National Parks MCP Server

Overview

What it does

Access comprehensive information about all 423 US National Parks through the official National Park Service API. Get real-time data on park details, visitor centers, campgrounds, events, and alerts.Key Features:

Search and discover parks by state, activities, or keywords
Real-time park information including hours, fees, and contacts
Current alerts for closures, hazards, and safety information
Visitor center details with operating hours and amenities
Campground information with reservation details
Upcoming events and ranger-led programs

Use Cases

Perfect for building AI-powered travel assistants and outdoor recreation planning tools.Examples:

Trip planning and itinerary creation across multiple parks
Real-time alerts and closure monitoring
Educational research about park history and features
Accessibility and facility information for visitors
Event discovery and ranger program scheduling
Campground availability and amenity comparison

Quick Start

Get Your API Key

Request a free NPS API key at nps.gov/subjects/developer/get-started.htmFree Tier Includes:

1,000 API calls per hour
Access to all 423 national parks
Real-time alerts and park information
Historical and current event data
No credit card required

You’ll receive your API key via email within minutes after submitting the form.

Add to NimbleBrain Studio

In NimbleBrain Studio:

Navigate to MCP Servers in the sidebar
Click Add Server
Search for “National Parks” in the server registry
Click Configure
Paste your API key in the NPS_API_KEY field
Click Save & Enable

The server will automatically connect and become available in your AI assistant within seconds.

Test the Connection

In your Studio chat, try this prompt:

"Tell me about Yellowstone National Park"

You should see detailed park information including description, location, entrance fees, operating hours, contact information, and available activities.

Look for the 🔧 tool usage indicator in Studio to confirm the server is working correctly.

Available Tools

findParks

Search for national parks based on state, name, activities, or other criteria. Perfect for discovering parks that match specific interests or locations.Parameters:

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
stateCode	string	No	Filter parks by state code (e.g., “CA” for California). Multiple states can be comma-separated (e.g., “CA,OR,WA”)
q	string	No	Search term to filter parks by name or description
limit	number	No	Maximum number of parks to return (default: 10, max: 50)
start	number	No	Start position for results (useful for pagination)
activities	string	No	Filter by available activities (e.g., “hiking,camping”)

Returns: JSON object containing:

total - Total number of matching parks
limit - Number of results returned
start - Starting position for pagination
parks - Array of park objects with details

Example Usage:

"Find all national parks in California"

Example Response:

{
  "total": 9,
  "limit": 10,
  "start": 0,
  "parks": [
    {
      "parkCode": "yose",
      "fullName": "Yosemite National Park",
      "description": "Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight...",
      "states": "CA",
      "latitude": "37.865101",
      "longitude": "-119.538330",
      "activities": ["Hiking", "Camping", "Rock Climbing"]
    }
  ]
}

Use multiple state codes to plan multi-state road trips: “Show me parks in Utah, Arizona, and Colorado that have camping”

getParkDetails

Get comprehensive information about a specific national park including full descriptions, operating hours, entrance fees, contact information, and available activities.Parameters:

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
parkCode	string	Yes	The park code of the national park (e.g., “yose” for Yosemite, “grca” for Grand Canyon)

Returns: Detailed park information including:

Full name and description
Location (state, latitude/longitude)
Operating hours and seasons
Entrance fees and passes
Contact information (phone, email)
Available activities and amenities
Directions and accessibility info
Images and multimedia

Example Usage:

"What's the entrance fee for Grand Canyon National Park?"

