It’s the gift giving season so here’s a list for books about the National Parks and those who helped shaped them. Something for everyone on your list, like the weekend adventurer, the history buff, the kids even the lovers of the National Park lodges. Here’s a list of the best books about the National Parks.
Best Books about the National Parks
The national parks offer some of the most scenic places on earth. Buy a book stocked with glorious images of the best of the best.
This is a Book for People Who Love the National Parks by Matt Garczyski
I loved the portable size of this handbook. It features a short introduction into the National Park Service. Then read two page summeries of the more popular parks across the U.S. The illustrations are charming as well.
After reading, I really wanted to see the last of my remaining parks, like Voyageurs National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park.
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Dear Bob and Sue
by Matt and Karen Smith
A pair of young retirees, Karen and Matt Smith, take off and hit the road to see all the national parks. In a series of emails to Bob and Sue, the friends they left back home, get a park-by-park account.
A must for anyone gearing up to explore the U.S. with their spouse in tow. Get truthful accounts of the popular tours and trails. And find tips for sneaking beer into lodges along with the best pizza joints near the parks in this humorous read.
And the near plane crash in Alaska explains why I’m leery of small planes.
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Death in Yellowstone: Accidents and Foolhardiness in the First National Park by Lee Whittlesey
Get a detailed account of how to die in Yellowstone National Park. Should be required reading for volunteers and contract workers spending their first summer in the park. Through the seasons and over the years, learn about how the weather, the animals and the skirmishes can be deadly. Not suitable for sensitive readers or young kids.
National Geographic The National Parks: An Illustrated History
Let the photographers at National Geographic show you the most beautiful spots. Great for the traveler or the photography lover on your list.
Books for the Traveler and Adventurer
Be ready for adventure and pack a map. Since Wifi and data coverage get sketchy in the remote backcountry, maps are a necessity.
National Geographic Road Atlas – Adventure Edition
Forget about socks and underwear for the young travelers. They need maps. I have used this atlas on the road and when planning trips.
Moon USA National Parks: The Complete Guide to All 59 Parks (Travel Guide)
I’ve used Moon Guides for years and appreciate the common sense tips along with up-to-date information. This is a new guide packed with information for planning your next National Park getaway.
Along with individual write-ups for the parks, find lots of general parks facts and tips in the front. And the photos are inspiring.
Lonely Planet USA’s National Parks (Travel Guide)
I have a shelf full of Lonely Planet guides. This guides provides an overview of the parks. Buy the individual guides for detailed information for specific parks.
Books for the National Parks History Buff
Need a gift for the history buff. Here’s several booksto learn more about the National Park Service.
Prophets and Moguls, Rangers and Rogues, Bison and Bears: 100 Years of the National Park Service
An easy-to-read book packed with interesting facts and stories from the first 100 years of the NPS. Learn the history, the politics and the characters surrounding the legendary parks.
Camping and Tramping with Roosevelt
Relive the early days of conservation in the U.S. as told by Borroughs. He accompanied President Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir during a pivotal camping trip in the Sierra Mountains. A small book that makes a good stocking stuffer.
The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America
For serious student of the national parks, Brinkley offers over 800 pages of history into the complex president who shaped the National Parks. It’s an engaging and thoughtful analysis from a historian.
The Wisdom of John Muir: 100+ Selections from the Letters, Journals, and Essays of the Great Naturalist
Get the best of John Muir’s lyrical writings in this collection. Pulled from his books, articles and even personal letters, Rowthorn offers insight into the thoughts of Muir.
Where to Stay if You Don’t Camp
The National Parks are for everyone but camping isn’t. Here’s a few books dedicated to the historic lodges and inns of the National Park Service.
Great Lodges of the National Parks: The Companion Book to the PBS Television Series
This book is the gold standard though more a reference book than a guidebook for your trip. PBS made a series exploring the architecture of the NPS too. It’s a must for architecture fans too.
Great Lodges of the National Parks, Volume Two
So many historic lodges to explore, Great Lodges of the National Parks offers another volume.
Complete Guide to the National Park Lodges
Offering a packable size, this guide covers all the national park lodges in the National Park Service. This book is more of a travel guide provides information for trips.
National Park Books for Kids
Since I have three kids, I’m always picking up books on our adventures. I especially like children’s books with rich and detailed illustrations.
Seek and Find National Parks by Jorrien Peterson
Can’t tell you what I love better–mazes or the national parks. If you are or know a maze kid, here’s the book. Learn about the uniqueness of the U.S. and Canadian national parks, from Branff to Crater Lake to the U.S. Virgin Islands to Yellowstone. Work the maze and get to know the park. This book even includes a glossary.
Stamp Your Way Through the U.S.A by Emily Matheny, Mary O’Hare and Rose Storey
Stamp Your Way Through the U.S.A by Emily Matheny, Mary O’Hare and Rose StoreyA charming series of five books divided by region, like Western region and the Rocky Mountain Region. Kids learn about individual parks, like the geological features and the animals of the park.
Then kids can fill out a page to document their visit, including space for park cancellation stamps. Makes for an excellent companion for national park road trips.
America’s National Parks (Lonely Planet Kids)
In a guide with charming illustrations, kids can explore the big book of national parks. Starts with nifty things to know about visiting National Parks, then learn about the parks in ABC order. So this is a great reference guide for kids. Or get them excited about a national parks road trip.
John Muir: Candlewick Biographies: America’s First Environmentalist
A great read-aloud book to learn more about conservation and the Father of the National Parks.
How We Crossed The West: The Adventures Of Lewis And Clark
Kids engage with the historical characters so learn about the legendary duo that trekked from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean. There are several national park sites dedicated to Lewis and Clark sprinkled across the U.S.
Journey Around Our National Parks
Take a virtual trip through the national parks, or get excited for an upcoming trip. Offers charming illustrations for kids.
Who Pooped in the Park? Yellowstone National Park: Scat and Tracks for Kids
Don’t underestimate the power of poop. Kids dig it. There’s a whole series of these books and a hit with kids in lower grades.
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