--- title: "National Parks App" description: "The official mobile application for 400+ US National Parks. With 3 million users annually this is the most used app we have worked on. We keep the app running and add new features." url: https://manytomany.co/case-studies/national-parks-app/ --- ![National Parks App icon](https://manytomany.co/content/case-studies/national-parks-app/icon.jpg) # National Parks App Case study The official mobile application for 400+ US National Parks. With **3 million users annually** this is the most used app we have worked on. We keep the app running and add new features. [![App Store](https://manytomany.co/icons/icon-app-store.svg) App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/national-park-service/id1549226484)[![Google Play](https://manytomany.co/icons/icon-google-play.svg) Google Play ](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.nps.mobileapp)[![NPS.gov](https://manytomany.co/icons/icon-link.svg) NPS.gov](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/digital/nps-apps.htm) ## Carefully designed With so many eyes glued to the application we do our best to keep the bar of the UI quality very high. Attention to the details is our top priority. ![Global Home Screenshot from iOS app](https://manytomany.co/content/case-studies/national-parks-app/screenshot-1-1.jpg) ![Yellowstone National Park Screenshot from iOS app](https://manytomany.co/content/case-studies/national-parks-app/screenshot-1-2.jpg) ## Native look and feel Both iOS and Android app are built in native code and we make sure they integrate tightly into the system. We support dark mode, widgets and always looking for more ways to make the app experience as native as possible. ![Old Faithful Geyser Screenshot from iOS app in dark mode](https://manytomany.co/content/case-studies/national-parks-app/screenshot-2-1.jpg) ![iOS Widget Screenshot](https://manytomany.co/content/case-studies/national-parks-app/screenshot-2-2.jpg) ## Offline mode Many parks lack a good cell reception, making offline support an important feature. We allow users to download the park data bundles for offline use. This includes photos, maps and audio tours. We also employ a bunch of tricks to make the situations when users find themselves in the middle of the park without the network connection and empty screens as unlikely as possible: pre-bundling essential data, aggressive caching etc. ![Popup confirmation for downloading the park for offline use (screenshot from iOS app)](https://manytomany.co/content/case-studies/national-parks-app/screenshot-3-1.jpg) ![Downloaded Park Screen (screenshot from iOS app)](https://manytomany.co/content/case-studies/national-parks-app/screenshot-3-2.jpg) ## Location context We detect if users is inside or close to a particular park with good precision and provide relevant guidance. ![Popup welcoming user in Acadia National Park](https://manytomany.co/content/case-studies/national-parks-app/screenshot-4-1.jpg) ![Popup showing places near the user in Acadia National Park](https://manytomany.co/content/case-studies/national-parks-app/screenshot-4-2.jpg) ## Maps Powered by Mapbox, we utilize the specially built National Park Service map styles for the best navigation experience. As a separate sub-project we brought existing brochure maps PDFs into the application. ![Map Screen for Yellowstone National Park (screenshot from iOS app)](https://manytomany.co/content/case-studies/national-parks-app/screenshot-5-1.jpg) ![Brochure map for Yellowstone National Park (screenshot from iOS app)](https://manytomany.co/content/case-studies/national-parks-app/screenshot-5-2.jpg) ## Self-guided tours The application can serve as a audio-guide, navigating users through the most important places in the park. ![Biscuit Basin Self-Guided Tour (screenshot from iOS app)](https://manytomany.co/content/case-studies/national-parks-app/screenshot-6-1.jpg) ![Roaring Mountain tour stop playing audio (screenshot from iOS app)](https://manytomany.co/content/case-studies/national-parks-app/screenshot-6-2.jpg) ## CarPlay and Android Auto Driving tours are a great way to experience the park. We support CarPlay and Android Auto to make the experience even better. ![Self-guided Driving Tour from Antietam National Battlefield (screenshot from CarPlay)](https://manytomany.co/content/case-studies/national-parks-app/screenshot-7-1.png) ## Augmented Reality We have a developed various AR experiences for the users to explore the parks. Most can be used anywhere, but experienced by the users in the park. ![Virtual experience from Independence National Historical Park (screenshot from iOS app)](https://manytomany.co/content/case-studies/national-parks-app/screenshot-8-1.jpg) ![Virtual experience from Acadia National Park (screenshot from iOS app)](https://manytomany.co/content/case-studies/national-parks-app/screenshot-8-2.jpg) ## Accessibility Accessibility is a top priority for us. We make sure that the app is usable by everyone. Some NPS sites have indoor exhibits with special Beacon system installed, which is optimized for the people with visual impairments. ![Audio Description Tours for users with visual impairments (screenshot from iOS app)](https://manytomany.co/content/case-studies/national-parks-app/screenshot-9-1.jpg) ![Audio Description Tours for users with hearing impairments (screenshot from iOS app)](https://manytomany.co/content/case-studies/national-parks-app/screenshot-9-2.jpg) ## Search We built a custom search engine for the application. It combines the search results from the NPS API and the search results from the application itself. ![Find a Park screen (screenshot from iOS app)](https://manytomany.co/content/case-studies/national-parks-app/screenshot-10-1.jpg) ![In-park search screen (screenshot from iOS app)](https://manytomany.co/content/case-studies/national-parks-app/screenshot-10-2.jpg) > I've worked closely with Vitalii for several years on a number of different projects and enthusiastically recommend his skills as a project manager and developer. Henry Holmes, Interactive Designer at GuideOne Mobile ## Featured in ![How To Take the Trail Less Traveled](https://manytomany.co/content/case-studies/national-parks-app/featured-in-apple.jpg) ### How To Take the Trail Less Traveled Apple “...Make the most of a trip to Old Faithful, Half Dome, and other top destinations with the National Park Service app. Get self-guided tours (some audio based) for select locations as well as the best spots to watch a sunrise, a calendar of park events and seasonal closures, and more...” https://apps.apple.com/us/story/id1399766063 ![Made in Figma: The National Park Service goes from paper to pixels](https://manytomany.co/content/case-studies/national-parks-app/featured-in-figma.jpg) ### Made in Figma: The National Park Service goes from paper to pixels Figma “...How do you design an app for 431 diverse national parks and monuments? By taking a page from iconic NPS park brochures. Learn how a small team adapted Massimo Vignelli’s seminal design system for a digital interface....” https://www.figma.com/blog/made-in-figma-the-national-park-service-goes-from-paper-to-pixels/ ![Vitalii](https://manytomany.co/vitalii-yellow.png) ## Hi. I'm Vitalii. I’m a software developer, technical manager and solo entrepreneur. I have been building software products all my life. I am offering **CTO as a Service** at many-to-many. ## Contact me Let me know what are you looking for. I will reach out to you via the provided email with quote and follow up questions. Alternatively, [book a call](https://calendly.com/many-to-many/intro) or reach me directy by email [hello@manytomany.co](mailto:hello@manytomany.co). Or using your preferred messaging app: [![WhatsApp QR Code](https://manytomany.co/qr/qr-whatsapp.png)](https://wa.me/qr/QH6GQNCO5CZEO1)[WhatsApp](https://wa.me/qr/QH6GQNCO5CZEO1) [![Telegram QR Code](https://manytomany.co/qr/qr-telegram.png)](https://t.me/wicharek)[Telegram](https://t.me/wicharek)