Example Response:

{
  "parkCode": "grca",
  "fullName": "Grand Canyon National Park",
  "description": "Grand Canyon National Park, in Arizona...",
  "states": "AZ",
  "directionsInfo": "South Rim: Open all year, is located 60 miles...",
  "directionsUrl": "http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/directions.htm",
  "operatingHours": [
    {
      "name": "South Rim",
      "description": "Open all year",
      "standardHours": {
        "monday": "All Day",
        "tuesday": "All Day"
      }
    }
  ],
  "entranceFees": [
    {
      "cost": "35.00",
      "description": "Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle...",
      "title": "Private Vehicle"
    }
  ],
  "contacts": {
    "phoneNumbers": [{"phoneNumber": "9286381500"}],
    "emailAddresses": [{"emailAddress": "[email protected]"}]
  },
  "activities": [
    {"name": "Hiking"},
    {"name": "Camping"},
    {"name": "Backpacking"}
  ]
}

Park codes are typically 4-letter abbreviations. Use the findParks tool first if you don’t know the park code. See the appendix at the bottom for popular park codes.

getAlerts

Get current alerts for national parks including closures, hazards, warnings, and important visitor information. Essential for trip planning to avoid unexpected closures.Parameters:

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
parkCode	string	No	Filter alerts by park code (e.g., “yose” for Yosemite). Multiple parks can be comma-separated (e.g., “yose,grca”)
limit	number	No	Maximum number of alerts to return (default: 10, max: 50)
start	number	No	Start position for results (useful for pagination)
q	string	No	Search term to filter alerts by title or description

Returns: JSON object containing:

total - Total number of alerts
alerts - Array of alert objects with:
- title - Alert headline
- description - Detailed alert information
- category - Type of alert (Danger, Caution, Information, Park Closure)
- parkCode - Associated park
- lastIndexedDate - When alert was last updated

Example Usage:

"Are there any closures or alerts at Yosemite right now?"

Example Response:

{
  "total": 3,
  "alerts": [
    {
      "title": "Tioga Road Closed for the Season",
      "category": "Park Closure",
      "description": "Tioga Road (Highway 120 through the park) is closed...",
      "parkCode": "yose",
      "lastIndexedDate": "2025-01-15T10:30:00Z"
    },
    {
      "title": "Winter Weather Advisory",
      "category": "Caution",
      "description": "Carry tire chains and know how to install them...",
      "parkCode": "yose",
      "lastIndexedDate": "2025-01-14T08:15:00Z"
    }
  ]
}

Always check alerts before visiting, especially during winter or extreme weather conditions. Road closures can significantly impact travel plans.

getVisitorCenters

Get information about visitor centers including locations, operating hours, contact details, and available amenities. Visitor centers provide orientation, educational exhibits, and ranger assistance.Parameters:

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
parkCode	string	No	Filter visitor centers by park code (e.g., “yose” for Yosemite). Multiple parks can be comma-separated (e.g., “yose,grca”)
limit	number	No	Maximum number of visitor centers to return (default: 10, max: 50)
start	number	No	Start position for results (useful for pagination)
q	string	No	Search term to filter visitor centers by name or description

Returns: JSON object containing visitor center details:

Name and description
Physical address and directions
Operating hours by season
Contact information
Available amenities and services
Accessibility information

Example Usage:

"What visitor centers are at Yellowstone and when are they open?"

Example Response:

{
  "total": 5,
  "visitorCenters": [
    {
      "name": "Old Faithful Visitor Education Center",
      "description": "Open year-round, this LEED-certified building...",
      "parkCode": "yell",
      "addresses": [
        {
          "type": "Physical",
          "line1": "Upper Geyser Basin",
          "city": "Yellowstone National Park",
          "stateCode": "WY"
        }
      ],
      "operatingHours": [
        {
          "name": "Winter Hours",
          "description": "December through March",
          "standardHours": {
            "monday": "9:00AM - 5:00PM",
            "tuesday": "9:00AM - 5:00PM"
          }
        }
      ],
      "contacts": {
        "phoneNumbers": [{"phoneNumber": "3073442751"}]
      },
      "amenities": ["Bookstore", "Exhibits", "Restrooms"]
    }
  ]
}

Visitor centers are great first stops for park orientation, trail maps, and current conditions. Many offer educational films and ranger-led programs.

getCampgrounds

Get information about available campgrounds including amenities, fees, reservation requirements, and operating seasons. Essential for planning overnight stays in national parks.Parameters:

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
parkCode	string	No	Filter campgrounds by park code (e.g., “yose” for Yosemite). Multiple parks can be comma-separated (e.g., “yose,grca”)
limit	number	No	Maximum number of campgrounds to return (default: 10, max: 50)
start	number	No	Start position for results (useful for pagination)
q	string	No	Search term to filter campgrounds by name or description

