This user-friendly vacation guide details the outdoor adventures, accommodations, cuisine, and more at over 100 wilderness lodges from Alaska's Kenai Peninsula to the isles of the Caribbean. Far from the rat race of urban life, these special places offer more than a physical escape. They're retreats for anyone who considers an afternoon on the trail or in a kayak or climbing a peak to be the ultimate indulgence.

With a wide range of prices and locations—from the rustic, upstate New York lodge where climbers congregate between ascents, to the exclusive, fly-in-only Alaskan luxury resort that has hosted former presidents—the guide contains something for everyone. Lodges are arranged by geographic region and state, but indexes allow readers to browse by activity, price range, family-friendliness, pet policy, or special programs. What all the lodges have in common is a service ethic and attention to detail that have earned them a reputation for excellence.