A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon

By Kevin Fedarko

A breathtaking journey through America’s most iconic wilderness—equal parts adventure, survival, and spiritual reckoning. In this New York Times bestseller, acclaimed author Kevin Fedarko chronicles a 750-mile odyssey on foot through the Grand Canyon, revealing a landscape few have seen and a story that’s both harrowing and transcendent.

Book Synopsis

When National Geographic photographer Pete McBride proposed an end-to-end traverse of the Grand Canyon—something fewer people have completed than have walked on the moon—Fedarko reluctantly agreed. What followed was a year-long misadventure through a vertical labyrinth of cliffs, crumbling ledges, and waterless stretches where every step was a gamble. Along the way, they encountered hidden pockets of enchantment, Indigenous communities, and the raw, unfiltered power of the canyon itself. A Walk in the Park is a love letter to wild places and a plea for their preservation.

Perfect For

• Fans of outdoor adventure, travel memoirs, and environmental writing
• Readers of Edward Abbey, Cheryl Strayed, and John McPhee
• Nature lovers, hikers, and conservation advocates
• Anyone seeking awe, grit, and a deeper connection to the land

Advance Praise

“A triumph. Fedarko doesn’t describe awe; he induces it.”
—The New York Times Book Review

“Passionate… memorable… life-affirming.”
—The Wall Street Journal

“A marvelous adventure story well told, but also a serious treatment of many issues facing Grand Canyon and other national parks.”
—National Parks Traveler

About the Author

Kevin Fedarko is the author of the bestselling The Emerald Mile and a former staff writer for Time. His work has appeared in National Geographic, Esquire, and Outside. A part-time river guide and full-time canyon devotee, Fedarko writes with reverence, grit, and lyrical precision.

Other Related Titles

• The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko
• Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey
• Wild by Cheryl Strayed
• Encounters with the Archdruid by John McPhee

Product Details

• Publisher: Scribner
• Publication Date: May 28, 2024
• Format: Hardcover / eBook / Audiobook
• ISBN: 9781501183058
• Pages: 512