Description
What is this map?
This is National Geographic’s Destination Map of the United States national parks. It covers nearly 400 national park service units, from the familiar big names to the smaller historic sites, recreation areas, and seashores that rarely make the highlight reel. The cartography uses subtle earth-tone shading, mountain relief, and intricately drawn river systems so you can orient yourself on the landscape rather than stare at a blank background.
The map is published by National Geographic Maps, the same division behind the Trails Illustrated topo series. It is printed on durable synthetic paper that is waterproof and tear-resistant, which matters when you are pulling it in and out of a wet rain jacket pocket at Scotts Bluff or passing it around the car on a Black Hills road trip.
What’s included
The map folds down to 4.25″ x 9.25″ for pocket or glove-compartment storage and opens to a full 37.75″ x 25.5″ sheet. Along the edges you will find a state-sorted index of all park service units, so you can quickly cross-reference a park name with its location on the map. Photos of representative landscapes are scattered across the face of the map. Scale is 1:5,200,000.
Specifications
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Publisher | National Geographic Maps |
| ISBN-13 | 9781566957519 |
| Year | 2018 |
| Folded size | 4.25″ x 9.25″ |
| Unfolded size | 37.75″ x 25.5″ |
| Scale | 1:5,200,000 |
| Paper | Waterproof, tear-resistant synthetic paper |
| Weight | approx. 3.2 oz |
| Coverage | Nearly 400 national park service units, all 50 states |
Who is this for?
If you are planning a national parks road trip and want a single physical reference that covers the whole system, this map does that. You can spread it out on a picnic table, mark routes, and see relative distances between parks in a way that a phone screen does not allow.
It is also a practical gift for anyone visiting a BHPFA partner site. A visitor stopping at Scotts Bluff National Monument on their first drive through the Nebraska panhandle can use this map to identify which other NPS units are within a day’s drive, including Agate Fossil Beds National Monument just 65 miles away.
Park rangers and frequent visitors use this map as a quick reference or a planning tool for multi-park itineraries. It fits in a back pocket and costs less than a full guidebook.
Frequently asked questions
How many parks does this map cover?
Nearly 400 national park service units, which includes national parks, monuments, recreation areas, historic sites, seashores, parkways, and other designations within the NPS system.
What size does it open to?
The map opens to 37.75″ x 25.5″. It folds back down to 4.25″ x 9.25″, which fits in a standard jacket pocket or a glove compartment.
Is it waterproof?
Yes. The map is printed on synthetic paper that is both waterproof and tear-resistant. It can get wet and dry out without damage.
What scale is used?
The scale is 1:5,200,000. This gives you broad national coverage on one sheet. It is not intended for trail navigation; for detailed trail maps of specific parks, National Geographic’s Trails Illustrated series covers individual parks.
Does buying this support national parks?
Yes. BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, as well as the Black Hills National Forest and Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands. Proceeds from every purchase support education programs, conservation projects, and visitor services at these sites.
Where can I find this map at BHPFA partner sites?
This map is carried at the Scotts Bluff National Monument visitor center store, the Wind Cave National Park visitor center store, and the Jewel Cave National Monument visitor center store. It is also available online with shipping from our South Dakota warehouse.
Is this a current edition?
The edition in stock is the 2018 National Geographic Destination Map (ISBN 9781566957519). If you need to confirm whether a newer edition is available, contact us before ordering.
Does this map include the Black Hills National Forest?
The map covers National Park Service units. The Black Hills National Forest is a US Forest Service site, not NPS, so it is not included in the NPS listings. However, the map does show Wind Cave National Park and Jewel Cave National Monument, both of which are in the Black Hills region.
