A Complete Guide to the Grand Circle National Parks: Covering Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands, Mesa Verde, and Grand Canyon National Parks (English and Japanese Edition)

For our road trip

The best thing about this guide is that its comprehensive enough to let you customize your loop experience.If you have the time and resources then doing the full loop is possible.With limited time we decided to hit the spots that were most important to us. We started our trip in Las Vegas and headed for Zion. Zion is beautiful and we were so glad to have chosen it as our first stop. From Zion it was off to the North rim of the Grand Canyon. In the guide they make it clear the difference between the North rim and the South rim. We were overwhelmed with the access we had to the many overlooks the North rim offers. From the Grand Canyon it was off to Bryce canyon. What an amazing place. The Guide while preparing us for what we see didn't spoil any of the amazing experiences. If we would have had more time I'm sure we would have done more of the loop. The good news is we still have our Guide and more adventures await.If you are considering doing the Loop, this Guide is a great way to start the dream.

Summary: I would give the book 5 stars if I didn't already have the 2019 book. On its own, it's a 5. In conjunction with the prior book, it is probably not necessary.I bought the 2019 version of this book in anticipation of a trip in 2020. That trip was cancelled and we are hoping to plan the trip again.The 2022 guide is essentially identical to the 2019 guide with the exceptions of: updated number of visitors in a recent year park entrance fees included deletion of closed restaurants updated restaurant hours some COVID19 information.I can sum up those updates. There were more or less visitors in the park. National parks charge entrance fees. Be flexible when you choose a restaurant as 12 have closed (some have also changed names). Restaurant hours are probably less than they were in 2019. You may need to wear a mask. Museums, park videos, and visitor centers may be open or closed on a park by park basis. I imagine the latter information could have changed even after the book went to press in October 2021.So my advice is, if you already have the 2019 book, you probably don't need to buy the 2022 book.If you don't already have this book, I would highly recommend it. It includes the history of each park and its geology. It also gives you information about each hiking trail that you can help you pick which you might want to do. There is also lodging and restaurant information.I also have Your Guide to the National Parks by Michael Joseph Oswald. They are good in conjunction with each other. Your Guide has all the national parks and includes helpful highlighting notes on the maps and a clear chart of the hiking trails. The Grand Circle book is more concise and a lot more lightweight since it only includes the parks in Utah and nearby such as Mesa Verde and the Grand Canyon. It is also better, I think, for trail information.

A great guide to the five national parks in southern Utah and environs. We also like the Lonely Planet guides, but this is the best one for this trip. Wish I had bought it more in advance of our trip to allow more time to check it out.

Ok so there are a LOT of typos in this book and I have to wonder if this guy had an editor, lol but if you can get past that then this is THE book you need to plan your trip to the Grand Circle. Full of fun stories as well as information this book is perfectly laid out. When you are reading it, you actually don't want to stop reading because it isn't just information. When the writer includes the personal stories you feel like you are actually reading a book for fun and not trying to plan something. His stories transport you to the destination. I bought a second book for planning our upcoming trip as well (Fodors Utah) and ALMOST cancelled this order because it was going to take a week longer to get to me. I was anxious to start planning, book marking and sick of looking at my computer screen so I thought I will just use the Fodors book and send the Complete Guide (this one) back. However I waited too long to cancel so when this one finally arrived I opened it and started flipping through it. I found it MUCH more enjoyable and informative that the Fodors Utah book. I have literally read almost the entire book in 3 days. Just stop searching and get this book. You will enjoy it AND you will have everything you need to plan your trip!

Was pocket size and had maps and info just like on National park web site. It was very helpful in planning and during trip to Southern Rim

We are preparing for a trip to Arizona and Utah. This book has been amazing! So glad we purchased it. Lots of tips and helpful information. I would highly recommend it.

I purchased this book last May and could never figure out why it just started on parks outside Zion. Well I am finally honing in on my trip and I just now realized this book is missing the first 35 pages! Its completely missing Zion National Park!

The book has a lot of good information backed up with colour photography.

I haven't actually used this guide yet as I downloaded it to my Kindle for my trip to the Grand Circle of the American south west. I have however had a quick look and it does look great and just what I and anyone travelling around Arizona and Utah will need. Full of park maps and all sorts of local information including dining, lodging and places of interest. A great purchase that I am looking forward to reading on my travels.

Loved the layout, great intuitive design & detail for a first-timer planning a trip to these locations. The personal story interludes give a wonderful touch). Well done to the authors. Highly recommended

Book contains a lot of information

Excellent book giving insight into the Grand Circle tour that my family are doing this year. In fact the book is so good I had to order a 2nd copy as the first one got borrowed quite quickly by a colleague who refused to give it back as he liked it so much.Will be looking forward to checking out many of the places and walks detailed.