River Library
The Whitewater-Hub Library is stacked with river guides, maps, and river tales—some true, some stretched, all soaked in river history.
Each story carries the grit, humor, and mischief of days spent on the water.
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Why I recommend this list of Books & Guides
I recommend these books because they’re packed with river tales that stick with you—some true, some maybe a little stretched, but all full of grit and humor. From The Very Hard Way to Sunk Without a Sound, Big Water Little Boats, and the classic The Emerald Mile, each one carries the stories of runs, rapids, and the folks who’ve made them famous.
I also lean on trusted river guides—Rivermaps and older editions that’ve been around for years. They’ve got the maps, put-ins, and rapid info you need so you don’t miss a camp or a good run.
If you want, I can also make a slightly punchier “Amazon-ready” version that still keeps your boatman voice but flows even better for web scanning. Do you want me to do that?
History and Tales
River books like these dive into the history of river running, full of tales—some true, some tall—but all soaked in the spirit of adventure.
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The Very Hard Way
by Brad Dimock
The Very Hard Way by Brad Dimock tells the life story of legendary Colorado River boatman Bert Loper, born the day the Powell expedition found the San Juan and Colorado. It’s a deeply researched biography of a man who spent his life on the rivers of the Southwest and knew more water and rivermen than anyone of his time, capturing the early history and spirit of river running in the West.
Westwater Lost and Found
by Mike Milligan
Westwater Lost and Found by Mike Milligan – A look at the history of Westwater Canyon on the Upper Colorado, weaving together early camps, colorful characters, and firsthand river tales that shaped this iconic stretch of whitewater.
The Amazing Kolb Brothers of Grand Canyon
by Roger Naylor
The Amazing Kolb Brothers of Grand Canyon by Roger Naylor – A richly told look at the lives of Ellsworth and Emery Kolb, pioneer photographers and adventurers who arrived at the Grand Canyon in the early 1900s and spent decades exploring, photographing, and even running rapids on the Colorado River, capturing images few had seen before.
The Doing of the Thing
by Brad Dimock, Cort Conley, and Vince Welch
The Doing of the Thing by Vince Welch, Cort Conley, and Brad Dimock – A deeply researched biography of river legend Buzz Holmstrom, who built his own wooden boats and became one of the first to solo the Green and Colorado Rivers, including through the Grand Canyon in 1937. The book blends history, firsthand journals, maps, and photos to bring to life his remarkable whitewater career.
The Monkey Wrench Gang
by Edward Abbey
The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey – A cult classic novel that follows a rag‑tag band of desert characters — including a river guide, a Vietnam vet, a doctor, and a fierce woman — who take unconventional, often humorous, direct action against development threatening the wild landscapes of the American Southwest. It’s an adventurous, nature‑driven tale that helped inspire real‑world environmental activism.
Riverman: The Story of Bus Hatch
by Roy Webb
Riverman: The Story of Bus Hatch by Roy Webb – A lively biography of Bus Hatch, a hard‑drinking, hard‑fighting carpenter from Vernal, Utah who became one of the seminal figures in Western river running, bringing fun, grit, and wide‑open adventure to trips down the Green, Colorado, and other western rivers. Filled with hilarious firsthand tales and historical snapshots of early commercial river running, it captures the spirit of a man and an era that helped shape the sport.
Big Water, Little Boats
by Tom Martin
Big Water, Little Boats by Tom Martin – A richly researched history of early Colorado River running through the Grand Canyon, focusing on pioneers like Moulty Fulmer and the first decked dory “Gem,” and drawing from letters, river logs, photos, and interviews to tell the story of small‑boat adventures on big water before the dam era.
The Emerald Mile
by Kevin Fedarko
The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko – A richly researched true story of the fastest boat ride ever down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, sparked by the record‑breaking 1983 flood and told through the daring speed run of a hand‑built wooden dory and its crew. Fedarko interweaves this remarkable feat with broader history of the river, the canyon, and the people who’ve shaped its lore and exploration.
Woman of the River
by Richard E. Westwood
Woman of the River: Georgie White Clark, Whitewater Pioneer by Richard Westwood – A researched biography of Georgie White Clark, the adventurous guide who helped open up the Colorado River and Grand Canyon to generations of rafters, sharing her early swims, pioneering guide service, and evolving river life as the sport grew. It paints a vivid historical portrait of a remarkable riverwoman and how she helped transform river running into a major pastime.
There’s This River
edited by Christa Sadler
There’s This River… Grand Canyon Boatman Stories edited by Christa Sadler – A collection of Grand Canyon river tales from the guides who spend their lives on the Colorado, mixing hilarious, bittersweet, and hard‑won firsthand stories and artwork that bring the river community and its landscape to life. It’s the kind of book that reads like sitting around camp with old guides swapping yarns about flash floods, fast rows, and river magic.
