2024 the best national park review

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The first book of its kind, this stunning atlas showcases America's spectacular park system from coast to coast with a richly illustrated and informative collection of maps, graphics, and photographs.

From the white sand beaches of Dry Tortugas to the snowy peaks of Denali, this captivating book combines authoritative park maps with hundreds of graphics and photographs to tell the stories of America's sixty one beloved national parks.

Former ranger and author Jon Waterman introduces readers to the country's scenic reserves and highlights the extraordinary features that distinguish each: magnificent landmarks, thriving ecosystems, representative wildlife, fascinating histories, and more.

This lush reference guide is the perfect gift for nature lovers, national park enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the history and natural wonders of America. With striking imagery and state-of-the-art graphics reflecting details of wildlife, climate, culture, archaeology, recreation, and more, this book provides an up-close look at what makes these parks so special—and so uniquely American. A heartfelt foreword from National Geographic CEO Gary Knell reminds us how important these lands are to our lives and our national pride.

From the Publisher

What Better Way to Capture the Magic of These Sacred Lands than with this new Atlas?

National Geographic takes pride in publishing this first complete illustrated atlas of the national parks. These pages, confirm the magnificence of our country’s wild places, from the coastline of Maine to the deserts of Arizona, from Florida’s Everglades to the glacial reaches of Alaska. The stories that accompany these visuals evoke both delight and concern, as we learn of the threats of urban encroachment, changing climate, and political missteps impinging on these pieces of wilderness.

Atlas of National Parks

The first book of its kind, this glorious National Geographic Atlas of the National Parks showcases America's spectacular parks with an inspiring and informative collection of maps, graphics, and photographs, inviting newcomers and longtime park visitors alike to experience these magnificent landscapes. Former park ranger and lifelong adventurer Jonathan Waterman guides you on your journey, highlighting honored landmarks, representative wildlife, fascinating histories, and future challenges.

Maps of all 61 parks, newly rendered for this book In-depth representation of 31 featured parks More than 120 informative graphics Photos of every park Fascinating storytelling about the parks—past, present & future

Tectonics

Crater Lake

Crater Lake and Wizard Island in Oregon’s Crater Lake National Park are the results of volcanic eruptions.

Capitol Reef

Time and natural forces warped the nearly 100-mile Waterpocket Fold out of the Earth’s crust in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah.

Yellowstone's Castle Geyser

Yellowstone’s Castle Geyser showcases the power of underlying tectonic shifting that shapes the planet anew.

Acadia National Park

With its glacier-polished granite mountains and quartz-streaked schist on ocean shores surrounded by volcanic extrusions, Acadia showcases the continent’s birth. Located in northern Maine, due west of Nova Scotia, the park boundaries enclose 60 percent of the lobster claw–shaped Mount Desert Island, alongside a patchwork of small towns. Separate park parcels lie to the east and south, on the mainland’s Schoodic Peninsula and on the small Isle au Haut. As daylight illuminates Acadia National Park, its creation story can be read in the two most ancient rocks found along the shores of Mount Desert Island: green or gray schist and sandstone or siltstones.

Everglades National Park

It’s not commonly known that the Everglades is the third largest national park in the contiguous United States, within a Delaware-size wilderness 80 miles long and 50 miles wide. Draining Lake Okeechobee to its north and covered by ocean on the southern tip of Florida, the Everglades is a limitless looking expanse of brackish mangroves, cypress swamps, grass marshes, pinelands, and hardwood hammocks; it’s the first national park created solely for its biodiverse (rather than scenic) wonders. In recognition of its distinctiveness, Everglades was designated as a World Heritage site and an international biosphere reserve.

Shenandoah National Park

Enveloping a section of the Blue Ridge Mountains in western Virginia, Shenandoah is a narrow, fish-bone-shaped park. More than 60 of its misty blue peaks exceed 3,000 feet, rising more than a half mile above sloping ground to the east and Shenandoah Valley to the west. The renowned Skyline Drive winds 105 miles along the ancient granite crest of the automobile-friendly park. With 75 scenic pullouts, it’s popular during the spectacular fall foliage. The more moderately trafficked Appalachian Trail runs 105 miles through the park, along with another 400 miles of hiking and horseback trails. Lush with plant and animal life, including hundreds of black bears and thousands of white-tailed deer, Shenandoah’s restored, stream-cut wilderness is also famous for its trout fishing.

