THE MOUNTAIN WEST TRAVEL GUIDES

“Here the earth, as if to prove its immensity, empties itself. Gertrude Stein said: 'In the United States there is more space where nobody is than where anybody is. That is what makes America what it is.' The uncluttered stretches of the American West and the deserted miles of roads force a lone traveler to pay attention to them by leaving him isolated in them. This squander of land substitutes a sense of self with a sense of place by giving him days of himself until, tiring of his own small compass, he looks for relief to the bigness outside -- a grandness that demands attention not just for its scope, but for its age, its diversity, its continual change."
- William Least Heat-Moon, Blue Highways

TRAVELING TO THE MOUNTAIN WEST

Don't miss all that the Mountain West states have to offer.  Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Montana, Wyoming and Idaho each have a lot to share, and these guidebooks will help you plan the perfect trip.  Here are our recommendations on the best travel books for travel throughout the Mountain West states.

A5 RECOMMENDATIONS

Fodor's Travel: The National Parks of the West

Fodor’s publishes one of the best travel guides focused on the remarkable national parks of the West, with trusted recommendations from local experts on how best to explore the Grand Canyon, Zion, Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.  There are a number of custom maps that are useful for orientation for those taking a road trip.

Great Plains, by Ian Frazier

New York essayist Ian Frazier finds inspiration in the American West, chronicled in his best selling travelogue Great Plains.  Frazier logged over 25,000 miles of travels across the country, and he captures the true spirit of the region.  Great Plains is also an interesting read for those interested in the history of settlers and the American Indian.  Click here for our review of Great Plains.

Blue Highways, by William Least Heat-Moon

Blue Highways is a travelogue by William Least Heat-Moon describing a journey driving around the United States.  His goal was to “wander for a while” on small roads through small towns, living in a specially outfitted van that he named “Ghost Dancing” and carrying Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass.  It is a great travel book, noted for its perspective on the true American experience.  Click here for our review of Blue Highways.

Trespassing Across America, by Ken Ilgunas

Trespassing Across America tells the audacious story of Ken Ilgunas who in 2012, decided to hike the 1,700 miles of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, starting in Canada and ending in the Gulf Coast of Texas.  This wasn’t a natural hiking route, and so most of his trip was through huge open spaces of private property.  This gave him plenty of time to reflect on the heartland of America and on the potential impact of this type of project on the environment and on this region.  Click here for our review of Trespassing Across America.

Roughing It, by Mark Twain

Those interested in the Mountain West might like to learn more about its history, as told by American writer Mark Twain.  Roughing It is the story of his wandering travels as a youth though the Wild West in the 1860s, working his way around Nevada, Utah, California, and even Hawaii.  Even modern readers will find Twain’s story-telling and social satire funny and interesting.  Click here to see more information on Roughing It.

Good Sam RV Travel & Savings Guide

One of the best ways to discover the Mountain West is by RV, and the definitive source of information on RV parks and campgrounds is the Good Sam RV Travel & Savings Guide.  Experienced RV aficionados know this book well.  Each park review is meticulously described and updated yearly with descriptions of services, camping rates, and contact information.