Are you looking for the perfect gift for someone who can’t get enough of the great outdoors? Whether they love hiking, wildlife watching, or simply admiring the beauty of the USA’s most iconic landscapes, we’ve got you covered with the best gifts for national park lovers.
From practical gear to fun keepsakes, this list is packed with gift ideas that will delight any national park enthusiast. Whether it’s for a birthday, holiday, or just because, these gifts are sure to inspire adventure and love for US national parks. Let’s dive into the best gifts for someone who loves national parks!
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Best Gifts for National Park Lovers - Essentials
1. “America the Beautiful” Pass
This annual pass grants recipients access to all national parks in the United States as well as over 2,000 recreational areas managed by federal agencies. What’s better than unlimited access to any park for an entire year?
This is the best option for national parks lovers as they’ll get access to a plethora of parks instead of just a single park (you can also buy a single park annual pass to say Yosemite National Park, but these are often only $10 cheaper than the America the Beautiful Pass.
2. Day Backpack
Every outdoor enthusiast needs a day backpack! From camera gear to hiking snacks to water reservoirs, a hiking backpack or a day backpack is essential for most outdoor activities.
A nice day backpack will allow the national park lover in your life to hike, day trip, wildlife sight, and more at any national park they visit. This backpack also has a water reservoir included; more below.
3. Hiking Poles
If you know the national park lover in your life enjoys hiking, a sturdy pair of hiking poles will be a great gift. While not every hike requires poles, many national parks offer strenuous hikes so a pair of hiking poles will allow the adventurer to say yes to more hiking.
4. Fleece Jacket
5. Hydration Reservoir
This is another necessity for hiking enthusiasts who frequent national parks. A hydration reservoir, or water bladder, slides into a special pocket in most day backpacks and has a tube straw for easy drinking access.
They often hold more water than an average water bottle and are much more convenient than stopping to lug out a water bottle from a backpack.
6. Rain Jacket
Under $50 Gifts for National Park Lovers
7. National Parks Scratch-Off Poster
A US national parks scratch-off poster is perfect for keeping track of the parks visited. It’s a fun way to remember trips and also inspire future trips to mark off more parks.
8. Wondery National Park Bucket List Water Bottle
Another fun and functional way to track the parks visited is with this Wondery National Park Bucket List water bottle. Not only is this an insulated bottle perfect for hiking and other park adventures, but it comes with a sticker and a specified spot for each park so you can watch the bottle fill as you travel to more parks.
9. National Parks Puzzle
For the national park lovers who enjoy a good puzzle, this gift is perfect! Park enthusiasts can reminisce about their adventures while putting together this fun national parks puzzle.
10. National Park Board Game
Bring the national park love home with this national park board game, Trails! It can be played at home, brought on a trip, or shared with other national parks enthusiasts.
Books: Gifts for National Park Lovers
11. 100 Parks, 5,000 Ideas National Geographic Book
12. National Parks of the United States Journal
13. National Geographic National Park Travel Guide Book
For those national park lovers who want to plan every aspect of their trips, the National Geographic National Park Travel Guide Book is perfect. Readers can enjoy detailed maps, park recommendations, and beautiful photos for more adventure inspiration.
“Stocking Stuffer” Gifts for National Park Lovers
14. Merino Wool Socks
Every outdoor lover needs a pair of merino wool socks in their wardrobe. Made to keep you warm without getting sweaty, these socks are the best for hiking and other outdoor activities. Gift a pair of Darn Tough socks to help a happy hiker!
15. National Parks Sticker Packet
These national parks stickers are a fun keepsake to remember every park they’ve visited. These stickers make for a great small gift, and they give the recipient the freedom to place them wherever they choose. (I have these on my Yeti cooler!).
16. Energy Snack Goodie Basket
Every hiker, biker, kayaker, and outdoor enthusiast who gets outside to burn calories will enjoy receiving an energy snack goodie basket. You can find these at REI, Academy, and other outdoor adventure stores, or you can buy the yummiest brand (GU) on Amazon.
There are gels, gummy chews, hydration tabs, and stroopwafels. I recommend all of them, but I think the energy gummy chews are a safe bet (they taste like fruit snacks).
17. Hiking & Camping Safety Book
If the national park lover in your life is new to hiking and camping, this safety book for beginners will help them have the safest (and most fun) trips to every national park they visit.
Whether the adventurer in your life enjoys hiking, wildlife viewing, or slowing down and just admiring the views, these gift ideas for national park lovers are sure to delight them. From practical gear to fun keepsakes, the best gifts for national park lovers will be a hit no matter what the occasion.
