National Parks of the American West for Dummies® Book

	Introduction	1
	About This Book	1
	Conventions Used in This Book	2
Part I	Introducing the National Parks of the American West	7
Chapter 1	Discovering the Best of the National Parks of the West	9
Chapter 2	Digging Deeper into the National Parks of the American West	15
Chapter 3	Deciding Where and When to Go	21
	Deciding What You Want from a National Park	21
	Flipping Through Park Snapshots	22
Part II	Planning Your Trip to the National Parks of the American West	33
Chapter 4	Managing Your Money	35
	Planning Your Budget	35
	Saving Money: A Bargain at Twice the Price	37
	Handling Money	37
	Dealing with a Lost or Stolen Wallet	39
Chapter 5	Getting to the Parks and Getting Around	40
	Flying to the Parks	40
	Driving to the Parks	42
	Using a Travel Agent	44
Chapter 6	Booking Your Accommodations	49
	Finding the Right Room	49
	Finding the Best Room at the Best Rate	51
Chapter 7	Catering to Special Travel Needs or Interests	57
	Bringing the Brood: Advice for Families	57
	Making Age Work for You: Tips for Seniors	59
	Accessing the Parks: Resources for Travelers with Disabilities	60
	Following the Rainbow: Advice for Gay and Lesbian Travelers	62
	Learning Outside the Classroom: Educational Programs	63
Chapter 8	Taking Care of the Remaining Details	65
	Packing for the Parks	65
	Traveling with Spot or Fluffy	67
	Paying Fees and Getting Permits	68
	Playing It Safe with Travel and Medical Insurance	69
	Finding Medical Care in the Parks	70
	Staying Healthy When You Travel	70
Part III	Exploring the National Parks of the American West	79
Chapter 9	Arches National Park	81
	Must-See Attractions	82
	Planning Ahead	82
	Getting There	84
	Orienting Yourself in Arches	86
	Getting Around Arches	87
	Remembering Safety	87
	Exploring Arches	88
	Where to Stay	97
	Where to Eat	100
Chapter 10	Death Valley National Park	103
	Must-See Attractions	104
	Planning Ahead	105
	Getting There	106
	Orienting Yourself in Death Valley	108
	Getting Around Death Valley	109
	Remembering Safety	109
	Exploring Death Valley	110
	Where to Stay	119
	Where to Eat	123
	Fast Facts: Death Valley	125
Chapter 11	Grand Canyon National Park	126
	Must-See Attractions	127
	Planning Ahead	128
	Getting There	130
	Orienting Yourself in Grand Canyon	132
	Getting Around Grand Canyon	137
	Remembering Safety	139
	Exploring Grand Canyon National Park	139
	Where to Stay	155
	Where to Eat	160
	Fast Facts: Grand Canyon	163
Chapter 12	Grand Teton National Park	165
	Must-See Attractions	166
	Planning Ahead	167
	Getting There	168
	Orienting Yourself in Grand Teton National Park	169
	Getting Around Grand Teton	173
	Remembering Safety	174
	Exploring Grand Teton	174
	Where to Stay	186
	Where to Eat	191
	Fast Facts: Grand Teton	194
Chapter 13	Mount Rainier National Park	196
	Must-See Attractions	197
	Planning Ahead	197
	Getting There	198
	Orienting Yourself in Mount Rainier	200
	Arriving in the Park	201
	Getting Around Mount Rainier	203
	Remembering Safety	203
	Exploring the Top Attractions	204
	Where to Stay	212
	Where to Eat	217
	Fast Facts: Mount Rainier	219
Chapter 14	Olympic National Park	220
	Must-See Attractions	221
	Planning Ahead	221
	Getting There	223
	Orienting Yourself in Olympic National Park	226
	Arriving in the Park	228
	Getting Around	229
	Remembering Safety	229
	Exploring Olympic National Park	230
	Where to Stay	240
	Where to Eat	246
	Fast Facts: Olympic	248
Chapter 15	Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks	250
	Must-See Attractions	251
	Planning Ahead	252
	Getting There	253
	Orienting Yourself in Sequoia/Kings Canyon	255
	Getting around Sequoia/Kings Canyon	258
	Remembering Safety	258
	Exploring Sequoia/Kings Canyon	258
	Where to Stay	267
	Where to Eat	272
	Fast Facts: Sequoia and Kings Canyon	274
Chapter 16	Yellowstone National Park	276
	Must-See Attractions	277
	Planning Ahead	280
	Getting There	282
	Orienting Yourself in Yellowstone	284
	Getting Around Yellowstone	288
	Remembering Safety	289
	Exploring Yellowstone	289
	Where to Stay	300
	Where to Eat	307
	Fast Facts: Yellowstone	311
Chapter 17	Yosemite National Park	312
	Must-See Attractions	313
	Planning Ahead	314
	Getting There	316
	Orienting Yourself in Yosemite National Park	317
	Getting Around	321
	Remembering Safety	322
	Exploring Yosemite	322
	Where to Stay	333
	Where to Eat	339
	Fast Facts: Yosemite	342
Chapter 18	Zion National Park	344
	Must-See Attractions	345
	Planning Ahead	345
	Getting There	346
	Orienting Yourself in Zion	349
	Getting Around Zion National Park	351
	Remembering Safety	351
	Exploring Zion	352
	Where to Stay	361
	Where to Dine	364
	Fast Facts: Zion	366
Part IV	The Part of Tens	369
Chapter 19	Ten Incredible National Park Vistas	371
	Badwater, Death Valley National Park	371
	Delicate Arch, Arches National Park	372
	Giant Forest, Sequoia National Park	372
	Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park	372
	Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park	373
	Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park	373
	Oxbow Bend, Grand Teton National Park	373
	Paradise, Mount Rainier National Park	374
	Point Sublime, Grand Canyon National Park	374
	Zion Canyon Narrows, Zion National Park	374
Chapter 20	Ten Reasons a National Park Is Better Than a Theme Park	375
Chapter 21	Ten Incredibly Cheap Ways to Enjoy a National Park	378
Appendix	Quick Concierge	381
	Fast Facts	381
	Toll-Free Numbers and Web Sites	383
	Where to Get More Information	385
	Index	387