National Geographic Guide to the National Parks of the United States, Fourth Edition [Paperback]

National Geographic Society (Author)

Book Description

Series: National Geographic Guide to the National Parks of the United States | Publication Date: February 1, 2003

This handy, practical, comprehensive guidebook to the 57 scenic national parks, including new Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, helps organize a parks visit with detailed background and planning information and then directs visitors to the best sights once they arrive. National Geographic writers have extensively covered each park and offer specific, in-depth recommendations, along with timed tours, that help visitors make the most of their time. More than 80 detailed, easy-to-use maps guide readers to and around each park, and more than 460 vivid, full-color photos show off the parks and provide a valued keepsake. The book is organized by region, with each region introduced by a map and a geographical profile, followed by the parks in alphabetical order. An Information & Activities page for each park gives all the practical information and recommends campgrounds and lodgings. Suggested excursions to other area nature sites ends each the park chapter.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

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 includes an elegantly useful map. A detailed tour of the sights includes glorious pictures (450 total), highlighting the best of each park. But practicalities are not neglected: entries include headquarters' addresses and phones, entrance fees, facilities for the disabled, accommodations, pet regulations, and what there is to do. And so it goes for each of the 54 parks--it's a gem of a guide. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

These National Geographic Society offerings promise to be popular items with anyone interested in going beyond just being a tourist and becoming an informed visitor to national parks and historic areas of the United States. They present a state-by-state listing of those sites deemed to be of historic importance in the development of the country, ranging from Revolutionary War battlefields in the Middle Atlantic states to remnants of the Gold Rush in the West. This is a significant series for teachers, parents, and anyone seeking to bring alive the story of our country for young people. Each site is identified by simple directions on how to reach it, whether or not submission fees are charged, and addresses and phone numbers. In addition, most sites list additional areas of scenic and/or historic value in the immediate vicinity. There are four volumes in the "Driving Guides to America" series; the one reviewed here lists tours of interest in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado. Each tour is preceded by a detailed map, the best time of the year to visit, the number of days recommended for the trip, and important phone numbers to call for additional information. The following tour descriptions are richly illustrated and include sidebars that help visitors truly appreciate the area. The national parks of America receive a respectful treatment at the hands of the National Geographic Society. These revised editions present all 54 parks in detail and offer visitors a wealth of information: when the park was created, how big it is, how to get there, the best time to visit, and suggested itineraries. Along with the well-known parks, there are listings for some that are either new or seldom visited; this is the best information available on parks such as Dry Tortugas, Saguaro, American Samoa, Joshua Tree, and Kobuk Valley. Each of these books is enthusiastically recommended for all public libraries.?Joseph L. Carlson, Vandenberg Air Force Base Lib., Cal.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic; 4th Rev&Up edition (February 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792269721
• ISBN-13: 978-0792269724
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #803,279 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars National Park Basics in a Book That Will Make You Want To Go, December 5, 2003

By 

Wayne A. Smith (Newark, DE) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: National Geographic Guide to the National Parks of the United States, Fourth Edition (Paperback)

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.

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars National Parks, May 20, 2003

By 

J. Lindner (Gem Lake, MN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: National Geographic Guide to the National Parks of the United States, Fourth Edition (Paperback)

This is a well written travelogue that is easily packed for a journey to any of the parks in the country. The guide offers a brief overview of the park and then breaks down tours of the parks into length of miles and length of time. It also offers advice on visiting the various parks (complete with rattlesnake warnings and backpack camping rules, etc.). The book offers real life information and does not merely glorify the parks (though many of the photographs certainly does). For instance, in describing the South Unit of Badlands it recommends bringing a USGS topographic map but warns people will still probably get lost (not a pleasant thought, if you've ever been there before).

This is a handy book that most people will be able to use. There are side trips to other sites listed after the main park is described. It is more than a coffeetable conversation piece but is still fun to peruse when cabin fever strikes.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent guide to the National Parks of the USA, February 18, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Near Green Bay, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: National Geographic's Guide to the National Parks of the United States (Paperback)

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