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The Enduring Wild: A Journey Into California's Public Lands
A galvanizing road trip across California's immense public wilderness from a beloved adventurer.
It all began with a camping trip. Outdoor enthusiast Josh Jackson had never heard of "BLM land" before a casual recommendation from a friend led him to a free campsite in the desert—and the revelation that over 15 million acres of land in California are owned collectively by the people. In The Enduring Wild, he takes us on a road trip spanning thousands of miles, crisscrossing the Golden State to seek out every parcel of public wilderness therein belonging to the federal Bureau of Land Management, from the Pacific shores of the King Range down to the Mojave Desert. Over mountains, across prairies, and through sagebrush, Jackson unravels the stories of these lands. He tells of the Indigenous peoples who have called them home for millennia, of the extractivist threats that imperil them today, and of the grassroots organizers and political champions who have rallied to their common defense to uphold the radical mandate to protect these natural treasures for generations to come. For the adventurers, campers, explorers, map readers, road trippers, nature enthusiasts, and public lands lovers out there, The Enduring Wild is an indispensable invitation to know these places more deeply and to embrace our common inheritance. Illustrations by Rebekah Nolan.
It all began with a camping trip. Outdoor enthusiast Josh Jackson had never heard of "BLM land" before a casual recommendation from a friend led him to a free campsite in the desert—and the revelation that over 15 million acres of land in California are owned collectively by the people. In The Enduring Wild, he takes us on a road trip spanning thousands of miles, crisscrossing the Golden State to seek out every parcel of public wilderness therein belonging to the federal Bureau of Land Management, from the Pacific shores of the King Range down to the Mojave Desert. Over mountains, across prairies, and through sagebrush, Jackson unravels the stories of these lands. He tells of the Indigenous peoples who have called them home for millennia, of the extractivist threats that imperil them today, and of the grassroots organizers and political champions who have rallied to their common defense to uphold the radical mandate to protect these natural treasures for generations to come. For the adventurers, campers, explorers, map readers, road trippers, nature enthusiasts, and public lands lovers out there, The Enduring Wild is an indispensable invitation to know these places more deeply and to embrace our common inheritance. Illustrations by Rebekah Nolan.
264 pages, Hardcover
Published July 1, 2025
12 people are currently reading
2693 people want to read
About the author
Josh Jackson
1 book6 followersJosh Jackson is a writer, photographer, and leading voice for public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Through his evocative Forgotten Lands Project, Josh employs immersive storytelling and striking visual narratives to inspire appreciation and engagement with our least understood, least protected, and largely unknown landscapes.
His work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, High Country News, Adventure Journal, Modern Huntsman, Backcountry Journal, and on numerous podcasts exploring nature, science, and conservation. His first book, The Enduring Wild: A Journey into California’s Public Lands, is both a love letter to these landscapes and a meditation on belonging and reciprocity.
His work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, High Country News, Adventure Journal, Modern Huntsman, Backcountry Journal, and on numerous podcasts exploring nature, science, and conservation. His first book, The Enduring Wild: A Journey into California’s Public Lands, is both a love letter to these landscapes and a meditation on belonging and reciprocity.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 28, 2025
Josh Jackson is an American writer and photographer. His 2025 book The Enduring Wild is an exploration of California's BLM (Bureau of Land Management) federally-managed land informed by around a decade of Jackson's personal experience traveling, camping, and hunting in various properties. I didn't realize that the BLM manages 1/8 of the United States total landmass, though having lived in the Intermountain West where much of the landmass is BLM-managed, it makes sense why this often very difficult and non-arable terrain isn't commercially or residentially developed.
I listened the audiobook version of the book and thus sadly missed out on all the photos, though in retrospect I wish I had read a version which included photos. Hence, my rating can only reflect my listening experience.
My statistics:
Book 269 for 2025
Book 2195 cumulatively
I listened the audiobook version of the book and thus sadly missed out on all the photos, though in retrospect I wish I had read a version which included photos. Hence, my rating can only reflect my listening experience.
