| General
Colorado Guide Books |
Colorado
State Parks & Natural Areas
by Frank Weston. Paperback
Colorado's state parks are such a natural treasure. Photographer
Frank Weston takes us all on a visual journey through parks such
as Castlewood Canyon (love that place!), the new Cheyenne Mountain
State Park (the same mountain as NORAD), and the moose-laden State
Forest State Park (yes, it's really named that). In addition, there
are chapters on various natural areas, many of them less well known
but no less beautiful. Be sure to take a look at Frank's exquisite
photos of the Wheeler Geological Area and the Mount Goliath Research
Natural Area. Stunning! |
Photographing
the Southwest: Volume 3--Colorado/New Mexico
by Laurent Martres. Paperback
Whether you're a photographer or simply enjoy seeing beautiful sights,
this guide book will lead you right to them. Laurent Martres is
that rare combination of a fine writer and fine art photographer.
Two of our Colorado photographs appear as well in this volume. Be
sure to check out Volume
I (Southern Utah) and Volume
2 (Arizona) as well! |
The
Updated Colorado Guide
by Bruce Caughey, Dean Winstanley. Paperback
We don't like to miss a TV show called Colorado Getaways.
It features places that are covered in this comprehensive guide.
Let's say that you have a place that you'd like to visit. You will
need food, a place to stay, things to do once you get there, as
well as directions for how to get there! You'll find it all here.
Heck, even if you don't have a place in mind, you can flip to anywhere
in the book and get some great ideas. Whether you want to soak in
hot springs, go snowshoeing, sleigh-riding, river-rafting, or just
relax by a hot fire, the Colorado Guide will help you find the place. |
Colorado
Atlas & Gazetteer
Paperback
We use this excellent atlas all the time. It shows the back roads
in every section of Colorado, and has proven to be a great time-saver.
It also enables us to find photogenic spots that are off the main
highways. |
Colorado's
Best: The Essential Guide to Favorite Places
by Bruce Caughey, Doug Whitehead, and Tamra Monahan. Paperback
Find out "city" things to do along the Front Range, like
visit the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, or go to Six Flags Amusement
Park in Denver. If you're wanting a more outdoorsy experience, how
about dogsledding in Aspen or hiking the wildflower basins in Crested
Butte? Wrap it all up in the evening with dinner at the Pine Creek
Cookhouse (via snowshoe) or steak at the True Grits in Alamosa.
This book will have you trying all sorts of new experiences. |
Colorado
Year Round Outdoor Guide
by Dave Muller. Paperback.
Why stay indoors when you could be out snowshoeing in winter, enjoying
free-flowing waterfalls in spring, hiking through wildflower meadows
in summer, and wildlife viewing in fall? This guide gives you 104
ideas for keeping active year-round. |
Colorado:
A Manual for Newcomers and Residents
by T.J. Walker. Paperback |
Fodor's
Colorado
Paperback |
Frommer's
Colorado (8th Ed)
by Don Laine, Barbara Laine. Paperback |
Frommer's
Denver, Boulder & Colorado Springs, 8th Edition
by Eric Peterson, Don Laine, Barbara Laine. Paperback |
Moon
Handbooks: Colorado (5th Ed.)
by Stephen Metzger. Paperback |
Frommer's
Comprehensive Travel Guide
by George McDonald, Don Laine. Hardcover |
| Hiking
Guide Books |
Colorado's
Best Wildflower Hikes: Volume 1: The Front Range
Colorado's
Best Wildflower Hikes: Volume 2: The High Country
by Pamela Irwin, David Irwin.
Colorado's wide variety of biomes also results in a wide variety
of wildflower species. On what is called a "Century Hike,"
you can see over a hundred different kinds per hike! Beautiful photographs
of each area and its wildflowers are accompanied by maps, directions,
and distances. We were glad to see one of our favorite hikes in
Castlewood Canyon covered in Volume 1 about the Front Range. And
in Volume 2 about the High Country, we can heartily recommend the
Judd Falls hike. It's great to own these books if you want to get
more ideas for a variety of hikes and of course, wildflowers! |
Best
Easy Day Hikes, Rocky Mountain National Park
by Kent Dannen, Donna Dannen. Paperback.