Returns: JSON object containing campground information:

Name and description
Number of campsites
Amenities (water, electricity, dump station, etc.)
Fees and reservation requirements
Operating seasons
RV size limits
Accessibility features

Example Usage:

"Find campgrounds in Zion National Park with electrical hookups"

Example Response:

{
  "total": 3,
  "campgrounds": [
    {
      "name": "Watchman Campground",
      "description": "Located near the South Entrance...",
      "parkCode": "zion",
      "numberOfSitesReservable": "95",
      "numberOfSitesFirstComeFirstServe": "0",
      "fees": [
        {
          "cost": "30.00",
          "description": "Per night for standard campsite",
          "title": "Standard Site"
        }
      ],
      "amenities": {
        "toilets": ["Flush Toilets"],
        "showers": ["None"],
        "potableWater": ["Yes"],
        "electricalHookups": ["Yes"]
      },
      "reservations": {
        "required": true,
        "url": "https://www.recreation.gov"
      },
      "accessibility": {
        "wheelchairAccess": "Yes",
        "rvAllowed": "Yes",
        "rvMaxLength": "40"
      }
    }
  ]
}

Popular campgrounds require reservations months in advance, especially during peak summer season. Check availability early when planning your trip.

getEvents

Find upcoming events at parks including ranger-led programs, educational talks, guided hikes, and special ceremonies. Great for enriching your park visit with expert-led experiences.Parameters:

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
parkCode	string	No	Filter events by park code (e.g., “yose” for Yosemite). Multiple parks can be comma-separated (e.g., “yose,grca”)
limit	number	No	Maximum number of events to return (default: 10, max: 50)
start	number	No	Start position for results (useful for pagination)
dateStart	string	No	Start date for filtering events (format: YYYY-MM-DD)
dateEnd	string	No	End date for filtering events (format: YYYY-MM-DD)
q	string	No	Search term to filter events by title or description

Returns: JSON object containing event information:

Event title and description
Date and time information
Location within the park
Duration and meeting point
Registration requirements
Cost (most are free)
Appropriate age groups

Example Usage:

"What ranger programs are happening at Acadia National Park this weekend?"

Example Response:

{
  "total": 8,
  "events": [
    {
      "title": "Sunrise at Cadillac Mountain",
      "description": "Join a park ranger for a guided sunrise experience...",
      "parkCode": "acad",
      "dateStart": "2025-01-20T05:30:00Z",
      "dateEnd": "2025-01-20T07:00:00Z",
      "duration": "90 minutes",
      "location": "Cadillac Mountain Summit",
      "isFree": true,
      "isRegistrationRequired": false,
      "types": ["Guided Tour", "Ranger Program"],
      "category": "Astronomy"
    },
    {
      "title": "Tidepool Exploration",
      "description": "Discover marine life in the rocky intertidal zone...",
      "parkCode": "acad",
      "dateStart": "2025-01-21T10:00:00Z",
      "dateEnd": "2025-01-21T11:30:00Z",
      "duration": "90 minutes",
      "location": "Sand Beach",
      "isFree": true,
      "isRegistrationRequired": true,
      "contactPhoneNumber": "207-288-3338"
    }
  ]
}

Ranger programs are usually free and provide incredible insights into park history, geology, and wildlife. Check for events when planning your visit to enhance the experience.

Authentication

API Key Required: This server requires a National Park Service API key to function.

Getting Your API Key

Visit nps.gov/subjects/developer/get-started.htm
Fill out the API key request form with your name and email
Agree to the terms of service
Receive your API key via email (usually within 5-10 minutes)
Add it to your Studio server configuration

Rate Limits

Plan	Requests/Hour	Monthly Limit	Price
Free	1,000	Unlimited	$0

The NPS API uses hourly rate limits. If you exceed 1,000 requests per hour, you’ll receive a 429 error. Monitor your usage in Studio’s server settings and adjust your query frequency if needed.

