The National Parks Cookbook.

The National Parks Cookbook.

For fresh air enthusiasts that also happen to be foodies, this is a book that ties together the beauty of the national parks and the bounty of the land. The National Parks Cookbook is part travel guide—filled with stunning images and intriguing national park history—and part cookbook, with a unique collection of recipes inspired by the iconic lodges, landscapes, and chefs of America’s national parks.

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About the book.

In short, it’s a coffeetable book you can actually cook from!

Relive childhood memories by recreating signature recipes from your favorite national park lodges and restaurants, discover regional dishes steeped in history, and let the flora and fauna of our public lands inspire your next meal.

This is a book that brings the smells and flavors of the parks to life—wherever you may be—and has you dreaming of all the places you want to visit!

Recipe page inside The National Parks Cookbook
Recipe page inside The National Parks Cookbook
Recipe page inside The National Parks Cookbook
Recipe page inside The National Parks Cookbook
Recipe page inside The National Parks Cookbook

A tasty tour of some of the world’s most beautiful places.

I collect cookbooks and read them like novels. I have hundreds of cookbooks, some dating to the early 1800s, and they give me a window into the lives of women long forgotten. Good cookbooks are more than recipes; they tell a story about the people, food, and region from which they come.

And this one is a delight.

Yeah, I’m the nerd that reads the preface, introduction, and the explanations at each recipe. I comb each recipe and estimate flavor, balance, and results. I read cookbooks like novels. And this one reveals a colorful and tasty tour of some of the world’s most beautiful places.

I tip my hat to the food stylist and photographer, as the pictures of the food are mouth-watering. Never fussy or pretentious, just beautiful food that’s well prepared. And the photos of the parks, in all their splendor and grandeur, will simply knock your socks off.

This would be a terrific Christmas gift to anyone who loves to hike, camp, cook great regional food, or be an armchair tourist. It’s a winner.

 —rideforwork

What’s inside.

Every one of my books is packed with helpful resources (such as recommended tools, brands, and kitchen techniques), useful tips and ingredient substitutions, and beautiful photos of what your dish will actually look like when you make it. Here’s what else you can find inside.

  • 70+ recipes
  • Vibrant color photos of recipes and landscapes that leap off the page
  • Hardcover, 208 pages
  • Published by Harvard Common Press
  • ISBN: 0760375119
  • Release date: October 11, 2022
  • Preface
  • Introduction
  • Kitchen Essentials and Know-How
  • The Top Ten National Parks
  • National Parks of the West
  • National Parks of the Midwest and East
  • National Parks of Alaska
  • Contributors and Featured National Parks
  • Bento box ideas to pack for your next hike
  • Best trail snacks (based on your favorite national park!)
  • A (legal) foraging guide to popular national parks
  • The original (and reportedly first ever) vanilla ice cream recipe written by Thomas Jefferson
  • “Recipe Notes,” “At-Home Tips,” and “Preparation Tips” aplenty to help with unusual ingredients
  • Snippets of national park history throughout the book
  • And more!

