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Practicality may seem like the most important thing when purchasing gifts for your outdoorsy friends and family. This gift guide is centered on gifts that are useful and can be commemorative of special trips to a National Park. I featured a few puzzles and home goods since we will all likely be spending a lot of time at home in early 2021 but there are different items for everyone! Items from Parks Project and the National Park Foundation are always great, because a portion of your purchase supports the National Parks.
Books about National Parks
Ultimate Coloring: National Parks
The Rough Guide to the USA's National Parks
National Geographic Atlas of the National Parks
Gifts that Benefit National Parks
National Parks Foundation 2021 Calendar
Roadtrip Essentials
YAHTZEE®: National Parks Edition
Gifts for the Most Popular National Parks (by visitors in 2019)
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Located on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a popular fall destination. The park is known for waterfall hikes, black bear sightings and mountain views. It is part of the famous Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Trail passes through the park. 12.5 million people visited this National Park in 2019!
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park includes 277 miles of the Colorado River, including the massive Grand Canyon, which is a mile deep and as wide as 18 miles. It is a popular destination because you can view the canyon without hiking or climbing. There are also hiking trails that take you into the canyon. Historically, Pueblo people lived in caves within the canyon.
Rocky Mountain National Park
In Colorado, visitors can experience the Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park. Driving Trail Ridge Road is a popular activity. The tallest paved road in the United States takes travelers to elevations over 14,000 feet and across alpine landscapes. Because of the elevation changes, visitors can experience several types of environments, from big meadows to tundra.
Zion National Park
Zion National Park was the first of many parks in Utah to receive National Park status. Massive red, pink and white sandstone cliffs are what draws visitors in to this park. 12,000 years ago, this area was inhabited by mammoths, giant sloths and people. It was also home to the Anasazi people and a settlement for pioneers.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is recognizable for incredible biodiversity. Visitors can experience granite cliffs, giant sequoia trees, waterfalls and glaciers. Unique soil characterized the unique landscape. In 1903, Yosemite gained extra protection after President Theodore Roosevelt camped there for three days.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone was the first National Park, signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1872. It is also one of the biggest National Parks in the lower 48, but feels tiny in comparison to Alaskan parks. It is home to Old Faithful, a famous geyser with massive eruptions. The geysers and other geothermal features of Yellowstone are powered by a large supervolcano.
Acadia National Park
Called the Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast, Acadia National Park is one of the only National Parks in the north east. The park includes mountains, Atlantic coastline, woodlands, lakes, ponds, and wetlands. It is also known for a variety of wildlife, including black bears, moose, up to 331 bird species, and many reptiles and amphibians. Acadia National Park is also a popular destination for sightseeing in the fall as the leaves change.
Grand Teton National Park
This National Park includes major peaks of the Teton Mountain Range and Jackson Hole. It is only 10 miles from Yellowstone National Park. The mountains were named after French trappers, originally called "les trois tétons" which translates to "the three teats." The park is home to some of the oldest rocks in the United States, which date back to nearly 2.7 billion years.
Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park includes mountains, old-growth rain forests, and over 70 miles of Pacific coastline. The park is named along with Mount Olympus and Washington's Olympic Peninsula. Mount Olympus peaks at 6,900 feet and is the tallest of the Olympic Mountains. Other notable peaks include Mount Constance and The Brothers, which are visible from Seattle.
Glacier National Park
One of the most remote National Parks in the lower 48, Glacier is located in northwest Montana, bordering the Canadian border. It is known for forests, alpine meadows, mountains, and gorgeous lakes. Glacier National Park is situated on the Continental Divide, so there are many winding mountain roads.
Top off your gifts with Iconic Parks wrapping paper, which features Yosemite, Yellowstone, Joshua Tree, Big Bend, Acadia, Arches, Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks!
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Oooh!! These gift ideas are great for those who appreciate the National Parks!! Love that you can still enjoy them from the comfort of your own home with the different trinkets and goodies. The beer cup is the cutest!! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteNancy ✨ mdrnminimalists.com
I'm glad you liked this gift guide! Sometimes the best gift is something to do together, which is why I like the puzzles and drinkware!
DeleteCaiti | Champagne & Postcards