We have had so much fun exploring National Parks in the USA lately, and I decided to do some research about books for each of them. This list of National park books for kids grew and grew, but I’d love to add any that you know of if I missed them! I link to this list from my post about the 45+ best gifts for someone who loves national parks as well, go check it out.

Remember you can request that your local library buys or borrows books for you, although a lot of these are out of print and pretty darn cheap. Check out this post for how I prepare for our trips, including finding books to read about the area!

In addition to book research, I’m working on DIY travel maps for our family, but if you want a parks specific one, this National Parks Travel Quest Poster look so fun!

We have been having fun doing both the Junior Ranger programs and also the National Parks passport program; you can usually buy the passport books at the gift shops or you can buy the traditional, small passport (we have this one!) or the bigger, kid’s passport, both online. Once you’ve earned badges, try one of these junior ranger badge display ideas at home!

You can pin this post of National park books for kids for later, using this link and photo:

National park books for kids

General National Parks reading books

All Aboard! National Parks: A Wildlife Primer (board book) by Haily & Kevin Meyers
National Parks of the USA by Kate Siber
National Parks: A Kid’s Guide to America’s Parks, Monuments and Landmarks by Erin McHugh
National Geographic Kids National Parks Guide USA Centennial Edition: The Most Amazing Sights, Scenes, and Cool Activities from Coast to Coast! by National Geographic Kids
National Park Service: The Story Behind the Scenery by Horace M. Albright
You Are Home: An Ode to the National Parks by Evan Turk

General National Parks activity books

Junior Ranger Activity Book: Puzzles, Games, Facts, and Tons More Fun Inspired by the U.S. National Parks! by National Geographic Kids
National Geographic Kids Funny Fill-In: My National Parks Adventure by National Geographic Kids
Kids’ Travel Journal by Peter Pauper Press
National Geographic Kids Ultimate U.S. Road Trip Atlas: Maps, Games, Activities, and More for Hours of Backseat Fun by Crispin Boyer
National Parks Coloring Book by Peter F. Copeland
59 Illustrated National Parks Coloring Book by Anderson Design Group

National Parks apps/podcasts that are family-friendly

Everybody’s National Parks is a podcast that includes kid-friendly notes
Just Ahead app or Gypsy app that both offer travel guides on the go

Non-fictional national park books for kids

Acadia National Park

This is such an amazing park, check out my post with tips for visiting Acadia National Park with kids before you visit!

Who Pooped in the Park? Acadia National Park: Scat and Tracks for Kids by Gary D. Robson
Ten Days in Acadia: A Kids’ Hiking Guide to Mount Desert Island by Hope Rowan
Acadia National Park (Rookie National Parks) by Audra Wallace
Acadia (True Books: National Parks) by Audra Wallace
Acadia: The Story Behind the Scenery by Bill Clark

Arches National Park

Utah’s Big Five National Parks: Adventuring with Kids by Harley & Abby McAllister
Arches National Park (True Books-National Parks) by David Petersen
Arches: The Story Behind the Scenery by David William Johnson

Badlands National Park

Badlands: The Story Behind the Scenery by Joseph W. Zarki

Big Bend National Park

Who Pooped in the Park? Big Bend National Park: Scat and Tracks for Kids by Gary D. Robson
Big Bend: The Story Behind the Scenery by Carol E. Sperling

Biscayne National Park

Biscayne: The Story Behind the Scenery by L. Wayne Landrum

Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Curicanti National Recreation Area

Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Curicanti National Recreation Area: The Story Behind the Scenery by Paul Zaenger

Black Hills National Forest

Destination – Black Hills: The Story Behind the Scenery by Beverly Pechan

Bryce Canyon National Park

Utah’s Big Five National Parks: Adventuring with Kids by Harley & Abby McAllister
Bryce Canyon National Park (True Book) by David Petersen
Bryce Canyon: The Story Behind the Scenery (Discover America: National Parks) by John Bezy

Canyonlands National Park

Utah’s Big Five National Parks: Adventuring with Kids by Harley & Abby McAllister
Canyonlands: The Story Behind the Scenery by David W. Johnson

Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Canyon De Chelly: The Story Behind the Scenery by Douglas & Barbara Johnson

Cape Cod National Seashore

Good Night Cape Cod National Seashore (board book) by Adam Gamble & Mark Jasper

Capitol Reef National Park

Utah’s Big Five National Parks: Adventuring with Kids by Harley & Abby McAllister
Capitol Reef: The Story Behind the Scenery by Virgil & Helen Olson

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Carlsbad Caverns: The Story Behind the Scenery by Edward J. Greene
Carlsbad Caverns National Park (New True Books) by David Petersen

Chaco Culture National Park

Chaco Culture National Park (True Books: National Parks) by David Petersen

Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands: The Story Behind the Scenery by Peter C. Howorth

Congaree National Park

Not specific to Congaree, but relevant to the ecosystem Who Needs a Swamp? by Karen Patkau.

Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake: The Story Behind the Scenery by Ronald G. Warfield

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley (True Book National Parks) by Joanne Mattern

Death Valley National Park

Who Pooped in the Park? Death Valley National Park: Scat and Tracks for Kids by Gary D. Robson
Death Valley National Park (True Books: National Parks) by David Petersen
Death Valley: The Story Behind the Scenery by Bill Clark

Denali National Park

Denali National Park and Preserve (True Books: National Parks) by David Petersen
Denali: The Story Behind the Scenery by Don S. Follows

Devil’s Tower National Monument

Devils Tower: The Story Behind the Scenery by Stephen L. Norton

Dinosaur National Monument

Dinosaur: The Story Behind the Scenery by Allen Hagood

Everglades National Park

The Everglades was so much fun for spotting wildlife, check out my post about tips for visiting the Everglades with kids before you go!

Everglades National Park (Rookie National Parks) by Karina Hamalainen
Everglades (True Book National Parks) by Karina Hamalainen
Everglades National Park (True Books: National Parks) by Wende Fazio
Everglades: The Story Behind the Scenery by Jack De Golio
Not specific to Everglades, but relevant to the ecosystem Who Needs a Swamp? by Karen Patkau.

Glacier National Park

Who Pooped in the Park? Glacier National Park: Scat and Tracks for Kids by Gary D. Robson
Glacier (A True Book: National Parks) by Joanne Mattern
What I Saw in Glacier: A Kid’s Guide to the National Park by Ellen Horowitz
Glacier National Park: Adventuring with Kids by Harley & Abby McAllister
The Totally Out There Guide to Glacier National Park by Donna Love
Glacier National Park (Rookie National Parks) by Joanne Mattern
Glacier: The Story Behind the Scenery by Kathleen E. Ahlenslager

Glen Canyon – Lake Powell National Park

Glen Canyon-Lake Powell: The Story Behind the Scenery by Ronald E. Everhart

Grand Canyon National Park

Who Pooped in the Park? Grand Canyon National Park: Scat and Tracks for Kids by Gary D. Robson
Where Is the Grand Canyon? by Jim O’Conner & Who HQ
Grand Canyon National Park (Rookie National Parks) by Lisa M. Herrington
Grand Canyon (A True Book: National Parks) by Joshua Gregory
Good Night Grand Canyon by Mark Jasper & Adam Gamble
Grand Canyon: The Story Behind the Scenery by L. Greer Price & Merrill D. Beal
Grand Canyon North Rim: The Story Behind the Scenery by Connie Rudd
Grand Canyon by Jason Chin

Grand Staircase – Escalante

Grand Staircase – Escalante: The Story Behind the Scenery by Joyce Badgley Hunsaker

Grand Teton National Park

Who Pooped in the Park? Grand Teton National Park: Scat and Tracks for Kids by Gary D. Robson
What I Saw in Grand Teton: A Kid’s Guide to the National Park by Julie Gillum Lue
Grand Teton National Park (Rookie National Parks) by Jodie Shepard
Grand Teton (True Books: National Parks) by Joshua Gregory
Grand Teton: The Story Behind the Scenery by Hugh Crandall

Great Sand Dunes National Monument

Great Sand Dunes National Monument (True Books: National Parks) by David Petersen

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

If you’re headed there, don’t miss my list of 8+ kid friendly hikes in smoky mountain national park!!

Great Smoky Mountains Activity Book (Color and Learn) by Paula Ellis
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Rookie National Parks) by Lisa M. Harrington
Great Smoky Mountains (True Books: National Parks) by Josh Gregory
Great Smoky Mountains: The Story Behind the Scenery by W. Eugene Cox
Who Pooped in the Park? Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Steve Kemp

Haleakala National Park

Haleakala National Park (True Books: National Parks) by David Petersen

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (True Books, National Parks) by Sharlene & Ted Nelson
Hawaii Volcanoes: The Story Behind the Scenery by Janet L. Babb

Independence National Historical Park

Independence National Historical Park: The Story Behind the Scenery by Ronald Bruce Thomson

Isle Royale National Park

Isle Royale National Park (True Books: National Parks) by Joel Kalbacken
The Wolves and Moose of Isle Royale: Restoring an Island Ecosystem by Nancy Castaldo

Jewel Cave National Monument

Jewel Cave : The Story Behind the Scenery by Karen S. Rosga

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree (True Book National Parks) by Jodie Shepard
Joshua Tree: The Story Behind the Scenery by Delcie Vuncannon

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Lake Mead & Hoover Dam: The Story Behind the Scenery by James C. Maxon

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Volcanic: The Story Behind the Scenery by Ellis Richard

Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave: The Story Behind the Scenery by Joy Medley Lyons

Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park (New True Book) by David Petersen
Mesa Verde: The Story Behind the Scenery by Linda Martin

Monument Valley National Monument

Monument Valley: The Story Behind the Scenery by K.C. DenDooven

Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park (Rookie National Parks) by Joanne Mattern
Mount Rainier (A True Book: National Parks) by Joanne Mattern

Mount Rushmore National Monument

Little Miss HISTORY Travels to MOUNT RUSHMORE by Mrs. Barbara Ann Mojica
Where Is Mount Rushmore? by True Keley, Who HQ, & John Hinderliter
Mount Rushmore: The Story Behind the Scenery by Lincoln Borglum

