Step In The Right Direction Getting Facts About Vacation Sites Is As Close As The Nearest Telephone Or Computer

Sun., May 10, 1998

By Nina Culver nculver47@gmail.com

‘Ask and you shall receive” is a time-honored phrase, and one that tourism agencies around the Northwest take to heart. A virtual flood of information on upcoming events, places to stay, and a variety of outdoor activities is available simply for the asking.

Picking up the phone and calling for information will result in a collection of brochures appearing in your mailbox. But if you’re someone who likes surfing on the Web, visit one of the many sites maintained by state agencies for even faster service.

With summer just around the corner, it’s best to start planning those summer vacations to prime spots now. Use the phone numbers and Web sites provided below to help send you on your way. (Precede Web addresses with www.)

WASHINGTON

Washington State Tourism provides free copies of the Washington State Lodging and Travel Guide and quarterly Field Guides; (800) 544-1800, ext. 101; tourism.wa.gov.

Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife has information on hunting, saltwater and freshwater fishing and wildlife viewing; (360) 902-2200; wa.gov/wdfw.

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission offers information on state parks and recreational opportunities; (800) 233-0321; parks.wa.gov.

Washington Department of Transportation can provide maps and information on biking at (360) 705-7277; wsdot.wa.gov.

Washington Outfitters and Guides Association offers a list of members; (425) 392-6107.

Washington State Department of Natural Resources has maps and brochures on 135 primitive recreation sites; (360) 902-1234; wa.gov/dnr.

Washington Trail Association has information on trail conditions, campsites, hiking and other recreational opportunities; (206) 625-1367; halcyon.com/wta.

Washington State Bed & Breakfast Guild provides a list of its inspected members; (800) 647-2918; wbbg.com.

IDAHO

Idaho Travel Council provides free copies of the Idaho State Travel Guide at (800) VISIT-ID. You can also ask this agency for a roster of the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association; visitid.org.

Idaho Department of Fish and Game can answer questions on fishing, hunting and watchable wildlife locations; (208) 334-3700; state.id.us/fishgame/ fishgame.html.

Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation offers a booklet on state parks and can provide information on biking and hiking trails, ORV areas, camping, boating and other recreational opportunities; (208) 334-4199; idoc.state.id.us/irti/stateparks/ spdir.html.

Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association offers a list of members and info on outdoor activities around the state; (208) 342-1438; ioga.org.

Idaho Hospitality and Travel Association has a list of lodges, inns and B&Bs (208) 853-0193.

MONTANA

Travel Montana offers free copies of the Vacation Guide and the Travel Planner; (800) VISIT-MT; travel.state.mt.us.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks provides information on fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and other recreation activities and information on state parks; (406) 444-2535; fwp.state.mt.us.

Montana Outfitters and Guides Association can provide a listing of its members at (406) 449-3578; recworld.com/moga/ home.html.

Adventure Cycling Association offers maps and information on biking; (406) 721-1776; adv-cycling.org.

Montana Bed & Breakfast Association provides a directory of its members at (800) 453-8870 or wtp.net/go/montana.

OREGON

Oregon Tourism offers free copies of the Oregon Travel Guide and Oregon Traveler’s Guide to Accommodations; (800) 5477842; traveloregon.com.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife can provide information on fresh-and salt-water fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities; (503) 872-5264; dfw.state.or.us.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department offers a guidebook to state parks at (800) 551-6949 or ohwy.com/or/ o/oprd.htm.

Nature of the Northwest information center provides information on outdoor recreation activities; (503) 731-4444; naturenw.org.

Oregon Bicycle Program offers maps and information on biking routes at (503) 986-3555.

Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild will send a list of its inspected members; (800) 944-6196; obbg.com.

Border to Border Bed & Breakfast Directory provides a list of over 150 B&Bs (800) 841-5448; moriah.com/inns.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Discover British Columbia offers a large selection of free information and travel guides on accommodations, golfing, camping and visitor services; (800) 663-6000; tbc.gov.bc.ca/tourism/ tourismhome.html.

B.C. Department of Fisheries and Oceans has information on saltwater fishing regulations at (604) 666-2828 or (604) 666-0583.

B.C. Ministry of Environment, Lands, and Parks has information on freshwater fishing regulations; (250) 387-1161; env.gov.bc.ca/sir/fsh/ regs.html.

B.C. Fishing Resorts and Outfitters Association can be reached at (250) 374-6836 or oppub.com/bcfroa/bcfroa.html.

B.C. Parks has information on provincial parks and recreational opportunities at (250) 387-5002; elp.gov.bc.ca/bcparks.

British Columbia Bed & Breakfast Association can provide a listing of its members’ facilities; (604) 276-8616.

ALBERTA

Alberta Tourism offers free copies of Alberta Accommodation and Visitors’ Guide and Alberta Campground Guide, and information guides on golfing and other visitor services; (800) 661-8888; discoveralberta.com/ atp.

Alberta Fish and Wildlife Services can provide regulations and information on fishing; (403) 427-3574; gov.ab.ca/ env.fishwl.html.

Alberta Professional Outfitters Society has a listing of its membership and respective recreational activities; (403) 414-0249; apos.ab.ca.

Alberta Environmental Protection Office offers information on provincial parks and recreational opportunities; (403) 944-0313; gov.ab.ca/env.

Natural Resource Services provides information on public forest camping and recreation; (403) 427-7009; gov.ab.ca/env/ nrs/parks.

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