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Covering 85 million acres, the National Parks offer more than one person could discover in a lifetime.
So where do you start? Right here in OV.
The National Parks Store, operated by Western National Parks Association (WNPA), offers a wealth of resources, information and collectibles that are specially-curated for national parks, but also useful for any adventure outdoors.
Whether you’re interested in wildlife, hiking, kid’s activities, or simply driving through a beautiful natural area, the store has activities and offerings for all ability levels and ages.
Founded in 1938, WNPA is an official educational partner to the Park Service. The OV store provides a wide range of books, collectibles, toys, and other items – not to mention knowledgeable staff, community events, and local artists exhibitions and shows.
This unique partnership has allowed WNPA to provide over $162 million to national parks for programs, research, and visitor experiences.
WNPA helps produce the Junior Ranger activity books for many of their 70 National Park Service partner parks. These ever-popular workbooks keep kids engaged with scavenger hunts, crosswords, and even poetry.
“The Junior Ranger program is one of the most effective ways to get kids excited about the outdoors,” says Julie Thompson, Senior Content and Communications Manager. “When kids put on the cool junior ranger gear, vest and binoculars, they feel that they are the protectors of the whole natural world.”
“We’re a cooperating association,” explains Julie. “This is a nonprofit organization that operates the stores inside park visitor centers, working alongside the National Park Service to enhance and deepen the visitor experience.
“That’s the way we support the parks: we support interpretation and education. Not only through programs, but in the products we develop. Our support extends far beyond this also to encompass research, grants, scholarships, and so much more to support the public lands community.
“We work hand-in-hand with the Park Service. We are approved by NPS to sell products, toys, games, t-shirts and other items that really represent the true history, nature, and culture that is preserved at the parks.”
The National Parks Store, WNPA’s flagship store in Oro Valley, is special. While not located inside of a national park visitor center, all sales still support national parks.
In addition to outdoor and national park-inspired books and apparel, the store serves the community by providing a beautiful and unique space to shop, learn, and relax for residents and their visitors. The store celebrates the parks, Indigenous arts and crafts, and the living Southwest.
“The National Parks Store plays a key role in advancing WNPA’s work of uplifting our national parks, enriching the visitor experience, and ensuring our parks are increasingly valued by everyone,” shared Bret Muter, WNPA Director of Philanthropy and Programming.
“With weekly programs that range from author talks and interpretive lectures to hands-on workshops and cultural demonstrations, The National Parks Store serves as a vibrant classroom and community hub where the local community can gather to deepen their understanding and connection to our incredible parks.
“One recent program that was particularly memorable was a presentation by Kevin Fedarko, author of A Walk in the Park and The Emerald Mile,” shared Bret. “Kevin’s program attracted more than 100 guests from across Tucson who were enthralled by stories of his adventures and misadventures in the Grand Canyon.”
“It’s not a gift shop,” Julie explains. “It’s so much more. It’s a destination. It often takes more than one visit to take in the whole experience. It’s a place that really captures people and they develop connections. They return to see artists and events.”
One particularly meaningful and well-attended event happens every year: the Hubbell Trading Post Trunk Show.
The Navajo Trader and Weaver from Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site, the oldest continuously operating trading post in the Southwest, both travel from the Navajo Nation in Northern Arizona to The National Parks Store to share inspiring and educational stories of the traditions of Navajo weaving. With a beautiful variety of weavings and jewelry to shop from, customers can connect with the enduring Navajo culture and support the artists whose painstaking and masterful efforts result in exquisite pieces.
The store also provides an opportunity for visitors to give back, with all proceeds supporting the National Park Service.
“People like to shop with a purpose. It kind of checks all of the boxes for a local or a tourist looking to support something special and have a meaningful shopping experience: I want something to remember my trip. I want to do something that makes me feel good. I want to talk to knowledgeable people about the area. I want to support local artists.”
All net proceeds are used to support vital services at the more than 70 national parks supported by WNPA.
“The staff at The National Parks Store store are a great source for information,” Julie says. “They are deeply passionate and very knowledgeable about the cultural and natural world.”
The store is located in Inno Park (30 minutes from Saguaro NP). While the store’s primary mission is to serve the national parks, it is also a great resource for recreation in-and-around OV.
“The store is a good place to start, and to end, your trip to Oro Valley and Tucson. We’re right next to Catalina State Park. While it’s not a national park, it’s so beautiful, and easy to get to. Before you go, you can stop by the store for guidebooks, gear for the kids, a hiking stick, water bottle, and hat – and 100% of the net proceeds go to our national parks.
“You can also talk to staff about what you can do in the area. There are so many cool things to do in OV.
“We want to encourage people to explore the outdoors. They may not have the time to take a day trip to one of the local national parks, but there are so many fun ways to experience the outdoors and the vibrant cultures of Southern Arizona right here in Oro Valley, and The National Parks Store and WNPA wants to inspire everyone to experience and learn about the world around them, waiting for them not too far beyond their front doors.
“The store helps instill a sense of wonder and curiosity.”
Join the WNPA mailing list [select on lower left-hand side of screen].
Check out the WNPA events calendar.
