Finally, the total experience of enjoying Capitol Reef National Park has been captured in one comprehensive volume. Inside you will find: Easy hikes for the whole family Moderate day-hikes for the experienced Rugged canyoneering for the more adventurous Scenic drives on paved and dirt roads Rugged desert drives Book jacket.

From Delicate Arch to the Zion Narrows, Utah's five national parks and eight national monuments are home to some of America's most amazing scenic treasures, created over long expanses of geologic time. In Wonders of Sand and Stone, Frederick H. Swanson traces the recent human story behind the creation of these places as part of a protected mini-empire of public lands. Drawing on extensive historical research, Swanson presents little-known accounts of people who saw in these sculptured landscapes something worth protecting. Readers are introduced to the region's early explorers, scientists, artists, and travelers as well as the local residents and tourism promoters who worked with the National Park Service to build the system of parks and monuments we know today, when Utah's national parks and monuments face multiple challenges from increased human use and from development outside their borders. As scientists continue to uncover the astonishing diversity of life in these desert and mountain landscapes, and archaeologists and Native Americans document their rich cultural resources, the management of these federal lands remains critically important. Swanson provides us with a detailed and timely background to advance and inform discussions about what form that management should take.

Traversing six national parks, a national recreation area, a national monument, and various wilderness study areas, the Hayduke Trail is a challenging, 800-mile backcountry route on the Colorado Plateau. This guide book is designed for experienced desert trekkers seeking a thorough-hiking experience on a well-tested route.

The seven most amazing national parks within the Southwest United States are covered in full within these pages; from what to do, where to stay, and dining options, both inside the parks and nearby. All surrounding national monuments and state parks are also described in detail. This book is packed with maps, pictures, tips, stories, and fun!

An essential field guide to wildflowers of the Colorado Plateau in southern Utah. This book contains color photographs with the common and scientific names of 209 plants. Line drawings of 83 of these plants aid in identification.