My statistics:
Book 269 for 2025
Book 2195 cumulatively
July 7, 2025
I thought this book was stunning. I read it in one afternoon and truly couldn’t put it down. It was sort of like a Desert Solitaire for the 21st century, with a land ethic and outlook that meets our current moment. I enjoyed the visual and spiritual/emotional journey that Jackson takes you on as he travels the “forgotten” lands, interspersing tender, observant writing with relevant history, important ecological knowledge, and poignant quotes. Not to mention the photographs are beautiful. Highly recommend!
June 19, 2025
The stunning photos alone are worth it. It really makes me want to explore all of California!
I’m still reading it. I was already familiar with BLM (as an urban planner who used to live in the Sierra Nevadas), but not in detail on a state-wide scale. This is basically a catalog of the wonders tucked away on these oft-overlooked public lands. Great writing filled with history and adventure. And again, really really good photos.
I’m still reading it. I was already familiar with BLM (as an urban planner who used to live in the Sierra Nevadas), but not in detail on a state-wide scale. This is basically a catalog of the wonders tucked away on these oft-overlooked public lands. Great writing filled with history and adventure. And again, really really good photos.
July 2, 2025
I highly recommend “The Enduring Wild: A Journey Into California’s Public Lands,” which tours remote BLM land in the Golden State. Unlike our national and state parks that are promoted as tourist destinations with infrastructure and amenities, Bureau of Land Management land has long been treated as leftover land for use, not for preservation. Josh shows how and why this vast open and mostly off-the-grid space is special in so many ways not only for wildlife and biodiversity but also for humans to experience unspoiled nature. He finds the beauty in open lands that aren't as objectively scenic as the iconic national parks. Don’t let the fact that it’s California-centric turn you off if you live in another state. It’s beautifully written and interesting—illustrated by gorgeous photos and maps—even if you never plan to visit those areas. Josh’s narratives will transport and inspire you, making you want to camp in lesser known remote areas, and will make you care more about the enduring wild closer to wherever you live.
August 26, 2025
As a frequent hiker, sometimes RV'er and very occasional camper living in Southern California, I found Josh's book to be the kickstart I was looking for to do more exploring in the West. This book ties together a personal narrative, BLM guidebook, and light-touch political treatise in a way that made these so called 'forgotten lands' feel very real and accessible to me.
If you're an adventure reader looking for unexplored terrain, an outdoorsy-type looking for new destinations, or a thoughtful citizen alarmed by the current discussion around the future of public lands - this book is for you.
Well-crafted prose, lovely illustrations, and a helpful 'get started' guide make this a lovely addition to any bookshelf.
If you're an adventure reader looking for unexplored terrain, an outdoorsy-type looking for new destinations, or a thoughtful citizen alarmed by the current discussion around the future of public lands - this book is for you.
Well-crafted prose, lovely illustrations, and a helpful 'get started' guide make this a lovely addition to any bookshelf.
November 5, 2025
Josh Jackson takes readers on a road trip across California’s often overlooked public wilderness, focusing on the lands managed by the BLM, an agency once jokingly referred to as the Bureau of Livestock and Mining. He shows how these so-called “leftover lands” hold stories of geology, Indigenous presence, extraction, and conservation.
His prose and photography (he has a wonderful eye for landscapes) together invite the reader to slow down, look closely at the subtleties of desert mesas, sagebrush plains, and coastal bluffs, and reckon with what it means to protect places many people have never heard of. His use of the environmental psychology concept of “place attachment” struck a chord with me. The theory suggests that people form deep emotional and psychological bonds with natural places, connections that shape identity, memory, and a sense of belonging. As a frequent visitor to the Eastern Sierra, especially around Mammoth Lakes and Mono Lake, I was particularly drawn to Jackson’s chapter on that region. His account of the lingering impacts of the Mining Act of 1872, and how its provisions still allow for questionable practices today, driven by high gold prices, was eye-opening. I came away with new insights, which is always something I value in a book.
