A Sand County Almanac is considered to be one of the classic books on the environment and conservation. The book is held in the same regard as Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, and Henry David Thoreau’s Walden. Leopold was a pioneer in a number of ways, for example in founding the new science of wildlife management through his career and the resulting publication of his book Game Management. Likewise, A Sand County Almanac has been regarded as the first book to discuss ecological stewardship of the land especially in the context of environmental ethics. Leopold’s philosophy has been described by Curt Meine, who wrote a biography and several other books on Leopold, as being the bridge in between the old-school conservation movement and the modern way of thinking about the environment.

It is also considered as a great example of nature and travel writing. Meine comments that Leopold made conservationism accessible through his detailed and passionate writings about wildlife and his adventures in nature. In addition, Meine says that Leopold had a poetic way of writing as well as knowledge on a broad scope of environmental issues.

The book is considerably popular. It has sold more than 2 million copies since its publication, and still sells widely today.