Leave Only Footprints

My Acadia-to-Zion Journey Through Every National Park

By: Conor Knighton

Narrated by: Conor Knighton

Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

New York Times Best Seller

"A delightful sampler plate of our national parks, written with charisma and erudition." (Nick Offerman, author of Paddle Your Own Canoe)

From CBS Sunday Morning correspondent Conor Knighton, a behind-the-scenery look at his year traveling to each of America's National Parks, discovering the most beautiful places and most interesting people our country has to offer.

Named One of the Best Books of the Year by Outside

When Conor Knighton set off to explore America's "best idea", he worried the whole thing could end up being his worst idea. A broken engagement and a broken heart had left him longing for a change of scenery, but the plan he'd cooked up in response had gone a bit overboard in that department: Over the course of a single year, Knighton would visit every national park in the country, from Acadia to Zion.

In Leave Only Footprints, Knighton shares informative and entertaining dispatches from what turned out to be the road trip of a lifetime. Whether he's waking up early for a naked scrub in a historic bathhouse in Arkansas or staying up late to stargaze along our loneliest highway in Nevada, Knighton weaves together the type of stories you're not likely to find in any guidebook. Through his unique lens, America the Beautiful becomes America the Captivating, the Hilarious, and the Inspiring. Along the way, he identifies the threads that tie these wildly different places together - and that tie us to nature - and reveals how his trip ended up changing his views on everything from God and love to politics and technology.

Filled with fascinating tidbits about our parks' past and reflections on their fragile future, this audiobook is both a celebration of and a passionate case for the natural wonders that all Americans share.

©2020 Conor Knighton (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic Reviews

"Conor Knighton is not only blessed with Charles Kuralt's peripatetic curiosity and John Muir's reverence for nature, he shares their all-too-rare gift - his writing makes you want to hit the road and see for yourself what truly makes America great." (Mark Adams, New York Times best-selling author of Turn Right at Machu Picchu)

"A touching, funny tour of the weird and wonderful in the American wild. If you love our national parks, you'll love visiting them all with the thoughtful, always entertaining Conor Knighton as your witty, energetic guide. His enthusiasm is contagious and shines on every page." (Steve Hely, author of The Wonder Trail)

"I am crazy about this book. It's a delightful sampler plate of our national parks, written with charisma and erudition and leavened by a healthy dollop of humor. When Conor Knighton tells you to take a hike, you'd do well to pay attention." (Nick Offerman, author of Paddle Your Own Canoe)

25% National Parks, 75% Author’s history

I was expecting to learn more about our national parks, their origins and history and features. Instead, I got lots and lots of backstory on the authors personal history that I didn’t care about. I wanted a kind of documentary on our national parks so when I go and visit have a greater appreciation. I didn’t get that at all. The concept is interesting and worthy but the execution failed. It was almost as if he was writing for a Grade School history class- needing to keep everything light and breezy without much substance.

Slightly entertaining, but nothing new

Although I enjoyed the book to some extent, most of the time it felt like the author was just stating facts found on Wikipedia. The personal stories were not really original, funny or captivating.

The performance of the author as narrator was very good.

A different take on parks

As someone who has been to many of these parks it's interesting how many places he goes and fun facts he comes up with that I knew nothing about. It never occurred to me that Great Sand Dunes was so quiet when I was there. It makes me want to go back to places I've been as well as finish my park list.

outstanding

a book to savor. personal and informative. highly recommended for nature enthusiasts and arm chair travelers.

very funny and very enlightening from sea to sea.

very funny and very enlightening it makes me want to visit all the parks... thank you for the inspiration you're a great writer

Stand out of Many

I listen to 2-3 books a week and many podcast
This book is hands down one of my top 5
Favorite books. Conor’s personality and voice
Are just as interesting as his story. I may not
Get to all those National Parks but after listening
To this book, I’d like to try.

wish it were a longer book

I wanted more information about each park! I now have a top-ten list.
the personal story was ok but not really needed.

Great Read!

Enjoyed watching the segments on CBS Sunday Morning a few years ago. This book offers a good deal of additional information. Conor does a great job narrating. Would highly recommend.

wonderful!

really enjoyed this book - enough personal experiences with the factual information. that it made it fun and interesting.

great story

nice read! this was a great journey, I might have to go be a drifter!