Pre-Trip Education

Learn about what makes Grand Canyon so amazing

Prepare for Adventure

Embark on your Hatch whitewater rafting trip with confidence and excitement, armed with all the knowledge you need. We’ve put together the following list of resources about this important and unique place. Whether you’re interested in Grand Canyon’s geology, biology, history of indigenous peoples and explorers, or stories from past adventures and current river guides, we’re sure you’ll find something to learn!

Books and Resources

You’ve booked your trip, you’ve bought your gear, you’ve planned your transportation. Now what? Why not learn more about the place that’s about to become your whole world? We’ve compiled this list of Grand Canyon books and other resources to help you dig deeper into the subjects that interest you most.

HRE Common Questions the Hatch Office Answers

General

The Colorado River in Grand Canyon – River Map and Guide by Larry Stevens
The Grand Canyon Reader edited by Lance Newman
Grand Canyon: The Complete Guide by James Kaiser

River Rafting

The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko
There’s This River: Grand Canyon Boatman Stories edited by Christa Sadler
Sunk Without a Sound: The Tragic Colorado River Honeymoon of Glen and Bessie Hyde by Brad Dimock
Breaking into the Current: Boatwomen of the Grand Canyon by Louise Teal
Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon by Michael P. Ghiglieri and Thomas M Myers
River Runners of the Grand Canyon by Don Briggs [VIDEO]

Contemporary History & Current Events

Riverman: The Story of Bus Hatch by Roy Webb
A Story that Stands Like a Dam: Glen Canyon and the Struggle for the Soul of the West by Russell Martin
The Colorado River: Flowing Through Conflict by Jonathan Waterman
Grand Canyon Women: Lives Shaped by Landscape by Betty Leavengood

Native American History & Perspectives

An Introduction to Grand Canyon Prehistory by Christopher Coder
The Archaeoogy of Grand Canyon: Ancient Peoples, Ancient Places edited by Francis E. Smiley, Christian E. Downum, and Susan G. Smiley
I Am the Grand Canyon: The Story of the Havasupai People by Stephen Hirst
Diné: A History of the Navajos by Peter Iverson
Diné Identity in a 21st Century World by Lloyd L. Lee
Footprints of Hopi History: Hopihiniwtiput Kukveni’at edited by Leigh J. Kuwanwisiwma, T.J. Ferguson, and Chip Colwell
Book of the Hopi by Frank Waters
About the Hualapai Nation by the Hualapai Department of Cultural Resources
The Paiute by Frank W. Porter
Native Voices on the Colorado River partnership website
Grand Canyon National Park’s Associated Tribes website

Native Voices

Note: The best information on Native American History and Perspectives comes directly from tribes and tribal members. The following are some resources for learning about tribes affiliated with the Grand Canyon:

Geology & Paleontology

Grand Canyon Geology edited by Stanley S. Beus and Michael Morales
Carving Grand Canyon: Evidence, Theories, and Mystery by Wayne Ranney
An Introduction to Grand Canyon Geology by Greer L. Price
Ancient Landscapes of the Colorado Plateau by Ron Blakey and Wayne Ranney

Ecology

An Introduction to Grand Canyon Ecology by Rose Houk
A Field Guide to the Grand Canyon by Stephen R. Whitney
River and Desert Plants of the Grand Canyon by Kristin Huisinga, Lori Makarick, and Kate Watters
Grand Canyon National Park: A Natural History Guide by Jeremy Schmidt

For Kids and Young Adults

Grand Canyon Conservancy: Grand Canyon books for kids!

Podcasts: Listen and Learn

Stuff You Should Know: especially the episode Mystery of the Grand Canyon Newlyweds (alternative links: YouTube, Spotify, iHeart)
The River Radius: especially the episode History of the Groover (alt links: Spotify, iHeart, Audible)
Big Adventures with Brian Dierker: All the episodes are great, but make sure to listen to the one with Steve Hatch (alt links: Spotify)
PlanetGeo: The Geology Podcast- The Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim History: Part 1 and Part 2
National Park After Dark: Swimming the Colorado River
Grand Canyon TV: the whole podcast covers all things Grand Canyon!

Look for more books and information from these sources:

Goodreads – Grand Canyon

This popular website allows guests to rate and post reviews of books from all genres. A search of Grand Canyon related books will provide you with some of the most popular Grand Canyon-related literature and what actual readers thought of each title.

Grand Canyon Conservancy

Grand Canyon Conservancy is the official non-profit partner of Grand Canyon National Park. Their mission is to “Inspire people to protect and enhance Grand Canyon National Park for present and future generations.” This website itself is full of compelling information on Grand Canyon, and they have an online shop where you can find many more books on topics pertinent to Grand Canyon and the Colorado River.

Grand Canyon River Guides – Library and Links

Grand Canyon River Guides (GCRG) is a non-profit organization and a community of river guides and other travelers who care deeply about the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. GCRG organizes an annual Guide Training Seminar (GTS) to educate new and experienced guides on the most up-to-date Grand Canyon info. Their website includes a library of links and other resources that are available to the public.

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