200 Nature Hot Spots in Alberta: The Best Parks, Conservation Areas and Wild Places

Banff, with towering mountain peaks, massive glaciers, impossibly blue lakes and abundant wildlife, became Canada's first national park in 1885, and it remains one of the most popular destinations in the country. But this world-famous park is just one attraction in a province filled with natural wonders that include dense forests, sparkling lakes and mysterious badlands concealing the remains of dinosaurs.

200 Nature Hot Spots in Alberta is organized by region for easy reading and navigation. Each hot spot entry includes a detailed destination profile, color photographs and a sidebar of at-a-glance information featuring all the activities one can expect to enjoy.

Here are just a few of the hot spots included in this bigger Hot Spots book:

• Whitehorse Wildland -- one of the few places in Alberta where you can drive to an alpine meadow.
• Columbia Icefield -- the largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains
• Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park -- the highest point between the Rocky Mountains and Labrador.

This book provides fresh insights on popular spots and valuable information about lesser-known destinations that are equally worthy of a visit. For this expanded treatment, authors Leigh McAdam and Debbie Olsen have detailed 75 more hot spots and excursions, including snowshoeing trips, cycling trails, lake skating, mountain wildflower hikes and canyon ice walks. Everyone can enjoy nature, as this edition includes sections on family-friendly hikes, as well as trails that are wheelchair and stroller accessible.

200 Nature Hot Spots in Alberta is the perfect companion for all visitors to Alberta, from those preparing to witness the province's natural wonder for the first time to those who are looking forward to experiencing it all over again.