Donna Dannen was formerly a ranger in Rocky Mountain National
Park, and her recommendations for hikes are known winners. So
many people visit this popular park from lower altitudes and are
overwhelmed at the idea of a longer hike; these easy day hikes
are just the ticket. Descriptions of the routes, maps, and total
distances are accompanied by tips to enhance your photographs
(the Dannens are accomplished photographers as well). Perusing
this very readable book, we found tried-and-true trails as well
as many hikes that we hadn't yet tried. We're looking forward
to finding more hidden jewels in Rocky! |
Hiking
Rocky Mountain National Park, Including Indian Peaks Wilderness
by Kent Dannen, Donna Dannen. Paperback.
A complete guide to both backcountry and easy-to-access destinations,
this book is a must-have for anyone wishing to hike in the area
of Rocky Mountain National Park. A bonus is that it covers an area
to the south called the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Dear to our hearts,
many of our favorite photographs have resulted from hikes in the
Indian Peaks. You'll want this book for its zoomed-in maps and precise
descriptions of the various trailhead systems in the entire area.
Interspersed throughout (just as they are in real life) are the
lovely drawings of Rocky Mountain critters done by Donna Dannen. |
The
Colorado Trail: The Official Guidebook
by the Colorado Trail Foundation. Paperback.
Some choose to hike the entire Colorado Trail, while others of us
are content to hike along shorter sections. In either case, this
book will help you in planning your adventure, with beautiful color
photos to draw you in. Access points, trail descriptions, appropriate
maps to get, and the ever-important supply points aid in strategizing. |
Best
of Northern Colorado Hiking Trails
by Outdoor Books and Maps. Paperback
This guide covers 77 hikes ranging from 1.3 miles to 10 miles. Most
are one-half or one-day hikes, with some overnight backpacking treks.
All are in northern Colorado, with 30 of the trails being located
within the bounds of Rocky Mountain National Park. One-way distances
and times are included, so be sure to allow for double that on a
roundtrip hike. You will find access directions, a narrative, topographic
maps, and black-and-white photos for each trail. |
Best
of Western Colorado Hiking Trails
by Outdoor Books and Maps. Paperback
Carrying on with 50 trails in the western portion of the state,
this book has the same style as the previous one (see review above). |
Best
of Rocky Mountain National Park Hiking Trails
by Roberta Lowe and Don Lowe. Paperback
This book covers 30 trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. It has
the same format as the previous two books (see reviews above). |
Colorado's
Indian Peaks: Classic Hikes and Climbs
by Gerry Roach. Paperback
The Indian Peaks wilderness area is arguably one of the most
beautiful areas of the whole state of Colorado (see our Indian
Peaks page for photos and commentary). There are waterfalls,
wildflowers, alpine lakes; hikes, mountain climbing, 4-wheeling,
and more. Be sure to take this guidebook, for it has trail head
locations, trail descriptions and lengths, as well as topo maps
to help you make your decisions. |
Colorado's
Fourteeners : From Hikes to Climbs
by Gerry Roach. Paperback
This book has been a constant reference for those of us who
like to climb fourteeners in Colorado. We have an earmarked copy
on the bedstand and another for the car! Long's Peak, for instance,
has a multitude of variations on routes that you can take to the
summit. To be prepared for any ascent, be sure to have this book,
complete with its maps, photos, and descriptions of each climb. |
Colorado's
Fourteeners : Companion Map Package
by Gerry Roach. Paperback |
Colorado
Summit Hikes for Everyone
by Dave Muller. Paperback.
This full-color
book is a pleasant way to find a possible climb from among 105 summits,
from easy to expert level. Each has directions to the trailhead,
elevation, distance, maps, color photos, and more. This book is
not limited to fourteeners; there are many easier hikes to lower
mountaintops as well. |
Colorado
Hut to Hut Volume 1
Colorado
Hut to Hut Volume 2
by Brian Litz. Paperback |
Colorado's
Thirteeners: 13,800 to 13,999 Feet, from Hikes to Climbs
by Gerry Roach, Jennifer Roach. Paperback |
Colorado's
High Thirteeners: A Climbing and Hiking Guide
by Mike Garratt, Bob Martin. Paperback |
Quick
Escapes Denver
by Sherry Spitsnaugle. Paperback |
Exploring
Colorado's Wild Areas: A Guide for Hikers, Backpackers, Climbers,
Xc Skiers, & Paddlers
by Scott S. Warren. Paperback |
100
Classic Hikes in Colorado
by Scott S. Warren. Paperback
Hiking
in Colorado is a given; opportunities abound. If you are driven,
you can hike the entire length of the Colorado Trail (469 miles).
