"National Geographic" Guide to the National Parks of the United States by National Geographic Society
This handy, practical, extensively illustrated and mapped guidebook offers comprehensive information to the crown jewels of the national park system, the 58 scenic national parks - including the new Congree National Park in South Carolina. The guide helps design a trip with detailed background and planning information and shows visitors how to see the sights once they arrive. "National Geographic" writers have extensively toured each park; their recommendations are personal, useful, and informative. The book opens with an essay by Yellowstone writer Paul Schullery, a section on how to use this guide, and a national locator map. The parks are presented region by region; each region is introduced by a map and a geographical profile, followed by the parks in alphabetical order. An Information and Activities page and suggested excursions - each illustrated - ends the park chapter.