John Fielder's Best of Colorado

by John Fielder

Imagine what it would be like to take a trip through Colorado with John Fielder as your tour guide, or to be on location at a Fielder photo shoot. Now is your chance to do both! The celebrated photographer who has traveled the state for more than 40 years in search of its most beautiful vistas shares his love for Colorado's rugged beauty, as well as his knowledge of Colorado's historical, recreational, and cultural richness, in this extraordinary guidebook. Through lively text and spectacular images, John reveals more than 160 of his most treasured Colorado locations to photograph so you can work magic with your own camera. You can enjoy some of the state's prime offerings while you travel, as John profiles his favorite restaurants, hotels, hiking and biking trails, and area attractions. Local lore and cameos of influential Coloradans through the ages highlight the state's fascinating heritage. Whether you're a longtime local, a new resident, or an out-of-state visitor, John Fielder's Best of Colorado guarantees the ultimate insider experience!
The Third Edition of Colorado's best-selling travel guide is the most comprehensive upgrade since the book's publication. Renowned photographer John Fielder has made hundreds of additions and corrections to the guide's vast inventory of Colorado travel resources, while keeping intact his scenic and photographic advice. The Third Edition is now an even better way to visit for yourself what John has discovered in 1.5 million miles of driving and hiking the state!

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Photography, Reference

464 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

John Fielder (August 2, 1950 – August 11, 2023) was an American landscape photographer, nature writer, the publisher of over 40 books, and a conservationist.

Reviews

[Stacie Haden]

The very best guide to Colorado ever made! I found so many hidden gems in my beautiful state and explored nooks and crannies I never knew existed. I read it cover to cover (even the cycling trails and fishing suggestions that I'll never use). My copy is now hanging by a thread. Time to get another. :)

[Christy George]

This book is awesome! I found it by chance at the thrift store and it is probably one of the best scores I've ever had. There is SO MUCH in here. I really appreciated that Fielder not only spent the time to tell about great places in CO, but how to get to them, the best methods for photographing them, where to eat/camp/hike/stay and so much more. Most of all, I loved all of the history woven throughout. I learned so much about the state I have lived in for 30 years. The nost refreshing part was that the history was not whitewashed. Although so many places in Colorado are unfortunately named for white men, Fielder addressed the Native Americans who were here first every single time, and did not sugarcoat the atrocities done to them.

[Iowa City Public Library]

Every year we make a summer pilgrimage to Colorado. According to my kids, it’s not a real family vacation until we’ve hiked at Sapphire Point, rafted Brown’s Canyon, climbed at the Alluvial Fan in Rocky Mountain National Park (location of the annual family picture), watched a Rockies baseball game in the Rockpile section, and enjoyed Cinnamon Rolls at the Glen Haven General Store. As much as we enjoy our family traditions, I’m always on the lookout for new family-friendly adventures. This year we’ll have three teenagers and a pre-teen traveling with us, so we want to make sure we include something for everyone.

Recently I discovered the 2010 edition of John Fielder’s Best of Colorado. Fielder divides the state into zones and shares his recommendations along with beautiful pictures. With so many ideas, I already have a long list of possible places to visit to run past the 2010 Colorado Crew! And … with so many options, I may have to extend my vacation by a few days ;) --Kara

From ICPL Staff Picks Blog

[Heather]

Excellent guide to Colorado - there are a million things I can't wait to see and experience.

I'm not sure about the food and lodging recommendations (I noticed both my most and least favorite restaurants in the lists), but any book that can get me interested in going back out to the plains for site-seeing as well as the mountains deserves 5 stars!

[Ted R Nelson]

In my opinion this is the best book in it's class, excellent photograpy and very good descriptions of the locations. I consider it my guide in locating outstanding photography locations in Colorado that are not next to a paved road.

[Julie]

This book is great for getting out and enjoying the beautiful state of Colorado!

[Leslie]

Very useful... very enthusiastic. He makes every place sound wonderful, whether they truly are, or not.

[Kirstie]

Another great buy for discovering Colorado and for finding some truly gorgeous off the beaten path places. Led me back to Highway 550... thank you John Fielder :)

[Terri Lynn]

This is a super useful book even though written in 2002. Most of what is written is still applicable for a trip to Colorado.