If you've got a little one in tow, or just prefer a less strenuous
hike, you can head two miles to Spud Lake. Most will want to hike
something in between. This book will help you get the confidence
to tackle a new challenge. |
Colorado's
Continental Divide Trail : The Official Guide
by Tom Lorang Jones, John Fielder (Photographer). Paperback |
Best
Hikes With Children in Colorado (Best Hikes With Children Series)
by Maureen Keilty. Paperback
We start 'em young in Colorado! And why not? There are plenty of
short and easy hikes for the younger kids, and then they can graduate
to longer more challenging treks as they get older. The hikes in
this guide book are divided into sections by geographic area. Each
one has a difficulty level, distance, elevation, directions and
a map. Hiking is a great way to spend time with your kids and grandkids,
and see neat stuff while you're together! |
Best
Easy Day Hikes Colorado Springs (Falcon's Best Easy Day Hikes Series)
by Tracy Salcedo. Paperback |
A
Hiking and Camping Guide to the Flat Tops Wilderness Area
by Al Marlowe. Paperback |
Hiking
Colorado's Geology
by Ralph Lee Hopkins, Lindy Birkel Hopkins. Paperback |
Aspen
& Central Colorado Trails, A Hiking Guide
by Warren H. Ohlrich, Karen B. Ohlrich (Photographer). Paperback
|
Aspen
Snowmass Trails : A Hiking Trail Guide
by Warren H. Ohlrich. Paperback |
Hiking
Colorado's Weminuche Wilderness (Hiking Guides)
by Donna Lynn Ikenberry. Paperback |
| 4-Wheeling
and Scenic Byway Guide Books |
4WD
Adventures : Colorado
by Peter Massey, Jeanne Wilson. Paperback
This guide book will take you to over 70 of the four-wheel roads
in Colorado. They were chosen because each can be driven in a stock
4WD vehicle (there are also a few trails rated more difficult, which
are included because of their scenic rating and popularity). Color
photos, exact route directions with mileages from both directions
(if applicable), and maps will help you navigate each trail. We
enjoyed the sections on animals and wildflowers, as well as the
ghost town histories. |
4WD
Trails: North-Central Colorado
4WD
Trails: South-Central Colorado
by Peter Massey, Jeanne Wilson. Paperback
This is one of a set of three small books, each covering a geographic
area of the state. Covered in these book are 28 trails in north-central
Colorado, and 30 trails in south-central Colorado. Its trails
are chosen so that anyone with an SUV can navigate them. We particularly
find the mileage charts to be valuable, with landmarks and turning
points noted. Black-and-white photos and two-toned maps are also
available for each trail. If you want a small "take-it-with-you"
book, this and the others in the set are the ones for you.
|
Guide
to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails
Guide
to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails Vol. 2
by Charles A. Wells. Paperback
The 65 trails in Volume 1 (the central and southern portions of
the state) and 40 trails in Volume 2 (the far northern and western
reaches of the state) are rated by difficulty, and organized by
geographic area. For instance, in planning a trip to Ouray (Area
1) and Crested Butte (Area 2) we used those two sections of the
seven in the first book. Each trail description includes black-and-white
photos and maps. Those who wish to explore Colorado by 4WD vehicle
will want to keep these must-have guides in their vehicle. |
Touring
Guide to Colorado's Scenic and Historic Byways
by Joe Verrengia, Bill Bonebrake. Paperback.
When
I was a kid growing up in Colorado, my parents would take us seven
children on wonderful scenic drives. Sometimes I scrunched up in
a back seat with a book, but enough of the scenery must have "stuck."
