The 8 Best Books About National Parks — Reviewed

Written by Alan Lemus
Updated: April 15, 2023
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For many of us, national parks are not only places where we can go to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. They are places of refuge where we can commune with nature and marvel at some of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet — without ever stepping foot outside of the U.S.

Unfortunately, most of us can’t leave “the real world” behind as often as we’d like. For us, there is a treasure trove of highly rated books celebrating the parks in the United States National Park System. They can remind us of past adventures and inspire us to plan future trips to different national parks.

From tales of adventure and exploration to books about the history and ecology of our national parks, there’s something for everyone on this list. 

Let’s start exploring them now!

  1. Moon USA National Parks: The Complete Guide to All 62 Parks (Travel Guide)
    • 700 pages.
    • Covers all 62 national parks in the United States.
    • Presented as a planning resource.
    • Descriptions of hikes and trail maps marked with distances, durations, and effort levels.
    Check Amazon
  2. The National Parks: America's Best Idea
    • 432 pages.
    • Focuses on the evolution of parks in America.
    • Covers the concept of environmental preservation for the benefit of all.
    • A companion volume to the 12-hour PBS series by Ken Burns.
    Check Amazon
  3. Subpar Parks: America's Most Extraordinary National Parks and Their Least Impressed Visitors
    • 224 pages.
    • Funny collection of negative reviews for US National Parks
    • Great travel companion
    • Some great travel trips included as well
    Check Amazon
  4. Complete Guide to the National Park Lodges
    • 312 pages.
    • Features over 175 colored illustrations.
    • A detailed guide on room facilities, amenities, and more.
    Check Amazon
  5. USA National Parks: Lands of Wonder
    • 256 pages.
    • Features practical tips on planning your trip to national parks.
    • Ideas for hiking, walking, camping, picnicking, and more
    Check Amazon
  6. National Geographic Secrets of the National Parks, 2nd Edition: The Experts' Guide to the Best Experiences Beyond the Tourist Trail
    • 288 pages.
    • Fully updated and redesigned with the latest park information.
    • Features expert tips to make this a valuable guide on national parks.
    Check Amazon
  7. National Parks of the USA: Activity Book: With More Than 15 Activities, A Fold-out Poster, and 50 Stickers! (National Parks of the USA, 2)
    • 32 pages.
    • Customers recommend this book for children ages 3 through 9.
    • Includes fantastic puzzles, activities, and stickers.
    • Fashioned for easy learning by young readers.
    • Aims for fun-filled understanding, especially with the pull-out posters of wildlife and national parks.
    Check Amazon
  8. Fodor's The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West: with the Best Scenic Road Trips (Full-color Travel Guide)
    • 880 pages.
    • A planning tool for beating the crowds, money-saving tips, and getting around.
    • An illustrated experience guide on the top things to see and do.
    Check Amazon

A-Z-Animals’ Top Picks for the Best Books About National Parks

1. Moon USA National Parks: The Complete Guide to All 62 Parks by Becky Lomax

This comprehensive guide conveys valuable information on terrain, wildlife, climate, park fees, reservations, and passes for all 62 national parks. Each park has its own chapter with detailed information on things to do, where to stay, and nearby attractions. The book also includes practical tips on park safety, leave-no-trace principles, and navigating the permitting process for backcountry activities.

The author, Becky Lomax, is a former park guide, who has packed this book with expert advice on how to avoid crowds and the best time of year to visit each park. You’ll also find maps (including a detachable fold-out poster map), plans for exploring parks individually or by region, stunning full-color photos, plus a unique keepsake section where you can preserve your national park stamps for future trips down memory lane.

This book is an invaluable resource for anyone who wants to explore the great outdoors of America. It’s valuable for both seasoned national park travelers and anyone looking to visit their first park. It’s available in paperback and spiral-bound formats and has a 4.8 out of 5 rating on Amazon. Most reviews are glowing, like this one that said, “This guide makes it easy to find campgrounds, trails and scenic drives at every National Park that I intend to visit. I also does a great job of highlighting the best times of the year to visit, along with other attractions.”

