Ultimate National Parks Book List
In this post, we cover the 30+ best books on national parks. These national park books cover a variety of categories, from national park guides to national park history, photo books, and more.
When you walk into a bookstore or browse online, you want options. the history of national parks is about culture, customs, events, history, places, people, traditions and much more.
You are reading: Best books about national parks
You go to the parks to do things and learn things. Our definitive list of national park books will give you all that and more.
We start with our overview of the parks, including things to do and places to see. then we go in depth with our list of books on national parks.
Related: 70 Perfect National Park Gifts: The 2021 National Park Gift Guide
list of the best books on national parks
best general book on national parks
1. national parks: america’s best idea by ken burns & dayton duncan
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there are ken burns & dayton duncan national parks – america’s best idea. based on the pbs series of the same, it is a wonderful summary of the history of our parks.
“You start to have your memories or the important memories, the main signs engraved in your conscience by the power of the national parks, and I can’t think of anything else apart from the tragedy and this is the opposite of tragedy, that does us so much good.”
This wonderful book begins with the first sighting of the valley that would become yosemite and the creation of the world’s first national park at yellowstone in 1872.
and there are the most recent additions to a system that now encompasses nearly four hundred sites and 84 million acres.
Related: 10 (Surprising) Yosemite National Park Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
best national park coffee table books
2. national geographic: 100 parks, 5000 ideas: where to go, when to go, what to see, what to do
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Looking for a book to help you or someone else plan your next national park vacation?
national geographic’s: 100 parks, 5000 ideas: where to go, when to go, what to see, what to do has everything you need to plan a great trip, so this is the perfect book for you.
This book is packed with helpful travel tips and beautiful National Geographic photography.
is an expert guide showcasing the best experiences in North America’s top national, state, and urban parks.
best book on national parks for planning road trips
3. fodor’s the complete guide to the national parks of the west: featuring the best scenic road trips
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Fodor’s: The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West: Featuring the Best Scenic Road Trips is another great tool for planning your next trip.
These are the books that will help you plan your next road trip to your favorite national park
includes maps, hand-picked recommendations, and everything else you need.
can simplify your travel planning process and help you make the most of your time.
“Parks do not belong to a state or a section….
yosemite, yellowstone, the grand canyon are national properties in which every citizen has a vested interest; they belong as much to the man of massachusetts, of michigan, of florida, as they do to the people of california, wyoming, and arizona.”
best national park coffee table books
4. national geographic atlas of national parks
Buy: Amazon
This book holds a special place in our hearts, as we took the Voyageurs National Park page photo as part of the filming of our Voyageurs movie. Other than that, it’s a wonderful compendium of the national parks filled with stunning photos that are sure to inspire future travel.
best national park photo books
5. lands hoarded by qt luong
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qt is a living legend of national park photography and his photo books are unmatched in terms of capturing the beauty of the parks. In his book Treasured Lands, Luong focuses on national parks, and the results are spectacular.
from your book description:
“qt luong updated and expanded its national parks book by adding 28 more pages, 32 new locations and revising all maps. Treasured Lands: A Photographic Odyssey Through America’s National Parks pays tribute to the millions of acres of protected wilderness and historic heritage in our country’s 62 national parks, including the three designated since the award-winning first edition was published in 2016 and became an instant classic. – gateway arch, indiana dunes, white sands.”
6. Our National Monuments: America’s Hidden Gems
Buy: Amazon
QTS’s newest photo book highlights America’s national landmarks like never before. Spectacular, never-before-seen images of these less traveled but equally impressive places are displayed in our national monuments.
best national park guides
7. moon usa national parks: the complete guide to all 62 parks
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Moon USA National Parks: The Complete Guide to All 62 Parks is a wonderful resource (although it’s a short park now).
sufficient table books and complete guides. there is much more to share with you!
Related: 10 (Fascinating) Yellowstone National Park Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
best national park guides
8. 63 National Park Adventure Guide: 2021 Edition (includes new river gorge!)
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joel & Nathan Anderson has updated his guide titled National Parks Adventure Guide 63: 2021 Edition (Includes New River Gorge!). I want to make sure you have a guide that includes all the latest information and this is definitely the best.