Now I just love to explore the byways of this state. All of my favorites
are in this concise but nicely illustrated book, complete with maps
and other things to do than just drive. |
Backroads
of Colorado: Your Guide to Colorado's 50 Most Scenic Backroad
Tours
by Boyd Norton(Photographer), Barbara Norton. Paperback.
There
is no better way to enjoy Colorado than to slow down and get off
of the interstates. Here are 50 journeys along the backroads of
the state, many of which are officially designated as Scenic Byways.
Photographs and maps accompany the text about each. In perusing
this book, you're bound to discover a place you haven't been,
a road less traveled and waiting to be taken. |
Colorado
Off the Beaten Path
by Curtis Casewit. Paperback |
The
Colorado Pass Book: A Guide to Colorado's Backroad Mountain Passes
by Don Koch. Paperback |
Jeep
Trails to Colorado Ghost Towns
by Robert L. Brown. Paperback |
Colorado
Byways: 80 Road Adventures West of Denver
by Tony Huegel. Hardcover |
Backroads
of Colorado/Your Guide to Colorado's 50 Most Scenic Backroad Tours.
by Boyd Norton(Photographer), Barbara Norton. Paperback |
Southern
Colorado 4-Wheeling, The San Juans
by Wayne W. Griffin, Warren H. Ohlrich. Paperback |
| Specialty
Guide Books |
Ghost
Towns, Colorado Style: Volume One - Northern Region
Ghost
Towns, Colorado Style: Volume Two - Central Region
Ghost
Towns, Colorado Style: Volume Three - Southern Region
by Kenneth Jessen
Incredibly detailed, these three thick volumes make up a complete
reference to the ghost towns of Colorado. Each covers a different
region of the state, going from north to south. Then each book
is further organized into groups of 8 to ten ghost towns, easily
explored within a day or two. Maps and directions are very complete,
as are descriptions of various structures or remains at each site.
Photos help in identifying the buildings and surroundings. Lovely
drawings by Julia McMillan and Kenneth Jessen enhance the books.
Any time we set out for a region, we make sure to carry the corresponding
volume in our vehicle. Exploring Colorado ghost towns has become
quite an absorbing pastime!
|
Dynamic
Wildlife Photography: Techniques for Creating Captivating Image
by Cathy and Gordon Illg
Colorado has incredible diversity in its wildlife species, and
you are bound to come across some amazing photo opportunities just
about anywhere in the state. The authors of this guide are accomplished
award-winning Colorado photographers who are willing to share their
techniques for getting that special wildlife image. They cover how
to go beyond the usual documentary photo of an animal, what type
of lighting to use (including use of flash), positioning of the
animal in the environment and your composition, camera settings,
how to capture animal behavior, seasonal wildlife images, and even
humorous situations. The photos accompanying the text are simply
outstanding, both those that demonstrate techniques and those that
stand out as fine wildlife images. |
Run
the Rockies: Classic Trail Runs in Colorado's Front Range
by Steven Bragg. Paperback.
Colorado is one of the best places to run, whether you are training
for the Olympics, or just enjoy this healthy pastime. This book
has 50 runs, each with route descriptions, how to get there, distances,
approximate times, elevations, and more. |
Guide
to the Colorado Mountains
by Randy Jacobs, Robert M. Ormes. Paperback.
Colorado is really defined by its mountains, and that is what
draws us to this state.This guide is geared towards those who wish
to climb these mountains. You will find that it is organized by
ranges, then sections within those ranges. |
Out
the Back, Down the Path: Colorado Outhouses
by Kenneth Jessen, Charlie Collins (Contributor), Mary Jane Groves
(Contributor)
Outhouses seem to hold a certain fascination for many people
and that includes us. Now we take this book whenever we are exploring
the state, because we want to see each of the outhouses ourselves.
And recently, we happened upon an historic WPA sanitary privy, and
were able to recognize it as such. This readable paperback has little-known
factoids. Did you know that there are umpteen different words for
outhouse? (Loo, privy, dunny, Biffy, Chapel of Ease (!), and Throne
Room are just a few.) Photos and in some cases, delightful sketches,
accompany the colorful descriptions, history, and location of each
outhouse. The book is an entertaining way to while away the day;
perhaps you'll want a copy for the loo! |
Oddball
Colorado: A Guide to Some Really Strange Places
by Jerome Pohlen. Paperback
This is a fun book to take along as you travel around the state.
