(BPT) - As the weather heats up — and pandemic FOGO (fear of going out) continues to fade — adventure seekers, families and travel enthusiasts alike are trading in their winter jackets for hiking boots and bathing suits and getting ready to get back outdoors.
According to Penn State's Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Management, almost half of adults in the U.S. now participate in outdoor recreation at least once a month; that’s up from 20% pre-pandemic.
As Americans continue to lean toward domestic and outdoor travel opportunities, National Geographic works tirelessly to provide wanderlusters with endless inspiration, insider knowledge and unmatched expertise via their vast suite of best-selling resource guides.
So, if (and when!) you get the itch to get back outdoors, but don’t know where to go first, look for answers within these beautiful and informative National Geographic books:
The U.S. has a robust park system, and in this book by travel writer Stephanie Pearson, you can explore an illustrated collection of America's 63 national parks and 37 state, recreational, and city parks and green spaces. This book highlights the top experiences in stunning destinations from Yosemite and Sequoia to Biscayne and Mammoth Cave, with a park in every state.
Each entry is filled with stunning photography, expert advice and travel information, including the best scenic overlooks, hiking trails and practical wildlife-spotting tips. Let this collection of diverse and breathtaking natural landscapes help you decide where your next journey will take you.
If you don't have time to take an extended vacation, there are still plenty of places to explore on your weekends. This collection provides nearly 20 years' worth of weekend adventures divided by theme and interest. This practical guide offers a variety of adventures you can experience in 36 to 72 hours, from sunny beach retreats to lush mountain idylls, city sojourns and adventures in 40 countries worldwide. This book can help you unplug from your busy workweek and plan your family's next quick getaway.
In this book by editor, writer and photographer Joe Yogerst, you'll discover the top tent and cabin campsites, RV resorts and glamping destinations in North America. This guide will tell you where and when to go, what to see and what to do.
Choose from sites in each state, Western and Eastern Canada, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, including a cabin at Yogi Bear's Delaware Beaches Jellystone Park Camp Resort; a tent near the stunning waterfall at the Grand Canyon's Havasupai Campground; or a cozy yurt in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Each entry includes destination information, recommended activities and nearby attractions.
Road Atlas 2022: Adventure Edition
The 2022 edition of the Road Atlas is your ideal companion for your next road trip. The atlas features easy-to-read, accurate maps of North America, showing highways, secondary roads, scenic routes, mileage markers, recreation areas and points of interest. This guide takes the guesswork out of traveling and trip planning with a comprehensive place name index, mileage charts and cross-referenced pages. Use this book to explore the top 100 adventure destinations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico and the top 24 most visited National Parks.
Each of these four references can make planning your next outdoor adventure easy and fun. National Geographic Books make beautiful gifts and coffee table conversation pieces to educate and inspire readers to imagine future outdoor adventures. All are available wherever books are sold.