2023 Top Hiking Books

In 2023 I read not only books on hiking but also what you can forage in the woods along with hikes in the Midwest.

Word of Warning: Be careful foraging since some edibles in the woods can be toxic.

Foraging the Ozarks: Finding, Identifying, and Preparing Edible Wild Foods in the Ozarks by Bo Brown

Bo Brown is a wilderness expert and shares hundreds of commonly found edibles in the Ozarks. Some are fruits, herbs, nuts, or ones you can use like lettuce or in soups.

He shares recipes, helpful tips, and toxin warnings.

I like his insights into how some of the herbs or fruits have been used for medicinal purposes by Native Americans or frontiersmen.

Large photos that include stems, flowers, fruits, or seeds, help to identify what to look for in the woods.

Also, he goes into detail in the preparation of what it takes to eat these foraged items. Some you can eat raw whereas others you might have to skin or cook.

It is a guidebook I will turn to when I go out foraging.

Edible Wild Mushrooms of Illinois and Surrounding States: A Field-to-Kitchen Guide (Field-To-Kitchen Guides) Paperback – March 31, 2009 by Joe McFarland and Gregory M. Mueller

This guidebook helps you to find edible mushrooms out in the wilds of Illinois.

It includes nearly 300 photos to help identify the edible ones.

Each edible mushroom is described thoroughly.

Many of them can be found in neighboring states including, Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri, Indiana, and Kentucky.

The book also has look-a-like mushrooms and the dangers of eating poisonous ones.

Favorite local varieties include morels, chanterelles, boletes, puffballs, and many others.

Along with identification you learn about preparing, storing, drying, and cooking wild mushrooms.

The book ends with different recipes from some of the best restaurants and chefs in Illinois.

Kansas City Wildlands by Larry Rizzo

This is a guide to 12 sites on public lands in the Kansas City metro area that contain some of the best examples of the area’s original natural communities.

It includes forests and remnant prairies, glades, and savannas are among the areas featured.

Along with information on these sites, you will find trail maps of each of them.

The book also does a good job of sharing wildlife, trees, flowers, and plants found on these lands.

Also, large colorful photos help you to identify what you will see in the area along with the animals and plants.

If you want to gain some insight into these unique natural places in the Kansas City area then this is the book to turn to.

Hiking Wisconsin by Eric Hansen and Kevin Revolinski

The book brings together 71 different hikes in Wisconsin.

Hike to hidden waterfalls in Lake Superior Country and along the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore or hit the trails of Black River Forest in Central Wisconsin.

Venture along Lake Michigan in Door County or stroll amid the birder’s paradise at Horicon Marsh.

Pick your distance, from two-day treks along the Ice Age and North Country National Scenic Trails to short stretches to Parfrey’s Glen or to a beautiful bog not far from Milwaukee.

In the book, you will find trail maps, hike descriptions, GPS for trailheads, mile-to-mile reference points, and specific information such as fees or the best session on each hike.

I also like they have plenty of photos of each hike.

Best Easy Day Hikes Springfield, Missouri by JD Tanner and Emily Tanner-Ressler

This book provides the easiest hikes from Springfield, Mo., to the surrounding area.

It is also good if you are visiting Branson, Mo., and want to take a hike while checking out the many attractions.

Most of these hikes are not too long so they are good for a day hike.

The book includes George Washington Carver National Monument and Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, so there are also historic places along with natural wonders.

One hike I’ve been hoping to do is Hercules Glades Wilderness Area, so I am glad I found it here.

Some state parks are included such as Ha Ha Tonka State Park near the Lake of the Ozarks, Roaring River State Park with its spring and Big Sugar Creek State Park, and more.

I like that it has a wide variety of distances so you do a short walk or day one.

TOP HIKING BOOKS IN YEARS PAST

Top 2022 Hiking Books

These are the top five hiking books that helped me find the best trails in exploring the terrain of the Midwest in 2022. I return to them for details on finding waterfalls, canyons, mountaintops, springs, or shut-ins.