Dry Tortugas National Park

Seen from the stratosphere, Dry Tortugas’ white-sand beaches and greenish hued shoals resemble a broken-off barb on the fishhook of Florida and its Keys. The park is centered in turquoise waters between Miami and Havana. Here, in the Straits of Florida, the narrow passage from the Caribbean into the Gulf of Mexico, boats or seaplanes are the only access. One percent of this park—comprising seven islets of 143 acres— lies above sea level, on the edge of the continental shelf. So 99 percent of Dry Tortugas National Park must be explored underwater. A wonder world of coral lies below.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ National Geographic (November 19, 2019)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 432 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 142622057X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1426220579
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.45 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.6 x 1 x 13.7 inches
Reviewer: Steve B
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: More than a guide book!
Review: Liked: Gorgeous pictures, as should be expected from NatGeo. Includes maps to show where the park is and where to go in the park. But what really impressed me was the additional background information, both geographical and historical. We use it to plan trips to places we want to see and experience, but it's too big and heavy to cart around. Instead we use mapping programs on the iPad (such as OnX or Apple Maps) during our trips. This big beautiful book sits proudly, undamaged from travel, in our living room for us to peruse at anytime, or to share with guests. Makes a great gift, but don't tell my kids and spoil the surprise.Disliked: The pages were not evenly trimmed. Quite disappointed in the beginning, but we got over it.

Reviewer: Ralph S. Bovard
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: We need to be stewards for these sacred lands...
Review: “GUIDE TO AMERICA’S BEST IDEA”The recently released National Geographic Atlas of the National Parks is a spectacular new volume that should be on the coffee table or bedside of every American, whether intrepid adventurer or armchair dreamer. Editor Jonathan Waterman, a former Denali park ranger, adventurer & writer, has done a superb job of capturing the wonder, elegance and stunning beauty of our American wilderness areas. I found that I could flip the book open to any page, pick any of America’s 61 National Parks, start reading, and be captivated by the story that unfolded in Waterman’s fascinating narrative The front cover describes the work as “the first book of its kind, National Geographic Atlas of the National Parks showcases America’s most spectacular landscapes with an inspiring collection of maps, graphics and photographs, inviting newcomers and longtime park visitors alike to experience these magnificent vistas.”This lovely compilation honoring America’s spectacular National Park system is a timely release. Our parks and wildlife areas are currently threatened by a deregulatory administration that may undo much of the hard work done in the past to preserve these sacred lands. Current attempts to introduce sulfide mining adjacent to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) of my state of Minnesota threatens these pristine waters as well as the nearby Voyagers Park and Canadian Quetico wilderness. We need to honor and guard our “dark sky” spaces. We cannot allow monied interests to plunder these wilderness lands for short-term predatory economic gain.The limitations to travel imposed during the current SARS-COV2 lockdown offer a time for reflection and contemplation of our many national privileges and gifts. We are a wealthy and fortunate nation that was founded on the principles of social democracy and justice. We should emerge from these challenging times with a renewed commitment to the vision of our forbearers and to preserving these hallowed lands. When the National Park System (NPS) was created in 1916, within the Department of the Interior, the Original Act stated that the NPS would “conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” These visionary leaders knew that we needed to keep our national wilderness treasures inviolate. Now it is our turn to be stewards for these sacred lands.Many of us have travelled to far off lands in search of adventure. I've been an Everest expedition doc, a missionary physician in Papua New Guinea and an Antarctic base MD. The National Geographic Atlas of the National Parks reminds us of the extraordinary treasures we have here in our 50 states. Our 61 National Parks are deeply “embedded in the fabric of our democracy”. This book helps remind us what may be lost. This valuable tome lists for $65, but is available at Amazon for under $45. I am buying multiple copies as gifts for home-bound family and friends!Jonathan Waterman is the author of some 14 works that reflect his lifelong love of the outdoors. He wrote his first book, Surviving Denali, while working as an Alaskan park ranger in what was formerly known as the Mount McKinley park system. I met the author there in 1983. He was a frequent “Best Book Adventure Travel” honoree at the Banff Festival between 1995-2010. He has been honored for his writing with an American Alpine Club Literary Award in 1996 and an NEA Literary Fellowship in 2004. His tribute to Olaus and Mardy Murie and the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve (ANWR) titled Where Mountains are Nameless [W.W.Norton] was honored with the Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award in 2005. Each of his books captures a unique aspect of our American wilderness experience. I recommend them all.R. S. Bovard

Reviewer: Kimberly
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: This is a perfect gift for someone who likes to travel
Review: This is a perfect gift for someone who likes to travel and go to National Parks. The book is bigger than normal and has fantastic pictures and descriptions of wildlife native to the parks, and maps it is awesome! Well worth the money

Reviewer: Alexander F.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Beautiful
Review: Really pretty pictures in the book and lots of neat information about all the different national parks.

