National Parks

In this lavishly illustrated book, well-known environmental historian Alfred Runte, tells the highly engaging story of the development of our national parks, from the first national park, Yellowstone, to the more recent decision to set aside vast tracts of Alaska for preservation.

In this evocative and lavishly illustrated narrative, Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan delve into the history of the park idea, from the first sighting by white men in 1851 of the valley that would become Yosemite and the creation of the world's first national park at Yellowstone in 1872, through the most recent additions to a system that now encompasses nearly four hundred sites and 84 million acres.

This text provides a practical guide to the great American national parks, how to avoid the crowds, walking tours, facilities and how to get there. This edition has been expanded to include 49 parks, information on accommodation and dining, camping and tours.