Looking for the very best gifts for a park lover? Here are eight fantastic gift ideas for national park fans––plus a bonus!
- National Park Geek t-shirt. I stumbled over the National Park Geek account on Instagram and have been obsessed with their products ever since. They sell hats, t-shirts, pins, stickers, and more. These items are sure to please any national park fan and 1% of their proceeds are donated to national park charities.
2. The Passport To Your National Parks® is a popular way to track your visits. I’ve been collecting the dated cancellation stamps in my book since the early 1990s. The book is small enough to fit in a pocket and just about every park unit visitor center offers a stamping station. This is really fun for kids, and there’s even a specific passport made for kids–though the family one works just fine, too.
3. Field Notes. I adore these pocket-sized blank notebooks made by the popular Field Notes brand and featuring the artwork of Fifty-Nine Parks. They’re the perfect size for jotting down a few thoughts about your journey and are sold in 18 different cover designs. You can even order the whole box set for serious collectors. These could make great stocking stuffers!
4. Speaking of the artwork of Fifty-Nine Parks, you might want to pick up some of their gorgeous art prints. They carry a wide selection that includes not just the major parks, but also some of the smaller park service units and other related features like the Appalachian Trail and the Continental Divide.
5. A national park water bottle is a great way to treat your favorite national park fan. One of the most top brands, Yeti, now has national park designs. And in addition to their premium water bottles, they also have mugs and can isulators. Now I’m drooling over the 14 oz insulated Redwood NP mug in seafoam green.
6. Subpar Parks™ 2022 Calendar. Combining 1-star reviews with fun national park artwork, every picture makes me both smile and groan. How can people write such ludicrous reviews about these incredible places? It looks like the calendar is close to selling out for the year, but don’t worry–there are books, postcards, prints, and stickers you can order, too!
7. Pendleton Woolen Mills. Pendleton is known for its high-quality woolen products, and its national park collection is stellar. Their connection with the parks goes clear back to 1916 when Pendleton was commissioned to create a unique blanket pattern for guests at Glacier National Park’s lodges. The Glacier Stripe pattern has been in production ever since that time. I have the red Mount Rainier pattern wool blanket, and it’s one of my favorite national park collectibles. They’re a little pricey, so if you’re looking for something more affordable, Pendleton features the patterns on mugs, socks, throw blankets, rainboots, beanies, and other such items. And many (but not all) of the items are made in the USA.
8. America the Beautiful National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass. This pass is the golden ticket for people who love the outdoors! Good for entrance (or day use fees) at more than 2000 federal recreation sites including national parks, grasslands, and wildlife refuges, as well as national forests, BLM, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Bureau of Reclamation. It covers all passengers in your private vehicle in locations that charge per vehicle or up to four adults in the same party where fees are charged individually. And check it out–if you are a veteran, a senior citizen, disabled, or have a 4th grader at home (!), you might qualify for other passes. Some of these passes are free and/or good for your lifetime. Check out the link for more details. But even if you don’t qualify for those, the $80 annual pass can quickly pay for itself.
BONUS PICK: The Vintage National Parks Novels. Okay, I’d be crazy not to mention my Vintage National Park series, right? As a former park ranger, I have a deep love for our national parks. It was a dream come true to set my most recent novel series in these beautiful national treasures. One of the fun things about this collection of books is that each novel stands alone. So you can pick your favorite park (or the one you dream of visiting) and jump in for a fun armchair adventure set in the 1920s and 30s. The Road to Paradise is set in Mount Rainier National Park. Where the Fire Falls is set in Yosemite, and Ever Faithful in Yellowstone. You can read more about the stories at the links provided, but trust me when I say each novel is filled with romance, adventure, and inspiration.
If you’d like a signed copy of any of my books, I’ve partnered with Willamette Valley Christian Supply in Albany, Oregon to provide those for special order. Send them an email (or call), letting them know which books you’re interested in and they’ll let you know the shipping cost and how to order.
These are my top choices, but I know there are so many more great things to choose from out there. What would YOU recommend?
