National Parks of the West: A Complete Vacation in Every Chapter (Fodor's National Parks of the West)

Family Travel Times calls this guidebook "exhaustively researched and thorough," in which "you'll find everything you need to know." Fodor's has collected the essentials for touring 33 of the most popular national parks and monuments in the U.S., including Jasper, Yellowstone, Zion, Banff, Mt. Rainier, and Redwood. Each tour includes a map, driving directions, reviews of lodging, the best nature trails, "best-in-one-day" itineraries, as well as tips on what to see and do in each area. The nitty-gritty includes useful information on geology, plants and animals, weather, historic sites, and local festivals. With this easy-to-read, informative book, there's no excuse for having nothing to do.