It has descriptions and exact locations of crazy, wacky things to
see and do in Colorado. Recently we were in Aspen and used the book
to find the Pitkin County Courthouse, from which Theodore Bundy
escaped. It turns out that the Bennigan's that we frequent in Boulder
is where Roseanne Barr used to work. And we have just GOT to go
find the Tuff Shed in Nederland where Grandpa Bredo is frozen. Traveling
around Colorado is certainly not boring, especially with this book
in hand. |
Ghost
Towns of Colorado: Your Guide to Colorado's Historic Mining Camps
and Ghost Towns
by Philip Varney, John Drew (Photographer). Paperback.
Gracing
the cover of this book is the historic Crystal Mill, the crown
jewel of Colorado's ghost town structures. The book has chapters
organized by geographic area, which is helpful when you would
like to visit multiple ghost towns in one trip. A favorite chapter
covers the ghost towns of the St. Elmo area, with some of the
most well-preserved structures in the state. This is definitely
a must-have guide for those who plan to visit ghost towns in the
state. |
Railroads
of Colorado: Your Guide to Colorado's Historic Trains and Railway
Sites
by Claude Wiatrowski (Photographer). Hardcover.
Covering
both the well-known lines and the hidden treasures, this book about
Colorado's trains is a treasure itself. There are very well-done
photos of the narrow gauge trains like the Durango & Silverton
and the Cumbres & Toltec railroads, which still exist and run
today. Additionally, the book has chapters about trolleys, the Manitou
& Pike's Peak cog rail, and "ghost railways" that
no longer exist. There are a surprising number of train lines still
running in the state. With the help of this book, you'll be sure
to find the one with the ambience and scenery that you're looking
for. |
Colorado's
Sanctuaries, Retreats, and Sacred Places
by Jean Torkelson, Bill Bonebrake (Photographer). Paperback
A book full of descriptions of some of Colorado's most beautiful
religious retreats, temples, churches, and spiritual destinations.
Each of the more than 100 sections has photos, detailed information,
and a directions on how to get there. |
Canine
Colorado : Where to Go and What to Do With Your Dog
by Cindy Hirschfeld. Paperback
Canine Colorado is a complete guide to travelling, hiking, and participating
in sports with your dog. You'll find that each chapter covers a
geographic region. It starts with "The Big Scoop," which
is an overall anecdotal coverage of the area with regards to your
dog. Then you'll read about Tail-Rated Trails, places where you
can hike or recreate with your best friend. Creature Comforts will
tell you about motels where Fido is allowed and how much they cost.
In planning a trip to various Colorado towns with a canine buddy,
this book was invaluable! |
Colorado
Antique Lover's Guide
by Front Range Living On-Line Magazine, Niki Hayden (Editor). Paperback.
My first thought was that this book would just be about antique
furniture and similar items. Oh, no! It's got chapters on quilts,
photos, jewelry, books, and even botanical prints. There are tips
on how and where to find unique antiques. All of it is Colorado-specific! |
Colorado
Home & Garden Lover's Guide
by Niki Hayden (Editor). Paperback.
How would you cultivate a garden in Colorado's high country? Or
furnish a rustic cabin or Victorian house? This small, but delightful
book will show you how. Of note is the section on xeriscaping, which
will help you select plants for the arid Colorado regions. |
Colorado
Outdoor Lover's Guide
by Niki Hayden (Editor). Paperback.
Whether you want to tackle the highest peaks (fourteeners) of our
state, or take a leisurely soak in Strawberry Hot Springs, this
book has something for the outdoor lover in each of us. We really
liked the variety of ideas in this book, such as visiting the Rocky
Mountain Raptor Program in Ft. Collins, and collecting wild mushrooms.