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (True Books: National Parks) by Sharlene & Ted Nelson

North Cascades National Park

North Cascades: The Story Behind the Scenery by Saul Weisberg

Olympic National Park

Who Pooped in the Park? Olympic National Park: Scat and Tracks for Kids by Gary D. Robson
Olympic National Park (Rookie National Parks) by Audra Wallace
Olympic National Park (True Books: National Parks) by Sharlene & Ted Nelson
Olympic: The Story Behind the Scenery by Henry C. Warren

Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park (True Book) by David Petersen
Petrified Forest: The Story Behind the Scenery by Sidney Ash & David May

Redwoods National Park

Who Pooped in the Redwoods? : Scat and Tracks for Kids by Gary D. Robson
Good Night Redwoods (board book) by Adam Gamble & Mark Jasper
Redwood the Story Behind the Scenery by ??

Red Rock National Conservation Area

Who Pooped in the Park? Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area: Scat and Tracks for Kids by Gary D. Robson

Rocky Mountain National Park

Read about our visit to Rocky Mountain National Park with kids here!

“Hey Ranger!” Kids Ask Questions About Rocky Mountain National Park by Kim Williams Justesen
Who Pooped in the Park? Rocky Mountain National Park: Scat and Tracks for Kids by Gary D. Robson
Rocky Mountain National Park (Rookie National Parks) by Lisa M. Herrington
Rocky Mountain (True Books: National Parks) by Jennifer Zeiger
Rocky Mountain: The Story Behind the Scenery by Michael T. Smithson

Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park (True Books-National Parks) by David Petersen

Santa Catalina Island National Park

Santa Catalina Island: The Story Behind the Scenery by Terrence D. Martin

Sequoia & King’s Canyon National Park

Who Pooped in the Park? Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks: Scat and Tracks for Kids by Gary D. Robson
Little Miss HISTORY Travels to SEQUOIA National Park by Mrs. Barbara Ann Mojica
Sequoia & Kings Canyon: The Story Behind the Scenery by William C. Tweed

Shenandoah National Park

Who Pooped in the Park? Shenandoah National Park: Scat and Tracks for Kids by Gary D. Robson
Shenandoah: The Story Behind the Scenery by Hugh Crandall

Sonoran Desert National Monument

Sonoran Desert: The Story Behind the Scenery by Christopher L. Helms
The Sonoran Desert by Day and Night (Dover Nature Coloring Book) by Dot Barlowe
Who Pooped in the Sonoran Desert? – Scat and Tracks for Kids by Gary D. Robson

Virgin Islands National Park

Virgin Islands National Park: The Story Behind the Scenery by Alan H. Robinson

Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave: The Story Behind the Scenery by Ronald A. Terry

Yellowstone National Park

We loved our trip here, check out my mega post of tips for visiting yellowstone with kids before you go!

“Hey Ranger!” Kids Ask Questions About Yellowstone National Park by Kim Williams Justesen
Who Pooped in the Park? Yellowstone National Park: Scat and Tracks for Kids by Gary D. Robson
What I Saw in Yellowstone: A Kid’s Guide to the National Park by Durrae Johanek
Buddy Bison’s Yellowstone Adventure (National Geographic Kids) by Ilona E. Holland
Yellowstone National Park for Kids, Preteens, and Teenagers: A Grande Guides Series Book for Children by Stephanie Del Grande
Yellowstone (True Books: National Parks) by Audra Wallace
Yellowstone (Wonders of America) (early reader) by Marion Dane Bauer
Hello, Yellowstone! (board book) by Martha Zschock
Good Night Yellowstone (board book) by Adam Gamble & Mark Jasper
Yellowstone National Park: Adventuring with Kids by Harley & Abby McAllister
Yellowstone National Park (Rookie National Parks) by Audra Wallace
Yellowstone: The Story Behind the Scenery by Roger Anderson

Yosemite National Park

Who Pooped in the Park? Yosemite National Park: Scat and Tracks for Kids by Gary D. Robson
My Yosemite: A Guide for Young Adventurers by Mike Graf
Good Night Yosemite (board book) by Adam Gamble & Mark Jasper
The Super Silly Yosemite Sticker and Activity Book: Puzzles, Games, Mazes and More! (activity book) by Katherine Brumage
Yosemite National Park (Rookie National Parks) by Audra Wallace
Yellowstone & Grand Teton Activity Book by Paula Ellis
Yosemite National Park: Adventuring with Kids by Harley & Abby McAllister
Yosemite (True Books: National Parks) by Audra Wallace
Yosemite: The Story Behind the Scenery by William Jones
Magic Tree House: Camp Time in California by Mary Pope Osbourne

Zion National Park

Utah’s Big Five National Parks: Adventuring with Kids by Harley & Abby McAllister
Zion National Park (Rookie National Parks) by Jodie Shepard
Zion (True Books: National Parks) by Tamra Orr
Good Night Zion (board book) by Adam Gamble & Mark Jasper
Zion: The Story Behind the Scenery by Frank R. Hayde & David L. Rachlis

Fictional national park books for kids