I found this book at an estate sale recently and it has been a very interesting read so far. It got me thinking about other books on the history of Arizona, and if there were some with a hiking theme.

I did some googling and there were a lot of choices and recommendations, and I put together a list of five that appealed to me. If you have read any of these, or have other recommendations I’d love to hear about them.

Maybe we need a hiking & outdoor adventure themed book club…🧐

Desert Solitaire is the defining book of the American desert. Written during Abbey’s time as a park ranger, it is equal parts love letter and warning about wild places.

Abbey’s writing is opinionated, funny, and sometimes uncomfortable, but always rooted in deep respect for the desert. He captures solitude, heat, and vastness in a way that still resonates with modern hikers.

This book is essential reading for anyone who feels drawn to the Southwest and wants to understand its spirit.

In The Man Who Walked Through Time, Colin Fletcher recounts a solo journey through the Grand Canyon, focusing less on conquest and more on patience, observation, and humility.

Fletcher’s approach to hiking feels especially relevant in the desert, where rushing or underestimating terrain can have real consequences. The book encourages thoughtful movement and deep awareness of surroundings.

This is a quiet, reflective read that rewards hikers who value experience over speed.

Death in the Grand Canyon is not an easy read, but it is an important one. The book compiles real stories of accidents, rescues, and fatalities in one of the most extreme desert environments in the country.

Rather than sensationalizing tragedy, the book highlights patterns of decision making, preparation, and misjudgment. It serves as a powerful reminder that the desert does not forgive complacency.

This book reinforces the importance of preparation, hydration, and knowing when to turn around.

The Desert Smells Like Rain explores the Sonoran Desert through ecology, culture, and Indigenous knowledge.

Nabhan explains how plants, animals, and people have survived for generations in extreme heat and limited water. After reading this book, it is hard to hike through the desert without noticing more details underfoot and on the horizon.

This is an ideal read for hikers who want to understand how the desert works, not just how it looks.

In Beyond the Hundredth Meridian, Wallace Stegner examines the exploration and settlement of the arid West, focusing on how water shapes everything.

While not strictly a hiking book, it provides critical context for understanding why desert cities exist where they do and how fragile that balance really is. For hikers in Arizona, it adds depth to every view of sprawl, canals, and reservoirs.

This book is essential for anyone who wants to understand the bigger picture of life in the desert West.

These five books go beyond inspiration. They teach respect for heat, terrain, history, and limits. They remind hikers that the desert is not empty or simple, but complex, resilient, and demanding.

If you hike or have interest in Arizona & the Southwest, these books belong on your shelf.