Other Parks and Monuments of the Southwest

Covers the entire park, including areas like Bandelier National Monument. If you are hiking around the ruins near the visitor's center, then this may seem excessive, but there are numerous other trails in the park, such as those found in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, where this map would be helpful. The same goes for exploring the vast landscapes of Great Sand Dunes National Park or the stunning formations in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

A pictorial history of Bandelier National Monument's early years with very descriptive captions and some good chapter introductions. It provides a comprehensive overview of the first forty years of the park, much like the histories of other national treasures such as Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

This guide serves as a good resource for exploring the relatively small Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. It also covers the nearby Curecanti National Recreation Area upstream and the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area downstream from the park, each offering unique recreational opportunities. The guidebook highlights several hiking options, along with activities like boating, making it a valuable resource for visitors. While the sections on the gateway towns are limited, it's still worthwhile, especially if you plan to visit other national parks in the region like Bandelier National Monument, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, or Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Also covers the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area and Blue Mesa Reservoir, which are near iconic sites like Bandelier National Monument and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. This is a large geographic area, so while some detail may get lost, it will direct you to the right areas for camping, hiking, and exploring other nearby attractions such as Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Being primarily a subterranean park, the number of hiking trails at Carlsbad Caverns National Park is somewhat limited. This guide provides information on seven trails. A bonus feature is that it also details eight cave treks, both guided and unguided, making it a unique experience compared to other parks like Bandelier National Monument, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

A bit different from other trail maps, as the flip side includes maps of Carlsbad Cavern and Slaughter Canyon Cave. Both show the ranger and self-guided routes through the caves. The other side has the traditional map of hiking trails, including 37 miles of the Guadalupe Ridge National Scenic Trail and a large backcountry wilderness area.

This comprehensive guide details five hikes in Chaco Canyon, featuring information on the ruins found along each trail. It also explores some outlying areas that serve as Chaco cultural sites. Additionally, for those interested in broader adventures, this guide includes highlights of nearby attractions such as Bandelier National Monument, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Finally, it offers insights into roadside ruins and camping options.

This is a dense, academic book on the Choco and Hohokam cultures and the settlement and trade networks of both. In recent years, our understanding of these extinct cultures has grown significantly, much like how visitors explore the rich history at Bandelier National Monument or the stunning landscapes of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. This book relays many of those findings, which are as fascinating as the unique formations found in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, the expansive vistas of Great Sand Dunes National Park, and the rugged beauty of Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

This guide book to the Great Sand Dunes National Park and the surrounding areas covers the history, plants, and animals found in this unique landscape. It also highlights numerous activities available, from horseback riding to biking to rock climbing. Additionally, you'll find information about what to do in the San Luis Valley, as well as tips for visiting nearby attractions like Bandelier National Monument, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Great Sand Dunes National Park is situated on the western edge of the Sangre de Cristo range in south-central Colorado. While exploring this majestic park, visitors may also want to consider nearby attractions such as Bandelier National Monument, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Due to the challenge of marking trails through the expansive dune fields, this guide features about seven hikes within Great Sand Dunes National Park, complemented by another fifty trails throughout the mountain range.

Another remote Texas NP, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, offers a comprehensive guidebook that details 21 different hikes, ranging from easy nature trails to strenuous long hikes that can be transformed into overnight adventures. This includes the hike to Guadalupe Peak, Texas's highest point, alongside recommendations for exploring other incredible national parks like Bandelier National Monument, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, and Great Sand Dunes National Park.

While the map covers Bandelier National Monument in decent detail, it also includes adjacent areas to the north in New Mexico that are part of the range but not part of the park. As such, there are numerous four-wheel drive trails in the region, similar to those found near Guadalupe Mountains National Park. This map also features a greater than average amount of written information about plants, animals, cautions, and other details, which can be beneficial for visitors exploring sites like Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, and Great Sand Dunes National Park.

A history of Mesa Verde. This book starts with the discovery of the ruins in the late 1800s, the advocacy and creation of the park in 1906. The following chapters cover the evolution of the park and the problems that came with it over the next hundred years - from continued pot hunters to managing increased visitation. 

Pocket sized guide to hiking Mesa Verde NP, Canyon of the Ancients NM, and Hovenweep NM.  Additionally there are few additional hikes in the Cortez and Dolores area.  There are fourteen hikes in Mesa Verde listed.  As usual with this series, there is about sixty pages of excellent information about the areas and how to hike safely in this arid environment.

This book covers the history of the park, from 200 million years ago when the trees and other fossils were deposited through the establishment of the area as a National Monument and later as a National Park. 

While the format of this book is large, it is an excellent  book.  The photography and writing are both excellent.   The book covers the geological history, the fossils, and archeology of the park through a combination of photos and engating illustrations.

 The Petrified Forest and Painted Desert contain numerous examples of rock art. Generously illustrated, this book includes examples from the time period in which they were created. It also covers the art based on themes such as men and women, animals, and ceremonial images. If you have any interest in rock art, then this woudl be a valuable reference. 

A portion of the Painted Desert lies within the boundaries of the Petrified Forest National Park. This book covers the history, geology, and biodiversity of the area. The book has numerous full-color pictures.  The book is a little larger format than many at 9"x12", but it is formatted well, so you are nto presented with masses of text.