Yampa Yearnings

by Eugene Buchanan

Yampa Yearnings by award-winning author Eugene Buchanan heralds northwest Colorado's Yampa River, the last remaining free-flowing tributary to the Colorado River Basin that still retains its natural hydrograph. As with David James Duncan's My Story as Told by Water, the book promises to increase awareness for readers' backyard rivers through Buchanan's 30-year relationship with his beloved Yampa in Steamboat Springs. From its headwaters a flycast from the birthplace of the country's wilderness movement to its confluence with the Green 250 miles later in Dinosaur National Monument, the river supports agriculture, municipalities, a world-class ski resort, industry, endangered fish, unique riparian zones, water rights, recreation and more. The author of five books (www.eugenebuchanan.com), Buchanan, whose work has appeared in the New York Times, Men's Journal, Outside, National Geographic Adventure and other publications, addresses all this and more, instilling a sense of waterway preservation in everyone who turns its pages. 

451 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2025

About the author

Eugene Buchanan is the editor-in-chief of Paddling Life magazine and was the former publisher and editor-in-chief of Paddler magazine. He is also a freelance writer for national magazines such as Outside, National Geographic Adventure, Men’s Journal, and many others. A member of New York’s prestigious Explorers Club, he is an avid adventurer with several first descents to his credit. His passion for traveling, writing, and paddling has taken him to more than 30 countries on six continents. Buchanan lives in Steamboat, Colorado, with his wife and two daughers, a block away from the Yampa River, the last remaining free-flowing tributary of the Colorado River.

Reviews

[Michael Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives you an awesome tour and the full scoop on the incredible Yampa River. It’s perfect for river lovers, and anyone who’s up for a little adventure and curious about how nature works. Also, importantly its intersection with all those who depend upon its resources. When else do you get to learn cool stuff and also be entertained? The book is packed with fun personal stories, passion, and cool facts that’ll definitely put a smile on your face.