Mystery in Rocky Mountain National Park

Aaron Johnson is the author and illustrator of the National Park Mystery Series, the Lost City Series, and several other fiction and non-fiction titles. Johnson was a teacher so his work is filled with information and learning opportunities. He is also an avid explorer and hiker and spends much time in the Colorado wilderness. Johnson logs his hikes and has amalgamated them into a hiking information website, Dayhikes Near Denver. This website contains extensive information about various trails and routes through the Colorado wilderness, categorizing them by difficulty, aesthetic, and more. It is his passion project and his way of helping to encourage others to explore and push the limits of their potential.

Johnson’s experiences as a hiker informed his writing of the National Park Mystery Series, allowing him to create stories filled with realism, detail, and illustrations that Johnson drew on his adventures. He also loves searching for artifacts and undiscovered places when he explores, and these experiences make their way into his stories as well. He traveled to each park featured in the series, ensuring he could create something accurate and honor the land. Like Jake and his family, Johnson drove from Ohio to Rocky Mountain National Park and spent time there reflecting. He then decided to move to Colorado and immerse himself in its beautiful natural environment. Johnson believes the country’s national parks are the heart of American culture and beauty, and his life is dedicated to experiencing and celebrating them (“Author.” Aaron Johnson).