This guide helps travelers design a trip, depending on the time they have, with detailed background and planning information and shows them how to see the sights once they arrive. National Geographic writers have extensively toured each park; their recommendations are personal, useful, and informative. The book opens with an essay by Yellowstone writer Paul Schullery, a section on how to use this guide, and a national locator map. The parks are presented region by region; each region is introduced by a map and a geographical profile, followed by the parks in alphabetical order. An Information and Activities page and suggested excursions--each illustrated--ends the park chapter.