A few reviewers reported issues with the book’s binding. One reviewer said that the book doesn’t contain adequate information on trails.

Pros and Cons of Moon USA National Parks: The Complete Guide to All 62 Parks by Becky Lomax

ProsCons
This comprehensive guide includes priceless information about all 62 national parks, including terrain, wildlife, climate, park fees, reservations, and passes.A few reviewers reported issues with the book’s binding.
The author, Becky Lomax, is a former park guide, so you know that you can trust her advice on avoiding crowds, the best time of year to visit each park, and more.One reviewer said that the book doesn’t contain adequate information on trails.
The book includes maps, a detachable fold-out poster map, plans for exploring parks by region or individually, glorious full-color photos, and a keepsake section where you can preserve your national park stamps.
Whether you’re a seasoned national park traveler or planning your first trip to one of the 62 parks, this book is for you.
It’s available in paperback and spiral-bound formats and has a 4.8 rating.
Moon USA National Parks: The Complete Guide to All 62 Parks (Travel Guide)
  • 700 pages.
  • Covers all 62 national parks in the United States.
  • Presented as a planning resource.
  • Descriptions of hikes and trail maps marked with distances, durations, and effort levels.
Check Amazon

2. The National Parks: America’s Best Idea by Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns 

This insightful book tells the story of the birth of the U.S. national park system. The idea behind the creation of the park system was radical-yet-simple: to preserve the country’s most spectacular locations for everyone, not just the rich and privileged, to enjoy for perpetuity. Making the park system a reality, however, entailed political battles and undying commitment from such legends as John Muir, Theodore Roosevelt, and Ansel Adams.

The book is incredibly well-researched and includes a wealth of information about national parks and their history. Additionally, Duncan and Burns do an excellent job depicting the beauty of the parks and the importance of their preservation.

The book is fascinating as it recounts the intense political battles that led to the development of the U.S. park system. The authors also reference the enduring ideals that fostered the park system’s growth.

This book is available in the following formats: audiobook, hardcover, and paperback. It has a 4.7-star rating. A few reviewers were disappointed that it didn’t include more photographs. Some others were displeased by the authors’ political bias and “propaganda.”

Pros and Cons of The National Parks: America’s Best Idea by Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns 

ProsCons
This book details the creation of the U.S. national park system.A few reviewers were disappointed that it didn’t include more photographs.
The idea was to preserve the most spectacular locations for everyone to enjoy, which was quite radical at the time.Some others were displeased by the authors’ political bias and “propaganda.”
The book is extremely well researched and explains the park system’s history expertly.
The authors also do a marvelous job of depicting the beauty of the parks and why it’s so important to preserve them.
The book recounts the intense political battles that lead to the development of the park system.
It’s available in audiobook, hardcover, and paperback formats.
The National Parks: America's Best Idea
  • 432 pages.
  • Focuses on the evolution of parks in America.
  • Covers the concept of environmental preservation for the benefit of all.
  • A companion volume to the 12-hour PBS series by Ken Burns.
Check Amazon

3. Subpar Parks: America’s Most Extraordinary National Parks and Their Least Impressed Visitors by Amber Share

If you love national parks but have been disappointed by some of your experiences, this book is for you. It looks at some of the most popular national parks in the U.S. and why they sometimes fail to live up to expectations.

This New York Times bestseller by Amber Share features visitor reviews with funny one-star ratings. She celebrates such parks and captures visitor comments, such as the Yellowstone National Park visitor who said this after visiting the thermal pools, “Save yourself some money; boil some water at home.”

The author shares her connection with the outdoors and profound insight into popular parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite to lesser-known ones like North Cascades and Great Basin. The result is an insightful and often amusing look at why some national parks are more enjoyable than others.

This book is available in Kindle and hardcover formats. It has a 4.8-star rating on Amazon. Negative reviews mainly came from readers who expected the book to be nothing but a collection of funny reviews, such as this one: “Bought this for my husband as he’s an avid hiker and already knows a lot about the US national parks, but unfortunately I changed my mind and will have to return it. The funny reviews are just the one liners that open each park or monument section. While they are funny, I was expecting this to be more of a humor book than anything, and was hoping to read more of the funny reviews.”