I should mention that I got my copy of the book directly from Josh, who lives not far from me in Southern California. We spent a few hours at a cafe in Highland Park talking about the value and beauty of public lands, and as I sat there flipping through the book, I couldn’t help but acknowledge how striking it is. Part of that comes from Heyday Books’ exceptional attention to design and production. Heyday also publishes Obi Kaufman’s work and they remain one of California’s great independent publishers. But much my appreciation for the book also comes from from Jackson himself, whose photographs are simply outstanding
His prose and photography (he has a wonderful eye for landscapes) together invite the reader to slow down, look closely at the subtleties of desert mesas, sagebrush plains, and coastal bluffs, and reckon with what it means to protect places many people have never heard of. His use of the environmental psychology concept of “place attachment” struck a chord with me. The theory suggests that people form deep emotional and psychological bonds with natural places, connections that shape identity, memory, and a sense of belonging. As a frequent visitor to the Eastern Sierra, especially around Mammoth Lakes and Mono Lake, I was particularly drawn to Jackson’s chapter on that region. His account of the lingering impacts of the Mining Act of 1872, and how its provisions still allow for questionable practices today, driven by high gold prices, was eye-opening. I came away with new insights, which is always something I value in a book.
I should mention that I got my copy of the book directly from Josh, who lives not far from me in Southern California. We spent a few hours at a cafe in Highland Park talking about the value and beauty of public lands, and as I sat there flipping through the book, I couldn’t help but acknowledge how striking it is. Part of that comes from Heyday Books’ exceptional attention to design and production. Heyday also publishes Obi Kaufman’s work and they remain one of California’s great independent publishers. But much my appreciation for the book also comes from from Jackson himself, whose photographs are simply outstanding
July 20, 2025
I received this book through Goodreads First Reads and am grateful for the opportunity to read the book.
Before picking up the book, I didn't know anything about the Bureau of Land Management, much less that BLM lands exist. This personal guide to California's diverse and fascinating BLM environments is fascinating, compelling, and relevant in the present day, as fragile and interconnected ecosystems and communities struggle to coexist despite ongoing efforts to commercialize and exploit these beautiful and precious places. They are different from the national parks we usually think of as symbols of pure wilderness, yet they remain wonderful in their own way. The stories of these lands are filled with tragedy, but also enduring beauty and hope. Through this book, I have gained a deeper perspective on wilderness, which is not an abstract or isolated thing but an interconnected community of flora, fauna, and people. The memoir-like narrative of the author as he and his family explored the BLM lands gives the guide a more personal and engaging feel, helped as he interacts with the many people tied to the lands in one way or another. The coverage of both the lands' history and present conditions give the story and the lands a lot of depth that adds to the overall narrative. Furthermore, the focus on small but essential natural features, plants, and animals creates a multifaceted mosaic for each landscape, highlighting how the true beauty of these lands comes from many different sources all linked to each other. I also appreciate the many pictures and illustrations that perfectly complement the text: detailed maps of the lands, photographs of the landscapes, and colorful artworks reminiscent of old-fashioned national park posters. This is a beautiful love letter to not only BLM lands but all environments and ecosystems large and small.
Before picking up the book, I didn't know anything about the Bureau of Land Management, much less that BLM lands exist. This personal guide to California's diverse and fascinating BLM environments is fascinating, compelling, and relevant in the present day, as fragile and interconnected ecosystems and communities struggle to coexist despite ongoing efforts to commercialize and exploit these beautiful and precious places. They are different from the national parks we usually think of as symbols of pure wilderness, yet they remain wonderful in their own way. The stories of these lands are filled with tragedy, but also enduring beauty and hope. Through this book, I have gained a deeper perspective on wilderness, which is not an abstract or isolated thing but an interconnected community of flora, fauna, and people. The memoir-like narrative of the author as he and his family explored the BLM lands gives the guide a more personal and engaging feel, helped as he interacts with the many people tied to the lands in one way or another. The coverage of both the lands' history and present conditions give the story and the lands a lot of depth that adds to the overall narrative. Furthermore, the focus on small but essential natural features, plants, and animals creates a multifaceted mosaic for each landscape, highlighting how the true beauty of these lands comes from many different sources all linked to each other. I also appreciate the many pictures and illustrations that perfectly complement the text: detailed maps of the lands, photographs of the landscapes, and colorful artworks reminiscent of old-fashioned national park posters. This is a beautiful love letter to not only BLM lands but all environments and ecosystems large and small.
