Majestic buttes, towering Sequoias, sculpted rock arches, and river-carved canyons---a visit to the national parks of the West isn’t merely a vacation, it’s a rite of passage. This completely updated and expanded book is the guide for families, outdoor enthusiasts, and retirees preparing to visit the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, and 34 other parks in the American and Canadian West. Bursting with maps, charts, and orientation spreads, Fodor’s Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West is both a handy planning resource and a trusted travel companion. Key features include: ·Brand-new planning pages that take the guesswork out of organizing the perfect trip·Beefed-up hiking coverage and new trail maps·Detailed profiles of 37 parks·Driving tours with area maps that give the big picture and help visitors explore both inside and outside the park gates_____________________________________________________________________________Winner of the Lowell Thomas bronze award for best travel guide! Comments from the judges on Fodor’s Complete Guide to National Parks of the West include, "Stuff it in the glove box and hit the road: This exhaustively researched guide has everything the traveler needs to tap into the riches of America’s national parks. Q & As from park rangers, nifty little maps and lists of things to do in each park (besides places to eat and places to stay) make this the essential guide for the outdoors enthusiast. The design makes it easy to use and nice to look at." To read more, visit http://www.satwf.com/2008lowellthomastraveljournalismwinners.aspx.The SATW Foundation sponsors the annual Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition. The competition began in 1985, and today awards nearly $20,000 annually in prize money for outstanding work in print and on the Internet. It is the premier competition in this field, like the Pulitzer Prizes for travel journalism. Read Less