Pros and Cons of Subpar Parks: America’s Most Extraordinary National Parks and Their Least Impressed Visitors by Amber Share

ProsCons
This book looks at some of the most popular national parks and why they sometimes fail to live up to expectations.Most negative reviews were from readers who expected the book to be comprised solely of funny reviews.
The author, New York Times bestseller Amber Share, opens each section of this book with a humorous review about the featured park.
The author provides profound insights and humor about popular parks such as Yellowstone and Yosemite, and lesser-known ones like North Cascades and Great Basin.
It’s available in Kindle and hardcover formats.
It has a 4.8-star rating on Amazon.
Subpar Parks: America's Most Extraordinary National Parks and Their Least Impressed Visitors
  • 224 pages.
  • Funny collection of negative reviews for US National Parks
  • Great travel companion
  • Some great travel trips included as well
Check Amazon

4. Complete Guide to the National Park Lodges by David L. Scott and Kay W. Scott

If you’re planning a trip to one of America’s stunning national parks, you’ll want to read the Complete Guide to the National Park Lodges. This book is the perfect resource for anyone hoping to stay in one of the iconic lodges throughout the parks.

The book contains information on every national park lodge, including history, accommodations, room rates, activities, and more. It also includes over 175 full-color photographs and helpful tips on planning your trip. If you dream of staying in a cozy Yellowstone cabin or a grand hotel in Glacier National Park, this book will help you find the perfect lodge for your vacation.

This guide is available in Kindle and illustrated paperback format. It received a 4.7 rating, with most reviewers saying that it helped them plan their trips. There were no critical reviews for this book.

Pros and Cons of Complete Guide to the National Park Lodges by David L. Scott and Kay W. Scott

ProsCons
This guide will help you plan your stay at one of the iconic lodges in the United States National Park System.None
It includes info on every national park lodge, including history, accommodations, room rates, and activities.
It also features over 175 full-color photos and tips on planning your trip.
This guide is available in Kindle and illustrated paperback format and received a 4.7 rating.
Complete Guide to the National Park Lodges
  • 312 pages.
  • Features over 175 colored illustrations.
  • A detailed guide on room facilities, amenities, and more.
Check Amazon

5. USA National Parks: Lands of Wonder by DK Eyewitness

This beautiful coffee table book showcases the stunning scenery of all 62 of America’s national parks. The book is divided into sections, each of which contains stunning photos of the parks and informative text about the history and ecology of the area.

USA National Parks: Lands of Wonder is a collection of inspiring photographs celebrating American national parks’ beauty and grandeur. The book focuses on different aspects of national parks in each section, such as the geography, the best time of the year to visit, and other insights. 

The book, which is available in Kindle, audiobook, and illustrated hardcover formats, is filled with beautiful photography and will appeal to anyone who loves the outdoors. The essays are well written and provide a wealth of information about national parks. This is what you need for a book that will inspire you to explore national parks.

It received 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with most readers saying that it’s a “great gift” and a “gorgeous book” that provides a wonderful overview of America’s national parks. A few negative reviews said that the images were sub-par.

Pros and Cons of USA National Parks: Lands of Wonder by DK Eyewitness

ProsCons
This coffee table book showcases all 62 of America’s national parks.A few negative reviews said that the images were sub-par.
It’s divided into sections, each of which includes stunning photos of the parks and text about the history and ecology of the area.
You’ll also find information about the geography of each park, the best time to visit, and other insights.
It’s available in Kindle, audiobook, and illustrated hardcover formats.
The essays are well written and will inspire you to explore the park system.
It received 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
USA National Parks: Lands of Wonder
  • 256 pages.
  • Features practical tips on planning your trip to national parks.
  • Ideas for hiking, walking, camping, picnicking, and more
Check Amazon

6. Secrets of the National Parks, 2nd Edition: The Experts’ Guide to the Best Experiences Beyond the Tourist Trail by National Geographic

This is another comprehensive guide to getting the most out of America’s national parks. Authored by National Geographic, the book features insider tips from several experts, including park rangers, historians, biologists, and outdoor enthusiasts.

