Hi Friends! Happy almost Black Friday. Yes, consumerism is dumb. But don’t you deserve a nice little treat once in a while? None of these link to Amazon. Some of the vendors on this National Parks Gift Guide are small businesses. Still no one has given me a Casa de Hi Friends It’s Laura sign, so the ball is once again in your court, interwebs. I’ve also included some gift guides from friends round the world. Look for the 🎁.
Disclosure: Some of the links below may be affiliate links, meaning, at no cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Stocking Stuffers
Everything here is $20 or less, and would be great for a stocking or even office gift swap. 🎁 Jamie from PhotoJeepers suggested National Park ornaments as gifts, which is a terrific idea!
National Parks Passport
America’s National Parks
$9.95
What started it all! A friend turned me onto the National Parks Passport a few years ago when we visited San Fran. Every park, historic site, monument, etc has a stamp. Find the passport in park gift shops, at REI, or online. This is a classic and you need it. Not an af link.
Brown County State Park buff
Hoosier Adventures
$20
Technically not a state park but… I love this idea! Hoosier Adventure is a small, locally woman owned outdoorsy shop in Nashville, Indiana. They have cute hats, tees, water bottles plus this buff of the local state park. They also have sleeping bags, backpacks AND MORE! Check them out in person or online.
National Park Geek Stickers
National Park Geek
three for $7.50, shipping included
I basically lost my mind when I saw these stickers, and bought them plus a pin and luggage tag. National Park Geek donates a portion of proceeds to support the national parks, and have t-shirts, pins, and more on the site.
S’Mores Wars: The Campfire Card Game of Snack Attacks
Bookshop af link
$19
A perfect game to play around the campfire or while you wait at the airport for your next trip.
Books
Everything on this list – and more! – are on my Bookshop.org Gift Guide list. Bookshop is an alternative to Bezos-World that supports independent bookstores. Buying through a bookshop supports independent bookstore of your choice and me!
Foraging in the Northwest by Armand Hansen
Bookshop af link
$23
I’ve become obsessed with watching The Black Forager and Feral Forager on IG. I’ve foraged berries, lavender, apples and more around my neighborhood to make jam for years.
Another option is Pacific Northwest Foraging by Douglas Deur. I’ve added other regions, like Midwest Foraging, to my National Parks 2023 Gift Guide link at Bookshop.
The New York Times Take It with You Wednesday Crosswords: 200 Medium Removable Puzzles
Bookshop af link
$17
Hear me out – I love doing crosswords while traveling. It’s the perfect thing to do with a friend/partner/sister while you wait for drinks at happy hour, or while you dry off inside after you get caught in the rain hiking. Wednesdays are the absolute correct level of difficulty for this.
Knitting the National Parks: 63 Easy-To-Follow Designs for Beautiful Beanies Inspired by the Us National Parks by Nancy Bates
Bookshop Affiliate link
$33
How cute are these hats? Someone please buy this book and make me one!!!
Olympic Secret Life of Lobsters by Trevor Corson
Bookshop af link
$14
WOW, what a book about lobsters. I have a thing for reading about sea life eh? This is the perfect accompaniment to Acadia National Park and Maine.
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
Bookshop af link
$28
This book is not technically about National Parks at all but….. ok it was so amazing I devoured it in a few days and you can read it on your flight to the next national park you visit.
Subpar Parks Postcards: Celebrating America’s Most Extraordinary National Parks and Their Least Impressed Visitors by Amber Shares
Bookshop af link
$14
Amber’s posters make me laugh every. single. time. The bugs will bite your face!
(She also now has puzzles and they are SO HARD)
(For a copy of her book, find it at bookshop.org, af link
Lodge: an Indoorsy tour of America’s National Parks
Bookshop af link
$38
A coffee table book that speaks to my SOUL with that buffalo plaid cover.
Apparel & Gear
I don’t have a ton of gear suggestions so instead these fine folks have some ideas:
🎁 If you need more ideas for women who love to travel, Passions and Places has a great list.
