A great way to enhance your trip to Arches National Park is to read even more about the area. With books about hikes, the natural environment, its history, and the need for modern preservation, here is a hand-curated listed of the best books about Arches National Park and the surrounding area.
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Hiking Canyonlands and Arches National Parks: A Guide to More Than 60 Great Hikes (2017) by Bill Schneider
This book contains details of more than sixty trails in both Arches National Park and all three areas of Canyonlands National Park. It includes my favorite Arches hikes such as Devil’s Garden Trail, as well as the Island in the Sky, Needles and even the lesser-visited Maze section of Canyonlands.
There are hikes for all levels. Each hike has detailed descriptions and maps and even GPS coordinates for all trailheads. If you plan to hike in the area, this is a great book to have.
>> Pick up a copy of Hiking Canyonlands and Arches National Parks on Amazon now
>> Pick up a copy of Hiking Canyonlands and Arches National Parks on Bookshop now
Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness (1990) by Edward Abbey
This is Edward Abbey’s first non-fiction book. It describes his experience working as a park ranger in Arches National Park. His descriptions of the area and stories of his adventures are captivating.
And his arguments for the importance of maintaining this incredible place is just as relevant today as it was 50 years ago.
A Naturalist’s Guide to Canyon Country (2013) by David B. Williams and Gloria Brown
This is a great introduction to the environment and ecosystems in the Colorado Plateau, including Arches National Park. Discover all about the fascinating geology of this area, as well as more than 270 plants and animals that call it home.
This will really enhance your trip to Arches and give you insight into what you are seeing that will enrich your experience there.
>> Pick up a copy of A Naturalist’s Guide to Canyon Country on Amazon now
>> Pick up a copy of A Naturalist’s Guide to Canyon Country on Bookshop now
Legacy on Stone: Rock Art of the Colorado Plateau and Four Corners Region (1990) by Sally J. Cole
Much of the focus in this area is on the incredible geology, but there is fascinating human history too. This book focuses on pictographs (painting on rocks) and petroglyphs (carvings in rocks) in the entire Four Corners area.
While not limited to Arches National Park, it is nonetheless a fascinating introduction to the history of ancient peoples in this region through the art they left behind. There are loads of color photos, plus plentiful descriptions.
127 Hours: Between a Rock and a Hard Place (2004) by Aron Ralston
This book was made into the 2010 movie 127 Hours with James Franco. It’s the true story (autobiography) of Aron Ralston, who was hiking in remote Blue John Canyon near Arches National Park when his hand got trapped under a rock in an accident.
Spoiler alert: he amputated his hand himself in order to escape. It’s a gruesome, bit fascinating story.
>> Get a copy of 127 Hours: Between a Rock and a Hard Place on Amazon now
>> Get a copy of 127 Hours: Between a Rock and a Hard Place on Bookshop now
Red: Passion and Patience in the Desert (2002) by Terry Tempest Williams
This book was first recommended to me by a ranger in Arches during an evening presentation at the amphitheater at the Devil’s Garden campground.
It’s not just about Arches, but is a collection of stories and thoughts about the desert in this rea. It’s a moving testimony to the power of the desert – its geology, wildlife, and people. It’s hard not to be moved when reading it. It will definitely make you feel connected to the area.
>> Get a copy of Red: Passion and Patience in the Desert on Amazon now
>> Get a copy of Red: Passion and Patience in the Desert on Bookshop now
Do you have any other favorite books about Arches National Park or the surrounding area? I’d love to know what it is. Join my private Facebook group National Parks Collectors and comment and let me know.
If you’re planning a trip to Arches National Park, you can make your planning easy and stress free with a detailed itinerary. I have 1-, and 2-3- day itineraries for Arches National Park that include all the park highlights, give you choices based on your preferred activity level, and take all the stress out of planning your trip.
Do you want to read more books about other national parks? Check out my Recommended Reading book lists.
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About the Author
James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.
He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of the national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks.
Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for most of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, comprehensive camping and hiking gear reviews and buying guides, and helpful packing lists and gift guides will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.
As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including USA Today, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
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