Are you looking for the must-have great gift idea for the outdoorsy people in your life?
Whether it's a family member or an outdoorsy friend you have to shop for, you are looking in the right spot.
Gift Guide for Outdoor Lovers
This is my list of ideas that are perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, graduation, or even the holiday season gift.
These are some of my favorite products for the great outdoors that I use year-round!
If you purchase a gift through one of our links I may receive a small commission at no expense to you.
We truly appreciate your support of Park Ranger John and the time you take to visit the site!
Gift A National Park Annual Pass
This is perfect for those who need an excuse to go visit a National Park this upcoming year!
It's even better when they are planning a National Park vacation.
America the Beautiful/National Park Pass covers entrance fees for an entire year to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites.
The park pass covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy on REI.com and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Passport to your National Parks - Explorer Edition
For anyone who collects stamps at the parks they visit! The sturdy weatherproof Explorer edition has lots of room for your stamps, numerous official Passport pages, and a map with all the national park sites. I love that I can place pencils and still zip them up and not lose items while on a road trip exploring the parks!
Goodr Sunglasses - National Parks Edition
I love Goodr Sunglasses and always have a pair with me wherever I go. My favorite pair is the Joshua Tree National Park Polarized Sunglasses. They also have glasses for Yellowstone, The Grand Canyon, Denali, Mount Rainier, Zion, Everglades, Great Smoky Mountains, Glacier, Acadia, Yosemite, and Rocky Mountain National Parks! You can pick your favorite color, or destination or just have numerous different pairs like myself!
National Park Map
Here is the perfect gift for someone to mark off the National Parks they have been to as well as shows where each of the parks are in the U.S. There are several styles on Amazon but I liked this map as it was very pretty and customizable.
Outdoor Recreation
Zamberlan Men's 996 Vioz GT Hiking Boot Available on Amazon and/or REI
These are my go-to boots! I wore these for over a decade as a Park Ranger and continue wearing them today!
They offer great ankle support and are durable enough for any trail wheather your outdoor adventures include being a backcountry hiker or on concrete all day working. My feet don't get tired in these boots. I would also suggest moisture-wicking socks when wearing a heavier boot. Not only will it help with your feet sweating in a heavier boot but will also help with comfort throughout the day.
Pelican Porter Tumbler
This is one of the best gifts someone can receive. After all, everyone wants/needs a tumbler that can keep your drink hot or cold all day. Whether you are at work, in your car driving somewhere, or hanging out by the pool or beach in the summer your drinking will keep at its desired temperature for hours!
The Pelican Porter is a 40 oz. tumbler that has 90% recycled 18/8 stainless steel and comes in a wide variety of colors.
I was even able to order mine with my Park Ranger John Logo!
National Park Coloring Books by Kristi Trimmer
I met Kristi several years ago who is from Alaska.
Not only is she a great person, but a very talented artist too!
I am always impressed with her books and know you and your outdoor enthusiast in your family would too!
Kristi also makes numerous other gift items like Christmas ornaments.
Check out some of her stuff and help support another small business
Lifestraw reusable water bottles on Amazon
Hollow fiber Membrane: removes 99.999999% of bacteria (including E. Coli and salmonella) and 99.999% of parasites (including Giardia and Cryptosporidium) and Microplastics.
HotHands Heated Boot Insole on Amazon
These heated boot inserts kept me going on many a day working in the park during the winter!
They are truly a life changer when working or spending time outdoors.
Solar-powered lantern on Amazon
Buy This is a nice lightweight solar-powered lantern for those who want to pack light when camping.
National Park Games
You can't go wrong with games inspired by the National Parks or Camping Games! They are the perfect way to dream about your favorite parks all winter long when it is crazy cold outside. You can also start working on your camping game skills so you are ready to hit an amazing campground!