You’ll find over 500 tips on where to find the best hiking trails, the best places to stargaze, challenging hikes, secret spots, where to watch wildlife, and more. This edition also includes new entries for Denali National Park and Preserve, Gateway Arch, Indiana Dunes National Park, and Pinnacles National Park. Whether you’re planning a camping adventure, a day hike, or a road trip, you’re sure to find the inspiration you’re looking for in this guide.

For example, if you want to go to the Great Smoky Mountains national park, you’ll find the following subtitles: Location, Local Intelligence, and Secret Tip. Each of these subheadings is filled with tips and information that are sure to make your upcoming trip more enticing.

It should come as no surprise that this National Geographic publication, which is only available in paperback format, is also filled with stunning photographs and maps, making it an aesthetically pleasing addition to any coffee table.

This book has a 4.8-star rating on Amazon with most reviewers calling it compact, lightweight, and detailed. There are only three negative reviews for this book which ranged from “as advertised” to “don’t waste your money; no secrets here.”

Pros and Cons of Secrets of the National Parks, 2nd Edition: The Experts’ Guide to the Best Experiences Beyond the Tourist Trail by National Geographic

ProsCons
This comprehensive guide to America’s national parks includes over 500 insider tips from park rangers, historians, biologists, and outdoor enthusiasts.It’s only available in paperback.
This edition also includes new entries for Denali National Park and Preserve, Gateway Arch, Indiana Dunes National Park, and Pinnacles National Park.One negative review said, “As advertised.”
This National Geographic book is filled with stunning photographs and maps.Another said, “don’t waste your money; no secrets here.”
National Geographic Secrets of the National Parks, 2nd Edition: The Experts' Guide to the Best Experiences Beyond the Tourist Trail
  • 288 pages.
  • Fully updated and redesigned with the latest park information.
  • Features expert tips to make this a valuable guide on national parks.
Check Amazon

7. National Parks of the USA: Activity Book by Kate Siber (Author), Claire Grace (Author), Chris Turnham (Illustrator)

This is not your ordinary activity book. National Parks of the USA: Activity Book is a beautifully-illustrated book that takes you on a journey through America’s national parks. This paperback sticker book, which is geared toward kids ages three to nine, is packed with activities, facts, and information about each park, making it the perfect resource for children interested in learning more about these special places.

The parks featured in this children’s activity book include Acadia, Big Bend, Channel Islands, Death Valley, Denali, Everglades, Glacier Bay, Grand Canyon, Hawai’i volcanoes, Mesa Verde, Olympic, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and more.

The book’s authors, Kate Siber and Claire Grace seemed to have the audience in mind. They organized the book in an easy-to-follow way, featuring fun and educational activities. Readers will love the “spotters guide” for each park section, where they can learn about different animals and plants in the national parks.

Other activities include over 50 stickers, a crossword puzzle, a word search, “design your very own national park” and more! It also includes a pull-out poster that includes a map of the national parks.

This title received a 4.8-star rating with most reviewers calling it a “great book,” “super cool activity book,” and even “fun for adults.” The sole negative review said, “I was expecting a book that went over each individual national park, but every single activity includes a mixture of national parks. This doesn’t seem particularly useful to me unless your family has visited or plans to visit all of them. I would have liked an activity book that went a little more in depth into each national park.”

Pros and Cons of National Parks of the USA: Activity Book by Kate Siber (Author), Claire Grace (Author), Chris Turnham (Illustrator)

