From Library Journal
In 1996 the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) celebrated its 50th anniversary. In honor of this event, the agency and its partner organizations (e.g., the National Geographic Society, the American Hiking Society) decided to reveal their favorite BLM spots in hopes of encouraging interest in exploring this land. Although this is a guide to lands in the American West, it does include a few sites in the Eastern half of the United States. Information given for each spot includes location, description, mailing address and phone number, directions, permits, accessibility, food and lodging facilities, first aid availability, miscellaneous additional information, and icons denoting the sponsoring partner and visitor activities. Most entries include a beautiful color photograph and a general map of the area. As a basic introduction to these public lands, the book is successful; as a travel guide, it is less so. The emphasis seems to be on celebrating the BLM and its partners rather than on presenting the land to prospective visitors. The invitation to explore appears to be aimed more toward the serious traveler who is willing to contact the ranger or BLM representative and who will follow all of the rules?a correct attitude of this in that these are carefully preserved and protected lands and no one wants to see them spoiled, but it leaves the reader wondering whether the book is just for armchair travelers.?Julia Stump, Voorheesville P.L., NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
Beyond the National Parks is a valuable guide to many of the pristine wilderness areas contained within the immense, 264 million acres of wild lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management. The guide is initially organized by types of experiences, such as Self-Propelled Adventures, Adventures in the Past, and Wildlife Adventures, which are briefly described by each of the 22 organizations in partnership with the BLM. Specific sites are then more fully described and listed by state with information that includes location, map, and other necessary details. -- Odyssey: The Magazine of the Chevron Travel Club, Fall 1999
Looking for the best and least known trout fishing streams, hiking trails or waterfowl wetlands? Go to the source. Staffers at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) did and came up with suggestions from groups as disparate as the California Association of Four-Wheel-Drive Clubs (for best off-highway trails) to the Society of American Archaeology (for outstanding archaeological sites). They're compiled in the new Beyond the National Parks...Published to commemorate the agency's 50th anniversary, the book also reveals BLM staffers' favorite places, followed by a state-by-state rundown of each site, all of which lie on the 260 million acres of public land under BLM jurisdiction. -- USA Today, June 26, 1998
National parks are not a big secret. They're easy to reach, beautiful, and often as crowded as L.A. freeways during rush hour. Who needs a SigAlert when we're on vacation from such stresses? It doesn't have to be that way. Beyond the National Parks...shows many of the best sites of the lesser-known Bureau of Land Management...exhaustively detailed in the 394 pages are any necessary permits and fees, accessibility and nearby camping, lodging and food supplies. The book also boasts gorgeous photos, too. It's a suitable point of departure to reach unknown, uncrowded areas. -- Rich Martin, Woodland Hills Daily News, September 24, 1998
This is a classy guide printed on glossy paper and copiously illustrated with compelling color photography. The destinations it comprehensively describes typically lack many of the amenities you find in more developed national and state parks. But for the most part, they offer significant accessibility to ordinary vacationers. And in those cases where these public lands don't offer camping, there are usually motels and campgrounds in the area. It's also worth noting that there is often a pleasant flip side to the lack of amenities: a lack of usage fees. -- Al Haas, Knight-Ridder Newspapers, March 21, 1999
Looking for the best and least known trout fishing streams, hiking trails or waterfowl wetlands? Go to the source. Staffers at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) did and came up with suggestions from groups as disparate as the California Association of Four-Wheel-Drive Clubs (for best off-highway trails) to the Society of American Archaeology (for outstanding archaeological sites). They're compiled in the new Beyond the National Parks...Published to commemorate the agency's 50th anniversary, the book also reveals BLM staffers' favorite places, followed by a state-by-state rundown of each site, all of which lie on the 260 million acres of public land under BLM jurisdiction. -- USA Today, June 26, 1998
National parks are not a big secret. They're easy to reach, beautiful, and often as crowded as L.A. freeways during rush hour. Who needs a SigAlert when we're on vacation from such stresses? It doesn't have to be that way. Beyond the National Parks...shows many of the best sites of the lesser-known Bureau of Land Management...exhaustively detailed in the 394 pages are any necessary permits and fees, accessibility and nearby camping, lodging and food supplies. The book also boasts gorgeous photos, too. It's a suitable point of departure to reach unknown, uncrowded areas. -- Rich Martin, Woodland Hills Daily News, September 24, 1998
This is a classy guide printed on glossy paper and copiously illustrated with compelling color photography. The destinations it comprehensively describes typically lack many of the amenities you find in more developed national and state parks. But for the most part, they offer significant accessibility to ordinary vacationers. And in those cases where these public lands don't offer camping, there are usually motels and campgrounds in the area. It's also worth noting that there is often a pleasant flip side to the lack of amenities: a lack of usage fees. -- Al Haas, Knight-Ridder Newspapers, March 21, 1999
