10 GORGEOUS NEW BOOKS CELEBRATING THE GLORY OF NATIONAL PARKS NOW

The U.S. National Park Service, founded in 1916, and recently celebrated its centennial. And while there is much to celebrate, there are worries, as the parks are under threat from human encroachment as well as climate change. Recent attempts by the current White House administration to severely shrink US National Park territories and protections are alarming. And while protests have mounted, the threats press on.

We’ve gathered a collection of gorgeous books that feature the most beautiful views and aspects of these most precious natural national treasures. We hope this can raise awareness, spur some action to save and protect our National Parks, and even help fund some National Park initiatives.

Check out the staggering beauty of U.S. National Parks in the books below. They’re perfect gifts for outdoor enthusiasts on your list. And, of course, the National Parks are gifts to us all.

1. GLACIER NATIONAL PARK AFTER DARK: SUNSET TO SUNRISE IN A BELOVED MONTANA WILDERNESS

Glacier National Park After Dark: Sunset to Sunrise in a Beloved Montana Wilderness, by photographer and journalist John Ashley, offers a rare glimpse of one of the most beautiful places on Earth -- a place rarely visited, at a time rarely appreciated -- night time.

With light pollution dimming our view of the stars and dulling the impact of night’s beauty around the globe, this Park is one of the last truly dark places left. Ashley urges us to hold it sacred.

Ashley’s photos of the Park’s iconic landmarks, such as Chief Mountain and St. Mary Lake, with the Milky Way and Northern Lights in the background, are mind-blowing. These, paired with Ashley’s explanations of astronomical phenomena, traditional Blackfoot stories, ranger anecdotes, geological facts, and history of Glacier National Park make this book a spectacular volume.  

John Ashley Fine Art Photography ( 2016)

2. THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS: A VISUAL JOURNEY.

The Great Smoky Mountains: A Visual Journey, by Lee Mandrell and DeeDee Niederhouse-Mandrell, a husband and wife photography team, offers a plethora of spectacular new photographs of the natural landscapes, wildlife, and beauty found in this remarkable National Park.

Immerse in stunning photos that span the seasons -- you’ll want to visit during each one.

Indiana University Press (2017)

3.  TREASURED LANDS: A PHOTOGRAPHIC ODYSSEY THROUGH AMERICA’S 59 NATIONAL PARKS

In Treasured Lands: A Photographic Odyssey Through America's 59 National Parks, photographer Q.T. Luong shares his favorite images, taken amongst the millions of acres of protected wilderness in our country’s 59 national parks.

Luong has taken large-format photographs in each of the 59 National Parks featured in the book. The effort has spanned more than 20 years, across 300 visits. The book includes more than 500 breathtaking images.

Luong was featured in Ken Burns’ & Dayton Duncan’s documentary, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea. Duncan wrote a moving forward for the book.

The book includes maps of each park, as well as extended captions that detail where and how the photographs were made.

Cameron + Company (2016)

4. THE NATIONAL PARKS OF THE UNITED STATES: A PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY

The National Parks of the United States: A Photographic Journey, by photographer Andrew Thomas, is a stunning book featuring magnificent photos of all 59 U.S. National Parks, published now to coincide with the National Parks Service’s centennial.

The book also includes information about the parks, as well as Thomas’s personal reflections. Also included,  quotes from park rangers, explorers, and famous personalities such as Mark Twain, Babe Ruth, and Harry S. Truman.

Douglas & McIntyre (2016)

5. PICTURING AMERICA’S NATIONAL PARKS

Picturing America's National Parks, by Jamie M. Allen, celebrates the centennial of America’s National Park Service with some of the finest landscape photography of all time.

The book features historic work of masters such as Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunningham, William Henry Jackson, Edward Weston, and Minor White, as well as contemporary greats such as Lee Friedlander, Stephen Shore and Joel Sternfeld.

Aperture/George Eastman Museum (2016)

6. SEE AMERICA: A CELEBRATION OF OUR NATIONAL PARKS & TREASURED SITES

See America: A Celebration of Our National Parks & Treasured Sites, is a collection of travel posters, created by artist members of the Creative Action Network in partnership with the National Parks Conservation Association.

