There’s something about a game that captures the essence of the great outdoors without needing to lace up your hiking boots. Parks, designed by Henry Audubon and published by Keymaster Games, is a love letter to the US National Parks, wrapped up in a beautifully illustrated, thoughtfully designed board game. Here at Let’s Play Games HQ, it’s become a firm favourite, not just for its stunning artwork but also for the satisfying balance of strategy and relaxation it offers.
Key Facts
- Players: 1-5
- Playtime: 40-70 minutes
- Designer: Henry Audubon
- Publisher: Keymaster Games
- Type: Resource management, set collection, route-building
- Complexity: Medium (easy to learn, rewarding to master)
How to Play Parks
At its core, Parks is a game about journeying through the seasons, collecting memories (in the form of resources like water, sunshine, mountains, and forests) and using them to visit National Parks. Each player controls two hikers, moving them along a modular trail composed of various action spaces. Along the way, you’ll gather resources, take photos, and acquire gear that grants special abilities.
The game plays out over four rounds (seasons), with the trail getting slightly longer each time. At the end of each season, players can spend their collected resources to visit a National Park, adding it to their collection. The player with the most points—gained from visiting Parks, taking photographs, and fulfilling secret objectives—wins.
It’s a game of careful planning. Move too fast, and you might miss out on crucial resources. Move too slow, and someone else might claim the Park you’ve been eyeing. And with each new season, the trails change, keeping every game fresh and engaging.
The Components: A Visual and Tactile Treat
If there were an award for board game aesthetics, Parks would be a strong contender. The game features:
- Gorgeous artwork: The National Parks cards showcase breathtaking illustrations from the Fifty-Nine Parks Print Series.
- Chunky wooden pieces: The resource tokens—tiny suns, raindrops, trees, and mountains—are delightful to handle.
- Custom trail tiles: Each one is unique, ensuring plenty of variety.
- Metal first-player token: A beautifully designed campfire that adds a premium touch.
Every piece feels high quality, making it one of those games you want to leave out on the table just to admire.
Playing Parks at Different Player Counts
One of PARKS’ strengths is how well it scales. Here’s how it feels at different player counts:
Five Players: It gets a bit more competitive, and sometimes the trail feels very crowded. Still enjoyable, but you’ll need to embrace a bit of unpredictability.
Solo Play: The solo mode is surprisingly engaging, using a clever automa system to simulate an opponent. It’s a great way to enjoy the game when you just want a quiet, thoughtful experience.
Two Players: A more strategic game with a lot of tactical movement and blocking. The back-and-forth nature of controlling the trail makes for some fun mind games.
Three or Four Players: Probably the sweet spot – interactive without feeling too chaotic. You’ll have to be more flexible with your plans.
Similar Games You Might Enjoy
- Tokaido – Like Parks, it’s a relaxing journey-based game where players collect experiences.
- Wingspan – Another beautifully illustrated nature-themed game with set collection elements.
- Trails – A smaller, more accessible game from the same publisher, offering a bite-sized Parks experience.
- Cascadia: A tile-laying game with a nature theme, focusing more on spatial puzzle-solving.
Final Thoughts
Parks isn’t just a game, it’s an experience. Whether you’re drawn in by the stunning artwork, the clever mechanics, or the peaceful theme, it’s a joy to play. It strikes that rare balance between being easy to teach and deep enough to keep you coming back. If you love nature, board games, or just a beautifully designed experience, Parks deserves a place on your shelf.