Your Update Guide includes information on recently added parks, including New River Gorge, White Sands, Indiana Dunes, and Gateway Arch.
and, if you’re someone who likes to keep score, these two even include stickers for all 63 national parks. you can place a sticker on the park page every time you visit a new one!
the best national parks book for children
9. national geographic kids’ guide to national parks, usa centennial edition USA: The Most Amazing Sights, Scenes, and Interesting Activities from Coast to Coast
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They are never too young when it comes to getting them excited about a national park adventure. Whether it’s grand teton national park (above) or one of the other sixty-two, there are some wonderful books for children.
national geographic kids’ guide to national parks, usa centennial edition. USA: The Most Incredible Sights, Scenes, and Activities from Coast to Coast is a great book for a child interested in learning about national parks.
As a father of three children (now adults), I can tell you that activity books are a great way to get kids interested in national parks too.
the best books about national parks for children
10. National Geographic Junior Ranger Activity Book: Riddles, Games, Facts, and More USA-Inspired Fun! uu. national parks
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national geographic youth ranger activity book: riddles, games, facts and much more fun inspired by the usa. uu. national parks is a great book.
The book includes games, trivia, jokes, fun facts and much more.
And speaking of children, I want to mention the junior ranger program. Activity-based programs at parks across the country offer young visitors the opportunity to join the National Park Service “family” as junior rangers.
If you or a friend have a child who could benefit from this wonderful program, you may want to check it out.
the best books on camping in national parks
11. camping: stories and itineraries to sleep under the stars
Buy: Amazon
camping is a great gift for people who love the great outdoors, including us park lovers. this is just a fun read with all kinds of interesting anecdotes and stories.
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of the description:
“With stories from the trail, stunning images, and helpful instructions, this wild guide reveals what calls people to camping: Beneath all the gear, it’s as much about living off the grid as it is about the thrill of keeping up with life. Whether you love car camping with the kids, rock climbing with friends, or living rough alone in a shed, you’ll find there’s always a new place to explore, even if it’s just in your backyard.”
best national park history books
12. teddy roosevelt in california: the whistle tour that changed america
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one of my favorite stories is teddy roosevelt in chris epting’s california: the fleeting tour that changed america.
is the story of president theodore roosevelt’s tour of california in 1903.
Embarked on three days of epic wilderness adventures in Yosemite with famed and influential naturalist John Muir.
It’s a wonderfully entertaining book and a real page turner too!
13. the desert warrior: theodore roosevelt and the crusade for america
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Author and historian douglas brinkley examining the relationship examines the life and accomplishments of our “president naturalist.”
14. legitimate inheritance: franklin d. roosevelt and the land of america
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Examines how Theodore’s fifth cousin Franklin continued his crusade to protect America’s public lands.
“there are no words that can say the hidden spirit of the desert, that can reveal its mystery, its melancholy and its charm.”
15. son of the desert: the life of john muir
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no self-respecting list of books on national parks is complete without the story of john muir, the man who is called the “father of national parks”.
16. A Passion for Nature: The Life of John Muir
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muir played a critical role in building public support for the idea of a national park system.
“Thousands of tired, nervous and overly civilized people are beginning to realize that going to the mountains is coming home; that the wild is a necessity”
best national park rescue books
17. Death, Daring, and Disaster (Revised Edition): Search and Rescue in the National Parks
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Imagine a plane landing on top of Mount Rainier. or how about a person rescued after spending 37 days lost in yellowstone national park.
The author recounts more than 400 compelling tales of heroism from the 150,000 search and rescue missions conducted by the National Park Service.
Related: 10 (Surprising) Facts About Mount Rainier National Park For Your Next Trip
best history books on national parks
18. Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West
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TheLewis and Clark National Historic Trail is approximately 4,900 miles long and stretches from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the mouth of the Columbia River near present-day Astoria, Oregon.
To understand the history of the trail, it helps to understand the history of the men who explored it.
It’s a story of incredible courage and colorful characters that opened up the West as told by a master storyteller: Stephen Ambrose.
Related: 6 Missouri National Parks Worth A Stop On Your Next Midwest Road Trip
19. west like lightning: the short legendary pony express ride
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the pony expressdelivered messages, newspapers, and mail using relays of horseback riders. only in operation for eighteen months, it reduced the travel time for messages between the east and west coasts to about ten days.
a thrilling story of daring young men pushing their limits to extremes across the vast, rugged and unstable American West. is from bestselling author jim defelice.
the challenges they faced were daunting, but the pony express succeeded, delivering tens of thousands of letters at record speed.
