James Kaiser

  • National Parks
    • Acadia
    • Grand Canyon
    • Joshua Tree
    • Rocky Mtn
    • Yosemite
    • Zion
  • Costa Rica
  • Store
  • More
    • About James
    • Travel Consulting
    • Blog
    • Speaking
    • Gifts
Home > More > About James

About James Kaiser

How did I get the best job in world? It’s a long story. But here’s the short version:

In 1999, after graduating from Dartmouth College, I went back to Maine, where I was born and raised, and wrote Acadia: The Complete Guide. When it came out 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.

My Costa Rica waterfall photo on the cover of National Geographic

Thinking I might have a knack for guidebook writing, I moved to California and wrote guidebooks to Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon and Yosemite. After those books became bestsellers, I went to Costa Rica — a country filled with national parks — and wrote Costa Rica: The Complete Guide.

My guidebooks have sold over 100,000 copies, and each of my guides to Acadia, Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree have been the bestselling guidebooks to their respective national parks.

In 2016, to help celebrate the National Park Service centennial, I put together a national park slideshow presentation for elementary schools. This coincided with the launch of Every Kid In A Park, which gives free park passes to every fourth grader in America. My goal is to inspire the next generation to appreciate national parks in America — and beyond.

Thanks for your support!

JKsignature

Follow my Adventures on

Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
Twitter

Subscribe to my photo-filled newsletter

Subscribe Here!

Contact

Question or comment? Email me: [email protected]

In the News

national-geographic-best-travel-bargains

National Public Radio Interview

WCSH 6: Maine author donates Acadia guidebooks to students

USA Today: 5 National Park Myths

National Geographic: Best Ways to Celebrate the Centennial

National Geographic: 10 National Parks You Didn't Know You Should Visit

James Kaiser National Park Slideshow

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!)

Hiking with mom in Acadia National Park
Meeting with National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis
Me and Ken Burns
Capturing sunset in Grand Canyon

My name is James Kaiser, and I believe travel should be fun, affordable and enlightening—especially in national parks, where there's so much to experience.

Don’t Miss Out! Subscribe to my Free Photo-filled Email Newsletter

Click to Subscribe

© 2023 James Kaiser