Compass American Guides: Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks, 1st Edition

by Brian Kevin

BRAND-NEW DESTINATION AND DESIGN Compass explores these national parks for the first time---and this title introduces an all-new design for the series.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1400019354
• ISBN13: 9781400019359
• Release Date: April 2009
• Publisher: Fodor's Travel Publications
• Length: 356 Pages
• Weight: 1.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Wonderful pics and great tips

I flipped through many guides at the book store before checking online and getting this one. The pictures included in this guide are full color and amazing! The pictures alone might make this book worth the buy, even if you aren't planning a trip to Yellowstone and the Tetons. We were, in fact, planning a trip to both parks though and found the information very useful. We especially liked the best experiences section. Unless you are planning to spend a month or more on your vacation, you will not be able to see or visit all the attractions at these National Parks. The best experiences section allowed us to hit all the highlights on our week long vacation and not feel like we missed any of the big stuff. Campers and hotel stayers alike will find the guide useful as both are listed and rated.

Great for before the trip... and as after

Highly Recommended: This classy Fodor's travel guide covers the core aspects of Yellowstone you would expect, but goes above and beyond with stunning photography. ** Really the photo's are spectacular on high quality glossy paper which is a bit unusual for a book in this price range. ** I have long taken yearly holidays in the Jackson Hole area in the summer and this always involves one of more days around Yellowstone or the Grand Tetons. There is always so much to see on every visit. Our National Parks are truly one of the greatest gifts Americans have to enjoy. For visitors to the park, one of my favorite highlights is to dine in the historic Old Faithful Inn which had surprisingly good food, affordable prices, friendly service (mostly from visiting international students spending the summer in the park) and an unbeatable atmosphere. Pluses: - Best of Guide is spot on - Illustrations on geysers are very welcome and useful - Sidebar maps (on the same page of the text) are a useful design element - A great keepsake after the trip is over - Small and light enough to take with you on the trip Minuses: - No sample itineraries or prioritized highlights lists - Wildlife section could have been a bit more comprehensive - Little dining advice

What a DREAM of a book - absolutely awesome!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow - this guide is phenomenal. It is so good that I read this from cover to cover (including all the lodging information) and did not want to put it down. The history, descriptions of the landscapes, wildlife viewing, facilities in the park, and information about Yellowstone and the Grand Teton National Parks are exceptionally well-written. The photography is outstanding and makes you want to climb right into the scenery. Although I have never been to either park, I can tell this book is only a brief guide with regard to the trails. It is not comprehensive enough for someone who is serious about doing extensive hikes in the park; however it is comprehensive enough for someone who is visiting the surrounding area and doing the touristy hikes. Serious hikers will need to purchase in-depth maps. This guide more than accomplishes what it was written to do which is to give the reader a brief smattering of the history, geology, and overall feel of these wonderful national parks. It also provides information on lodging and activities in the surrounding area. For instance, the author highlights choice spots and activities and says things like "...if you've ever wanted to hurl your child into the air with a giant slingshot, you can do that on the bungee trampoline." I am now seriously dreaming about visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton. The author would do well opening a guiding business of his own to guide people like me through this wondrous landscape. I highly recommend this guide to anyone contemplating a trip to these parks with the caveat that serious hikers should consider purchasing additional maps to complement their trip. I also highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in nature and our national parks in general. This volume is absolutely outstanding both as a guide and as a book just to read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A VAST SUBJECT MADE APPROACHABLE

IT TOOK MORE THAN A FEW DAYS TO FINISH DEVOURING THIS HUGE AND BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO THE VAST WILDERNESS OF YELLOWSTONE, BUT IT WAS WORTH IT. The authors' knowledge of the areas and the ability to write a most welcoming challange to come and visit were inspirational. We are planning a spring trip to the park for a fine art painting trip and wanted something to help make sense of the overwhelming choices and trails to follow. This guide helped bridge the gap between what friends who have gone told us and the numerous TV specials shot in this area. Of course there are also the numerous guides provided by the Parks Department/Department of the Interior, but this is a great summary of all that information in a large but still convenient form. The guide touches on everything from trails to follow, to restaurants and one has the feeling while reading this "insiders" writings' that there is still much left to discover on one's own. In short this book is beautiful, informative and will be making the trip with us in the spring.

I wish all travel guides looked like this

This is a beautiful book! Small and compact (thought, a bit heavy for backpacking) FULL of stunning photography, maps with useful information (such as where campsites are, and day use picnic areas.) I particularly like this book because it covers lots of info, which is good Pre-trip for planning, but also has many small tidbits and factoids that you can just peruse during the trip, you know...those lazy nights before you shut the ligths off, or before you go off to have dinner or something. The photography alone is worth the price of the book--just lovely! A mini-coffee table book, almost :)