Down the Great Unknown
by Edward Dolnick
Down the Great Unknown by Edward Dolnick – A vivid historical narrative of John Wesley Powell’s legendary 1869 expedition down the Green and Colorado Rivers through the Grand Canyon, drawn from rarely examined diaries and journals and telling how a rag‑tag crew became the first to chart that great stretch of river. It blends exploration history, perilous adventure, and the triumphs and hardships of one of the last great frontier quests in the American West.
Sunk Without a Sound
by Brad Dimock
Sunk Without a Sound: The Tragic Colorado River Honeymoon of Glen and Bessie Hyde by Brad Dimock – A well‑researched account of the mysterious 1928 honeymoon voyage of Glen and Bessie Hyde down the Green and Colorado Rivers through the Grand Canyon, where their fully stocked sweep scow was found but the couple vanished without a trace. Dimock follows the real‑life clues, folklore, and searches — even retracing their route in a replica boat — to blend history, adventure, and mystery on the river.
Day Hikes from the River
by Tom Martin
Day Hikes from the River features 100 hikes accessible from camps along the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, with descriptions of routes, difficulty, and key landmarks. It includes maps and photographs to assist river runners in exploring side canyons and trails. The book is a helpful reference for making the most of layover days during a river trip.
Breaking into the Current
by Louise Teal
Breaking into the Current profiles eleven of the first full-season women boatmen on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Through personal accounts and interviews, the book explores how these pioneering women entered and thrived in a traditionally male-dominated field during the 1970s and 1980s. It offers an insightful look at their experiences, challenges, and contributions to Grand Canyon river running.
Desert Solitaire
by Edward Abbey
A classic memoir drawn from Abbey’s seasons as a ranger in the canyon country around Arches, blending desert exploration, river trips through Glen Canyon country, and sharp reflections on wilderness and the growing pressure of roads and tourism on the Southwest.
Every Rapid Speaks Plainly
edited by Brad Dimock
Every Rapid Speaks Plainly by Buzz Holmstrom (edited by Brad Dimock) – A collection of Buzz Holmstrom’s original river journals from his 1936–1938 trips on the Salmon, Green, and Colorado Rivers, drawn from pocket notebooks and letters home and offering a firsthand look at early solo river running in the canyon country era before modern boating.
A Walk in the Park
by Kevin Fedarko
A firsthand account of a modern attempt to walk the entire length of the Grand Canyon, telling the story of a difficult, rarely completed journey through side canyons, cliffs, and river corridors while exploring the landscape, history, and meaning of the canyon beyond the river itself.
Where Are Your Men?
edited by Zan Merrill and Nikki Naiser
A collection of stories, essays, poems, and river memories from longtime women river runners of the West, sharing decades of trips, friendships, rescues, humor, and life shaped by time on the water without the usual boatman crowd.
Guides & Maps
River guides and maps are essential tools for safe and enjoyable whitewater trips. A good river guide helps you identify rapids, plan your route, and locate designated campsites so you don’t miss the best stopping points along the way. Waterproof versions and Rivermaps products stand up to splashes and rain while providing clear, reliable navigation information.
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Rivermaps Guide to the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon
by Tom Martin and Dwain Whitis
The Rivermaps guide to the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon provides detailed USGS topographic maps covering the full river corridor. Each page features clear river mileage, rapids, campsites, and side hike information in an easy-to-follow format with the river flowing upward. Printed on durable, water-resistant paper and spiral-bound, it is designed for reliable use on multi-day raft trips.
Rivermaps Guide to the Colorado and Green Rivers in the Canyonlands of Utah/Colorado
by Tom Martin and Dwain Whitis
The Rivermaps guide to the Colorado and Green Rivers through Canyonlands provides detailed USGS topographic maps covering approximately 320 river miles. It features clear river mileage, rapids, campsites, and access points across Labyrinth Canyon, Stillwater Canyon, and sections of the Colorado River. Printed on durable, water-resistant paper and spiral-bound, the guide lays flat for convenient use on the river.
Rivermaps Guide to the San Juan River in Utah
by Tom Martin and Dwain Whitis
The Rivermaps guide to the San Juan River provides detailed USGS topographic maps covering the river from Montezuma Creek to Clay Hills Crossing. It includes river mileage, rapids, campsites, and points of interest in an easy-to-follow format with shaded relief and color photographs. Printed on durable, water-resistant paper and spiral-bound, the guide is designed for convenient use on the river.
Rivermaps Guide to the Snake River in Hells Canyon and the Lower Salmon River
by Dwain Whitis and Barbara Vinson
Rivermaps offers a comprehensive map set for the Snake River through Hells Canyon to Heller Bar and the Lower Salmon River from Hammer Creek to its confluence with the Snake. The guide includes 26 color maps with shaded relief, rapids details, campsite locations, and navigation aids. Its waterproof, spiral-bound format lays flat and provides reliable reference for these scenic river sections.
