National Parks Books for the Armchair Traveler

If you have always wanted to visit some of the great national parks and historical monuments that can be found throughout North America, but have not had the time, here are a few national parks books that you should enjoy. The colorful photographs of beautiful scenery will help you step into locations and regions far away, and leafing through a national parks book can be a fantastic method of teaching children about nature.

National Parks of America published by the Graphic Arts Center of Publishing Company featuring the brilliant photographs of acclaimed photographer, David Muench, and co-authors Stewart and James Uddell should be on everyone’s coffee table. Muench captures scenes of personal and primal importance in this collage of America’s most famous national parks and monuments. From the Great Smokey Mountains of North Carolina to the Old Faithful Geyser of Yellowstone, Muench’s photos coupled with Uddell’s insightful essays will take you away on a scenic adventure across the United States so absorbing that you could swear you can smell the fresh air in the comfort of your home.

Passionate Vision: Discovering Canada’s National Parks is Canada’s answer to Muench’s national parks book. Showcasing the photography skills of space shuttle Discovery astronaut, Roberta Lynn Bondar, this book is homage to Canadian national parks and the fragile ecosystem we all live in. Bondar uses photos from space interspersed with pictures of unique scenery such as bison roaming the salt planes of Alberta, and panoramas of great ice monoliths of the north. The foreword was written by former Canadian Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau, who first set the groundwork of the Canadian national parks system called Parks Canada.

Ansel Adams: Our National Parks is a collection of vintage photographs of some of the United States greatest national parks and monuments by the legendary Ansel Adams. This book contains 78 of Adams’s most memorable images of nature spanning six decades starting from 1916, and some of his most heartfelt writings of his experiences and thoughts that reverberate with environmentalists today. This national parks book is a necessary addition to anyone interested in photography, nature, or history.

The Great National Parks of the World by Angela Ilidos and Giorgio Bardelli is a look at fifty-two exceptionally beautiful national parks around the world from the first-ever national park, Yellowstone, to the expansive reserves of Africa. This global journey reminds us that our future is dependent upon humanity preserving the environment of the world’s most pristine areas. It is sobering and magnificent at the same time. There is more to the world than just what is outside our front door.

While there is nothing like the original when it comes to national parks and monuments, these national parks books each do a good job of acquainting you with them. If you cannot make it to see them in person, you still have an opportunity to learn a lot about them. Except for Adams’ book, they are all available in book stores. You can find Adams’ book in some libraries.