25 Easy National Park Gifts For Outdoor Lovers
With the holidays quickly approaching and holiday shopping in full swing, I’ve compiled a list of simple gift ideas for national park lovers.
As a national park enthusiast myself, these are items I find myself needing when out in the parks, or wishing I had to help remember my past adventures. Some items on the list are even things I’ve even been gifted.
This list ranges from fun outdoor gifts, unique designs, and creative national park souvenirs.
Below are 25 easy national park gift ideas any park enthusiast will enjoy!
National Park Gift Ideas
AllTrails Pro
Price Range: $
AllTrails is the go-to app for any hiking enthusiast.
The app gives access to trail info for 250,000+ trails, with over 30 million users leaving reviews and up-to-date trail conditions.
The app can be used for free, but the pro version allows even more usability.
My favorite pro feature allows you to live track your hiking on a pre-downloaded map. This ensures you’re never off trail, even without cellphone service. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used this feature, and can’t imagine hiking without it now.
You’ll need to upgrade to AllTrail Pro through the AllTrail app, the cost is $35.99 per year.
I’ve had AllTrail Pro for years and couldn’t recommend it more.
Print Their Favorite National Park Photo
Price Range: $-$$
Help your loved one remember their favorite park forever.
Print their most-loved park photo onto canvas, acrylic, photo tiles, postcards… heck, you can even print onto a pillow.
The options available on popular sites such as Shutterfly make for an extremely easy — and cool — national park gift.
Snowshoes Or Spikes
Price Range: $-$$
Many of our nation’s most popular parks are nearly empty come winter, hiking this time of year is a great way to see some of the top attractions without the crowds! Winter hikers heading to the mountains will need either snowshoes or traction devises though (which one you need, depends on where you’re heading).
Purchasing spikes is pretty straight forward, Yaktrax — linked below — is the most popular brand and offers a wide variety sizing.
Snowshoes are a bit more difficult, I’ve linked a very reputable brand below, but if you’d rather have your loved one select their own pair, I recommend gifting them an REI gift card instead.
REI has excellent customer service, wide selection of gear, and a generous return policy if need be.
Snowshoes and spikes are compact and easy to store, making them a very practical gift for any national park fan up for outdoor adventures.
Check out these snowshoes and spikes on Amazon:
National Park Games
Price Range: $-$$
Can’t get enough of national parks? Me neither!
With parks being so popular today, it’s easy to find major companies — think Monopoly, Scrabble, etc. — creating special editions of classic board games for the parks.
This is sure to keep any national park lover entertained while they’re at home over the holidays.
Below are some popular games, I personally love the Monopoly game and trivia questions.
National Park Puzzles
Price Range: $-$$
I love puzzles and happily have a national park puzzle or two myself.
I can assure you, this is a great gift for puzzle lovers / national park enthusiasts!
Below are some national park puzzles, there are tons more available. I’m a big fan of the “vintage poster” puzzles, like the Acadia one linked below.
If you want to find more of these, search “national park puzzles vintage posters” in Amazon.
You can also shop the national parks directly via their online store at: America’s National Parks Online Store. They have good puzzles and lots of other goodies on their site.
Outer Layers & Hiking Clothes
Price Range: $$
With the great outdoors, comes great unpredictability of weather. No matter the forecast, it’s always wise to pack a few extra layers.
For example, in summer I keep a light rain jacket in my pack. In fall and spring I pack a hat, gloves, and warm jacket — just in case!
Some of my favorite brands for warm weather and waterproof essentials are:
Hiking gear, outdoor wear, and extra layers are always a great gift for a national park lover.
National Park Blankets
Price Range: $-$$
National park blankets are perfect for cozying up during the winter months.
Gift the national park fanatic in your life a special park blanket or pillow this holiday season.
Inflatable Kayaks or Stand Up Paddle Boards
Price Range: $$-$$$
Kayaking on a peaceful, calm lake surrounded by incredible scenery is something all outdoor enthusiasts dream about.
Fortunately, many of our nation’s parks allow non-motorized boats.
Unfortunately, hardshell kayaks can be expensive and difficult to transport.
Inflatable kayaks offer an affordable alternative to the traditional, and are much easier to store and transport.
Check out these popular kayaks and stand up paddle boards from Amazon.
I own 2 of the the kayaks on the left and couldn’t love them more.
