With summer only weeks away, we’ve prepared...

With summer only weeks away, we’ve prepared a list of vacation ideas that range from houseboating and river trips to dude ranching, camping, backpacking and covered wagon journeys into America’s wild and woolly West. Ruth and Frank Hefner, pioneers of covered wagon adventures, have moved their Wagons Ho operation from Kansas to Arizona where they do four-day, three-night trips to the Grand Canyon area. The Hefners have been leading these caravans for more than 15 years. Campfires, entertainment, horseback riding. Details from Wagons Ho, P.O. Box 60098, Phoenix, Ariz. 85028. Telephone (602) 230-1801.

Other wagon trains will be rolling through Wyoming this summer: Contact Wagons West, RFD, Afton, Wyo. 83110.

River Trips

Martin Litton’s Great River Journeys does “wild water” float trips on stretches of several rivers: the Snake in Hell’s Canyon (Oregon/Idaho), the Salmon in Idaho, the Owyhee in Oregon and the Grand Ronde (Oregon/Idaho/Washington). Trips range from 5 to 13 days. Write to Great River Journeys, P.O. Box 7538, Menlo Park, Calif. 94026, or call (415) 854-6616. For brochures on river trips to the Grand Canyon, contact Grand Canyon Expeditions, P.O. Box 0, Moab, Utah 84741, (801) 644-2691, and Grand Canyon River Trips c/o Canyoneers, P.O. Box 2997, Flagstaff, Ariz. 86003.

Houseboats

Houseboating promises to be a popular item this summer, particularly along the California Delta. Delta boats accommodate up to 10 persons. A free and easy life style. Passengers spend nights anchored in coves. (Dine on board or else dock at restaurants along the Delta.) For more information, call the Delta Rental Houseboat Hotline, (209) 477-1840, or write for brochures and price lists: Houseboats, 6333 Pacific Ave., Suite 152, Stockton, Calif. 95207.

A fleet of nearly 300 houseboats is up for grabs on Arizona’s Lake Powell (more than 2,000 miles of shoreline). These boats sleep from six to a dozen vacationers. Kitchen utensils, stoves, refrigerators, baths. Contact Del E. Webb Recreational Properties, 2916 N. 35th Ave., Suite 8, Phoenix, Ariz. 85017-5261, or call toll-free (800) 528-6154.

Other houseboats are offered in a rental pool on Lake Shasta. Refrigerators, microwave ovens, baths/showers. Details from Cascade Wonderland Assn., 1250 Parkview Ave., Redding, Calif. 96001.

Seven Crown Resorts operates a huge fleet of houseboats from marinas on lakes Shasta, Mead and Mojave as well as the California Delta. Three- to seven-day packages. Call toll-free (800) 752-9669 or write to Seven Crowns, P.O. Box 1409, Boulder City, Nev. 89005.

For other rentals, contact Three Buoys Houseboat Vacations at toll-free (800) 262-3454. Three Buoys operates in the United States and British Virgin Islands. Marinas at Lake of the Ozarks (Missouri), Lake Eufaula (Oklahoma), Lake Havasu (Arizona), Lake Lanier (Georgia) and the island of Tortola in the Caribbean.

Yosemite

You’ll be able to camp for as little as $9 a night in Yosemite this summer. Reservations are being handled by Ticketron and Yosemite Park & Curry Co., (209) 252-4848. For recorded information call Ticketron, (213) 642-4242. Other campgrounds in the park will be accepting vacationers on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reservations by Ticketron are available for the Yosemite Valley and Hodgdon Meadow areas (opening May 1). Tuolumne Meadows Campground will begin welcoming visitors June 19. For campsite reservation forms, contact the Yosemite Information Office, National Park Service, Box 577, Yosemite, Calif. 95389. General campground information is available by calling (209) 372-0302. For recorded details call (209) 372-4845. Twenty-four-hour road and weather information is available by dialing (209) 372-4605.

Note: For reservations for any of California’s state parks, call toll-free (800) 444-7275.

Grand Tetons

Another bargain this summer will be a $17-a-night accommodation for two at Colter Bay Tent Village in Grand Teton National Park, Wyo. You can also book cabins at Colter Bay starting at $41 (double) a night. Grocery stores nearby, laundromats, a marina. This is gorgeous country. Hiking, fishing. A mountain climbing school operates at the base of the Tetons. From Colter Bay Village it’s a short ride to Yellowstone. Vacationers fly to Jackson from Salt Lake City. Four major highways serve the area: U.S. 26, 89, 187, 287. For more information write to Grand Teton Lodge Co., Grand Teton National Park, Moose, Wyo. 83013. The same company operates Jenny Lake and Jackson Lake lodges (opening early June) in the Grand Tetons.