August 11, 2025
🌲✨ Wish Bear’s Review of The Enduring Wild: A Journey Into California's Public Lands by Josh Jackson ✨🌲
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 out of 5 rainbow stars)
Oh my fluff, this book was beary wonderful! My dear friend Amy won it in a Goodreads giveaway (she’s the bestest human ever!) and let me read it first—what a treat! I perched right at my reading desk on the landing, turned the pages with my paw, and got whisked away into the wild woods of California.
The pictures? Gorgeous. I stared at them so long I almost forgot to blink (good thing I’m stuffed). Every page felt like a hug from Mother Nature herself. You could feel the love Josh Jackson has for the land—like he’s writing with pine needles and sunshine.
Reading this made me want to grab my backpack, call up my Care Bear cousins, and go play hide-and-seek in the redwoods, splash in mountain streams, and nap under the stars. It reminded me that wild places aren’t just beautiful—they’re important, like the heartbeats of the planet.
If you’re a bear (or a person!) who loves trees, trails, and tales of adventure, this book will make your heart do a happy somersault. I’ll be recommending it to Brave Heart Lion and Grumpy Bear—though Grumpy might just grumble about the lack of snack breaks.
🌿 Final Thought: This book made me feel wild and free and full of wonder. I might not have legs that walk, but my imagination hiked every trail.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 out of 5 rainbow stars)
Oh my fluff, this book was beary wonderful! My dear friend Amy won it in a Goodreads giveaway (she’s the bestest human ever!) and let me read it first—what a treat! I perched right at my reading desk on the landing, turned the pages with my paw, and got whisked away into the wild woods of California.
The pictures? Gorgeous. I stared at them so long I almost forgot to blink (good thing I’m stuffed). Every page felt like a hug from Mother Nature herself. You could feel the love Josh Jackson has for the land—like he’s writing with pine needles and sunshine.
Reading this made me want to grab my backpack, call up my Care Bear cousins, and go play hide-and-seek in the redwoods, splash in mountain streams, and nap under the stars. It reminded me that wild places aren’t just beautiful—they’re important, like the heartbeats of the planet.
If you’re a bear (or a person!) who loves trees, trails, and tales of adventure, this book will make your heart do a happy somersault. I’ll be recommending it to Brave Heart Lion and Grumpy Bear—though Grumpy might just grumble about the lack of snack breaks.
🌿 Final Thought: This book made me feel wild and free and full of wonder. I might not have legs that walk, but my imagination hiked every trail.
October 18, 2025
More than a beautiful nature book
The subtitle of Josh Jackson’s book invites us to journey into California’s public lands; but what I didn’t expect was how deeply it would lead me inward as well. Jackson’s writing is both visually evocative (so many incredible photos and sketches) and emotionally resonant, challenging the way I move through the world around me. Not just the distant wilderness, but the nature that is ever-present in my own urban neighborhood.
By sharing his own path through these landscapes, Jackson reminds us that public lands are not guaranteed; their future depends on our actions and advocacy. His reflections call us to care, to protect, and to recognize what’s at stake for the next generation. Perhaps most powerfully, The Enduring Wild shows how people from every political stripe can find common ground in the shared love and conservation of these remarkable places.
This is a beautiful, thought-provoking book that lingers long after the last page.
The subtitle of Josh Jackson’s book invites us to journey into California’s public lands; but what I didn’t expect was how deeply it would lead me inward as well. Jackson’s writing is both visually evocative (so many incredible photos and sketches) and emotionally resonant, challenging the way I move through the world around me. Not just the distant wilderness, but the nature that is ever-present in my own urban neighborhood.
