Touring the National Parks of the Northwest

Based on the 506-page full guide to the great American national parks, how to avoid the crowds, walking tours, facilities and how to get there, this edition focuses on the major parks of Washington, Oregon, Montana & Idaho: Crater Lake, Craters of the Moon, Glacier National Park, Hells Canyon, Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, North Cascades & Ross Lake, Olympic National Park, and Sawtooth NRA. It includes information on accommodations and dining, camping and tours. Unlike other guides, this explains in detail how to tour the parks: how much time to allow, how to avoid the crowds, what each place is really like, what you can safely skip and what you must not miss. It offers advice on planning if you have only a few hours, or if you have a few days to explore. Complete directions on getting to and from the parks are included, as well as how to get around once you're there, whether you want to tour independently or prefer to join a group excursion. It also profiles places to stay and eat in and near each park, with options to suit all budgets. Maps show each park's features, along with all surrounding access routes. Are you wondering when to visit? The author tells all about the climate and the crowds (or lack of them) in all seasons and recommends the ideal times to explore our nation's treasures. A unique section, Suggested Trips, contains customized itineraries, describing ways to combine visits to one or more parks with tours of nearby attractions. These routes are designed to last from four to 10 days and include complete directions and recommended places to stay each night. Describes the parks in depth, giving advice on planning your time - vital when it comes to setting priorities. Invaluable. -- Physician's Travel & Meeting Guide Maps are shown for every park. The print edition of the full book is 506 pages. This is a straight-talking author who reminds me of a smart, blunt friend... no pussyfooting around. -- The Armchair Traveler, Daily Herald