The Great American West

America As You Like It • 29 January 2021

The Great American West – Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. All home to numerous national parks, open spaces and diverse cultures that preserve the nations natural resources and rich heritage. Here are the must-dos to explore, all highlighting the amazing outdoor adventures there are to be had in the Great American West.

Idaho

A hidden gem: known for its abundance of gemstones, Idaho is a naturally beautiful area boasting rivers, mountains, and unbelievable clear skies at night. Idaho’s terrain is perfect for a family western adventure, with thickly wooded mountains and sapphire lakes, as well as being home to 10 National Park Sites to explore. A ‘must-see’ are the expansive lava flows, craters and caves of the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, the lava flows that make up the bulk of the monument can clearly be seen from space! So there is a lot of weird but inspiring looking landscape to be explored.Visit museums to take a trip back in time to the Old West, explore Native American cultures and witness monuments from ancient battles to add a cultural spin to your adventure!

Overall Unique Asset: Amazing star gazing due to the lack of light pollution (As shown in picture)

Montana

America's fourth biggest state, home to the Rocky Mountains, alpine lakes, rolling plains and dramatic Badlands, Montana epitomises what outdoor adventure is all about. Opportunities to raft, hike, and bike ride are fantastic in the summer with an abundance of lakes, rivers and trails dotted around the state.Admire wide open space with a drive through Glacier National Park to experience the award winning 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road clinging to the mountain edge for awe-inspiring views of pristine lakes and towering mountains. Montana boasts many ranches, for visitors to live the authentic western way of life that unknowingly to some is still around today, enjoy traditional ranch activities such as trail rides, barn dances and more with real cowboys and cowgirls for a healthy detox from modern society as well as providing family fun.Additionally, attend one of Montana’s Powwows, part of Native American tribal heritage including dancing, drumming and traditional dress. In Winter, Montana is home to 15 ski resorts that offer other recreational activities such as dog sledding, snowshoeing and snowmobile tours, making the state an all-year-round travel destination.

Unique Fact: Montana has more wildlife than people!

North Dakota

Known famously for Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota is where the 26th President spent time as a rancher and famously said ‘the romance of his life began. With herds of buffalo, majestic wild horses and landscape that will take your breath away, North Dakota's Theodore Roosevelt NP may not be as popular as parks such as Yellowstone, Glacier and Great Smokey mountains, but offers a more relaxing laid back escape. The area is home to Lake Sakakawea aka ‘The Big Lake’, a wonderland for anglers boaters, campers and swimmers who take advantage of its immerse size year round.Fans of the film or TV series, Fargo, will enjoy a visit to the namesake city in the east of North Dakota, where the original woodchipper from the film can be seen

Unique Fact:Lake Sakakawea has more shoreline than the California Pacific Coast

South Dakota

Vast amounts of dense forest, breath-taking mountain scenery and a history of adventure. Travel through time and tackle the Lewis & Clark Trail up the Missouri National Recreational River to uncover the footsteps the adventurers made when first discovering the elusive Northwest Passage. South Dakota provides diverse experiences for visitor’s because of its rich Native American heritage, Rapid City’s Prairie Edge has a renowned selection of Native American art, crafts and jewellery,there is also nine reservations to incite your interest in the history of the Great American West. South Dakota is the home of The Badlands National Park; distinctive for the chiselled spires, deep canyons and jagged buttes caused by years of wind, water, and erosion that can be explored on foot, horseback, or car with its many trails.The main attraction is Mount Rushmore National Monument, the famous carved faces of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln. Further along is Crazy Horse Memorial, a statue honouring the Native American warrior - witness a piece of American history in the making!

Unique Fact:Black Elk Peak in South Dakota is the highest point east of the Rocky Mountains

Wyoming

In the ‘Cowboy State’, enjoy trail rides, cattle drives and chuckwagon suppers under the stars and relish the opportunity to live like a cowboy. Home to the world's biggest outdoor rodeo ‘Cheyenne Frontier Days’ is hard to beat; 10 days of roping and riding competitions, a carnival and Western exhibits. Visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a great day out to learn the stories of the American West through museums with exclusive memorabilia, lessons on how to create beautiful saddles and other premium items from the 1920s. Wyoming includes two of America's most spectacular national parks. Yellowstone National Park is over 9,000 square kilometres of unspoiled natural splendour with geysers, hot springs, mud pots and fumaroles due to the magma that fuels Yellowstone’s volcano. South of Yellowstone is the equally astounding Grand Teton National Park. Must dos include a scenic cruise across Jenny Lake, or a float down the Snake River. Devils Tower is also situated in Wyoming, rock climbers come from all over to tackle the tower.


Unique Fact: Devils Tower was the 1st ever national monument in the US.

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