Managing Your API Key in Studio

Your API key is securely stored in NimbleBrain Studio. To update it:

Go to Settings → MCP Servers
Find “National Parks” in your server list
Click Edit Configuration
Update your API key in the NPS_API_KEY field
Click Save

Studio automatically manages server connections - no manual restarts required. Changes take effect immediately.

Example Workflows

Trip Planning
Park Discovery
Current Conditions
Educational Research
Visitor Planning
Campground Comparison
Event Discovery

Scenario: Plan a family vacation to national parksPrompt:

"I want to visit national parks in California next summer. Show me a list with their main attractions and best times to visit."

What happens:

Searches for parks in California
Retrieves park details for each result
Provides descriptions, activities, and operating hours
Includes seasonal information and best visit times

Time: ~5 seconds API calls: 1 search + 1 per park

Studio’s AI can help narrow down options based on your specific interests: “Show me California parks with hiking and waterfalls”

All examples work in NimbleBrain Studio’s natural language interface - no code or configuration required!

Troubleshooting

Rate Limit Exceeded

Error Message:

429 Too Many Requests - API rate limit exceeded

Cause: You’ve exceeded 1,000 requests per hourSolutions:

Wait until the next hour for your limit to reset (hourly rate limits)
Space out your requests over time in Studio conversations
Batch related requests in single prompts: “Tell me about Yosemite and check for alerts”
Reduce the number of parks you’re querying simultaneously

To check your usage:

Go to Studio Settings → MCP Servers
Click on National Parks
View API usage metrics

Studio shows real-time API usage. The 1,000 requests/hour limit is generous for most use cases.

Invalid API Key

Error Message:

401 Unauthorized - Invalid API key

Cause: API key is missing, incorrect, expired, or revokedSolutions:

Verify your API key in Studio server settings (no extra spaces)
Ensure you copied the entire API key from the email
Request a new API key from nps.gov/subjects/developer/get-started.htm
Check your email for any revocation notices

To update in Studio:

Settings → MCP Servers → National Parks
Click Edit Configuration
Paste new API key in NPS_API_KEY field
Click Save
Test with: “Tell me about Yellowstone”

Common Mistakes:

Extra spaces before/after the API key when pasting
Copying only part of the API key from the email
Using an API key from a different NPS account

Studio validates your API key automatically when you save. You’ll see a success message if it’s correct.

Park Not Found

Error Message:

Park not found or invalid park code

Cause: Invalid or non-existent park code providedSolutions:

Use findParks tool to search for the correct park code by name
Verify the park code format (usually 4 lowercase letters, e.g., “yose”, “grca”)
Check if the location is actually a National Park (not a state park or other designation)
Try searching by full park name instead of abbreviation
Refer to the park code appendix at the bottom of this page

Examples of Correct Park Codes:

Yosemite: yose (not YOSE or yosemite)
Grand Canyon: grca (not grand-canyon)
Yellowstone: yell (not yellow)
Great Smoky Mountains: grsm (not smoky-mountains)

Tip: When in doubt, use findParks with a search term: “Find parks matching Yosemite”

Invalid State Code

Error Message:

Invalid state code(s): XY

Cause: Invalid US state code provided in search filtersSolutions:

Use standard two-letter US state codes (e.g., “CA”, “NY”, “TX”)
Ensure state codes are uppercase (though the server converts them)
Verify comma-separated format for multiple states: “CA,OR,WA” (no spaces)
Check for typos in state abbreviations

Valid State Code Examples:

California: CA
New York: NY
Texas: TX
Multiple states: CA,OR,WA or UT,AZ,CO

Server Not Responding

Error Message:

Server is not responding

Failed to connect to MCP server

Cause: Network connectivity issue or server temporarily unavailableSolutions:

Check your internet connection
Verify the server is enabled in Studio (Settings → MCP Servers)
Try disabling and re-enabling the server in Studio

Quick Fix in Studio:

Go to Settings → MCP Servers
Find “National Parks” in the list
Toggle it Off, wait 5 seconds
Toggle it On again

