A new 196-page guidebook titled Family Fun in the Smokies: A Family-friendly Guide to the Great Smoky Mountains by Katy Koontz has been released by the Great Smoky Mountains Association.

The book is made up of maps, games, illustrations, photographs, fun facts, “factivities,” and an authoritative text based on the author’s personal experiences and interviews with park rangers and other “insiders.”

According to co-editor Steve Kemp, the goal of the book is to “help families with kids make the most of their time in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park and avoid common family vacation pitfalls like driving two hours to find that a campground is full or a road has been gated for the season. It’s also nice not to waste half your weekend deciding what everyone wants to do.”

The new book is organized mostly by activities, including “Waterfall Hikes & Walks,” “Historic Walking Tours,” “Scenic Drives,” “Hikes & Walks with Views,” “Picnicking,” “Biking,” “Horseback Riding,” “Ranger Programs,” “Camping,” “Animals,” and “Best Bets Outside the Park.”

Author Katy Koontz lives in Knoxville, Tenn. Family Fun in the Smokies sells for $11.95 and is available in area bookstores, outdoor shops and in park visitor centers.

888.898.9102 ext. 226 or www.SmokiesInformation.org.