By sharing his own path through these landscapes, Jackson reminds us that public lands are not guaranteed; their future depends on our actions and advocacy. His reflections call us to care, to protect, and to recognize what’s at stake for the next generation. Perhaps most powerfully, The Enduring Wild shows how people from every political stripe can find common ground in the shared love and conservation of these remarkable places.
This is a beautiful, thought-provoking book that lingers long after the last page.
December 18, 2025
The Enduring Wild is a deeply inspiring and meticulously crafted journey through California’s vast public lands. Josh Jackson combines the thrill of road trip adventure with profound insight into the history, ecology, and stewardship of these treasured landscapes. From desert sands to coastal cliffs, Jackson illuminates both the beauty and fragility of public lands while highlighting the Indigenous histories, grassroots activism, and political battles that have shaped their preservation.
What makes this book especially compelling is its ability to blend storytelling, environmental advocacy, and practical exploration. Jackson’s narrative is alive with curiosity and reverence, making readers feel as though they are traversing every canyon, coastline, and sagebrush plain alongside him. The Enduring Wild is a must read for anyone passionate about nature, conservation, and the collective responsibility to protect what belongs to all of us.
Michael
What makes this book especially compelling is its ability to blend storytelling, environmental advocacy, and practical exploration. Jackson’s narrative is alive with curiosity and reverence, making readers feel as though they are traversing every canyon, coastline, and sagebrush plain alongside him. The Enduring Wild is a must read for anyone passionate about nature, conservation, and the collective responsibility to protect what belongs to all of us.
Michael
June 30, 2025
When he started his project five years ago, Josh Jackson couldn’t have known just how timely the publication of his book would be. His mission to visit and document BLM lands in California to shed light on these little-known and underappreciated wild places culminated in this wonderful book. But now that BLM lands are under imminent threat of sale by the current administration, his message of wonder and stewardship is absolutely vital. We must do all we can to make sure the lands endure.
Josh’s photography is stunning and his writing compelling. I was engrossed in his descriptions of people, places, and species. The maps and artwork by Rebekah Nolan complement Josh’s work perfectly, in a color palette that matches the rugged lands the book guides us through.
Josh’s photography is stunning and his writing compelling. I was engrossed in his descriptions of people, places, and species. The maps and artwork by Rebekah Nolan complement Josh’s work perfectly, in a color palette that matches the rugged lands the book guides us through.
October 8, 2025
I love this Book! Enduring Wild is an amazing capture of the beauty, vulnerability and resilience of the Bureau of Land Management properties in California. Jackson’s ability to engage you in the beauty and amazement of these properties made me want to visit each of them. In addition to the amazing number of beautiful photos from each of the properties, Josh shares of the push and pull, the preservation and susceptibility of these lands. I appreciated his honesty and practicality in addressing issues related to the history and future of these lands—and the breadth of the people heritage and projected use.
I deeply hope that Jackson would take on the task of capturing other BLM properties—particularly in adjoining states.
I deeply hope that Jackson would take on the task of capturing other BLM properties—particularly in adjoining states.
September 2, 2025
The Enduring Wild: A Journey Into California's Public Lands is a stunning celebration of nature. The book is filled with breathtaking photography and thoughtful insights into California’s public lands, from camping and hiking spots to hidden corners worth exploring. It’s both informative and inspiring, with so many locations to discover that I found myself bookmarking pages for future trips. I loved how it blends practical information with a real sense of awe for the natural beauty of the state. Next time I’m in California, I can’t wait to explore some of these areas for myself. This is a perfect read for anyone who loves the outdoors.
December 11, 2025
I started following Josh Jackson and his Forgotten Lands Project on Instagram several years ago — each post a seed of what would eventually grow into The Enduring Wild. As an avid explorer of California, I find The Enduring Wild beautifully captures so many of the thoughts and feelings I've also experienced visiting these special places. The content is well-researched. The storytelling evokes wonderment and wanderlust. And the photos are stunning. The Enduring Wild is a must read for those who appreciate slowing down, being present and letting the magic of California's landscapes wash over them.
