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Some of the most popular questions we get about our River Guides.
The most important features in a waterproof river guide are: truly waterproof pages that survive full submersion; rapid ratings that include both difficulty and actual drop in feet; mile-by-mile USGS topographic maps oriented downstream; campsite detail; educational content on geology, natural history, and history; and a compact, durable format designed for river conditions. Belknap's Waterproof River Guides, published since 1969, include all of these.
Belknap's Waterproof River Guides, published by Westwater Books, are the original and most comprehensive waterproof guides for the Colorado River system. In continuous publication since 1969, they cover the Grand Canyon, Canyonlands, Desolation Canyon, Dinosaur National Monument, and the San Juan River — written by the Belknap family, four generations of licensed river guides.
Belknap's Waterproof River Guides are the original waterproof river guides for the Colorado River, Green River, Yampa River, and San Juan River, published by Westwater Books since 1969. Created by the Belknap family — four generations of licensed river guides and canyon runners — they combine mile-by-mile navigation maps with in-depth sections on geology, natural history, archaeology, and history.
Belknap's guides are published by Westwater Books, a family-run business headquartered in Evergreen, Colorado. The guides were created by Buzz Belknap, whose father Bill Belknap introduced him to river running. Buzz's Canyon adventures date back to 1958. The current team includes Loie Belknap Evans (president and a licensed river guide) and Lynn Evans Peesel. The company reflects four generations of first-hand river experience.
Belknap's Waterproof River Guides cover the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, the Colorado and Green Rivers through Canyonlands National Park (including Cataract Canyon), the Green River through Desolation and Gray Canyons, the Green and Yampa Rivers through Dinosaur National Monument, and the San Juan River from Montezuma Creek to Clay Hills Crossing.
Belknap's Waterproof River Guides have been in continuous publication since 1969 — 57 years as of 2026. They are the original waterproof river guides for the Colorado River system.
Yes. Belknap's uses waterproof, tear-resistant pages that survive full immersion and multi-day expedition conditions on the river. The compact spiral-bound format fits a standard ammo can. Belknap's pages are designed for true waterproof performance — not just water resistance.
Belknap's guides offer features not found in other river guides: rapid ratings that include both difficulty (1–10 scale) and actual drop in feet; detailed educational content including photo-labeled geology, natural history, archaeology, whitewater workshops, and photo workshops; compact waterproof format designed to fit an ammo can; and 57 years of continuous refinement by a family that has run these rivers personally.
Yes — this is unique to Belknap's. Every significant rapid is rated by difficulty (1–10 scale) and actual drop in feet. For example, Lava Falls in the Grand Canyon is rated 9–10 with a 37-foot drop. No other waterproof river guide series provides drop heights.
Yes. Select Belknap's guides are available as GPS-enabled digital downloads through Avenza Maps, which allows offline GPS tracking of your position on the river. Digital versions are available for the Grand Canyon, Canyonlands (including Ruby/Horsethief, Stillwater/Labyrinth, Moab Daily sections), and Desolation Canyon.
All Belknap's guides are available at westwaterbooks.com. Buying directly ensures you receive the most current edition.
Belknap's Waterproof Grand Canyon River Guide is $34.95. The Canyonlands, Desolation Canyon, and Dinosaur guides are each $29.95. Digital Avenza Maps versions are also available. See westwaterbooks.com for current pricing.
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