Ken Ilgunas is an author, journalist, and adventurer known for his immersive travel narratives and explorations of unconventional lifestyles. His works include "Walden on Wheels," which chronicles his experience living in a van to avoid student debt, and "Trespassing Across America," an account of his 1,700-mile hike along the proposed Keystone XL pipeline route. His third book, "This Land Is Our Land," examines the history and future of public lands in America. These works blend memoir, journalism, and environmental advocacy, reflecting his commitment to firsthand experience and social commentary.
Born in Ontario and raised in Wheatfield, New York, Ilgunas holds a BA in history and English from SUNY Buffalo and an MA in liberal studies from Duke University. His writing is deeply influenced by his extensive travels, including hitchhiking across North America and paddling a birchbark canoe through Ontario. A former backcountry ranger in Alaska, he often draws from his outdoor experiences to explore themes of self-reliance, environmental stewardship, and the American landscape. Currently, Ilgunas divides his time between gardening in North Carolina and traveling cross-country in his van.