Best Hiking & Camping Excursion Guides of 2026

National Geographic Complete National Parks of the United States, 3rd Edition is the ultimate travel guide for outdoor enthusiasts. With over 400 parks, monuments, seashores, and recreation areas, this 544-page reference book is filled with full-color photos, detailed maps, and practical facts on the location and top-rated activities of each park. It also provides historical backgrounds and the best times to visit. Published by one of the world's leading nonfiction publishers, National Geographic, a portion of the proceeds goes to fund exploration, conservation, and education. This book is a must-have for anyone who loves camping and RV cooking books.

How To Survive A Freakin’ Bear Attack: And 127 Other Survival Hacks You'll Hopefully Never Need is a comprehensive survival guide that covers various real-life scenarios. From snake bites to natural disasters and being stranded on a desert island, this book provides step-by-step guides to 128 extraordinary survival skills. It includes chapters on first aid, climbing trees, building rope bridges, and lighting a campfire using only your phone. While some of the skills may seem unnecessary, the book is a fun and fascinating read that bursts with real-world knowledge, tips, and advice. Overall, it's an informative and entertaining book that may come in handy one day.

American Ramble is a captivating memoir about Neil King Jr.'s 26-day walk from Washington, D.C. to New York City. The journey takes him through historic battlefields, cemeteries, farms, and trash mounds, revealing forgotten pockets and overlooked people. King shares his personal story, making the narrative both personal and political. The writing is beautiful, and the book offers an exquisite account of personal and national renewal. American Ramble is a must-read for anyone seeking to rediscover what matters in life and see our national story with new eyes.

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail is a #1 New York Times Bestseller and a powerful memoir that tells the story of a young woman who embarks on an eleven-hundred-mile solo hike after losing everything. Driven only by blind will, she hikes more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State, and she does it alone. The book captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened, and ultimately healed her.

National Geographic's "100 Hikes of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Scenic Trails" is the ultimate guide for hikers and sightseers alike. With breathtaking photography, expert advice from hikers like Andrew Skurka, and practical travel information, this book offers 100 energizing hikes for all levels. From short day hikes to multi-week treks, this book covers all continents and climates, making it a modern-day wish book for nature lovers. The book features easy to difficult hikes, making it accessible for all hikers. Overall, "100 Hikes of a Lifetime" is an inspirational guide that will lead you to experience the best hikes of your life.

The Moon USA National Parks travel guide is a comprehensive resource for exploring all 63 national parks across the United States. It offers strategic lists and itineraries for visitors, including the best parks for hiking, wildlife, families, and scenic drives. In addition, it provides detailed information on outdoor adventures such as backpacking, biking, climbing, kayaking, and rafting, as well as expert advice on how to avoid crowds and where to stay inside and outside the parks. With full-color photos and a detachable fold-out poster map, this guide is a must-have for any national parks enthusiast.

The National Geographic Guide to National Parks of the United States 9th Edition is an excellent resource for anyone planning a visit to one of America's 62 national parks. This fully revised and comprehensive guidebook features expert travel advice, candid tips for hiking and wildlife spotting, and detailed maps to help navigate through the great outdoors. The book includes the newest additions to the United States park system and week-long regional road trip itineraries so that visitors can explore multiple parks in one vacation. With over 300 photographs and 80 full-color maps, this inspiring book is a must-have for any nature lover.

Beer Hiking New England is a must-read for beer lovers and hiking enthusiasts. This book takes readers on a journey through stunning landscapes in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island while introducing them to local breweries and craft beers. Each hike description includes details on access, difficulty, duration, and points of interest, along with a recommended beer to enjoy at the end of the trail. The full-color guidebook also provides an insider's look at each brewery and its passionate craftspeople. The unique combination of hiking and beer makes this book a standout in the Beer Books category.

A Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino de Santiago (Camino Francés) is a comprehensive guidebook for modern-day pilgrims who wish to walk the sacred Way of St. James. The book contains detailed town plans, daily stage maps, and overview route planners, making it an essential tool for anyone planning a pilgrimage. The maps feature contour guides to help distinguish the terrain that will be crossed each day, while full information on all pilgrim hostels, as well as details for alternative accommodation, allow travelers to plot adequate nightly stopping points. The author, John Brierley, provides helpful spiritual guidelines to support the seeker's inner journey as well as the outer pilgrimage. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for anyone planning to walk the Camino Francés.

Looking for a comprehensive guide to the best national, state, and city parks in North America? Look no further than "100 Parks, 5,000 Ideas" by National Geographic. This expert guide is filled with stunning photography and helpful travel tips, making it the perfect resource for travel and national park enthusiasts. From Yellowstone National Park to Central Park, this book covers it all. The top 10 lists throughout highlight the best-of destinations for river trips, monuments, panoramic views, beaches, and more. Overall, this book is a must-have for anyone looking to plan a memorable park visit in North America.