Arches National Park
This resource provides great introductory material on equipment, useful phone apps, night photography, and general preparedness for a photographic sojourn in Arches National Park. It includes very specific advice on seven different areas such as Balanced Rock and the Delicate Arch, making it a perfect companion alongside other Arches National Park books. Additionally, for those interested in exploring more, you might consider Bryce Canyon National Park reading to enhance your outdoor photography experience.
Classic book written in 1968 when Edward Abbey was a seasonal ranger. Back then, Arches was still a National Monument, not becoming a National Park until 1972. This book covers his experiences not only in the park but also in nearby areas. Part good stories and part social and environmental commentary, it offers unique insights into the park service.
The geology of southern Utah is explored through 33 sites that cover all the major parks in Utah - Zion, Bryce, Arches, Canyonland, and Capitol Reef, as well as numerous other locations. The geology of each location is explained in easy-to-read language with numerous pictures and illustrations.
Bear's Ears National Monument
This book covers the history of human habitation in the area from the Anasazi (the author very specifically uses this term) to modern day. In addition to discussing the area's uniqueness and the challenges it faces, this work is a valuable resource for anyone interested in southern Utah's parks and monuments
Colorado Mountain Club guides are well researched and printed in full color . This guide covers 25 hikes in the vast Bears Ears area ranging from easy to challenging multi-day trips. The introductory material is about 45 pages and is very thorough about the risks of hiking in the area given the remoteness of the area and the challenges of the environment.
Bryce Canyon National Park
This naturalist guide covers not just Zion, but the entire Colorado Plateau, making it a valuable resource alongside other Arches National Park books. After a short introduction covering the area's geology and ecology, details on the plants and animals native to the area begin. There is also an interesting section on soil and its biology, which complements the Bryce Canyon National Park reading.
Due to their proximity, the Zion National Park page features several books that provide substantial information on Bryce Canyon National Park reading, as well as insights from Arches National Park books.
Canyonlands National Park
A pocket sized guide to twenty hikes in the Canyonlands NP - mostly in the Needles and Island in the Sky districts. The hikes range from short easy hikes to difficult hikes exceeding ten miles. The author covers the basics of desert hiking and has a nice couple of pages with tips on photographing this amazing area.
Capitol Reef National Park
Probably the least known and visited of the Utah parks, this guide is dedicated to the park itself, offering insights that complement popular Arches National Park books. There is little to no coverage of gateway towns, lodging, or dining options. However, it does provide excellent information on scenic drives and hikes, as well as details on the history and ecology of the park, making it a perfect companion for those who also enjoy Bryce Canyon National Park reading.
Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is another huge monument in southern Utah. At almost 2 million acres, there is an abundant opportunity for recreation here. This book covers 25 hikes from easy hikes of a few miles to multi-day treks. The introductory material covers hiking essentials, leave no trace, and the history and geology of the area.
Hovenweep National Monument
Located in southeast Utah and southwest Colorado, Hovenweep NM contains thousands of archeological sites. This hiking guide, while focused on Mesa Verde does contain three hikes at Hovenweep - two easy and one moderate. The author does a great job on the introductory section and on the trail narrative.
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