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You are here: Home / Travel Planning / Ultimate Guide to Pacific Northwest Guidebooks

Ultimate Guide to Pacific Northwest Guidebooks

Ultimate Guide to Pacific Northwest Guidebooks

Check out this ultimate list of Pacific Northwest Guidebooks.

God’s Country.

That’s what my grandpa always called the Pacific Northwest.

He meant Amity, Oregon. But that’s a little narrow for our purposes!

We’re going to define the Pacific Northwest to include; Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Alaska, and British Columbia, Canada.

The PNW is the most geographically diverse area of North America. We have coast and mountains, temperate forest and rainforest, desert and farmland. Glaciers, archipelagos, and hot springs – even volcanoes. You name it, and you can probably find it somewhere in the PNW.

And to find “it,” you’re going to need guidebooks.

Harbor in the Pacific Northwest, sailboats in the distance
Some links below are referral links, meaning, at no extra cost to you; we earn a commission if you make a purchase. Thank you for supporting Jaunty Everywhere in this way! See our full disclosure statement.

That’s why we’ve rounded up every current guidebook on the Pacific Northwest we could find. From regional round-ups to state-by-state editions and city guides, right down to niche-interest collections.

Guidebooks come in handy at the beginning when we Explore Before a vacation. And they’re just as valuable on the ground to navigate a great experience.

All of these books are available on Amazon – we’ve linked each one for easy shopping.

We also highly recommend perusing your local library to see which guides they offer – for free.

Note: We’ve made every effort to link to the most current edition. In the case of specialty guidebooks, often, they’re not updated. We did include these older editions because if you’re a clamming enthusiast, a garden aficionado, or belong to a weekend motorcycle gang, any information is helpful.

Guidebook or no guidebook?

Is that even the right question?

Yes or No checklist
Some links below are referral links, meaning, at no extra cost to you, we earn a commission if you make a purchase. Thank you for supporting Jaunty Everywhere in this way! See our full disclosure statement.

Rick Steves (European travel expert) is famous for saying:

Guidebooks are $25 tools for $4,000 experiences. – Rick Steves

Granted, he sells plenty of $25 guidebooks, but I agree.

Why does it have to be either/or?

Here at Jaunty, one of the best parts of travel is anticipation. Researching and planning a trip is a joy all its own.

Guidebooks help us do that.

And they don’t have to cost $25 a pop. The local library is bursting with guidebooks you can sample – for free.

Robert Reid wrote this blog post in 2013 and it’s still as relevant today: How to Use a Guidebook

In the post he says,

Many people seem to overlook this, but the best time to use a guidebook is before a trip. Even before you know where you’re going. I’d say a guidebook’s life should be more like 80% before a trip and 20% on the ground. That means a guidebook is ideally already into its “retiree” period by the time you’ve landed in Santiago or Taipei.

Robert Reid

Print or digital?

Most major guidebook publishers offer multiple formats of their guidebooks – ebooks, phone apps, and even audio versions.

I suggest you go to the public library and check out a guidebook in the alternate format you are considering.

Try to use it.

Personally, digital guidebooks are not my thing. I like to see the big picture spread out in front of me, in the form of a physical book.

And after the planning process, right before we take off on a trip, I rip my guidebooks.

Yep. Rip them to shreds.

I only take the sections I need. The guidebook will be out-of-date if I ever want to return – I would buy a new one anyway.

(BTW – the library frowns on ripping up their books. Obviously, only rip if it’s your guidebook!)

While I cling to paper, my husband loves digital format guidebooks.

Viva la difference!

Here you can browse a wide selection of Kindle guidebooks:

Travel Guidebooks in Kindle

  

Pacific Northwest guidebooks

General Pacific Northwest guidebooks

Lonely Planet Washington, Oregon, and the Pacific Northwest

Lonely Planet Pacific Northwest’s Best Trips

Fodor’s Pacific Northwest: Portland, Seattle, Vancouver and the Best of Oregon and Washington

Moon Pacific Northwest: With Oregon, Washington, and Vancouver

Moon Pacific Northwest Road Trip: Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria, the Olympic Peninsula, Portland, the Oregon Coast, and Mount Rainier

Moon Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip: California, Oregon, and Washington