National Park Jenga - on Amazon
National Parks Trivial Pursuit Travel Edition - on Amazon
National Park Yahtzee - on Amazon
National Park Monopoly - on Amazon
National Park Gifts under $50
National Park-inspired Postcards - on Amazon
Ansel Adams in the National Parks - Photographs from America's Wild Places - on Amazon
National Park Coloring Book - on Amazon
Junior Ranger Activity Book - on Amazon
Gifts over $100
Looking for a big gift that makes a wow statement! These are our favorite gifts over $100! A few of these are on my holiday wish list.
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR Camera + EF 24-105mm f/4L is II USM Lens
This is the camera gear that we use for the majority of our National Park and wildlife photos and we love it! I know, I have not made the change to mirrorless yet but I can tell you that the prices have come down on this camera since mirrorless has come out. We have been using this camera for years and it has made it through road trips, national park craziness, and long flights and still keeps producing incredible photos.
Park Ranger John's Wish List
This list is for my friends and family members who read my site. Here is a list of outdoor gear I am hoping for and yes I have a Birthday coming up 😉
Rumpl Blanket - Yosemite
First off blankets come in handy everywhere! I always keep a few in my car for an emergency, to carry camping, picnicking, going to parades, watching the stars, by the campfire, etc.
There are a million uses for a blanket and they are darn tough.
They can resist water, dirt, odors, stains, and even pet hair, and are made with ripstop material. Did I mention they weigh barely two pounds!
Solo Stove
Want a campfire without all the smoke? I do! No matter what I do, it always seems like the smoke follows me all around a campfire. Its time for me to make the upgrade so I can enjoy the nights on my back deck with friends and family.
Ooni pizza oven
Does anyone else love a perfectly cooked pizza? I would love to make my personal pizza and avoid my wife's favorite which includes pineapple 🙁
We could finally both be happy! well, perhaps not our waist? HAHA
Gifts to Avoid
Backpacks
I am a firm believer that you should go somewhere like REI and visit their backpack section before buying anything.
Just because you have seen them wear something like Patagonia or North Face before does not mean they will love a backpack because it's pretty or because of the name brand.
The best backpack I ever bought was a Kelty and that was after getting properly fitted at REI First.
They then pointed me towards backpacks I had not considered and fell in love with my Kelty because of the comfort and fit.
I have hiked more miles than I can count with this pack and have it still to this day!
If you know they need a backpack, advise them that you got them a gift card and tell them about getting properly fitted.
Jacket
Same as a backpack, if you don't know the exact brand, type, and size your outdoors lover wants I would shy away from a jacket.
Jackets come with so many options these days including everything from being water-resistant to having a hood, no hoods, something for trail runners, mountain climbers, and ski jackets, for hunters, and fishermen, and on and on. There are now battery-operated heated jackets for additional warmth, to jackets that can wirelessly charge your device (phone).
This makes another gift card look like a good idea to me with a note that they can pick out the perfect jacket for themselves.
Sleeping Bag
Just like the others above, you may not know exactly what they want. A two-season, three-season, or four-season bag, with down feathers, are they allergic to down feathers water resistant, length, ultralight, weight, zipper location (right or left-handed)?
I hope you don't feel overwhelmed, I just want to lead you to the perfect gift and not feel disappointment.
Adult beverage gift ideas
Beers inspired by National Parks - I like to enjoy a cold beer after a full day of hiking. I'm guessing that I'm not the only one by the number of beers out today inspired by the National Parks. Here is a list of the beers I have found during my travels.
Wine-inspired by National Parks - Do you prefer the grapes? You are not alone as I am seeing wines inspired pop up everywhere from wineries, gift shops, and restaurants in the National Park Lodges, and surrounding areas of the parks.
Spirits Inspired by National Parks- Do you like a good bourbon? perhaps you are interested in something a bit more exotic like an Absinthe? Whatever spirit you may like there seems to be a demand for spirits inspired by the National Parks as this is a massively growing industry.
I hope you enjoyed my Holiday Gift Guide for outdoor lovers.
I hope this information is useful whether you plan on heading to a National Park, heading to a park with your tent and to your favorite campsite, or simply spending time with friends and family in your backyard with fire pits and smores.
Remember the best outdoor gifts are something that will be used and spent with the ones we care about.
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