About National Park Data
We help millions of Americans plan better national park trips — with accurate, up-to-date, and genuinely useful visitor information.
Our Story
National Park Data was born out of a frustrating experience. In the summer of 2023, our founder James drove four hours to reach a trailhead at a popular national park — only to find the road closed due to wildfire restrictions that had gone into effect two days earlier. The park's official website showed the closure, but every other travel site and blog he'd used to plan the trip was showing information that was months out of date.
That experience — frustrating, expensive, and completely avoidable — sparked the idea for National Park Data. What if there was a site that pulled real-time data directly from the National Park Service, updated every single day, and presented it in a way that was actually useful for planning a trip?
That's exactly what we built. Since launching in 2024, National Park Data has grown into the most comprehensive independent guide to all 474+ NPS-managed units in the United States — from iconic national parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite to lesser-known gems like Congaree National Park and Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument.
Our Mission
Our mission is simple: give every park visitor the information they need to have a safe, enjoyable, and well-planned trip.
We believe that better-informed visitors have better experiences, leave lighter footprints, and become better stewards of these irreplaceable landscapes. When you know what to expect — the crowds, the fees, the weather, the trail conditions — you can focus on what actually matters: being present in some of the most beautiful places on Earth.
What Makes Us Different
Real-Time Data, Updated Daily
We pull data directly from the National Park Service API every day. Entrance fees, operating hours, road conditions, and park alerts are always current — not copied from a blog post from three years ago.
All 474+ NPS Units
Most travel sites cover only the 63 designated national parks. We cover all 474+ NPS-managed units — including monuments, recreation areas, historic sites, seashores, parkways, and more.
Visitor-First Content
Every page is written from the visitor's perspective. We answer the questions real people ask: How much does it cost? How crowded will it be? What's the best time to go? What do I actually need to bring?
No Generic Fluff
We don't write things like "nestled in the heart of the stunning Rocky Mountains." We write specific, useful, honest content — including the downsides and crowds that other sites ignore.
Mobile-First Design
Most people plan trips on their phones. Our site is designed mobile-first, loads in under 2 seconds, and works in areas with poor cell service.
Always Free
All of our visitor guides are completely free. We fund the site through advertising and affiliate commissions — never by charging readers.
Meet the Team
We're a small team of outdoor enthusiasts, travel writers, and software engineers who collectively have visited over 200 NPS units. We're not a big media company — we're real people who love national parks.
James R. Mitchell
Founder & Lead Writer
James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and hundreds of other NPS units. Before founding National Park Data, he spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains and wrote for several major outdoor publications. He's hiked the Appalachian Trail end-to-end, summited Half Dome six times, and once got briefly chased by a bison in Yellowstone (he does not recommend this experience).
Sarah K. Thompson
Senior Editor & Research Lead
Sarah spent 8 years working as a park ranger at both Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Parks before joining the National Park Data team. Her firsthand knowledge of park operations, trail conditions, wildlife behavior, and visitor safety elevates the accuracy and quality of everything published on this site. She's the reason our content sounds like it was written by someone who actually knows these parks — because it was.
Our Data Sources
We believe in full transparency about where our information comes from:
NPS API (developer.nps.gov)
All park data — fees, hours, alerts, campgrounds, activities, and images — sourced directly from the official National Park Service API, updated daily.
NOAA Weather Data
Seasonal weather and climate information sourced from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration historical records.
Recreation.gov
Campsite availability, permit information, and reservation data.
Original Editorial Research
Seasonal guides, activity guides, tips, and comparisons are written by our team based on firsthand experience, ranger interviews, and ongoing research.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
National Park Data is an independent website and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the National Park Service or any other government agency. While we update our data daily, park conditions change frequently. Always verify critical information directly with the NPS at nps.gov before your visit.
Questions or Feedback?
We love hearing from fellow national park enthusiasts.