National Outdoor Book Awards

The National Outdoor Book Awards

The National Outdoor Book Awards (NOBA) is the outdoor world's largest and most prestigious book award program. It is a non-profit, educational program, sponsored by the National Outdoor Book Awards Foundation, Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education, and Idaho State University.

The purpose of the awards is to recognize and encourage outstanding writing and publishing. Each fall in early November, the NOBA Foundation announces the winners of the ten categories making up the program, including History, Literature, Children, Nature, Natural History, Journeys, Adventure Guides, Nature Guides, Design, and Outdoor Classic.

The program has very high standards of fairness and objectivity and has no connection whatsoever to any publisher or publishing business interest. The winners are chosen by a panel of judges consisting of educators, academics, book reviewers, authors, editors, and outdoor columnists from throughout the country. Once selected, the books are publicized through social media, wire service stories, press releases, and announcements at related websites.

On this website, you'll find lists of winning books, reviews of past and present winners, cover scans, and links to sources with additional information. It's our hope that you'll find the website educational and useful.

Members of the media, bloggers, influencers and content creators will find helpful information on our Media Information Page with the latest press releases and low and high resolution scans of winning books. Media sources are welcome to use our reviews and cover scans on their own sites.

Publishers and authors will also find application forms, entry rules, and information on how to nominate books for the annual awards.

Frequently Used NOBA Website Links

Media information: press releases, art work, cover scans & press release download area.

Master List of the titles and authors of all past winning books

NOBA Winners in the News: National coverage

Symbol of Excellence: The NOBA Medallion

NOBA Judging Process

Application Information: Policy, Eligibility Requirements and Entry Form

Schedule: When nominations are accepted. When awards are announced.

Contact and Information on NOBA Mailing Lists

Information, images & reviews of the winners of the 2025 National Outdoor Book Awards

Reviews of the 2024 winners

Reviews of the 2023 winners

Reviews of the 2022 winners

Reviews of the 2021 winners

Reviews of the 2020 winners

Reviews of the 2019 winners

Reviews of the 2018 winners

List of winners and reviews from earlier years

NOBA Website Index: Complete and annotated list of all site pages


	The NOBA Medallion The National Outdoor Book Award medallion is displayed on the covers of winning books. The NOBA Medallion: A Symbol of Excellence in Outdoor Writing and Publishing _________ Websites carrying information about the National Outdoor Book Awards are welcome to use the medallion. Different sized images are available here: medallion images for web use. Additionally, high resolution images are available for print media use: high resolution medallion images.

National Outdoor Book Award Sponsors: Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education & Idaho State University

Mountain & River Photo: Alsek River and Mt. Blackadar, St. Elias Range. Photo by Jim Brock

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