James Kaiser Photography

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About James Kaiser

Welcome to my website!

People often ask how I got started writing guidebooks, so here goes:

In 1999, after graduating from Dartmouth College, I moved back to Maine, where I was born and raised, and wrote and photographed Acadia: The Complete Guide. The response was overwhelming. People came up to me at book signings with dog-eared copies of my book, telling me it was the only guide they used.

Thinking I might have a knack for guidebook writing, I headed West and wrote books to Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Zion, and Rocky Mountain National Park. At one point I ended up in Costa Rica, which resulted in Costa Rica: The Complete Guide. Over the years my books have won numerous awards, including the National Outdoor Book Award.

Hiking with mom in Acadia
Meeting with NPS Director Jon Jarvis
The one and only Ken Burns
My Costa Rica waterfall photo on the cover of National Geographic

During the National Park Service centennial, I created a national park slideshow for elementary schools and gave away hundreds of books to kids. This coincided with the launch of Every Kid Outdoors, which gives free park passes to every fourth grader in America.

James Kaiser signing Acadia books, elementary school, Maine

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Blog

Scattered Musings

In the News

National Geographic: America's Best Travel Bargain
National Public Radio Interview
WCSH 6: Maine author donates Acadia guidebooks to students
National Geographic: 10 National Parks You Didn't Know You Should Visit
USA Today: 5 National Park Myths
National Geographic: Best Ways to Celebrate the Centennial

National Park Slideshow in Bar Harbor, Maine

Travel Channel: Pack Your Tech Like a Pro

Huffington Post: Costa Rica’s Best Hidden Beaches

USA Today: Hidden Islands You’ve Never Heard Of (my pick: Isle au Haut)

Publishers Weekly: The Rise and … RIse of Indie Travel Guides

Tico Times: Guidebook Offers New Take On Costa Rica

Interview with Rudy Maxa

OARS: Where the Wine Flows Like Whitewater

Talking Travel Bargains with Pauline Frommer

Blister Podcast

Interview with Bonjour Colorado

Wandering Educators: Meet James Kaiser

Interview with Dave’s Travel Corner

Interview in The Dartmouth

Interview in the Bangor Daily News (my hometown paper!)