Studio manages all server infrastructure automatically - there’s no local setup or Docker containers to troubleshoot. If issues persist, check your API key validity at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/developer/get-started.htm

Empty or Missing Data

Error Message:

No data available

or fields return null/empty arraysCause: Data not available for the requested resourcePossible Reasons:

Park doesn’t have any current alerts (this is good!)
No upcoming events scheduled in the specified date range
Visitor centers or campgrounds closed for the season
Park code is valid but specific resource type not available
Search query too restrictive (no matches found)

Solutions:

Verify the park code is correct using getParkDetails
Expand date range for event searches
Check if facilities are seasonal (many close in winter)
Remove or adjust search filters (q parameter)
Try a different, more established park as a test
Use broader search criteria or remove activity filters

Note: Empty results are normal for some queries (e.g., parks with no current alerts is expected and positive)

Slow Response Times

Symptoms:

Requests taking longer than 5-10 seconds
Timeouts when fetching data
Intermittent slow responses

Cause: Network latency, NPS API delays, or high server loadSolutions:

Check your internet connection speed and stability
Verify NPS API status (check status.nps.gov for outages)
Reduce number of simultaneous requests
Use smaller limit values for initial queries (e.g., limit=5 instead of 50)
Try again in a few moments (may be temporary API congestion)
Implement local caching for frequently accessed data

Expected Response Times:

Single park search: 1-2 seconds
Park details: 1-2 seconds
Alerts: <1 second
Visitor centers: 1-2 seconds
Campgrounds: 1-2 seconds
Events: 1-2 seconds
Multiple park queries: 3-5 seconds

Links & Resources

GitHub Repository

View source code, report issues, and contribute to the project

NPS API Documentation

Official National Park Service API reference and data coverage

Docker Image

Pull the latest container image from GitHub Container Registry

Report Issues

Found a bug or have a feature request? Submit an issue on GitHub

Weather API

Check weather forecasts for your park visits

Google Maps

Get directions and calculate travel times between parks

Calendly

Schedule and coordinate group trips to parks

Appendix: Popular National Parks and Park Codes

Park Name	Park Code	State(s)
Yosemite	yose	CA
Grand Canyon	grca	AZ
Yellowstone	yell	WY, MT, ID
Zion	zion	UT
Great Smoky Mountains	grsm	TN, NC
Acadia	acad	ME
Olympic	olym	WA
Rocky Mountain	romo	CO
Joshua Tree	jotr	CA
Sequoia & Kings Canyon	seki	CA
Glacier	glac	MT
Grand Teton	grte	WY
Bryce Canyon	brca	UT
Arches	arch	UT
Mount Rainier	mora	WA
Shenandoah	shen	VA
Crater Lake	crla	OR
Denali	dena	AK
Everglades	ever	FL
Death Valley	deva	CA, NV

For a complete list of all 423 national parks and their codes, visit nps.gov/findapark or use the findParks tool with no filters.

Need help? Join the NimbleBrain Discord or email [email protected]

Get Started

Core Features

Developer Tools

Overview

What it does

Use Cases

Quick Start

Available Tools

Authentication

Getting Your API Key

Rate Limits

Managing Your API Key in Studio

Example Workflows

Troubleshooting

Links & Resources

GitHub Repository

NPS API Documentation

Docker Image

Report Issues

Weather API

Google Maps

Calendly

Appendix: Popular National Parks and Park Codes

Get Started

Core Features

Developer Tools

​Overview

What it does

Use Cases

​Quick Start

​Available Tools

​Authentication

​Getting Your API Key

​Rate Limits

​Managing Your API Key in Studio

​Example Workflows

​Troubleshooting

​Links & Resources

GitHub Repository

NPS API Documentation

Docker Image

Report Issues

​Related MCP Servers

Weather API

Google Maps

Calendly

​Appendix: Popular National Parks and Park Codes

Overview

Quick Start

Available Tools

Authentication

Getting Your API Key

Rate Limits

Managing Your API Key in Studio

Example Workflows

Troubleshooting

Links & Resources

Related MCP Servers

Appendix: Popular National Parks and Park Codes