America The Beautiful National Park Pass
Price Range: $$
The America The Beautiful Park Pass allows you to visit any national park — plus national monuments, etc. — in the United States for one year.
Giving your loved one the gift of unlimited national parks is a clear no-brainer this holiday season.
You can purchase an annual pass at any park or online through approved retailers, such as REI: Annual National Park Pass
Remember, the national park passes are valid for 12 months after the purchase date, so this is not something you want to purchase too far ahead of Christmas.
National Park Books
Price Range: $-$$
Inspire your loved one with one of the many beautiful national park books available today.
There are seriously tons of options available. I personally enjoy beautiful coffee table books or specific guide books.
Either way, these make some of the best gifts for outdoor lovers.
You can find national park books at your local bookstore, on Amazon, or directly through the National Park Service via America’s National Parks.
Notebooks & Coloring Books
Price Range: $
Another super easy gift idea is a national park journal, notebook, or even a coloring book.
This is an awesome gift for nature lovers who like to journal about or reflect on their travels, or plan out their next adventure in writing.
And, yes, adults like coloring books too. In fact, I have a national park coloring book from Yellowstone National Park and love it!
Camera
Price Range: $$$
Snapping an epic nature pic is essential to almost all park go-ers.
While there’s no doubt, phone cameras today are incredible, they still can’t quite match the quality of a nice camera.
Plus, many cameras today allow you to “airdrop” photos from your camera to your phone, making it convenient to share your photos.
A new camera is expensive, but it’s a great gift idea for those in the market.
If need be, you can always provide a gift card as contribution to the cost, or get the family together for a group gift instead of making the entire purchase yourself.
While specific camera needs will vary widely, these are a few durable camera options that I particularly like.
My camera is very similar to #3 and has lasted me for years.
Collective National Park Map
Price Range: $ – $$
There’s something very satisfying about checking an item off your bucket list. These beautiful maps allow you to mark each national park as you visit.
This will keep your loved one inspired to continue seeking out the nation’s most incredible wonders, plus it’s a really creative national park gift.
Etsy has some great map options ranging from super simple to elaborate centerpieces.
I was gifted the scratch map on the bottom left last Christmas, I love how simple it looks in my office.
National Park Wood Work
Price Range: $-$$
Speaking of good finds on Etsy, you can discover all sorts of interesting wood work and original designs here.
These pieces would make for a really creative national park gift that doubles as home decor, or special national park souvenir.
I especially adore the wooden topographic map and Delicate Arch carving.
These are guaranteed to be a perfect gift for all national parks lovers.
Hiking Gear: Boots, Socks, & Hiking Poles
Price Range: $ – $$$
Visiting a national park often involves a long day on your feet. Make sure your loved one has sturdy, comfortable footwear as well as proper socks. A thick pair of socks should be worn with any hiking boots, and trekking poles are excellent for long or difficult hikes.
There are a many options available out there, a few of my favorite brands are:
Below I’ve also linked my exact hiking boots, socks, and poles, I love all three of them.
The hiking boots are my favorite because they’re affordable, waterproof, and didn’t require breaking in time. However, they aren’t great for people who need extra ankle support.
The poles are also fabulous. I know quality hiking poles can be expensive, but I believe they’re well worth the investment.
Vintage National Park Posters
Price Range: $
Another easy national park gift is a vintage poster.
These can be purchased through the the national park gift shops, which you can shop from home through America’s National Parks.
Otherwise, they’re also available through Etsy, Amazon, etc.
This is a great Christmas gift idea to commemorate the parks your loved one has visited.
National Parks Candles
Price Range: $
Candles are a simple and unique gift for any national park lover.
Below, the candle on the left comes in three different California national parks.
The center candle is by Paddywax, they offer various scents designed with some of the country’s finest landscapes in mind.
These candles have a minimalist design and are filled with fragrances you’d experience in the parks.
The third candle comes in a number of popular parks, each with various scent options.
Yeti Cooler
Price Range: $$$
If you’ve gone for a national park vacation, you know it often involves many long days in the car.
Most visitors bring their own water, snacks and lunch each day.
Unfortunately, cheap coolers are poorly insulated and won’t keep ice frozen for more than 12 – 24 hours.
Save your national park enthusiast the hassle of constantly changing out the cooler during a road trip, and get them a Yeti which keeps ice frozen for 3 – 5 days.
