Road Trip: National Parks

Waterfalls, giant sequoias, and majestic granite cliffs bring millions of people to Yosemite National Park each year. Found in eastern California, Yosemite is partly made up of the western Sierra Nevada mountains and has a variety of woodland and alpine habitats. With hundreds of miles of hiking trails and amazing natural views, Yosemite National Park is easy to show off in the full-color photographs in this volume. Readers learn how the park came to be as well as the climbing spots, wildlife viewing, and other activities that make Yosemite a great road trip stop.

Yellowstone National Park is considered the first national park in the world! Created in 1872, the park encompasses many types of habitats but is best known for its Old Faithful Geyser. Readers join the more than 3 million yearly park visitors in discovering the beauty of Yellowstone National Park. Including important aspects of the social studies curriculum such as geography and conservation, this volume also introduces readers to the plants, wildlife, and attractions of this famous park. Enthralled by the full-color photographs of this lovely landscape, readers will certainly hope their next road trip heads to Yellowstone!

Mount Desert Island, home to Acadia National Park, has been inhabited for more than 5,000 years and enjoyed by vacationers for more than 200! Its many plants, animals, and scenic views make the island and its famous park one of the most visited places in the United States. Colorful photographs and descriptions take readers along the historic carriage roads and to the top of Cadillac Mountain. Readers learn how the park came to be and some of the unique aspects of its geography and nature that keep visitors coming back year after year.

Everglades National Park was established in 1934 to protect one of the most unique ecosystems in the world. From hardwood forests to the estuarine habitat of Florida Bay, the many habitats in the park are home to about 1,000 species of plants and hundreds of animal species, some of which are endangered. Readers learn the park's history and roots in conservation through the social studies and science content included in the main text. Colorful photographs show the park's beauty up close, enhancing reader interest through the rare and fascinating flora and fauna of the Everglades.

Within Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most majestic sites in the United States; the Grand Canyon. For adventurous road trippers, this national park is the perfect place to visit. Miles of hiking trails for visitors have been built around the rim of the canyon, down its steep sides, and even across the beautiful Colorado River. Readers learn how the Grand Canyon formed and about the creation of Grand Canyon National Park around it. Through full-color photographs of the beautiful landscape, readers can experience one of the natural wonders of the world without having to be there in person.

People have inhabited the Great Smoky Mountains for thousands of years. The area was once a part of the Cherokee Nation and later farmed and logged by white settlers. Today, a good portion of this part of the Appalachian Mountains is protected as Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Through full-color photographs, readers travel to the heights of Clingmans Dome and around the hundreds of miles of hiking trails that wind through the park. An introduction to the history of the park is accompanied by information about the wildlife, plant life, and attractions found in the park today.