Related: 7 Amazing Kansas National Parks: Everything You Need To Know
20. tmistake on the santa fe road: kit carson and the apache jicarilla
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westward ho! Between 1821 and 1880, the Santa Fe Trail was a highway that connected Missouri and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Originally started by Missouri trader william becknell, this trail has some fascinating stories to tell.
In this riveting tale, you’ll learn about America’s worst defeat. uu. army in the west up to that point and what they did to avenge that defeat.
Looking for more travel books? check out our article travel the world with the help of these 25 (amazing) books.
best national park biographies
21. benton mackaye: conservationist, planner, and creator of the appalachian trail
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one of these colorful characters is benton mackaye. he is the “father of the Appalachian Trail”.
mackaye was an American forester, planner, and conservationist. This co-founder of the wilderness society has a story to tell and it is told by larry anderson.
22. A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
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Since we’re on the subject of the Appalachian Trail, I had to include an entertaining guide. It is Bill Bryson’s personal account of his travels on this historic trail.
He introduces us to the history and ecology of the trail and to some of the other tough (or just plain reckless) people he meets along the way, and a couple of bears.
23. a river running west: the life of john wesley powell
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john wesley powell was an American geologist, usa. Army soldier, explorer of the American West, professor at Illinois Wesleyan University, and director of major scientific and cultural institutions.
He then led a dangerous expedition to explore the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River.
The book is written by Daniel Worse. tells the story of powell’s great adventures and depicts their historical significance with compelling clarity and skill.
“we have an unknown distance yet to travel, an unknown river to explore.
what falls there are, we don’t know; what rocks beset the channel, we do not know; what walls ride on the river, we do not know.
oh well! we can conjecture a lot of things.”
24. untamed: the wildest woman in america and the fight for cumberland island
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cumberland island is located off the coast of georgia. It is a place where nature and history come together to tell a most unusual story.
one of the most fascinating inhabitants of this island is carol ruckdeschel. she is the wild woman of cumberland island, who eats run over, rides bareback.
Related: Whose Island Is It Anyway: A Story & guide to cumberland island
the best books on civil war in national parks
25. shelby foote: civil war
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The big three authors are bruce catton, shelby foote and james m. mcpherson.
my personal favorite is shelby foote. I’ve read your fabulous civil war history in three volumes twice!
26. battle cry of freedom: the era of civil war
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james mcpherson’s narrative fully integrates the political, social, and military events that occurred during the two decades from the outbreak of one war in mexico to the end of another in appomattox.
The book vividly recounts the momentous episodes that preceded the Civil War: the Dred Scott decision, the Lincoln-Douglas debates, John Brown’s assault on Harper’s Ferry.
27. Bruce Catton’s Civil War: 3 Volume Boxed Set
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best fiction books about national parks
Do you prefer fiction to reality? there are wonderful stories set within national parks waiting to be read. I’ll give you three of my favorites.
28. death cannon
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death cannon, by david riley bertsch, is the story of a former prosecutor. He left the law for a quieter existence as a fishing guide in Jackson. three apparently unrelated deaths shatter that tranquility.
29. wild boar island
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Next is boar island next to nevada barr. Anna Pigeon is a national park ranger who travels between parks to solve mysteries in the depths of nature. This book takes place in Acadia National Park.
related: acadia national park
30. by the river
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and there is a great smoky mountains national park mystery. Titled down by the river by lin stepp, it is the story of a middle-aged widow, grace conley, who decides it’s time to start over.
starting over may not be as easy as grace thinks.
related: great smoky mountains national park
best books on national forests
What if you love the outdoors, but don’t want to join the hordes of people who flock to some of our nation’s parks?
as bloomberg reports, “a post-pandemic boom in national park tourism has left policymakers wondering how to preserve nature and the visitor experience amid increased traffic, crowds and wait times.”
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Well, we have good news for you. there is a less crowded alternative. It’s called our national forests.
While our national forests may not offer as many amenities, they do offer the same magnificent scenery, wildlife, activities, and everything else you love about that great outdoor experience.
31. This Land: A Guide to Western National Forests
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if you’re interested in planning a trip to a national forest, then an excellent resource to help you plan that trip is This Land: A Guide to the National Forests of the Westby robert h . mohlenbrock.
is part of a three-volume series that introduces people to all of our nation’s forests. the book is a comprehensive field guide describing the natural features, wilderness areas, scenic drives, campgrounds, and hiking trails of our national forests.
