Travel Spotlights: West Region

Colorado’s soaring peaks and picturesque valleys were made for epic outdoor adventure. Aspen offers four seasons of fun, including being home to top mountain resorts. Photograph the gorgeous Maroon Bells or wander the beautifully landscaped John Denver Sanctuary before trying out the eclectic dining scene.

Home to the tallest sand dunes in the USA, Great Sand Dunes National Park is a spectacle to behold. Rent sandboards and sand sleds for a fun day gliding down the dunes. Hike in the adjacent mountains and up to Zapata Falls.

In Mesa Verde National Park, marvel at 600 cliff dwellings like the awe-inspiring Cliff Palace – an Ancestral Puebloan structure featuring over 150 rooms. With more than 5,000 historic sites, the park is the largest archeological preserve in the USA.

Witness the Continental Divide as it cuts through Colorado from the scenic Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. Hiking, biking, camping and wildlife-viewing only scratch the surface of what you can experience throughout the park and in forests all over the state.

An International Dark Sky Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a stunning place to view stars in the night sky. Fish the Gunnison River, hike the North and South Rims or take a scenic drive around this uncrowded gem.

Pedestrian-friendly and welcoming, downtown Denver is alive with energy. Shop and dine your way through the 16th Street Mall, a mile-long pedestrian promenade. Enjoy world-class museums, performing arts, live music venues and Larimer Square’s historic buildings award winning restaurants.

With six professional sports teams and three downtown stadiums, Denver is one of the USA’s top sports destinations. Catch all the pro football, basketball, baseball, ice hockey and soccer action, then visit stadium adjacent breweries and nightlife.

Denver’s art and culture scene is anything but predictable. Visit seven unique art districts with famous public works like the Love This City Mural and the beloved Blue Bear. The Denver Art Museum entices art lovers with 70,000 works from around the world.

Live music fan? You can’t miss the near-perfect acoustics and vibes of the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Be sure to check out Denver’s smaller indoor venues like Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox and the Paramount Theatre, and large stadium acts at Ball Arena and Empower Field at Mile High.

Consider Denver your basecamp for epic outdoor adventures in the neighboring Rocky Mountains. Cruise scenic byways, view magnificent wildlife, barrel down the slopes of nearby world-class ski resorts and hike through the numerous national parks and forests of the state.

From sparkling lakes to snowcapped mountains, Montana adventures await. Hike though the breathtaking Sluice Boxes State Park near Belt. In northwest Montana, swim, sail and fish in Flathead Lake – the largest natural freshwater lake in the Western USA.

The awe-inspiring state parks of Montana are varied and beautiful. Gaze up at the night sky at Medicine Rocks State Park – an International Dark Sky Sanctuary. From Painted Rocks to Makoshika, hike, camp and explore the parks to marvel natural wonders.

Get a taste of Western cowboy culture and small-town hospitality across Montana’s vast landscapes. Catch rodeos statewide throughout summer, visit ghost towns like Virginia City or Nevada City and enjoy authentic dude ranch experiences.

Learn about the diverse cultures and special traditions of the Indigenous People of Montana. Explore the home of the last traditional Apsáalooke chief, visit the Museum of the Plains Indian in Browning or explore a tipi village.

Retrace the harrowing expedition of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark along Montana’s Lewis and Clark Trail. Paddle the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers with a guide and admire dramatic limestone caves at Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park.

North Dakota’s expansive vistas are on full display in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Witness its stunning scenery and abundant wildlife on hikes for every skillset. Venture to see the multicolored rock formations and dramatic canyons of the park and to Riverbend Overlook for unforgettable sunsets.

Gain insight into the lives and traditions of Indigenous Americans from over 70 tribes at the annual International Powwow in Bismarck. Celebrate these unique communities as you witness dancing, singing and drumming in tribal regalia. The On-a-Slant-Village and MHA Nation Interpretive Center educate year-round.

With its scenic water features, hiking trails, exciting wildlife and over 100,000 flowers, the International Peace Garden in Dunseith is an outdoor-lover’s dream. Straddle the United States and Canada border while taking in the stunning Sunken Garden in the fresh air.

North Dakota’s largest city, Fargo, boasts boutique shopping and growing culinary and arts scenes. Downtown’s Broadway Square hosts farmers markets and festivals during the warmer months and a skating rink in the winter season for family fun all year.

Explore Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area encompassing one of the state’s largest uninterrupted blocks of woodlands. Hike, bike or ride horseback through its vast expenses, or head southwest for a leisurely paddle or thrilling motorboat ride on scenic Devils Lake.

Yellowstone National Park is one of the most visited parks in the USA for a reason. Visit the world-famous Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful geyser and the beautifully wild landscapes of Lamar Valley and Yellowstone Falls.

Hiking, horseback riding and snow sports are just a few of the outdoor adventures awaiting you at Grand Teton National Park. Bring a picnic to Jenny Lake, marvel at distant mountain peaks and explore the area’s historical sites.

Considered a sacred site by Northern Plains Indians, the 65-million-year-old rock formation of Devils Tower is a sight to behold. Hike the Tower Trail or learn about the geology, Indigenous People and area wildlife on a ranger-led tour.

Explore the natural wonders of Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area in the southwest region of Wyoming. Hike its arid forest trails, explore the massive Flaming Gorge Reservoir and marvel at the area’s red-rock canyons and spires.

Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis, Astoria Mineral Hot Springs near Jackson Hole and Hobo Hot Springs in Saratoga are only a sample from the list of Wyoming’s rejuvenating hot springs – considered important by many Indigenous American tribes.