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Recipe Index

  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park
    – Blackberry Lavender Jam
    – Blackberry Oat Crumble
  • Grand Canyon National Park
    – French Onion Soup Gratinée
    – Three Sisters Chili
    – Hiker’s Stew
    – Grand Canyon Mules
  • Rocky Mountain National Park
    – Bourbon Elk Chili
    – Red Currant Caipirinha
  • Zion National Park
    – Navajo Taco
  • Yosemite National Park
    – Boysenberry Pie
    – El Capitini—The First Ascent
    – Firefall
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park
    – Blackberry Lavender Jam
    – Blackberry Oat Crumble
  • Grand Canyon National Park
    – French Onion Soup Gratinée
    – Three Sisters Chili
    – Hiker’s Stew
    – Grand Canyon Mules
  • Rocky Mountain National Park
    – Bourbon Elk Chili
    – Red Currant Caipirinha
  • Zion National Park
    – Navajo Taco
  • Yosemite National Park
    – Boysenberry Pie
    – El Capitini—The First Ascent
    – Firefall
  • Mt. Rainier National Park
    – Paradise Grilled Cheese Sandwich
    – Blueberry Basil Frosé
  • Crater Lake National Park
    – Marionberry Galette
    – Marionberry Smash
  • Sequoia National Park
    – General Sherman Turkey Legs
  • Joshua Tree National Park
    – Shroom Jerky
  • Death Valley National Park
    – Date Nut Bread
    – Date Shake
    – Blue Cheese-Stuffed Dates with Prosciutto
  • Bryce Canyon National Park
    – Butterscotch Martini with Boozy Whipped Cream
  • Capitol Reef National Park
    – Mixed Berry Mini Pies
    – Stone Fruit Clafoutis
  • Mesa Verde National Park
    – Navajo Fry Bread
  • Saguaro National Park
    – Saguaro Fruit Salsa
  • Carlsbad Caverns National Park
    – Cactus Crisps with Cilantro-Lime Crema
    – Charred Cactus and Corn Salad
  • Badlands National Park
    – Apfelkuchen
  • Voyageurs National Park
    – Minnesota Wild Rice Soup
  • Isle Royale National Park
    – Wild Thimbleberry Jam
    – Superior Whitefish Tacos
    – Vanilla Ice Cream (Inspired by Thomas Jefferson)
  • Indiana Dunes National Park
    – Sugar Cream Pie
    – Prickly Pear Agua Fresca
  • Cuyahoga Valley National Park
    – Fruited Oatmeal Soup
    – Karen’s Bird Seed
  • Mammoth Cave National Park
    – Kentucky Bourbon Balls
  • New River Gorge National Park
    – West Virginia Soup Beans and Cast-Iron Corn Bread
  • Shenandoah National Park
    – Virginia Peanut Soup
    – Mile-High Blackberry Ice Cream Pie
  • Congaree National Park
    – Pimento Cheese
    – Frogmore Stew
  • Biscayne National Park
    – Conch Fritters with Key Lime Aioli
  • Virgin Islands National Park
    – Fried Fish and Fungi with Creole Sauce
    – Fungi
  • Lark Clark National Park
    – Salmon Patties
    – Lemon Garlic Salmon with Gremolata
    – Wild Game Savory Cheesecake with Alaskan King Crab Mustard Sauce
    – Halibut Mary Jane
    – Razor Clam Chowder
  • Denali National Park
    – Beef Kofta with Chermoula
    – Raw Stirred Lingonberries
    – Denali 75
    – Lingonberry Brie en Croute
  • Kenai Fjords National Park
    – Russian Rye Pancake Breakfast
    – Blueberry and Salmonberry Frangipane Tart
  • Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
    – Wild-Caught Copper River Red Salmon with Onion Gastrique
  • Glacier Bay National Park
    – Buffalo Shepherd’s Pie

Praise for The National Parks Cookbook

Real reader reviews

If you love country cooking, or like to put impressive, home cooked food on the table to dazzle your guests, this is the cookbook for you!

As someone who’s stayed at Yellowstone and Acadia (among many National Parks), I recognized some of these menu items right away. And wow, I am SO pleased to have all these recipes (and mouth-watering photos) in one very fancy cookbook.

Oh yes, this is an elegant cookbook. The design is more like a book you’ll sit and read, or display on a coffee table, as opposed to tucking away in a kitchen cabinet or drawer.
—Aisling D.
Anyone who knows cookbook author Linda Ly, knows that she is an expert on outdoor cooking. The National Parks Cookbook: The Best Recipes from (and Inspired by) America’s National Parks is a little different from her other cookbooks, but just as good.

The recipes aren’t necessarily cooked outside; rather they use ingredients such as wild game, to make dishes that one would think would be served at restaurants in the national parks. All of the parks are included, and the recipes are mouthwatering. There are dozens of good recipes that almost everyone will find very appealing.
—K. Hancock
Delightful cookbook with lovely pictures of the National Parks and the food associated with them. The cookbook would be worth it alone for the Acadia National Park Pop-overs recipe!

For each park I have ties to, I found delightful recipes that I can see the association to the park or area of the country. It also includes fun tips and tricks connected to each recipe, such as the proper type of skillet (cast iron) to use while cooking your cornbread. The book is not only a lovely cookbook but a nice glimpse of the diversity of America, both in land and culture. I think this book would make a fun gift for any traveler or cook!
—Jane Williams
I chose this cookbook as much out of curiosity as I did for the recipes and pictures. I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of how recipes related to national parks—it’s not like restaurants are plentiful in the parks or anything. However, after spending some time with this book and digging through it makes some sense.

This is a really nice cookbook that ties national parks and cooking together. It doesn’t sound like it would work on the surface but it does. It’s full of amazing pictures, interesting information and nice regional recipes.
—Matt Morgan
As a kid whose family only camped and hiked in state and national parks for every vacation, to say that I LOVED this book is an understatement. The photography is beautiful, the recipes are so appealing I can’t wait to start cooking! Many of the parks include drinks as well (an added bonus). From fish to bison to mushroom jerky, there is something for everyone. Enjoy!
—R. Morrow
I received my copy of the new National Parks Cookbook by Linda Ly today. As with all her cookbooks it is full of great interesting recipes and wonderful photos. These are not everyday camp cooking recipes for the most part. These are pretty special. I’m trying to pick something to fix for tomorrow’s dinner right now.
—Bruce
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this cookbook when I ordered it, but I am so glad I did!

The photos are amazing of both the landscape photography and the dishes. This author gives you tips for making recipes. The book is broken into recipes by Park by region.

It’s rare when I read a cookbook and the photography is excellent and the knowledge I gain from the origination of the recipe is intriguing to read. Bravo on a wonderful cookbook! I can’t wait to show this one to my mother who I also think will love this!
—AWildBirdLover

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