July 18, 2025
Jackson creates an excellent path through his journey, contemplating the land, sharing the story of people who’ve always been there, and the work of many to preserve the least known of public lands.
It’s not just a journey of going “out there” but dwelling on the idea that “in making an idol out of the nature found in wilderness, I wonder if I had often devalued the nature found in my everyday surroundings. “
The book itself contains gorgeous photos and illustrations to immerse you in the lands visited. I am left wanting to visit the ones I haven’t been to yet and more beyond.
It’s not just a journey of going “out there” but dwelling on the idea that “in making an idol out of the nature found in wilderness, I wonder if I had often devalued the nature found in my everyday surroundings. “
The book itself contains gorgeous photos and illustrations to immerse you in the lands visited. I am left wanting to visit the ones I haven’t been to yet and more beyond.
July 18, 2025
I bookmarked a bunch of new places to explore from this book.
And I forgive him for not loving my backyard place to explore with my dog, Rainbow Basin.
But something about the narrative didn't really do a lot for me. I'm not sure if it was the emphasis on legislation (most of which probably won't be in place soon or already isn't), or what. The writing just wasn't really evocative for me.
Still a useful book with its heart in the right place.
And I forgive him for not loving my backyard place to explore with my dog, Rainbow Basin.
But something about the narrative didn't really do a lot for me. I'm not sure if it was the emphasis on legislation (most of which probably won't be in place soon or already isn't), or what. The writing just wasn't really evocative for me.
Still a useful book with its heart in the right place.
August 4, 2025
This book made me want to get out onto BLM land immediately. Josh did an amazing job of sharing what makes these lands so special and worth saving. The photography is beautiful, the writing strikes a great balance between personal and educational. He clearly did his research - meeting with experts in each area and learning about the indigenous history and ecology. Highly recommend for any Californian or nature lover.
July 5, 2025
This beautiful and inspiring book captures the spirit of California’s wildest and least known places. It celebrates the precious resource of our public lands with gorgeous photos, maps and descriptions and will motivate those who love these lands to visit and join the effort to preserve and protect them.
October 20, 2025
As someone who finds the eastern Sierra a mystery as it calls to me, Josh's unique perspective is just what I needed. I love turning the pages and planning where to go. His insights take the worries out of solo travel and push me to make the trip. I look forward to the bursting colors of the Carrizo plain and the massive bluffs of the King Range. This is such a good book.
August 16, 2025
A wonderfully crafted portrayal of California's diverse BLM lands that pays respect to the many types of uses these lands offer, the complex ways that these lands came under BLM jurisdiction, and the indigenous people who are an integral part of their history.
August 17, 2025
Loved everything about this book. The photographs are stunning, the illustrations are terrific, and the writing is engaging. Not only is this informative but inspiring. I got out of the rocking chair on the porch and went on a hike where I'd never been. Not exactly the wilds but still..
September 2, 2025
This books not only opened a whole new outdoorsy world but is also well written in an eloquent manner which makes the reader feel/think/imagine they are there exploring with the author… highly recommend. Heard of this author through the JustTrek podcast.
July 27, 2025
incredibly informative with stunning photography! a must buy for all whether interested in camping at any level or curious about the wonderful land all around them.
August 2, 2025
Perfect timing for a work like this. Exploration of public lands further insures the lands should remain public. Beautiful pictures.
September 2, 2025
Beautiful writing, artwork, photos. As an almost native Californian there is still so much for me to learn about the land, wildlife, plants.
November 4, 2025
Beautiful photographs
August 19, 2025
This was quite the interesting journey. You can tell author is speaking from the heart while journaling his trips. The pictures were amazing - deserts, mountains, sketches of animals. It was quite entertaining.
Recommend it to any nature lover.
Recommend it to any nature lover.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews