30 Jan Round Up: Titles for Aficionados

100 Years of Dude Ranching: Celebrating the Centennial of the Dude Ranchers’ Association

Written by Lynn Downey and photographed by Scott T. Baxter, with a foreword by Bob Boze Bell

In commemoration of the centennial of the Dude Ranchers’ Association (DRA), the Ranch Preservation Foundation and the Dude Ranch Foundation have collaborated with DRA to release a fine-art photography book that features the history of dude ranching in the American West. The book pairs historic photos with modern images by award-winning photographer Scott T. Baxter, showcasing 26 ranches that have hosted guests since 1926. This includes three in Montana and 13 in Wyoming. Historian Lynn Downey provides narrative on the history of the DRA, with a foreword by Bob Boze Bell, executive editor of True West magazine. Through stunning visuals and thoughtful prose, the book celebrates dude ranches as an important and lasting legacy of the West.

$79.95 | 200 pages | December 2025 | Ranch Preservation Foundation

Wildlife Through the Lens: Animal Stories From Montana and the Rocky Mountains

Written and photographed by Lea Frye and Scot Bealer

Produced by award-winning photographer Lea Frye and her husband, naturalist author Scot Bealer, Wildlife Through the Lens: Animal Stories From Montana and the Rocky Mountains includes intimate wildlife photography, compelling storytelling, and insightful tips for readers seeking to make their own images. It offers a glimpse into Frye’s effort to capture the personalities of wild animals, with stories from the field and lighthearted anecdotes. The co-authors also include tidbits highlighting the beauty and resilience of Montana’s natural wonders.

$31.54 | 160 pages | September 2025 | Sweetgrass Books

Designs Upon Nature: The Cultural Landscape History of Yellowstone National Park Since 1872

Edited by William K. Wyckoff and Karl Byrand

In their new book, cultural and historical geographers William K. Wyckoff — emeritus professor of earth sciences at Montana State University — and Karl Byrand trace the evolution of Yellowstone National Park’s built environment. While America’s first national park is defined by its geysers and wildlife, visitor experiences are also shaped by the lodges, boardwalks, trails, and viewpoints they encounter. Designs Upon Nature explores these cultural features, explaining how they have served ever-changing visitor needs for 150 years. This richly illustrated compilation includes essays by Timothy Davis, Tamsen Emerson Hert, Diane Papineau, Langdon Smith, Lee Whittlesey, and Yolonda Youngs. The authors’ combined narrative encourages readers to view the park in new ways and consider how experiencing wilderness can be facilitated by human design.

$45 | 336 pages | December 2025 | University of Wyoming Press