We have the Tundra 45 cooler in navy blue (below). While yes, it was expensive, it’s been well worth the investment. We use the cooler not only for travel and national parks, but also tailgates and gatherings at home.
The 45 is the perfect size, it fits plenty without taking up too much room.
When traveling we keep ice packs in the cooler instead of buying ice everywhere we go. We use the Below Zero Ice Packs, linked below. Using the 4 pack in our Tundra 45 cooler keeps food cold for 3 – 4 days, depending on use, of course.
There’s no doubt this is definitely one of the coolest national park gift ideas… pun intended 🙂
Hydro Flask Water Bottle
Price Range: $-$$
Of course any national park addict needs a water bottle. But get them one that will actually keep their water cold.
Hydro Flasks are stainless steel bottles, incredible at keeping water cold all day.
Additionally, they come in many fun colors and sizes. I keep two 32 oz water bottles on me while out on adventures, and a 64 oz Hydro Flask in the car for refills between hikes.
I especially love the 64 oz bottle, it’s great to have cold water waiting in the car, and to avoid purchasing plastic water bottles while traveling.
Tip: You could even gift them national park stickers to add to their bottle. You can order a full set of stickers here: National Park Stickers.
Below are a few different bottle options.
Once you click the link, a variety of colors and sizes will be available.
These are super easy national park gifts that are sure to be needed.
Make A Donation To The National Park Services On Their Behalf
Price Range: $-$$$
Donating to the National Park Service helps ensure your loved one’s favorite outdoor spaces and public lands will be protected forever.
You can make a gift directly to the national park system or to your favorite parks.
Additionally, donations can be directed to the general needs of the park system, or in support of a specific program or project.
Information regarding donations can be found here: Donate To The National Parks.
First Aid Kit
Price Range: $
Even the most sure-footed take a tumble here and there.
When you’re out in the parks, you’re often miles away from any services. It’s therefore wise to keep a basic first aid kit on hand at all times.
The kit below on the left is small and great to keep in a backpack while hiking.
Whereas the kit on the right is more appropriate for camping, backpacking, etc.
Coffee Mugs
Price Range: $
An easy national park gift idea is a coffee mug.
Each morning while they sip a cup of joe, they’ll be reminded of their national park adventures.
Below are a few mug ideas, but there are tons available through America’s National Parks Online Store, Etsy, Amazon, etc.
No matter your choice, be sure to read the reviews to make sure the print doesn’t quickly fade.
Park Specific Merchandise
Price Range: $-$$
A cool national park tee or hat is always a safe gift for park fanatics.
My favorite park merch is bought directly from the national park gift shops.
Luckily, you can shop the national park service gift shop from home through America’s National Parks Online Store.
I also really like the merchandise offered by Parks Project and Pendleton.
Additionally, below are some good finds from Etsy.
Hiking Backpack
Price Range: $$
A well-made daypack is key for any national park aficionado.
Whether they spend the day hiking or driving from attraction to attraction, it’s important to have a quality backpack.
This allows you to carry snacks, water, extra layers, and anything else you may need, without harming your back and shoulders.
From my experience, some of the best brands for hiking backpacks are Osprey, REI Co-op, and Eddie Bauer.
Both of my hiking backpacks are from REI.
I use the Flash 22 Pack for everyday hikes and the Traverse 60 Pack for backpacking.
National Park Ornament
Price Range: $ – $$
Ornaments are the final gift idea to round out this list of the best national park gifts.
A commemorative park ornament is a no-brainer this holiday season, and one your outdoor adventurer is sure to enjoy.
As you can see below, there are tons of great options available.
There are so many easy national park gifts for any budget. I hope you’ve found this list helpful and enjoy the Christmas and holiday season!
Looking for more ideas? Below are additional national park guides.
Additional Gift Guides & Holiday Tips:
- Travel Blogger Gift Ideas
- Content Creator Gift Ideas
- Holiday Travel Tips For The Anxious Traveler
- Top Christmas Destinations In The US
More Ideas For Your National Park Travels:
- Warmest National Parks In Winter
- Best US National Parks In Winter
- Arches National Park Guides
- Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park Guides
- Bryce Canyon National Park Guides
- Canyonlands National Park Guides
- Grand Canyon National Park Guides
- New River Gorge National Park Guides
- Rocky Mountain National Park Guides
- White Sands National Park
- Zion National Park Guides
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