On January 1 of 2016, Stefanie Payne, a creative professional working at NASA Headquarters, and Jonathan Irish, a photographer with National Geographic, left their lives in Washington, D.C. and hit the open road on an expedition to explore and document all 59 of America's national parks during the centennial celebration of the U.S. National Park Service - 59 parks in 52 weeks - the Greatest American Road Trip. Captured in more than 300,000 digital photographs, written stories, and videos shared by the national and international media, their project resulted in an incredible view of America's National Park System seen in its 100th year. 'A Year in the National Parks, The Greatest American Road Trip' is a gorgeous visual journey through our cherished public lands, detailing a rich tapestry of what makes each park special, as seen along an epic journey to visit them all within one special celebratory year.

Hiking Pinnacles National Park features the best hiking throughout the nation's newest national park. With detailed maps and trail descriptions, navigating these wonderful trails is made easy. Featuring hikes of varying legnth and difficulty, it's the perfect tool for day hikers, families, and local outdoors people looking to explore Pinnacles National Park. In addition to information on the trails themselves, this guide includes stunning full-color photos, GPS coordinates, as well as a section on regional attractions, lodging and dining, and other noteworthy public lands well-suited for outdoor adventure. It is also filled with useful information on the area’s history, geology, fauna, flora, and park amenities such as shuttle service, developed picnic areas, camping, general store, and visitor centers. Look inside to find: Hikes suited to every ability Mile-by-mile directional cues Difficulty ratings, trail contacts, fees/permits, and best hiking seasons Invaluable trip-planning information, including local lodging and campgrounds Full-color photos throughout GPS coordinates

Wonderful routes, both classic and new, are described with maps, written descriptions, topos, and photos.

In 2011, 25-year corporate veteran Sandy Van Soye had a dream to travel with a purpose. Out of this vision came the Trekking the Planet expedition. Sandy and her husband Darren left their jobs and traveled 14 months to 53 countries on six continents, bringing the subject of geography to life through stories, pictures, and videos from the road. Following their travels were 55,000 students in 20 countries. Darren and Sandy traveled to such places as the Phongsali province of Laos, the countries of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, the Tigray region of Ethiopia, and the Amazon Rainforest of Brazil. An integral part of their journey was a goal to complete 500 miles of demanding trekking in 12 of the most remote locations on the planet. More than just about their expedition, Trekking the Planet is the story of Sandy's perseverance in making her dream come true. This was put to the test while trekking in difficult conditions, narrowly missing a plane crash in Nepal, and being bitten by a vampire bat in Brazil. This book not only details these challenges, but how the dream of traveling with a purpose ended up giving back in its own special way, changing her life forever.

101 Hikes in Northern California by Matt Heid benefits readers by narrowing down the multitude of options for hiking in Northern California to the very best of the best adventures. It is distinct from other similar guidebooks in that it covers the northern two-thirds of the state, including nearly the entirety of the Sierra Nevadas south to Kings Canyon National Park, and the entire Big Sur region along the coast south to Silver Peak Wilderness. It also provides significant geographic diversity: hikes are spread out across the entire region. No matter where you are in northern California, you can find a hike in the book within a short drive. The guide is unique in the amount of natural history information it provides, especially the geologic stories of the featured destinations. It provides not just the essential directions for completing a hike, it enhances the experience by telling the story of how the landscape came to be the way it is.

Avid hiker Coco Rae shares her extensive knowledge and her love of exploration at one of New Mexico’s greatest treasures in this updated and expanded edition of Hiking Trails in Valles Caldera National Preserve. The first comprehensive trail guide to Valles Caldera National Preserve now includes over seventy color photographs and everything visitors need to know to enjoy this vast caldera, one of the largest in the United States. The guide includes detailed descriptions of over twenty-five trails accompanied by topographical maps, recommendations for mountain bikers, and a history of the preserve. A geological and environmental wonder created over a million years ago, Valles Caldera National Preserve, west of Los Alamos, New Mexico, offers outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers endless opportunities to discover the natural history of New Mexico through the caldera’s vast mountain meadows, extensive biodiversity, and meandering streams. Hiking Trails in Valles Caldera National Preserve offers first-time and returning visitors a complete guide to the recreation and beauty found in this unique landscape.

Fully updated and revised, this comprehensive guide features forty-seven trails in Big Bend National Park.

Best Easy Day Hikes Pinnacles National Park includes concise descriptions and detailed maps for seventeen easy-to-follow trails that follow charming creeks and disappear into dense pine forests. Look inside for: * Casual hikes to full-day adventures * After-dinner strolls to full-day hikes * Hikes for everyone, including families * Mile-by-mile directions and clear trail maps * Trail Finder for best hikes for dogs, children, lake lovers, and great views. * GPS coordinates

Dogs and parks. Wed two of our favorite things together and you have the makings of a perfect day, right? Except at America's national parks. Save for a few exceptions, dogs are never allowed on national park trails and rarely permitted beyond a campground or picnic area. There is an old saying that goes, "Start explaining and you've lost the argument." The National Park Service goes to great lengths to explain their reasons for banning dogs outside of vehicles. Dogs endanger wildlife. Dogs interfere with people's enjoyment of the park. Dogs ruin the pristine environment. Dogs can introduce diseases that could decimate wild populations. Some parks cite the fact that just the scent of dogs will make prey animals frantic (at least that will keep the jittery critters out of campgrounds and picnics where apparently their wellbeing is not as big a concern). Some park officials go so far as to imply that they are doing dog owners a favor by keeping dogs out of the woods since they may become prey themselves. One park's regulations read thusly: "There is a strong possibility that your pet could become prey for a bear, coyote, owl, or other predator." What is a "strong possibility?" Better than 50%? 20%? Really? Any talk of the probability of a leashed dog on a trail being eaten by a wild animal that goes beyond "vanishingly small probability" is absurd. Tellingly, the national parks in Canada - which also receive millions of visitors each year and also protect wildlife - allow dogs on their trails almost without exception. And in the United States the prohibition against dogs on national park trails is not a universal edict. Individual parks are allowed to make their own rules regarding dogs. A handful have decided to allow dogs on the trails, the chance of man's best friend becoming some other animal's dinner be damned. Some have even become more lenient in recent years. Petrified Forest National Park used to allow dogs only on a few nature trails. Now the park declares: "Petrified Forest is a very pet friendly national park! Please take your furry friends on trails, even backpacking in the wilderness area." This is not a book about whether rules regarding dogs in national parks are right or wrong. It is about how dog owners - given the current restrictive playing field - can experience our national parks, take along their best trail companions, and still have their dream vacation. For each park, if dogs are not allowed on the trails, a nearby substitute is identified and described (dogs are usually welcome in national forests, for example. The burden on people and wildlife caused by dogs and a patronizing concern for a dog's well-being apparently cause less government worry in those woods). Only those national parks which can be reached by automobile are included. So with that in mind - grab a leash and hit the trail!

A guide to hiking trails in Utah's national parks and wilderness areas, illustrated with 320 full color photographs and trail maps.