Geology And The National Parks And Monuments

Published in cooperation with Canyonlands Natural History Association, this comprehensive and beautifully illustrated trailside reference describes more than 270 plants and animals plus geology of an area that includes nine national parks and monuments in the Southwest. A Naturalist's Guide to Canyon Country is the essential tool for exploring the northern Colorado Plateau, that vast province that encompasses eastern Utah, far western Colorado, and sections of northern Arizona and New Mexico. With this fully updated and revised guide in hand, you will gain a sympathetic understanding of the desert ecosystems that make up the region.

The Colorado Plateau is America's western treasure, home to the country's highest concentration of national parks, monuments, wilderness areas, and state parks, and a near-endless bounty of wild, stunning landscape. Discovering the Colorado Plateau will explore this region through beautiful maps, full-color photography, and detailed descriptions of the area's geography, history, and geology, as well as signature activities that encapsulate the best each locale has to offer. By purposefully shifting the focus away from the national parks, this book introduces readers to the various public lands and protected areas that are as exciting and wonderful as any of the major parks.

Visit pueblo ruins, admire striking arches, stroll through impressive river canyons, soak in rock art, take a backpacking trip, and more. From national parks (Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, and Petrified Forest, Capitol Reef) to national monuments (Natural Bridges, Canyon de Chelly, Bandelier, El Morro, Colorado, Dinosaur, and Bears Ears) to several state parks and more—the Four Corners region offers endless opportunities for explorers.