National Parks Store

The National Parks Store is the flagship retail store of Western National Parks Association (WNP), a nonprofit cooperating association that supports more than 70 national parks across the American West. Located at 12880 N. Vistoso Village Drive in Oro Valley, near Tucson, Arizona, the store is described by WNP as "a Tucson-area destination of its own, especially for people who appreciate Southwestern cultures and national parks." It is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, with closures on major holidays and one Sunday in September for inventory. The store's merchandise is built around authentic Southwestern and Native American art and craft. According to WNP, shoppers will find "a stunning variety of authentically traditional and modern interpretations of Hopi kachina dolls, Zuni fetishes, Navajo jewelry, and basketry, weaving, and pottery from different cultures." The store works directly with regional Native American artisans, and each artist's work is presented with their story. Other offerings include handmade Mexican crafts such as Oaxacan woodcarvings and Mata Ortiz pottery, packaged foods made from desert ingredients, and ceramics, soaps, home goods, and other gifts with a Sonoran Desert theme. The National Parks Store also functions as an independent, nonprofit bookstore and publisher. WNP's book list includes Native American and US history titles, park-themed guides, cookbooks and cuisine, nature publications, and children's stories. Proceeds from retail sales, along with partnerships, memberships, and events, help fund scientific research, partner park projects, community outreach, and educational programs across the parks WNP supports. As part of WNP, the store traces its institutional roots to 1938, when the Southwest Monuments Association (SWMA) was founded at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, Arizona, to support 18 Southwest monuments. SWMA was one of the first cooperating associations and initially provided donor-funded publications to educate visitors. Over subsequent decades it expanded its fundraising through retail sales and other channels, eventually becoming Western National Parks Association and supporting 70+ national parks. The National Parks Store is the modern retail expression of that mission, connecting visitors to the cultural and natural history of the parks through the objects and books they take home.

The National Parks Store is the retail arm of Western National Parks Association (WNP), whose institutional history begins in 1938. That year, the Southwest Monuments Association (SWMA) was founded and headquartered at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, Arizona, to support 18 Southwest monuments. SWMA was one of the first ever cooperating associations, a type of nonprofit partner that raises funds and provides educational materials for National Park Service sites. Its first activity was providing publications funded by donors to educate visitors about the ancient structures and cultural sites of the Arizona desert. Dale King, WNP's first executive secretary, articulated the association's philosophy: each publication sold to a visitor not only raises funds for parks but also creates a lasting connection to the park. When someone understands the cultural and natural history of the lands they visit, their appreciation deepens, and they become stewards and lifelong park enthusiasts. In subsequent decades, WNP expanded its fundraising beyond donor-funded publications to include retail sales, partnerships, memberships, and events. As its reach grew, the organization evolved from the Southwest Monuments Association into Western National Parks Association, reflecting a broader mission across the American West. Today, WNP supports many programs and initiatives that enhance visitor understanding and experiences at more than 70 national parks, including scientific research, aid for partner park projects, community outreach, and educational programs. The National Parks Store in Oro Valley, near Tucson, is the association's spacious retail store and a destination in its own right. It opened a window into Southwest culture, artistry, and history, working with regional Native American artisans to bring authentic art, jewelry, and crafts to visitors. The store also became an independent, nonprofit bookstore and publisher, with a list that includes Native American and US history titles, park-themed guides, cookbooks and cuisine, nature publications, and children's stories. Through its merchandise and books, the store continues WNP's founding purpose: to help visitors learn about and appreciate the parks and the cultures of the American Southwest.

• 1938

  Southwest Monuments Association (SWMA) is founded, headquartered at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, Arizona, to support 18 Southwest monuments.

• SWMA publishes its first publications funded by donors to educate visitors.

• Over subsequent decades, WNP expands fundraising through retail sales, partnerships, memberships, and events.

• The organization evolves into Western National Parks Association, supporting 70+ national parks.

A nonprofit retail destination for authentic Southwestern and Native American art, crafts, and park-related books, with proceeds supporting national parks.

• Hopi kachina dolls

  Authentically traditional and modern interpretations of Hopi kachina dolls.

• Zuni fetishes

  Zuni fetishes offered among Native American art and crafts.

• Navajo jewelry

  Navajo jewelry from regional Native American artisans.

• Basketry, weaving, and pottery

  Basketry, weaving, and pottery from different cultures.

• Oaxacan woodcarvings

  Handmade Mexican crafts such as popular Oaxacan woodcarvings.

• Mata Ortiz pottery

  Handmade Mexican crafts such as Mata Ortiz pottery.

• Packaged foods made of desert ingredients

  Packaged food made of desert ingredients.

• Ceramics, soaps, and home goods

  Ceramics, soaps, home goods, and other gifts with a Sonoran Desert theme.

• Books

  Native American and US history titles, park-themed guides, cookbooks and cuisine, nature publications, and children's stories.

1. 1The National Parks Store | Western National Parks | Tucson Retail Storewnpa.org
2. 2History | Western National Parks | Parks History Explorationwnpa.org
3. 3History | Western National Parks | National Parks Historywnpa.org
4. 4African American history | Western National Parks | National Parks Historywnpa.org
5. 5National Parks Storewikidata.org