National Geographic Guide to State Parks of the United States 5th ed

Discover more than 950 of the best parks in all 50 states in this completely updated guide from National Geographic. Bask in the spectacular beauty, thrilling terrain, and quiet peacefulness of the country's finest state parks, hand-picked by park directors and National Geographic editors. This fully updated fifth edition includes 750 additionaloff-the-beaten track destinations. Beautifully written descriptions tell the stories of the parks, from their wildlife, natural features, and history to their most popular current activities such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, water sports, and rock climbing. Vivid images inspire your next getaway, while detailed information--including 32 detailed maps highlighting sites, trails, campgrounds, and more--helps you plan your next excursion. From free to low-cost, from Florida to Alaska, from the six-acre Iao Valley to the 204,000-acre Baxter, use this essential guide to plan a day visit or a weekend escape. * NEARLY 750 NEW STATE PARKS: This 5th edition of the guide--100 pages longer than the previous edition--includes up to 15 new parks per state, hand-picked by the state parks directors and National Geographic. * FULLY UPDATED CONTENT: All of the entries have been completely updated. * GO-TO EXPERTISE: National Geographic travel writers share their intimate knowledge of the parks, while state park directors contribute their expert advice and insider details to help you plan your next trip. * BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS showcase the parks' natural features. * POPULAR DESTINATIONS: State parks provide recreational opportunities for more than 700 million annual visitors, 64.1 million of whom stay overnight. * UNIQUE CONTENT: No other guide to state parks covers the entire United States. * EXCELLENT TRAVEL PLANNER: From fishing holes to historic homes, the state parks featured in this book span the country and provide unique vacation ideas of which many travelers are not aware.