For other information on this area, write to the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box E-LAT, Jackson, Wyo. 83001.

Washington State

Washington state has prepared a beautiful 172-page magazine for vacationers titled “Destination Washington.” Tells all about Washington’s nine tourism regions, its ferry system, the National Forest Service, private parks/resorts, RV parks, campgrounds, wineries, restaurants, sightseeing, tours. Contains a pullout highway map. This is a beauty of a book and it’s free. Write to Washington State Tourism Development Division, 101 General Administration Building, Olympia, Wash. 98504-0613, or call toll-free (800) 544-1800.

Central Reservations

A one-call reservation service operates for selected dude ranches, resorts, rafting companies in five Western states: Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, Montana. Condos, hotels, B&Bs.; A total of 300 lodging choices. The same people will arrange for trips down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River (Idaho), the Green River (Utah) and supply vacation ideas for the Reno/Lake Tahoe area. For a free copy of Central Resort Reservations’ “Resort Report,” write to P.O. Box 979, Sun Valley, Ida. 83353.

At the same time, a free guide is available from the Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Vacation Assn., P.O. Box 300, Tabernash, Colo. 80478. Choices throughout the state. Everything from five-star ranches to mom ‘n’ pop operations.

Cattle Drive

If you’re looking for new vacation ideas, Rock Creek Pack Station of Bishop, Calif., is scheduling four- and seven-day cattle/branding drives for horseback riders. Other groups track wild mustangs. You take only your bed roll, personal items. Rock Creek supplies everything else. Tents are set up at a new location each afternoon (meals served chuck wagon style). These same people lead trail rides and pack trips. Fish for trout, camp in meadows, photograph wildflowers. Riders take in Lone Pine, Mammoth, Yosemite, the John Muir wilderness region, King’s Canyon National Park. Write to Rock Creek Pack Station, P.O. Box 248, Bishop, Calif. 93514, or call (619) 872-8331.

For information on other rides, contact Pat Dickerman c/o Adventure Guides, 36 East 57th St., New York 10022. (Dickerman is an authority on rides in America’s wilderness areas.)

Rogue River

Jetboats will carry vacationers down Oregon’s legendary Rogue River as summer gets under way. These are large, shallow draft power boats that ride high in the water, enabling passengers to stay dry as they cruise over rapids. A couple of operators (Rogue Jetboat Excursions and Hellgate Excursions) offer a variety of trips. There’s a dinner ride down the Rogue to a couple of wilderness lodges (Doubletree Ranch and the O.K. Corral). At the Doubletree, guests are met by wagons drawn by draft horses. Family-style meals feature chicken, beef, vegetables, salad, bread, beer, wine. All you can eat and drink for $30 (children $15), including the boat ride. These operators also schedule white-water/champagne brunch trips. For details on these and other jetboat adventures on the Rogue, contact the Grants Pass Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 970, Grants Pass, Ore. 97526.

Redwoods by Car

Motorists traveling to Northern California’s redwood region can obtain an updated guide from the Redwood Empire Assn., 1 Market Plaza, Spear Tower, Suite 1001, San Francisco 94105. Enclose $1 for postage. The guide takes in towns and sights from San Francisco to the Oregon border. Lists motels, hotels, resorts, campgrounds, RV parks. Region-by-region maps outline the entire route. If you’ve never been to the redwoods, this is a trip worth considering. For other details dial (415) 543-8334.

Massachusetts

More than 400 B&Bs; and guest houses are featured in a new guide published by the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, 100 Cambridge St., 13th Floor, Boston, Mass. 02202. The 65-page booklet is organized by region. Includes nearly a dozen maps. Listings range from the Massachusetts seashore to the Berkshires. Ask for the “Spirit of Massachusetts Bed & Breakfast Guide.”

South Dakota has also come out with a new vacation guide (160 pages) that lists lodgings, restaurants, sightseeing attractions. For a free copy write to South Dakota Tourism, Capitol Lake Plaza, Pierre, S.D. 57501.

For Hikers

A network of eight rustic mountain lodges in New Hampshire’s White Mountains is preparing to welcome summer hikers. Spaced within a 50-mile range, the chain of lodges allows hikers to travel with light packs. Rates start at $20.50 a night (lodging and breakfast). Other plans involve lodging, dinner and breakfast. Rate cards are available from AMC Notch Camp, P.O. Box 298-A, Gorham, N.H.