Rough Guides Snapshot USA: Pacific Northwest

Fodor’s Complete Guide to National Parks of the West

Moon Road Trip USA: Pacific Coast Highway

Outdoor Pacific Northwest guidebooks

Moon Pacific Northwest Hiking: The Complete Guide to More Than 900 of the Best Hikes in Washington and Oregon

Moon Pacific Northwest Camping: The Complete Guide to Tent and RV Camping in Washington and Oregon

The Creaky Knees Guide: The 75 Best Easy Hikes – Pacific Northwest and National Parks & Monuments

Waterfall Lover’s Guide to Pacific Northwest: Where to Find Hundreds of Spectacular Waterfalls in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho (older – 2013)

Hiking Hot Springs in the Pacific Northwest: A Guide to the Area’s Best Backcountry Hot Springs (older – 2014)

Wildlife of the Pacific Northwest: Tracking and Identifying Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, and Invertebrates

Special interest Pacific Northwest guidebooks

The Dog Lover’s Companion to the Pacific Northwest: The Inside Scoop on Where to Take Your Dog (older – 2009)

Motorcycle Touring in the Pacific Northwest: The Region’s Best Rides (older – 2010)

Spectacular Golf Pacific Northwest: The Most Scenic and Challenging Golf Holes in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho (older – 2015)

Clamming the Pacific Northwest (older – 2016)

Garden walks in the Pacific Northwest: Beautiful Gardens along the Coast from Oregon to British Columbia (older – 2006)

Moon Pacific Northwest Fishing: The Complete Guide to Lakes, Streams, and Saltwater (older – 2012)

Mountain in Alaska, wildflowers in the foreground

 

Alaska Guidebooks

General guidebooks

Fodor’s Alaska

Lonely Planet Alaska

The Milepost 2019: Alaska Travel Planner

Super Cheap Alaska – Travel Guide 2020

DK Eyewitness Alaska 2020

Moon Alaska: Scenic Drives, National Park, Best Hikes

Alaska cruise guidebooks

Fodor’s The Complete Guide to Alaska Cruises

Alaska Cruises for 1st Timers: Attractions, Excursions, Weather, and Ports of Call

Lonely Planet Cruise Ports Alaska

Frommer’s Easyguide to Alaskan Cruises and Ports of Call

Alaska by Cruise Ship: The Complete Guide to Cruising Alaska

Insight Guides Pocket Alaska Ports of Call

Alaska city and regional guides

Moon Anchorage, Denali, and the Kenai Peninsula

Exploring Alaska’s Kenai Fjords

Alaska outdoor guidebooks

Dayhiking Southcentral Alaska: Anchorage Area, Kenai Peninsula, Mat-Su Valley

50 Hikes in Alaska’s Chugach State Park

55 Ways to the Wilderness in Southcentral Alaska

Hiking Alaska: A Guide to Alaska’s Greatest Hiking Adventures

Hiking Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve

Alaska special Interest guidebooks 

Vagabonding with Kids: Alaska – Sea Lions Aren’t Cuddly and Other Truths of the Last Frontier

Taken by the Wind: The Northwest Cost – A Guide to Sailing the Coasts of British Columbia and Southwest Alaska

Kayaking the Inside Passage: A Paddler’s Guide from Puget Sound, Washington to Glacier Bay, Alaska

Vancouver, British Columbia waterfront skyline

British Columbia guidebooks

General guidebooks

Moon British Columbia: Including Alaska Highway

Moon Canadian Rockies including Banff and Jasper National Parks

Lonely Planet British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies

British Columba city and regional guides

Vancouver Marco Polo Travel Guide

Fodor’s Vancouver and Victoria: with Whistler, Vancouver Island, and the Okanagan Valley

Lonely Planet Vancouver

Lonely Planet Vancouver and Victoria

Lonely Planet Pocket Vancouver

Moon Victoria and Vancouver Island

Insight Guides Explore Vancouver and Victoria

Moon Vancouver & Canadian Rockies Road Trip

Vancouver: Cities, Sights, and Other Places You Need to Visit

Victoria B.C Travel Guide: Where to Go & What to Do

Greater than a Tourist – Vancouver British Columbia Canada – 50 Travel Tips from a Local

