There are thousands of books about Colorado. These are among the latest and best guidebooks on a variety of topics of interest to visitors and natives alike
f rom sand dunes to glaciers, vineyards to ski runs, rafting to dinosaur digs, food to transportation, thriving cities to ghost towns, one of the best ways to begin to explore Colorado is to read a book.
Hidden Colorado, by Richard Harris, provides more practical details about 75 ski areas, 71 golf courses, 82 hiking trails and 72 bike areas, plus special getaway itineraries, driving and walking tours. Available under $16.
Scenic Driving Colorado, by Stewart M. Green, provides travel and historic information for 30 visually stunning routes that make this book perfect for planning day trips and weekend getaways. Available under $16.
Colorado for the 50+ Traveler, by Doris Kennedy. With 170 outstanding color photos, Ms. Kennedy addresses all levels of ability in her descriptions of activities and attractions. Under $13.
Colorado Museums and Historic Sites, by Victor Danilov. Organized alphabetically by town and site name, this book covers everything from the Denver Art Museum to the Ludlow Massacre site. A great buy at $12.
Walking Colorado Springs, by Judith C. Galas, details 18 of the best walks in and around the city, from downtown to Garden of the Gods, with tips on street savvy and public transportation. Look for it under $12.
The Best of Denver and the Rockies, by Don W, Martin, is full of off-beat suggestions for th3e best places to snuggle down, take a photo or watch people. Includes a spicy “unauthorized” history of Denver’s colorful past. About $17.
Flyfisher’s Guide to Colorado, by Marty Bartholomew, is “the Bible on flyfishing Colorado.” It provides a good rundown on most of the streams and lakes in the state, what to expect when you get there, hatches for different times and seasons, and what goods and services are available in nearby towns. It’s 588 pages and available used from $14.
Colorado Caves, by Richard J. Rhinehart and David Harris, covers discovery,, exploration, mapping, and development of commercial caves, plus conservation, science and spelunking for beginners. There are 100 photos in its 131 pages, available for $9.
Colorado’s Hot Springs, by Deborah Frazier, profiles 30 some hot springs in the state, with descriptions, directions, maps, photos and historical notes. 160 pages at $17.
Colorado Ghost Towns and Mining Camps, by Sandra Dallas, is a lively, well-illustrated guide to 147 of Colorado’s colorful communities of the past. It’s available from $7 in paperback, $40 in hard cover.
Canine Colorado: Where to Go and What to Do with Your Dog, by Cindy Hirschfeld, is the ultimate guide to the best dog-friendly trails, activities and accommodations throughout the state. There are five maps and 60 photos. 272 pages, available from $12.
Access Anything Colorado: Adventuring with Disabilities, by Craig P. Kennedy and Andrea C. Jehn, includes general travel tips and addresses the needs of travelers young and old, paraplegic to quadriplegic, in both manual and power chairs. It is designed to help visitors decide where they can go and what they can do once they get there. Available from $13.
Colorado Cashe Cookbook: A Goldmine of Recipes, by the Junior League of Denver, is a good basic cookbook: nothing fancy here, nor time-consuming. A classic family cookbook from $13.
The Colorado 14ers, produced by the Colorado mountain Club, is the essential guide to the most popular routes up all of Colorado’s 14,000+ peaks. Available from $10.
Colorado’s Finest Small-town Restaurants and Their Recipes, by Davis Gruber, provides detailed listings of the best small town restaurants in the state (2002). Selections are based on quality and variety, from home-style cooking to the best resort restaurants. 400 pages, fro, $5.
Railroads of Colorado, Claude A Wiatrowski, explores the fascination these improbable railways inspire, covering the history and the engineering that paved their way into the mountains, and the men who built and ran them. The 185 photos are worth the $21 it goes for.