🎁 Arbours Abroad has a lot of gift ideas for travelers young and old
Crewneck sweatshirt – The Mountain is Out Shirt
Rainier Watch
$72
Is the mountain out? Rainier Watch, a local WA shop, has tees, hats, hoodies, stickers, and pins asking the same question. Become a RW Insider to save 10%. Check them out on Insta: @mtrainierwatch
The Landmark Project Colorblock National Parks Hoodie
REI
$76
This is just too freaking cute. I love supporting REI because they are closed on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, which means my sister can spend time with her /our fam! #OptOutside
goodr Mount Rainier National Park Polarized Sunglasses
REI
$30
I did not know until a few weeks ago that Goodr had national parks sunglasses. I LOVE THEM!!!! Hoosier Adventure in Nashville also has these in stock hint hint
Quince 100% European Linen Long Sleeve Linen Shirt – White
Quince af link
$40
This linen shirt has become my go-to travel shirt because it looks cute over leggings or tied over a dress. I own loads of Quince items and get compliments every time I wear them. The link is for $20 off your purchase, and I get $20 too.
Nifty Gifties
🎁 Kate at Kate Outdoors has some great gear ideas. I don’t really camp so I struggle with these kinds of suggestions. Thanks Kate!
🎁 I don’t know alot about what to get kids, so look to Natalie at Camping Kiddos has some great gifts for kids!
Sibley’s Trees of Pacific Northwest
Bookshop af link
$9
IDK about you but I cannot tell a pine tree from a fir tree. I need this guide (OK there is a strong chance I already own this and need to find it) when I go on hikes. How cute would it be to plan a family trip and use this as a stocking stuffer? Other regions on my Bookshop list, incl California, NE/Upper Midwest, Southeast, and Mid Atlantic.
National Parks Bucket List Water Bottle
Uncommon Goods
$58
Literally everyone has sent me this on IG and no one has bought it for me. All the better bc I would definitely lose it immediately.
National Park Puzzle 1000 piece
Bookshop af link
$19
This looks like the least difficult of all the national parks puzzles I’ve done! We love a puzzle for the holidays. My mom, Julia and I always do a puzzle when we get together. Dining Room tables were meant for puzzles.
Custom Personalized National Park Wooden Sign
EmbellishmentsStudio, Etsy
$75+
How cute would “Hi Friends National Park” look on this sign? Create the 64th national park NOW with your own custom sign. Someone buy me this!!!!!
Landmark Project Channel Islands Poster
Landmark Project
$26+
I love this retro style design of these National Park posters. This Channel Islands one is next level!
The Gift of Memories
I have SO MUCH stuff, so I actively try to find a way to gift the gift of a memory with someone. A movie, a play, a nice dinner, and especially a trip to a National Park! Why not rent an RV and go on a road trip?
🎁 My friend Melissa at Miss Rover agrees – and has handpicked ten experiences to gift to a loved one.
🎁 A lot of my friends have RVs or travel vans, so I rely on Adventures with TuckNae for expertise on gifts for RV fans
Charming farmhouse close to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor
VRBO af link
$465/nt
What’s better for the holidays than a trip TO a national park? Since Maine is my entire personality I had to pick this dog-friendly house right by the water in Acadia National Park.
Snapfish Keepsake Books
snapfish af link
$30+, there is ALWAYS a coupon tho
I made one of these for my dad after our cross-country roadtrip and it was SUCH a hit! Take those iPhone photos of your roadtrip across the national parks and turn them into a photo book, ornament, or just print them out. Always find a coupon!
Glacier Park Lodge
Booking af link
$250/nt
Glacier NP is still on my to-visit list. I cannot wait to visit because it looks STUNNING. I also have dog-friendly places to stay near Cascades , Redwoods, and Mt. Rainier.
Glacier Private Guided Hiking Tour
Viator af link
$375
You KNOW I LOVE a tour. I love it so much, and it’s a great way to explore a “wilder” park on a tight schedule. I find Glacier, Rocky Mtn, and the Alaska parks to be so overwhelming, and a tour can make that more accessible.
Donations
- Why succumb to consumerism when you could support the parks directly?
- National Parks Foundation
- Washington’s National Park Fund
- Washington Trails Association
- BlackOutdoors, a Texas based nonprofit to help reconnect youth of color to nature
- Campfire Outdoors Club, a Tacoma based nonprofit to make nature more accessible to all. Their coffee is also awesome and at Trader Joe’s!
Other National Park Gift Guides to check out:
🎁 National Parks Foundation has some very unique gifts for several parks, including whiskey and wine. Sign me up
🎁 Parks Project gift finder – they give back to the park