251 Things to Do in Tofino: And it is NOT just about Surfing (older – 2016)

Lonely Planet Banff, Jasper, and Glacier National Parks

Frommer’s Banff and the Canadian Rockies Day by Day

Moon Glacier National Park

Moon Banff National Park

British Columbia outdoor guidebooks

105 Hikes in and Around Southwestern British Columbia

British Columbia special interest guidebooks

Vancouver Restaurant Guide 2020

Gold Panning in British Columbia (older)

To the Lighthouse: An Explorer’s Guide to the Island Lighthouses of Southwestern BC

Twin Fall, Idaho

 

Idaho guidebooks

General Interest 

Moon Idaho

Greater than a Tourist – Boise, Idaho USA: 50 Travel Tips from a Local

Idaho Off the Beaten Path – Discover Your Fun

Discovering Idaho’s Scenic Drives and Backroad Treasures

Backcountry Roads Idaho

Idaho outdoor guidebooks

Hiking Idaho: A Guide to the State’s Greatest Hiking Adventures

Moon Montana, Wyoming and Idaho Camping

Special interest guidebooks

Idaho: A Climbing Guide (older – 2000)

Flyfisher’s Guide to Idaho (older – 2013)

Gem Trails of Idaho & Western Montana (older – 2012)

Rockhounding Idaho: A Guide to 99 of the State’s Best Rockhounding Sites (older – 2010)

Foraging Idaho: Finding, Identifying and Preparing Edible Wild Foods

Paddling Idaho: A Guide to the States Best Paddling Routes

Backpacking Idaho: From Alpine Peaks to Desert Canyons

Lekuak: The Basque Places of Boise, Idaho

Boise Restaurant Guide 2020

Canon Beach, Oregon - Haystack Rock in the mist

 

Oregon guidebooks

General guidebooks

Moon Oregon

Fodors Oregon

Oregon Off the Beaten Path

Weird Oregon: Your Travel Guide to Oregon’s Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets

Oregon Road Trip Series:

Oregon Road Trips – Southwest Edition

Oregon Road Trips – Southeast Edition

Oregon Road Trips – Northeast Edition

Oregon Road Trips – Columbia River Gorge

Oregon Coast Road Trip – Mt. Hood Edition

Oregon city and regional guides

Moon Coastal Oregon

Ultimate Oregon Coast Travel: Lincoln City

The Oregon Coast Guide: Where to Go When You Go to the Coast

Oregon Coast Access Guide: A Mile by Mile Guide to Scenic and Recreational Attractions (older – 2008)

Columbia River Gorge – An Explorer’s Guide

Moon Portland

Portland Oregon: The Delaplaine 2019 Long Weekend Guide

Walking Portland: 33 Tours of Stumptown’s Funky Neighborhoods, Historic Landmarks, Park Trails, Farmer’s Markets, and Brewpubs

Portland Hill Walks: 24 Explorations in Parks and Neighborhoods (older – 2013)

Portland Stair Walks: Explore Portland Oregon’s Public Staircases

The Zinester’s Guide to Portland: A Low/No Budget Guide to the Rose City

True Portland: The Unofficial Guide for Creative People

100 Things to Do in Portland, Oregon Before You Die

Frommer’s Portland Day by Day

Lonely Planet Pocket Portland & Willamette Valley

Oregon outdoor guidebooks

100 Hikes/Travel Guide: Eastern Oregon

100 Hikes/Travel Guide: Oregon Coast & Coast Range

100 Hikes/Travel Guide: Southern Oregon & Northern California

50 Hikes with Kids: Oregon and Washington

Day Hiking Oregon Coast: Beaches, Headlands, and Oregon Trail

Day Hiking Mount Hood: A Year-Round Guide

Rail-Trails: Washington and Oregon

60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Portland: Including the Coast, Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, and the Santiam River

Moon Oregon Camping

Best Tent Camping: Oregon: Your Car-Camping Guide to Scenic Beauty, the Sounds of Nature, and an Escape from Civilization

Best Easy Day Hikes Portland, Oregon (older – 2014)

Oregon special interest guidebooks

Oregon Festivals: A Guide to Fun, Friends, Food & Frivolity

The Lewis and Clark Columbia River Water Trail: A Guide for Paddlers, Hikers, and Other Explorers (older – 2004)