ProsCons
This paperback sticker book is geared toward kids ages three through nine.The only negative review reported that each activity includes a mixture of national parks instead of focusing on a single park, which would have been their preference.
It’s packed with activities, facts, and information about each of the following parks: Acadia, Big Bend, Channel Islands, Death Valley, Denali, Everglades, Glacier Bay, Grand Canyon, Hawai’i volcanoes, Mesa Verde, Olympic, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and more.
The book is organized in an easy-to-follow way and includes fun and educational activities.
Some of the activities include over 50 stickers, a crossword puzzle, a word search, “design your very own national park,” and a “spotters guide” for each park where kids can learn about the animals and plants that live there.
National Parks of the USA: Activity Book: With More Than 15 Activities, A Fold-out Poster, and 50 Stickers! (National Parks of the USA, 2)
  • 32 pages.
  • Customers recommend this book for children ages 3 through 9.
  • Includes fantastic puzzles, activities, and stickers.
  • Fashioned for easy learning by young readers.
  • Aims for fun-filled understanding, especially with the pull-out posters of wildlife and national parks.
Check Amazon

8. The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West: The Best Scenic Road Trips by Fodor’s Travel Guides

In this excellent guide, you will find a comprehensive introduction to the national parks in the West. It is both practical and thorough in its coverage.

The West is home to some of the most famous locations in the world, and this list would not be complete without mentioning the national parks in and surrounding this region. The thoroughly researched guide by Fodor strives to make exploring all of them more accessible.

This book includes detailed information on each park and tips on making the most of your visit. In addition, it contains scenic driving routes, a section on the best time to visit each park, impressive photos, and illustrations that give the reader a window into the beauty of these unique places and help to tell the park’s story.

This book is available in Kindle, paperback, and mass market paperback formats. Please note: The Kindle edition doesn’t contain all of the images or copy that are included in the printed formats.

It received 4.7 stars on Amazon with most reviewers saying that it was a useful guide to planning a trip to the national parks in the west. One negative review said that it wasn’t “particularly useful if you like to hike.” Other critical reviews said that the information in this guide was too broad and that there wasn’t a lot of detail.

Pros and Cons to The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West: The Best Scenic Road Trips by Fodor’s Travel Guides

ProsCons
This guide provides a comprehensive introduction to the national parks in the West.One negative review said that it wasn’t “particularly useful if you like to hike.”
This book includes detailed information about each park and tips to make your trip more enjoyable such as scenic driving routes, the best time to visit each park, and more.Other critical reviews said that the information in this guide was too broad and that there wasn’t a lot of detail.
You’ll also find impressive photos and illustrations that enhance the park’s story.
This book is available in Kindle, paperback, and mass market paperback formats. Please note: The Kindle edition doesn’t contain all of the images or copy that are included in the printed formats.
Fodor's The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West: with the Best Scenic Road Trips (Full-color Travel Guide)
  • 880 pages.
  • A planning tool for beating the crowds, money-saving tips, and getting around.
  • An illustrated experience guide on the top things to see and do.
Check Amazon

Choosing the Right Book About the National Parks

When you’re shopping for a book about the national parks, it helps to keep three things in mind: reader, subject, and format. We want you to make the best possible choice, so we’ll break it down.

Reader

Are you buying this book for yourself or as a gift? Is the intended reader an adult or a child? Are they a fan of the United States National Park System or are you gifting this book to share your passion with them?

Subject

While the overarching subject for all of the books is, of course, the national parks, our review includes eight titles that approach the subject in very different ways, including:

  • A guide to all 62 parks in the United States National Park System
  • A comprehensive history of the United States National Park System
  • A humorous look at why some people are underwhelmed by some of the most famous national parks
  • A guide to the lodges throughout the park system
  • A coffee table book featuring stunning scenery from all 62 parks
  • Insider tips to the park from experts such as park rangers
  • A kid’s activity book with over 50 stickers
  • A guide to the national parks in the West

Format

Many of the books in our review are available in multiple formats, such as Kindle, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook. If you’re gifting this book, it’s important to know whether the recipient has a Kindle or reads on the free Kindle app on their phone or tablet. Also, keep in mind that some Kindle books, including The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West: The Best Scenic Road Trips by Fodor’s Travel Guides, don’t include all of the images and/or text featured in the printed version.

Other considerations regarding format are whether the book is meant to be portable, such as a travel guide, or a title that the recipient will keep at home on their shelf for reference or on their coffee table as a conversation piece.

About the Author

Alan is a freelance writer and an avid traveler. He specializes in travel content. When he visits home he enjoys spending time with his family Rottie, Opie.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.