Hawaii for Backpackers

With the approach of summer, Bill Crane will be leading backpackers on tours of Hawaii. Vacationers take their own sleeping bags, packs, tents. Crane provides the cooking gear. One night is spent in a cabin, the final night in a hotel featuring an aloha dinner. (Transportation to the various hiking areas is via van.) While hiking, groups take time out to snorkel. These backpacking/hiking/snorkeling trips are scheduled for the Big Island, Maui and Kauai. Details from Crane Tours, 15101 Magnolia Blvd., No. H-10, Sherman Oaks 91403. Telephone (818) 784-2213.

Reader Recommendations

New Mexico--Josef d’Bache-Kane, Los Angeles: Praise for the Suite Retreat Bed & Breakfast, P.O. Box 85, Taos, N.M. 87571. “Exotic breakfasts, a perfect retreat for city slickers. Rates: $70/$110 for two to four persons.”

California--Elayne Roland, Rancho Palos Verdes: “An enchanting B&B;, the Almond View Inn, 912 Walnut Drive, Paso Robles, Calif. 93446. On a hilltop. Breakfast a delight. Rates: $60/$80, including afternoon tea.”

Bali--Virginia W. White, Claremont: Enjoyed Hotel Puri Saren, Ubud, Bali. “This is the center of the island’s artistic crafts as well as the home of famous Balinese dance troupes. Facilities are one-room individual houses with modern baths. A houseboy takes care of all needs and brings you fresh flowers every morning along with breakfast. Rates: $30/$60 U.S. per night.”

Sweden--Edwin and Shirley Harwood, Lake Elsinore: “In Europe we stayed in more than 100 hotels. Two were exceptional, both in Sweden--Gallivare Vardshus, Box 283, Gallivare, Sweden ($46.50 U.S.) and Hotel Ritz, Larmgatan 6, Kalmar, Sweden ($42.50 U.S.). We suggest that travelers in Sweden consult the Bilturloge Pass for these and other good hotels.”

England--Kathryn L. Reaver, Las Vegas: “On a recent visit to England we particularly enjoyed our stay at Hotel Elizabeth, Esplanade, Sidmouth, Devon EX10 8AT. Open year-round. Thirty-seven of the 40 rooms have a sea view. Rate was $19.50 U.S. per person for a room with bath, breakfast and dinner. A bargain indeed!”

New Zealand--Edward F. Schlenk, Del Mar: “Enjoyed a farm stay with Penni and John Kelland of Glenbrook Station, Omarama, North Otago, New Zealand. Dinner, room and breakfast came to approximately $45 U.S. per person. Reservations can also be made through the New Zealand Tourist & Publicity Office, 10960 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1530, Los Angeles 90024, phone (213) 477-8241.”

Portugal--Sandra Hoffman, Studio City: Recommends Residencia Astoria (34). Price about $21 U.S. for a single with bath and about $29 for a double. Address: Rua Braamcamp 10, 1297 Lisbon, Portugal.

Sardinia--Jim and Harriet Browne, San Marino: “One wonderful small hotel on Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda. Owner lived in Los Angeles area, speaks excellent English. Dining room offers Sardinian specialties. Attractive, comfortable, clean rooms with private baths are bargains at $55/$60 U.S., including continental breakfast. Write to Hotel Villa Gemella, Baia Sardinia, Costa Smeralda, 07021 Arzachena, Sassari, Italy.”

Thailand--Craig Wolfe, Hollywood: “In Pattaya Bay, try Wandeen. It’s on the beach. Large suites, panoramic views from private balconies. Garden pool and bar. American-operated. Rates: about $20 U.S. a night for two guests. Write to Wandeen, 280/1 S. Pattaya Beach Road, Pattaya, Thailand.”

Wales--Clement Salvadori, Laguna Beach: “Pontymeddyg is a small guest house on a quiet cove along the Pembrokeshire Coast in national park where the 160-mile Coastal Walking Path wends its way. Owners Caroline and Neil Glyn-Silkinson raise all their food and bake bread daily. Dinner, B&B; costs 20 a day per person. Write Pontymeddyg, Dinas Cross (near Fishguard), Pembrokeshire SA42 OXL, United Kingdom.”

England--Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Stone, Santa Ana: “Bodare Hotel, Trebtherick, Cornwall, England, is a lovely small hotel on beautiful grounds near Daymer Bay. Good base point for touring Cornwall and Devon. Surfing, golfing and fishing. Sumptuous breakfasts and dinners. Friendly owners. Rate: 24 per person a day.”

California--Enid Sandler, Los Angeles: Enjoyed the Prospect Park Inn, 1110 Prospect St., La Jolla 92037. “European flavor, rates: $79/$109, including continental breakfast, afternoon tea.”

Because of the large number of reader recommendations, we regret that only a select few can be used. They must be brief (typewritten or printed). Only one recommendation per reader, please. Note: Recommendations will not be used unless prices and addresses are included.