Rivermaps Guide to the Middle Fork and Main Salmon Rivers, Idaho
by Dwain Whitis and Barbara Vinson
Rivermaps offers a comprehensive map set for the Middle Fork and Main Salmon Rivers with accurate topographic maps, mile-by-mile navigation details, and practical information on rapids and campsites. The 76-page guide includes color photographs and shaded relief across both river sections in a spiral-bound layout. Its water-resistant design makes it a reliable reference for planning and navigating these classic Idaho rivers.
Rivermaps Guide to the Rio Chama in New Mexico
by Dwain Whitis and Barbara Vinson
The Rivermaps guide to the Rio Chama provides detailed USGS topographic maps covering the popular river section from El Vado Reservoir to the confluence with the Rio Grande. It includes river mileage, rapids, campsites, and access points in an easy-to-follow format with shaded relief. Printed on durable, water-resistant paper and spiral-bound, the guide is designed for convenient use on the river.
Rivermaps Guide to the Rogue River in Oregon
by Dwain Whitis and Barbara Vinson
The Rivermaps guide to the Rogue River combines USGS topo maps with practical details on mileage, rapids, and campsite locations. It covers the main section from Grave Creek to Foster Bar in a compact, spiral-bound format that lays flat for easy reference. The water-resistant pages provide durable navigation support during river trips.
Rivermaps Guide to the Selway River in Idaho
by Dwain Whitis and Barbara Vinson
Rivermaps offers a comprehensive map set for the Selway River featuring accurate topographic maps with mile-by-mile navigation details, rapids information, and campsite locations. The spiral-bound layout includes color photos and clear markings for key river features. Its water-resistant design makes it a reliable reference for planning and floating this pristine Idaho wilderness river.
Rivermaps Guide to the Green River in Desolation and Gray Canyons
by Dwain Whitis and Barbara Vinson
The Rivermaps guide to Desolation Canyon and Gray Canyon provides detailed USGS topographic maps covering approximately 83 miles of the Green River from Sand Wash to Green River, Utah. It features river mileage, rapids, campsites, and side canyon access points in an easy-to-follow format with shaded relief. Printed on durable, water-resistant paper and spiral-bound, the guide is designed for convenient use on the river.
Rivermaps Guide to the Arkansas River in Colorado
by Dwain Whitis and Tom Martin
The Rivermaps guide to the Arkansas River combines USGS topo maps with practical details on mileage, rapids, and campsite locations. It covers the main boating sections in a compact, spiral-bound format that lays flat for easy reference. The water-resistant pages provide durable navigation support during river trips.
Let me know if you’d like any adjustments or descriptions for other maps/guides in the River Library.
Rivermaps Guide to the Upper Salt River in Arizona
by Dwain Whitis and Barbara Vinson
The Rivermaps guide to the Salt River provides detailed USGS topographic maps covering the popular 52-mile section from Cibecue Creek to the take-out near Roosevelt Lake. It includes river mileage, rapids, campsites, and access points in an easy-to-follow format with shaded relief. Printed on durable, water-resistant paper and spiral-bound, the guide is designed for convenient use on the river.
by Dwain Whitis and Barbara Vinson
Rivermaps offers a comprehensive map set for the Yampa and Green Rivers featuring accurate topographic maps with mile-by-mile navigation details, rapids information, and campsite locations. The spiral-bound layout includes color photographs and clear markings across both the Yampa and the downstream Green River sections. Its water-resistant design makes it a reliable reference for planning and floating these classic Utah and Colorado river corridors.
Rivermaps Guide to the Dolores River of Colorado & Utah
by Josh Munson
The Rivermaps guide to the Dolores River provides detailed USGS topographic maps covering the popular sections from McPhee Reservoir to the confluence with the Colorado River. It includes river mileage, rapids, campsites, and access points in an easy-to-follow format with shaded relief. Printed on durable, water-resistant paper and spiral-bound, the guide is designed for convenient use on the river.
Rivermaps Guide to the Upper Colorado, Kremmling to Dotsero in Colorado
by Dwain Whitis and Barbara Vinson
The Rivermaps guide to the Upper Colorado River provides detailed USGS topographic maps covering the popular sections from Gore Canyon to the confluence with the Gunnison River near Grand Junction. It includes river mileage, rapids, campsites, and access points in an easy-to-follow format with shaded relief. Printed on durable, water-resistant paper and spiral-bound, the guide is designed for convenient use on the river.
Rivermaps Guide to the Tatshenshini & Lower Alsek Rivers in Canada & Alaska
by Chris Schiller and Dwain Whitis
Rivermaps offers a comprehensive map set for the Alsek and Tatshenshini Rivers featuring accurate topographic maps with mile-by-mile navigation details and practical information on rapids and campsites. The spiral-bound layout includes color photographs and clear markings for the combined river corridor through the St. Elias Mountains. Its water-resistant design makes it a reliable reference for planning and floating this remote glacial-fed system.