Lots of fun! |
Fun
With the Family in Colorado: Hundreds of Ideas for Day Trips With
the Kids
by Doris Kennedy. Paperback |
Touring
Colorado Hot Springs (FalconGuide)
by Carl Wambach. Paperback |
Roadside
Geology of Colorado (Roadside Geology Series)
by Halka Chronic. Paperback |
Ghost
Towns of Colorado : Your Guide to Colorado's Historic Mining Camps
and Ghost Towns (Pictorial Discovery Guide)
by Philip Varney, John Drew (Photographer). Paperback |
Rockhounding
Colorado, 2nd Edition
by William A. Kappele. Paperback |
Colorado
Scenic Guide : Southern Region
by Lee Gregory. Paperback |
A
River No More : The Colorado River and the West
by Philip L. Fradkin. Paperback |
Colorado
State Parks: A Complete Recreation Guide
by Philip Ferranti. Paperback |
The
Colorado Plateau : A Complete Guide to the National Parks and Monuments
of Southern Utah, Northern Arizona, Western Colorado, and Northwestern
New
by John A. Murray. Paperback |
| Cycling
Guide Books |
Road
Biking Colorado: The Statewide Guide
by Michael Seeberg. Paperback |
Mountain
Biking Durango (FalconGuide)
by John Peel. Paperback. |
Bicycling
America's National Parks: Utah and Colorado: The Best Road and Trail
Rides from Canyonlands to Rocky Mountain National Park
by Sarah Bennett Alley. Paperback |
Mountain
Biking Colorado, 2nd Edition: An Atlas of Colorado's Greatest Off-Road
Bicycle Rides
by Stephen Hlawaty. Paperback |
| National
Park Guide Books |
An
Outdoor Family Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park
by Lisa Gollin Rocky Mountain National Park Evans. Paperback. |
Who
Pooped in the Park? Rocky Mountain National Park
by Gary D. Robson and Elijah Brady Clark. Paperback. |
Essential
Guide to Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
by Charlie and Diane Winger. Paperback.
Colorado's newest national park has lots to offer--wildlife, scenery,
camping, hiking, 4-wheeling, and many more activities. This guide
will give you detailed information about how to take advantage of
all of them. |
Essential
Guide to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
by John Jenkins. Paperback.
Another relatively new national park is Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
Some say it's even more spectacular than the Grand Canyon. Here
is a guide to enable you to explore both its North and South Rim.
Did you know that you can drive down to the bottom of the canyon
and be right next to the Gunnison River, which carved the canyon? |
Rocky
Mountain: A Visitor's Companion
By George Wuerthner, Douglas W. Moore (Illustrator). Paperback.
|
Frommer's
Rocky Mountain National Park, Fourth Edition
by Don Laine, Barbara Laine. Download. |
The
Insiders' Guide to Boulder & Rocky Mountain National Park 7th
Ed.
by Roz Brown, Linda Cornett. Paperback |
| Camping
Guide Books |
Colorado
Campgrounds : The 100 Best and All the Rest
by Gil Folsom, et al. Paperback |
Don
Wright's Guide to Free Campgrounds, Western Edition
by Don Wright
Unbelievably, there are still scads of places where you can camp
for free or at very low cost, and many of them are in Colorado!
With the vastness of our state, we have many opportunities out
there, but most would be very hard to find without such a handy
guide as this one. You'll be able to quickly visualize an RV,
trailer or tent camping trip to any area of the state, using the
map in the book. Each numbered location then ties in to descriptions
of the campsites. Many of them even have full hookups; others
are "boondocking" locations where you will need to be
self-contained. In any case, you'll want to have this book along
with you on your explorations. |
How
to Buy an RV and Save Thousands
by Don Wright
Anyone who is considering the purchase of an RV should read this
guide. With gas prices so high, it becomes even more important
to carefully consider all the factors. What type of RV should
you buy? Should you buy a used RV and what should you look for?
Are there bargains to be found? How can you get the best deal
from an RV dealer? What should be in your final inspection before
you purchase the RV? Don Wright covers all these issues and more
in this must-have book. |
Foghorn
Outdoors Colorado Camping
by Robyn Brewer. Paperback |
Complete
Colorado Campground Guide
Paperback |
The
Best in Tent Camping : Colorado
by Johnny Molloy. Paperback |
| Fishing
Guide Books |
Fishing
Colorado: An Angler's Guide to More Than 140 Top Fishing Spots
by Ron Baird. Paperback |
Fly
Fishing Colorado: A No Nonsense Guide to Top Waters
by Jackson Streit, et al. Paperback |
