battlefield Parks, and the Community Chest cards are called Historic Sites. 

Your traveling friends can have a blast playing this board game while on the road visiting their favorite national parks.

5. The National Parks Journal

Many travelers want to keep track of their visits with a journal. Some people get up early and write about what they experienced the day before. Others write down things before they go to bed. 

From epic scenic drives to incredible hikes, your favorite traveler will love this national parks journal to plan and record their adventures. Then they can retell their visit to you when they get back home!

6. Flip Calendar for Office Desk

For travelers who can’t take off a lot, a flip calendar to remind them of these beautiful places can make a great national parks gift. 

The artwork and facts on every page can inspire your friend to make a new road trip itinerary. And since it doesn’t have weekday dates, you can use the calendar year after year.

7. 100 Parks, 5,000 Ideas Book

Just like the Moon USA National Parks book is a great travel guide. This “100 Parks, 5,000 Ideas” book is another great resource featuring photos from National Geographic. It features top ten lists like best parks for river trips or best parks for beaches. 

You can find insider knowledge about wildlife and unexpected experiences. Whether it’s a stocking stuffer or a birthday gift, this book makes a great national parks gift for any traveler.

8. Trekking the National Parks Board Game

Another popular board game is “Trekking the National Parks.” It’s a more expensive item on this list, but with almost 8,400 ratings, it still has 4.7/5 stars. 

It’s designed for kids ages 10 and up and lasts 30 to 60 minutes. So it’s a good choice for families who enjoy traveling. On a rainy day, they’ll love pulling out this board game.

9. Where Should We Camp Next? National Parks Edition

Another resource for the adventurer in your life is this book written by RVers Stephanie and Jeremy Puglisi. They help travelers choose great destinations across the country, from national seashores to monuments. 

Whether for glamping, tent camping, or RVing, this book provides a great resource to help them make the most out of their journeys.

10. Merino Wool Hiking Socks

One of the most practical gifts on this list is this pair of hiking socks. Giving an uncle a pair of socks for Christmas may seem strange, but if he’s a hiker, he may find this gift a perfect surprise! 

The strong warmth retention and moisture absorption of Merino wool hiking socks make these a great item for hikers and backpackers. Plus, they’ll work for both men and women.

Keep in Mind: Still looking for more camping gift ideas? Take a look at this list of over 100 camping gift ideas!

11. Passport to Your National Parks

If you have a friend planning a road trip to visit several national parks this year, don’t let them leave without having a passport. You don’t need this book to visit the parks, but it’s a great way for travelers to track where they’ve been. 

Visitor centers at most national park sites have stamps with the date that visitors love. See how many stamps your friend can collect on their next adventure!

12. Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles

Like the pair of hiking socks, these trekking poles may seem like an odd gift. But for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking over rocks and up and down steep inclines, these trekking poles can make a world of difference.

Encourage your favorite traveler to get outside and keep exploring nature with this practical gift.

13. America the Beautiful National Parks Pass

Finally, any national park lover needs an America the Beautiful pass. This $80 pass gets an entire carload of people into any national park for free.

Most national parks have an entrance fee of $25 to $35. If your traveling friend visits just two or three national parks a year, this pass will save them some money.

Keep in Mind: Is a National Park Pass for Seniors Worth It Now? Let’s take a look!

Give the National Park Lovers in Your Life a Gift They’ll Enjoy

Our nation’s greatest treasures are preserved and protected in our national parks. From the tropical wilderness of the Everglades to the pristine waters of Crater Lake, our country is full of awe-inspiring scenery. 

Encourage the travelers in your life to explore the national parks with these gifts. Whether it’s for a birthday, holiday, graduation, or some other special day, you can give them something meaningful they’ll actually love.

Which of these national parks gifts do you think your favorite traveler will appreciate?

Last update on 2024-10-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API