What you will learn is that many of these places, while little known and rarely visited, have features as spectacular as those found in our national parks and monuments.
32. This Land: A Guide to the Central National Forests
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33. This Land: A Guide to Eastern National Forests
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best national forestry history books
34. gifford pinchot and the creation of modern environmentalism
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If you’re interested in traveling to our nation’s forest, why not meet the man who helped make it possible?
gifford pinchot was the first director of the united states. Forest Service Appointed in 1905. He is considered the “Father of America’s National Forests”.
Author and conservation historian char miller has written an excellent book on this “conservation pioneer”.
related: gifford pinchot: a 2021 lesson from america’s first forest
why limit yourself to national parks?
35. national geographic guide to united states state parks, 5th edition
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why stop at the national parks when you can keep going? this book offers the best in state parks that have been selected by park directors and editors of national geographic.
You may not have heard of red rock canyon state park in california, but did you know it was the site where episodes of csi, lost in space and star trekwere they filmed?
Do you want to know more?
related: does it look familiar? 10 classic TV shows filmed in national parks
list of the best books on national parks
- national parks: america’s best idea by ken burns & dayton duncan
- national geographic’s: 100 parks, 5,000 ideas: where to go, when to go, what to see, what to do
- fodor’s the complete guide to the national parks of the west: featuring the best scenic road trips
- national geographic atlas of national parks
- treasured lands by qt luong
- our national monuments: america’s hidden gems
- li>
- moon usa national parks: the complete guide to all 62 parks
- 63 national parks adventure guide: 2021 edition (includes new river gorge!)
- national geographic kids national guide to usa parks centennial edition USA: The Most Incredible Sights, Scenes, and Activities from Coast to Coast
- National Geographic Junior Ranger Activity Book: USA-inspired riddles, games, facts, and more! uu. national parks
- camping: stories and itineraries to sleep under the stars
- teddy roosevelt in california: the stopover tour that changed america
- the wild warrior: theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America
- Rightful Heritage: Franklin D. roosevelt and the land of america
- son of the desert: the life of john muir
- passion for nature: the life of john muir
- death, daring, and disaster (revised edition): search and rescue in the national parks
- undaunted bravery: meriwether lewis, thomas jefferson, and the opening of the american west
- west like lightning: the brief and Legendary Express Pony Ride
- Horror on the Santa Fe Trail: Kit Carson and the Jicarilla Apache
- Benton Mackaye: Conservationist, Planner, and Creator of the Appalachian Trail
- A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
- A River Running West: The Life of John Wesley Powell
- Indomitable: The Woman america’s wildest and the fight for cumberland island
- shelby foote: civil war
- battle cry of freedom: civil war era
- bruce catton’s civil war: 3 volume set in box
- death canyon
- boar island
- riverside
- this land: a guide to the central national forests
- this land: a guide to the eastern national forests
- gifford pinchot and the making of modern environmentalism
- national geographic guide to united states state parks, 5th edition
this land: a guide to the national forests of the west
what about national parks in movies?
Holidays are a great time to get everyone together. If you love national parks, why not get together and watch a movie in which one of your favorite parks makes a cameo appearance?
We’ve compiled a list of over 25 national parks that have made cameo appearances in some of our favorite movies. see the next article.
related: does it look familiar? 25+ classic movies shot in national parks
summary | leave us a comment
I hope you’ve found the More Than Just Parks National Parks Books List helpful as a result of this article which is to provide you with more books covering more topics than you might find elsewhere.
If you’d like to share any of your own book recommendations with us, we invite you to do so. We are always looking to learn more about America’s National Parks.
about the people behind more than just parks
You should probably know that we don’t just make this stuff up out of thin air. We’ve spent our entire adult lives exploring and filming America’s national parks and public lands.
We have worked with the National Park Service, the Department of the Interior, and the United States. forest service for years creating movies about important places and issues. our work has been featured in leading publications around the world and we are even called national park experts by some outside of our immediate family.
the park brothers
We’re Jim Pattiz and Will Pattiz, collectively known as the Pattiz Brothers (and sometimes the Park Brothers), and we love national parks.
our goal here at more than parks is to share the beauty of america’s national parks and public lands through stunning short films in an effort to get americans and the world to see the true value of land conservation.
We hope you’ll follow our tour of the parks and help us keep them the amazing places they are. If you’re interested in joining the adventure, sign up below!
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