National Park Foodie Guide

There’s more to America’s national parks than epic views and miles of scenic hiking trails. There are also delicious adventures to be had thanks to the park restaurants’ specialty dishes and regional foods. “The experience of the outdoors can be magnified by the right type of food,” says Linda Ly, author of The National Parks Cookbook. “I associate so many memories with food, especially from national parks. The food and the memory of the place that you’re in are very tied together.”

When you’re visiting our national parks, here are a few foods as memorable as the park vistas. And, if you can’t make it to the parks this year, we’ve got you covered. These standout recipes are available to you compliments of Ly and Harvard Common Press.

BREAKFAST

Date Nut Bread; Photo by Will Taylor

DATE NUT BREAD
Death Valley National Park | California and Nevada

The date bread at Death Valley national park is celebrated for its sweet, delicious taste as well as its ties to the nearby Coachella valley, an area known for growing naturally sweet dates. The inn at Death Valley, a five-minute drive from the park’s furnace creek visitor center in California, features house-made date bread on the menu at the inn dining room. Enjoy a slice on the terrace for sweeping views across the Panamint mountains or get a few slices to go and savor early-morning serenity at Zabriskie point or the mesquite flat sand dunes.

Click here to view the Date Nut Bread recipe from Death Valley National Park.

Popovers; Photo by Will Taylor

POPOVERS
Acadia National Park | Maine

Start your day with light, airy popovers from Jordan Pond House at Acadia National Park. Take your fluffy popovers, which are best enjoyed warm and with homemade Maine strawberry jam, out to the patio overlooking glass-like Jordan Pond and The Bubbles (as in, the Bubble Mountains), and then get your steps in on the Jordan pond loop trail. If you miss out on breakfast popovers, no worries. Popovers are served all day, even paired with a glass of prosecco.

Click here to view the Popovers recipe from Acadia National Park.

LUNCH

PARADISE GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH
Mount Rainier National Park | Washington

At Mount Rainier National Park, the Paradise Grilled Cheese Sandwich is an elevated version of the classic grilled cheese with artisan cheese, caramelized onions, spinach, and slices of pear and apple. It’s a comforting choice made for the cooler, often misty climate of Mount Rainier. Order this sandwich at the Paradise Inn Dining Room, and then toss it into your pack to take on a hike across wildflower meadows on the gentle Nisqually Vista Trail.

Click here to view the Paradise Grilled Cheese Sandwich recipe from Mount Rainier National Park.

Three Sisters Chili; Photo by Will Taylor

THREE SISTERS CHILI
Grand Canyon National Park | Arizona

When you’re at Grand Canyon National Park, stop in the historic Harvey House Café at Bright Angel Lodge for a sourdough bowl of Three Sisters Chili. The park’s signature dish celebrates the “three sisters” staples of Native American agriculture: corn, beans and squash. This hearty, flavorful stew is rich in the region’s indigenous heritage. Fill up before stepping out to the rim for awe-inspiring views and an easy-going stroll on the paved Rim Trail.

Click here to view the Three Sisters Chili recipe from Grand Canyon National Park.

DINNER

Moose Drool-Braised Bison Short Ribs; Photo by Will Taylor

MOOSE DROOL-BRAISED BISON SHORT RIBS
Yellowstone National Park | Idaho, Montana and Wyoming

The tender bison short ribs, braised in Moose Drool Brown Ale, are a highlight at the Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room in the Tower-Roosevelt section of Yellowstone National Park. This meal captures the park’s rugged spirit with rich flavors and locally sourced ingredients, including farm-raised bison and seasonal vegetables. Beyond the bison short ribs, Yellowstone is known for Roosevelt baked beans, which features four different types of beans. Get them at the Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room or as part of the Old West Dinner Cookout in Pleasant Valley, complete with covered wagons and authentic cowboy grub.

Click here to view the Moose Drool-Braised Bison Short Ribs recipe from Yellowstone National Park.

Novajo Tacos; Photo by Will Taylor

NAVAJO TACOS
Zion National Park | Utah

Navajo tacos are made with fry bread, a traditional Navajo bread that’s fried until crispy and golden. At Zion National Park, the Navajo tacos at Red Rock Grill capture the essence of Southwestern cuisine. Topped with beef chili and colorful accompaniments like lettuce, tomato and salsa, Navajo tacos are the perfect dish to savor at a table by the windows, which look out across the floor of Zion Canyon. After dinner, stroll the Grotto Trail to ogle towering sandstone formations.

Click here to view the Navajo Taco recipe from Zion National Park.

DESSERT

Mile-High Blackberry Ice Cream Pie; Photo by Will Taylor

MILE-HIGH BLACKBERRY ICE CREAM PIE
Shenandoah National Park | Virginia

The Mile-High Blackberry Ice Cream Pie at Shenandoah National Park is a towering frozen dessert best enjoyed slowly, maybe after a scenic hike. Indulge in the icy-cold sweetness on the patio of Skyland’s Pollock Dining Room. Perched at an elevation of 3,680 feet, this is the highest point on the park’s 105-mile Skyline Drive. The layers of blackberry ice cream, pillowy meringue and fresh blackberry compote are simply divine.

Click here to view the Mile-High Blackberry Ice Cream Pie recipe from Shenandoah National Park.

BOYSENBERRY PIE
Yosemite National Park | California

The boysenberry pie has been a staple at Ahwahnee Hotel’s Dining Room in Yosemite National Park for more than 60 years. Made from a blend of fresh boysenberries, raspberries, blackberries and loganberries, the pie is a favorite among visitors eager to indulge in local fruit flavors. Order a slice warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, which balances the tang of the berries. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the dining room awe with views of Yosemite’s cliffs and waterfalls.

Click here to view the Boysenberry Pie recipe from Yosemite National Park.

Whether you’re tackling trails or soaking up the scenery, pause for the flavors of our parks to forge uniquely memorable—and wildly delicious—connections with the great outdoors.