Featuring the artwork representing 75 national parks and monuments across all 50 states, these posters recall and revive the WPA era, beckoning people to visit.

Chronicle Books (2016)

7. ACADIA NATIONAL PARK: A CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

Acadia National Park: A Centennial Celebration, by photographer Tom Blagden, Jr., presents a glorious portfolio of photos and essays, spanning a long history, since the Park’s creation in 1916. The Park, arguably Maine’s most precious treasure, encompasses 45,000 acres, including 2 islands and a mainland peninsula.

Blagden’s images of the indigenous flora & fauna, the granite mountains, jagged coastlines and brilliant skies are dazzling.

"Located off the rugged coast of Maine on Mount Desert Island, [Acadia National Park] boasts the tallest mountain on the East Coast (Cadillac Mountain), extensive forests, deep valleys, serene springs and the wave-pounded coastlines that characterize the region. If you've yet to experience the park for yourself, this beautiful portfolio could be a great way to get your first look."

– MetroSource

Rizzoli (2016)

8. CLASSIC YELLOWSTONE

Classic Yellowstone, by photographer Susan M. Neider, celebrates the world’s 1st national park.

Neider captures Yellowstone’ unique drama, with images of its erupting geysers, colorful hot springs, thundering waterfalls, colorful river canyons, mirrored lakes, and monumental mountain peaks -- all astonishingly beautiful.

Rainstone Press (2015)

9. YELLOWSTONE: A LAND OF WILD AND WONDER

Yellowstone: A Land of Wild and Wonder, by photographer Christopher Cauble, offers yet another take on the beauty of this famous National Park.

Cauble’s contemporary style shows off the Park’s awe-inspiring landscapes and wildlife in a fresh light. You’ve likely never seen Yellowstone look like this before.

This book will definitely prompt some enrapt page-turning on your coffee table.

Riverbend Publishing (2016)

10. THE NATURAL HERITAGE OF THE WORLD: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL NATIONAL PARKS, PROTECTED AREAS AND BIOSPHERE RESERVES

The Natural Heritage of the World: The Most Beautiful National Parks, Protected Areas and Biosphere Reserves, is a collection of National Parks not only in the United States, but all over the world.

Check out a range of World Natural Heritage Sites, protected areas and reserves, with photos taken by some of the best landscape and nature photographers in the world.

Monaco Books / Kunth Verlag (2016)

Read more about Beautiful Giving in Fast Beauties: Dream Cars, Boats & Planes, 10 Most Beautiful Baubles to Give Now, and Give the Most Beautiful Gifts with Soul.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: Courtesy of John Ashley Fine Art Photography. Glacier National Park After Dark: Sunset to Sunrise in a Beloved Montana Wilderness.
2. Image: Courtesy of John Ashley Fine Art Photography. Glacier National Park After Dark: Sunset to Sunrise in a Beloved Montana Wilderness.
3. Image: Courtesy of Indiana University Press. The Great Smoky Mountains: A Visual Journey.
4. Image: Courtesy of Cameron + Company. Treasured Lands: A Photographic Odyssey Through America's 59 National Parks.
5. Image: Courtesy of Cameron + Company. Treasured Lands: A Photographic Odyssey Through America's 59 National Parks.
6. Image: Courtesy of Douglas & McIntyre. The National Parks of the United States: A Photographic Journey.
7. Image: Courtesy of Aperture/George Eastman Museum. Picturing America's National Parks.
8. Image: Courtesy of Chronicle Books. See America: A Celebration of Our National Parks & Treasured Sites.
9. Image: Courtesy of Rizzoli. Acadia National Park: A Centennial Celebration.
10. Image: Courtesy of Rainstone Press. Classic Yellowstone.
11. Image: Courtesy of Riverbend Publishing. Yellowstone: A Land of Wild and Wonder.
12. Image: Courtesy of Monaco Books / Kunth Verlag. The Natural Heritage of the World: The Most Beautiful National Parks, Protected Areas and Biosphere Reserves.
13. Image: Courtesy of Rizzoli. Acadia National Park: A Centennial Celebration.
14. Image: Courtesy of Aperture/George Eastman Museum. Picturing America's National Parks.
15. Image: Courtesy of Rainstone Press. Crested Pool, Upper Geyser Basin. Classic Yellowstone.