As an academic who occasionally needs to explore national parks for research, what's a good iOS app for accessing park information and planning visits?

The National Park Service app is quite useful. It offers maps, alerts, and accessibility information, which is pedagogically sound for research trips.

national parksiOS apppark informationtrip planningoffline mapsaccessibilityDiana Chenresearchalerts
The National Park Service app provides a comprehensive suite of resources. I find the offline maps particularly helpful for navigating remote areas, a frequent requirement during field research. The app's integration of alerts and real-time updates is an interesting implementation of technology for visitor safety. Furthermore, the inclusion of accessibility information is a well-researched design, making it easier to plan inclusive research trips. It's intellectually satisfying to see a government agency leverage technology in such a user-friendly and informative manner. The cross-platform compatibility is also a bonus, allowing easy access from various devices. This app is a novel approach to an old problem – accessing park information – and is surprisingly elegant in its execution.

Key Features

Offline maps for navigation in remote areas
Real-time alerts and updates for visitor safety
Accessibility information for inclusive trip planning

"This app is a must-have for anyone planning a trip to a National Park. It has all the information you need in one place, including maps, directions, and things to do."

— 5★ User Review
IOSUpdated: 7/9/2025
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National Park Service

by National Park Service

4.9
Get on App Store

Screenshots

National Park Service screenshot 1National Park Service screenshot 2National Park Service screenshot 3

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Category

Travel

Platform

ios