National Geographic's Guide to the National Parks of the United States

by National Geographic Society, Geographic National, Elizabeth L. Newhouse, et al.

Book Overview

It's impressive how much National Geographic can squeeze into a small book. Each entry tells how big the park is, describes its flavor, indicates when it's best to go and how to get there, and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0870448854
• ISBN13: 9780870448850
• Release Date: January 1992
• Publisher: National Geographic Society
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 1.19 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.7" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Great Introduction To The National Parks

This is an excellent book to use as a planning guide for trips to any of the National Parks in the US. I have been to many of the parks, and without exception the book's advice about how to get there, when to go, what to look for, etc., is excellent in every way. The book is filled with excellent color photography, and accompanying explanatory text with detailed entrance information that is particularly useful in some of the busier parks. There is also some good introductory safety information presented, but as always, it is a good idea to talk to local authorities when arriving (this is especially a good idea in the Alaska parks, many of which are veritably full of bears.) All the parks are worth seeing, and this book gives a good introduction to them. Among the favorites that I have been to and particularly recommend are Denali National Park, an easy drive from Anchorage, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, on the island of Hawaii (the "Big Island"), Zion National park in Utah, home of some of the most spectacular desert landscape in the world, and Badlands National Park in South Dakota, featuring not only spectacular landscapes, but amazing animals in abundance. This book is a great place to start; now get going and enjoy the beautiful National Parks!

National Park Basics in a Book That Will Make You Want To Go

National Geographic has produced an excellent introduction to our national park system.This book briefly covers national parks and monuments of the entire country. A description is given over a page or so (a bit longer for majors like Yosemite) which includes helpful visiting hints, the main attractions at each and other details that could help the day or short visitor hit the highlights. Information is also included on the best time of year to travel, places to stay, park rules and contact information. Also very informative are "side excursion" briefs for each major attraction.The books' maps are very well done and it contains beautiful pictures that show our national treasures in all their glories.Besides being well organized and informative, this is a very attractive book that makes one want to venture out and see some of the natural wonders of our country. Great for the national park enthusiast and would-be traveler.

Awesome

This book is a must have for every National Park or nature fan. We bought this book 3 week before visiting Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Glacier National Park. every thing the book said was correct. To test it, we tried some trails that the book had not reommended, and realized that the authors were correct. This book is not intended to be an all inclusive giuide to any specific park. It covers most parks in about 4-6 pages. People spending 1-3 days per park are the target audience. the book provides day iteniaries which we found very helpful while planning our trip.We use this book as our National Park passport. We stamp the book at each National Park and hope t have all 55 park descriptions stamped soon.Highly recommend this book.

A continuing Journey

Like all National Geographic titles this book is packed full of great photographs and details about the parks. Having visited many parks already - I am amazed by how up to date all the comments are, together with very good suggestions for times to visit and accomodation available. The layout of the book is superb - its like a travel directory - taking you from one park to another without stepping outside your front door. I feel this guide is essential for anyone visiting America's National Parks - its also just the right size to take with you !. My aim is to visit all the parks - this book has made it easier ! Please get in touch if you have any questions.

An excellent guide to the National Parks of the USA

This book has a section on each National Park which describes how to get there, the best times to go, and what to do when you arrive. It includes color pictures and maps of each park. The maps show all the park's visitor centers, main roads, trails and campgrounds. It gives suggestions on what to do if you can spend a half day or full day, etc. It also includes information on facilities for the disabled. Nearby motels and campgrounds are also listed together with the address and phone number of each park's headquarters. I take this book with me to each park we visit and stamp the front page of book with the offical park stamp found in each visitor's center. I've been to 24 of the parks so far and hope to someday visit all of them. This book has been a valuable guide for me