One Night Wilderness: Portland: Top Backcountry Getaways Within Three Hours of the City

Best Trail Runs – Portland, Oregon

Best Bike Rides – Portland, Oregon

Portland Family Adventures: City Escapades, Day Trips, Weekend Getaways, and Itineraries for Fun-Loving Families

Walking with Ramona: Exploring Beverly Cleary’s Portland

Portland, Oregon Food Crawls: Touring the Neighborhoods One Bite and Libation at a Time

Unique Eats and Eateries of Portland, Oregon

Portland – 2019 – The Food Enthusiast’s Complete Restaurant Guide

North Cascades mountain view

 

Washington guidebooks

General guidebooks

Moon Washington

Weird Washington: Your Travel Guide to Washingtons Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets

111 Places in Washington You Must Not Miss

Lonely Planet Washington, Oregon & the Pacific Northwest

Washington city and regional guides

Lonely Planet Seattle

Lonely Planet Pocket Seattle

Fodor’s Seattle

Frommer’s Seattle Day by Day – 28 Smart Ways to See the City

Insight Guides City Guide Seattle

Easy Weekend Getaways from Seattle

Seattle Walks: Discovering History and Nature in the City

Walking Seattle: 35 Tours of the Jet City’s Parks, Landmarks, Neighborhoods, and Scenic Views

Urban Trails Seattle: Shoreline, Renton, Kent, Vashon Island

Seattle Townscape Walks: 210 Miles, 52 Maps

Monumental Seattle: The Stories Behind the City’s Stature, Memorials, and Markers

Moon San Juan Islands

Moon Olympic Peninsula (older – 2015)

The North Cascades Highway: A Roadside Guide (older – 2013)

Washington outdoor guidebooks

Hiking Washington: A Guide to the State’s Greatest Hiking Adventures (older – 2014)

100 Classic Hikes: Washington

Hiking Through History Washington: Exploring the Evergreen State’s Past By Trail

Hiking Washington’s History

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail: Washington

Urban Hikes Washington

Washingtons Pacific Coast: A Guide to Hiking, Camping, Fishing & Other Adventures

Day Hiking Snoqualmie Region (older – 2011)

Day Hike! Central Cascades

Day Hike!  Olympia Peninsula

Hiking Olympic National Park

Hiking the North Cascades: A Guide to More than 100 Great Hiking Adventures

Moon 75 Great Hikes Seattle

Best Hikes with Kids: Western Washington

100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest – Eastern Washington, Northern Rockies, Wallowas

Waterfall Lover’s Guide: Pacific Northwest (older – 2013)

Hiking Waterfalls in Washington: A Guide to the State’s Best Waterfall Hikes (older – 2015)

Rail-Trails Washington & Oregon

Camping Washington: The Best Public Campgrounds for Tents & RV’s

Moon Washington Camping: The Complete Guide to Tent and RV Camping

Best Tent Camping: Washington: Your Car-Camping Guide to Scenic Beauty, the Sounds of Nature, and an Escape from Civilization

Washington special interest guidebooks 

Rockhounding Washington: A Guide to the State’s Best Sites

Rock Climbing Washington

Biking Puget Sound: 60 Rides from Olympia to the San Juans (older – 2014)

Backpacking Washington: Overnight and Multi-Day Routes (older – 2011)

Foraging Washington: Finding, Identifying, and Preparing Edible Wild Foods

Flyfisher’s Guide to Washington (older – 2013)

Snowshoe Routes Washington (older – 2015)

Seattle Food Crawls: Touring the Neighborhoods One Bite and Libation at a Time

Other Jaunty posts on the Pacific Northwest:

Pacific Northwest Itinerary: 12 Day Road Trip

What is the Pacific Northwest {for travelers}

A Weekend in Bend, Oregon- In Summer

How to Make the Most of Your Trip to Oregon Caves Monument 

Cottage Grove Covered Bridge Trail – Oregon

How to Make the Most of Your Trip to Crater Lake National Park 

A Weekend in Eugene: Choose Your Own Adventure

A Weekend in Ashland, Oregon: Choose Your Own Adventure

Latourell Falls Loop Trail, Columbia River Gorge, OR

Did we miss one? Let us know in the comments, and we will check it out. 

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Harbor in the Pacific Northwest, sailboats in the distance

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