Rocky Mountain Conservancy’s elk trucker is a good choice under $30, with mountains embroidered inside the animal’s outline. Wild Tribute’s Grand Canyon Sketch takes a different approach with fine black-and-white lines. American Needle and ililily use embroidered patches, which range from a small badge to a design covering the front panel.
Our picks
Under $30$28.99
Rocky Mountain Conservancy
Mountains embroidered inside a bugling elk, with a white mesh back.
Wildflowers$27
Glacier National Park Conservancy
A smaller design on the side of a moss-green cotton cap.
Canyon drawing$35
Wild Tribute · sold by GCC
Embroidered pencil-style details on a structured trucker.
Panoramic embroidery$44.99
Rainier Hat Co.
Ruby Beach, sea stacks and orcas across the front and sides.
Compare the embroidery and cap
| Hat | Style | Design | Washable | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embroidered Elk HatRocky Mountain Conservancy | Trucker | Embroidered mountains inside a bugling elk | Not stated | $28.99 |
| Wildflower Embroidered HatGlacier National Park Conservancy | Dad cap | Wildflower bouquet embroidered on the side | Not stated | $27 |
| Grand Canyon Sketch HatWild Tribute | Trucker | Embroidered pencil-sketch design | Not stated | $35 |
 Valin Hat, Rocky Mountain National ParkAmerican Needle | Trucker | Embroidered patch with a merrowed (overlocked) edge | Not stated | $30 |
| Trucker | Embroidered patch of granite peaks, pines and deer on the front | Wipe clean only | $33.50 | |
| Olympic National Park HatRainier Hat Co. | Snapback | Panoramic embroidery of Ruby Beach at sunset across the front and sides | Hand wash | $44.99 |
Embroidered designs on the cap
Best for a park trucker under $30
Embroidered Elk Hat
Rocky Mountain Conservancy
- Style
- Trucker cap, navy with a white mesh back
- Design
- Embroidered mountains inside a bugling elk; leather patch on the side
- Made of
- 60% cotton / 40% polyester, made with recycled materials
- Fit
- Snapback
- Giving
- Rocky Mountain Conservancy, a nonprofit, says purchases support the park's research and education
The mountain-filled elk outline leaves more of the navy crown visible than a full-front design. A small leather patch carries the park name on the side. At $28.99 from Rocky Mountain Conservancy, it’s a reasonably priced embroidered trucker.
Compare it with a softer cotton cap and the Dream Lake design in Rocky Mountain hats.
Best for a smaller floral design
Wildflower Embroidered Hat
Glacier National Park Conservancy
- Style
- Moss-green twill cap
- Design
- Wildflower bouquet embroidered on the side
- Made of
- 100% cotton twill
- Giving
- Sold by Glacier National Park Conservancy, the park's nonprofit partner
A bouquet follows the side of this moss-green cotton twill cap. It leaves much of the crown plain, and the $27 price makes it the least expensive pick here. Glacier National Park Conservancy sells it alongside the lake-and-mountain caps in our Glacier guide.
Best for black-and-white canyon artwork
Grand Canyon Sketch Hat
Wild Tribute, sold by GCC
- Style
- Structured 5-panel trucker
- Design
- Embroidered pencil-sketch design
- Made of
- 100% cotton front; polyester visor and mesh
- Fit
- Snapback
- Giving
- Sold by Grand Canyon Conservancy; Wild Tribute says it gives 4% of proceeds to national parks and public lands
The canyon’s fine embroidered lines stand out against the cotton front without filling it with color. Grand Canyon Conservancy sells the structured trucker for $35.
Wild Tribute also makes printed caps, so choose the Sketch model for embroidery. Grand Canyon hats compares it with woven and panoramic patch designs.
Best for a design that wraps onto the sides
Olympic National Park Hat
Rainier Hat Co.
- Style
- Structured mid-profile 5-panel snapback
- Design
- Panoramic embroidery of Ruby Beach at sunset across the front and sides
- Made of
- 100% cotton crown in heather gray
- Fit
- Plastic snapback; one size
- Care
- Hand wash only
- Giving
- Rainier Hat Co. says it donates 100% of profits to national park nonprofits
- Reviews
- 5.0 from 15 reviews on Rainier Hat Co.'s site
Ruby Beach at sunset, Abbey Island and orcas extend across the front and both sides of Rainier Hat Co.’s cap. The design has no patch border. A structured cotton crown, turquoise brim and snapback give it a different shape from the softer wildflower cap.
Downsides
At $44.99, it’s the most expensive pick here. It comes in one size and needs hand washing.
Embroidered patches
Best for a smaller patch on a structured trucker
Valin Hat, Rocky Mountain National Park
American Needle
- Style
- Structured 5-panel trucker with a curved brim
- Design
- Embroidered patch with a merrowed (overlocked) edge
- Made of
- Brushed cotton twill crown; mesh sides and back
- Fit
- Plastic snapback
- Giving
- None stated on page.
The Valin’s smaller patch leaves plain fabric around the design. Its merrowed edge is the thick wrapped border you see on many embroidered badges, set against a structured cotton front.
American Needle hats compares its other cap shapes and park designs.
Best for a full-front patch with a mesh back
Yosemite National Park Embroidery Trucker Hat
ililily
- Style
- Structured trucker cap with a mesh back and a distressed brim
- Design
- Embroidered patch of granite peaks, pines and deer on the front; YOSEMITE embroidered on the back mesh
- Made of
- 60% cotton, 40% polyester
- Fit
- Adjustable snapback; listed inner band 58 cm (7¼)
- Care
- Wipe clean; the maker says not to wash it
ililily’s Yosemite patch covers the front panel with granite peaks, pines and a deer. Yosemite is also embroidered on the rear mesh, and the brim has distressed edges. The listing gives a 58 cm inner band and an adjustable snapback.
Downsides
The care instructions say not to wash it. Wipe it with a damp cloth instead.
Choose the artwork, then the construction
Embroidery alone doesn’t tell you whether a hat can go in the washing machine. The care instructions matter, especially for a cap you’ll wear often. How to judge a park hat covers construction, and Yosemite hats compares embroidered options with printed and woven patches.
For a mesh back, see national park trucker hats. For more coverage around the brim, see national park bucket hats.