Reviewer: Chloe Harris
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Beautiful pictures.
Review: Got this as a gift for someone and they loved it the book was beautiful and great.

Reviewer: Al
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great Book
Review: Very informative and interesting. I am really happy with this book

Reviewer: A. Nonymous
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Beautiful book, but purchase elsewhere
Review: Book is beautiful, thus the rating.That being said, I ordered this book (NEW) and it came rattling around in a huge box with no padding, no shrink wrap, nothing. The dust jacket cover was visibly damaged. I reported the damage and was sent a replacement. The replacement also showed up rattling around in a huge box, with the dust jacket once again damaged.These are expensive display books and should be treated properly. Look elsewhere if you want a NEW copy that actually looks NEW.

Reviewer: Kirby C.
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A good representation of National Parks but wanted much more detail about hiking trails.
Review: I bought this book as a gift for my fiance. We recently went on a cross-country road trip starting in Seattle and ending back home in Pennsylvania. We hit several National Parks and other sites - Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Zion, Grand Canyon, & Meteor Crater National Landmark. Now we're on a National Park kick and would do a trip like that again in a heartbeat. We didn't get to see nearly as much as we wanted to of Yellowstone or Grand Canyon due to some areas of the Parks being closed for winter still at the time we visited. Nevertheless, a life-changing trip.This coffee table book is full of beautiful pictures and informative infographics. I bought this particular book for two main reasons. First, because of the National Geographic labeling. Second, because I like the way the book is organized by region.The book arrived yesterday, and I was so excited that I couldn't wait for a special occasion to give it to my fiance. We spent some time flipping through the Parks we have already visited and some we want to visit. He was really happy with it, and he said a lot of the background info on the history of the National Park Service, etc., was stuff he was interested in. I'm pleased w/ the purchase. Got a great Prime Day deal for almost half the normal price.I was a little disappointed that the dust jacket was wrinkled/creased, and a few of the pages had bent corners. Not enough for me to want to go through the trouble of returning, and this isn't the fault of the publisher or an issue w/ the book itself but rather how it was handled. However, I've always been a big reader and have a lot of respect for books, so it's disappointing when there's even slight damage, especially to a coffee table book, which is meant to be displayed.I would have liked more detailed Park maps that show trails, especially for Grand Canyon, Zion, etc., which are popular destinations specifically for hikers, and more pictures from the actual trails themselves. The Park maps are the same or similar to the ones you get free when you visit the Park, and even w/ the Park map from Grand Canyon, it's difficult for my fiance to tell where trails are steep or more difficult. If he's going to hike in Grand Canyon, I'd like him to have all the information he possibly can before doing something that could be dangerous for a non-expert. I would also like a lot more pictures in general. There should at least be pictures of very popular park features like Old Faithful Geyser at Yellowstone.I'm sure there are better books out there or books that are more focused (i.e. about only Grand Canyon). This one isn't bad at all though, and I was glad he seemed to like it.

Reviewer: Mary Ann Carter
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Good product

Reviewer: Francisco Pérez Ocaña
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Se lo he regalado a mi padre, un apasionado del mundo natural y en especial a los parques naturales de USA. Le ha encantado.

Reviewer: Edith Zaicsek-Schmeitz
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Een ‘loei’ van een coffee table book met een schitterende beschrijving met foto’s van de bekendste nationale parken in de VS. Achterin staat de complete lijst van alle ‘park units’.

Reviewer: Peter Krieg
Rating: 2.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Das Buch war in einem zu großen Karton verpackt, ohne ausreichend gegen die Bewegung innerhalb der Verpackung geschützt zu sein. Das Buch selbst war ebenfalls nicht mit einer Plastik Hülle versehen. Offensichtlich ein Rücklauf, der liederlich verpackt an mich weitergegeben wurde.Bin nicht zufrieden, weil es ein Geschenk sein soll.

Reviewer: Flavio
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Documentazione testuale e fotografica su TUTTI i parchi nazionali americani con specifiche di ogni parco e principali caratteristiche. Libro scritto da un vero avventuriero ex ranger. La scrittura in inglese non rappresenta un limite. Se siete appassionati di uSA e dei parchi Nazionali è un volume che non può mancare nella vostra biblioteca.