Need on occasion to get away from it all? Then this might be the book for you. Flip here and you’ll discover that the fantastically eroded slickrock solitudes of Utah’s Capitol Reef National Park are “so remote that the nearest traffic light is 78 miles away.”
And if that’s too close, turn here: Deep within the rugged wilderness of California’s Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks there is a “spot that is farther from a road than any other place in the lower 48 states.”
There’s simply no better getaway in the United States than a visit to one of the 59 national scenic parks—ranging from Alaska to the Virgin Islands, from Maine to American Samoa—profiled in this all-new eighth edition of our enduring classic. Exceptionally informative and refreshingly candid, this volume is the handbook to the crown jewels in our far-flung network of protected places.
This guide also draws upon a very deep legacy between National Geographic and the national parks. These two have been intertwined since 1915, when our pioneering editor Gilbert H. Grosvenor, on a two-week pack trip to California’s Sierra Nevada, first sat spellbound beneath giant sequoias. There and then he determined to enlist this Society in the crusade to protect and preserve such marvels. He dedicated an entire issue of National Geographic magazine—April 1916’s “Land of the Best”—to showcasing the glories of our natural heritage, placing a copy in each congressman’s hand. Only a few months later, on August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the act creating the National Park Service.
Over the years National Geographic has helped establish, preserve, or restore Sequoia, Katmai, Carlsbad Caverns, Shenandoah, Mesa Verde, and Redwood National Parks—all of which appear in the following pages. It has also publicized the parks through at least 500 books, articles, and maps, not to mention dozens of television documentaries, online content, and our award-winning National Parks app.
— John M. Fahey, Jr.
Chairman of the Board, National Geographic Society Commissioner, National Parks Second Century Commission
National Geographic’s Guide to National Parks of the United States is designed as a travel planner to help you choose among the 59 scenic national parks within the National Park System. All of the parks offer fun, adventure, and splendor; your only decision is which one—or ones—to visit. What you want to experience will help guide your decisions.
The parks in this book are presented in alphabetical order within their geographical regions, so start your exploration by studying the opening map that shows each of the parks in the country, or if you already know where you want to go, check the Contents. Each chapter provides an overview of the parks in that region. Note: Some parks are in close enough proximity that you could perhaps see more than one on your trip.
Individual Park Entries
Our coverage of each park begins with a portrait of its natural wonders, ecological setting, history, and, often, its struggles with humans and alien species. You’ll see why a single step off a trail can harm fragile plants and why visitors are detoured from areas that shelter wildlife. The parks are not just for people; they conserve ecosystems. Fourteen of the national parks have been designated United Nations World Heritage sites for their outstanding scenic and cultural wonders; more than 20 have international biosphere reserve status, signaling their distinctive, balanced, natural qualities.
From the historic/geologic/cultural overview, the chapter moves on to “How to Visit.” Travelers are encouraged not to rush through a park, but, instead, to take time to savor the beauty and to spend at least some time outdoors (outside the car).
Each entry continues with detailed descriptions of the park itself.
American bison (Bison bison) in the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park
Other Guide Features
Information: This page, which follows each park entry, offers details on how to find the park, the best time to visit, locations of the Visitor Centers and headquarters, as well as camping and lodging information. Call or write the park, or visit the Park Service’s website (nps.gov) for further details. Brochures are usually available free of charge from the parks. You can download a copy of the “National Park System: Map and Guide” at publications.usa.gov/USAPubs.php?PubID=1116.
Campgrounds: The National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS) (recreation.gov; 877-444-6777) handles reservations for many of the Park Service campgrounds in addition to numerous partner agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service, and the Fish and Wildlife Service with campground locations near the national parks. Advance reservations are suggested.
Lodging: The Guide lists accommodations within the parks. The lists are by no means comprehensive, and listing does not imply endorsement by the National Geographic Society. The information can change without notice. Many parks maintain lists of lodgings in their areas, which they share on request. Also provided is information on communities near the parks and websites for local chambers of commerce and tourist offices that might provide lodging suggestions.
Special Advisories:
• Do not take chances. People are killed or badly injured every year in the parks. Most casualties are the result of recklessness or failure to heed warnings.
• Stay away from wild animals. Do not feed them or try to touch them—not even raccoons or chipmunks (which can transmit diseases). Try not to surprise a bear, and do not let one approach. If one does, scare it off by yelling, clapping your hands, or banging pots. Store all your food in bear-proof containers (often available at parks); keep food out of sight in your vehicle, with windows closed and doors locked. Or suspend food at least 15 feet above ground and 10 feet out from a post or tree trunk.
• Guard your health. Know your limitations; don’t overtax yourself. Boil water that doesn’t come from a park’s drinking-water tap. Chemical treatment of water will not kill giardia—a protozoan that causes severe diarrhea and lurks even in crystal-clear streams. Heed park warnings about hypothermia and Lyme disease. In western parks, take precautions to prevent hanta-virus pulmonary syndrome, caused by a potentially fatal airborne virus transmitted by deer mice. Check with a ranger to learn whatever you can about staying safe.
• Expect RV detours. Check road regulations as you enter a park. Along some stretches of road, you will not be able to maneuver large vehicles.
Listen to the park rangers and staff. They have the latest facts on road closings and dangers. Visit the park website before departing for the park for information that might influence your visit.
• Cell phone service. In many parks your cell phone navigation systems might not function, so consider alternate options.
Entrance Fees: The fees vary by park—days you visit, day/weekly passes, military status, vehicle permits, senior passes, and time of year—so do check individual park websites. In addition to daily or weekly fees and passes for seniors, most parks also offer a yearly fee, with unlimited entries.
For $80 you can buy an annual America the Beautiful Pass (nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm), which admits up to four people per visit to all national parks; also offered is unlimited admission to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation sites.
Safety/Security Concerns: Given today’s heightened awareness, some sites may require additional security procedures and identification.
Maps: The individual park and regional maps in this book were prepared as an orientation and aid in planning your trip. For more detail on trails and other facilities inside a park, contact the Park Service, call the park, or visit nps.gov. Always use detailed road and trail maps and where available, GPS.
The maps in this book note specially designated Wilderness Areas and National Preserves. The Wilderness Areas are managed to retain their natural qualities—no roads, buildings, or vehicles permitted. Some National Preserves allow hunting. For a list of map abbreviations used in this book see here.
Finally, enjoy discovering and learning about all of our national parks.
