From the publishers of the classic, highly popular National Geographic Guide to the National Parks of the United States, this full-color guide is packed with information about the major scenic national parks of the Southwest with excursions to many lesser known parks, preserves, forests, and other areas. This beautifully illustrated guide, with its detailed guidance, background descriptions, and tips on how best to visit, promises a park trip of a lifetime. Centering on the major parks - Grand Canyon, Carlsbad Caverns, Great Basin, Zion, Death Valley, and many more - the guide also includes excursions to national wildlife refuges, forests, scenic and recreation areas, and other such natural entitles nearby. Each park is presented with an overview, plus specific guidance on what to see and do given the time you have, where to camp and stay, and when best to go. Special features include guided driving tours (Big Bend's Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, for example) and hikes (Guadalupe Mountains' McKittrick Canyon Trail); and sidebars and in-depth essays on natural history (how creatures adapt to desert life), historical figures (Smokey Bear), and activities (birding in the Channel Islands). A wealth of practical information takes all the guesswork out of a park visit.