Best West Mountain United States Travel Books of 2026

The Indifferent Stars Above by Daniel James Brown is a gripping and informative tale of the Donner Party, a group of pioneers who were trapped in the Sierra Nevada Mountains during a harsh winter in 1846. The story follows Sarah Graves and her family as they endure almost unfathomable hardships and horrors in their quest for a better future. Brown's narrative sheds new light on one of the most legendary events in American history, providing a spellbinding account of the journey. This book is a must-read for those interested in women's biographies and American history.

The Guide to Moab, UT Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails, 4 Edition (FunTreks Guidebooks) is a comprehensive guidebook that offers 90 trails, including some of the best and most challenging 4-wheel-drive trails in America. The book features detailed routes with turn-by-turn directions and custom-drawn maps of each trail. It includes easy family fun runs, moderate sport utility adventures and difficult hard-core challenges. The book also features tips and advice from local experts to help you navigate the trails. With over 500 color photos, this guidebook is a must-have for newcomers to 4-wheeling or experienced veterans. Overall, it is a well-written and informative guidebook that is easy to use and provides all the necessary information to explore the backcountry in Moab, UT.

National Geographic's Trails Illustrated map of Yellowstone National Park is an essential tool for outdoor enthusiasts. The map features over 1,000 miles of mapped trails, including key points of interest like Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone Lake, and Old Faithful. Trail summaries provide elevation, duration, and difficulty for a variety of suggested hikes. The map base includes contour lines and elevations for summits, passes, and many lakes. Printed on "Backcountry Tough" waterproof, tear-resistant paper, this map is built to last. It's a must-have for anyone visiting Yellowstone National Park.

The Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks Map Pack Bundle is an excellent resource for hikers and campers exploring these iconic national parks. The bundle includes two maps that cover the thousands of square miles of the parks, ranging from popular tourist destinations to remote backcountry areas. The maps are printed on waterproof and tear-resistant paper, making them durable for outdoor use. They also feature a UTM grid to aid with GPS navigation and detailed trail networks with points of interest such as campgrounds, boat ramps, and ski areas. Overall, this bundle is a valuable addition to any adventurer's collection.

Yellowstone: A Land of Wild and Wonder is a stunning landscape photography book by Christopher Cauble, featuring Yellowstone National Park's breathtaking beauty and diversity. Cauble's unique style captures the park's intimate wildlife portraits, dramatic landscapes, and thermal areas with a depth of personal perception, inviting the reader to experience a connection to the viewed. The book's art-quality printing and striking cover make it a perfect addition to any coffee table or library. Overall, this book is a must-have for those who love Yellowstone and fine photography, thanks to Cauble's powerful and nuanced images.

Lonely Planet Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks 6 (National Parks Guide) is a comprehensive guidebook that provides up-to-date information on what to see, where to eat, and what hidden gems to explore in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. The book is user-friendly and offers insider tips to help travelers save time and money while avoiding crowds and trouble spots. The guidebook also includes contextual insights on the history, geology, wildlife, and conservation of the parks. With over 45 full-color trail and park maps, this guidebook is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less traveled.

The Utah Road and Recreation Atlas - 9th Edition, 2021 by Benchmark Maps is an essential guide for those looking to explore Utah's vast recreational offerings. From skiing to national parks, the atlas provides detailed information on hundreds of recreation sites, fishing spots, and hunting areas, as well as parks, natural wonders, and historic sites. The atlas includes large-scale metro maps of the Wasatch Front and Landscape Maps that show all drive-able Utah roads. The Recreation Maps have a scale of 1:730,000, while the Landscape Maps have a scale of 1:250,000. Overall, this atlas is a must-have for anyone planning a trip to Utah.

The Birds of Colorado Field Guide is an essential resource for bird enthusiasts who want to identify the birds of Colorado. With 136 species of Colorado birds organized by color for ease of use, this book is perfect for beginners and experts alike. The guide features simple color guides, compare feature, naturalist tidbits and facts, and stunning full-page images. The new edition includes more species, updated photographs and range maps, revised information, and even more expert insights from author Stan Tekiela. This book is a must-have for anyone interested in bird-watching in Colorado.

Frommer's Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks (Complete Guide) is a must-have for those who want to experience the natural landscapes of America. Written by a Montana resident, naturalist, and travel journalist, Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan, this guidebook provides insider advice on the best views, backcountry trails, scenic drives, and activities outside of the parks. It also includes detailed practical information, opinionated write-ups of hotels, campgrounds, and restaurants, and helpful maps throughout. The book's unique selling point is that it is written by a local expert, making it a reliable and informative guidebook for travelers looking to explore the stunning national parks of the West Mountain region of the United States.

The Guide to Arizona Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails by Charles Wells is an excellent guidebook for anyone who loves off-road adventures in Arizona. The book features 100 of the best 4x4 trails in the state, including 14 new trails not in the previous edition. Each trail comes with a detailed rating, turn-by-turn mileage log with GPS waypoints, and a custom map. The book is organized into 32 easy family fun runs, 34 moderate sport utility adventures, and 34 difficult hard-core challenges. The spiral binding and durable pages make it easy to use while on the trails. Overall, this book is a must-have for anyone looking to explore Arizona's backcountry.