USA - Mountain

Visit the wild, wild west of the United States of America when you come to the Mountain regions. The Mountain states include Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. When you visit the Mountain regions, you can enter a time in America when the spirit of Independence was strong and that ideal lasts and stays valued today.

The Mountain areas of the country offer some of the best skiing vacations you can take as a family or for any couple looking for a great romantic vacation trip possibility together. In the summertime, mountain terrain that is ideal for hiking awaits you, while trails offer a glimpse at wildlife and incredible scenery you have to be here to believe.

Visit the Argo Gold Mine and Mill in Colorado to witness one of the richest mills in the Mountain states. In its heyday, this mill had more than $100 million in gold ore. Find the Mesa Verde National Park with two national monuments and a tribal park in Colorado. Look at dinosaur bones and learn about the latest archaeological missions at the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center. And of course, there is the all-encompassing Colorado History Museum in Denver.

There are immense canyons and vistas as far as your eye can see when you visit this area of the country. Try your hand at freshwater fishing in the South Fork Snake River or in the Silver Creek Preserve. You could find yourself hooking a large one on the fly bait! There are a number of scenic byways, including the Fort Henry Historic Byway or the Elk River Back Country Byway, which also offers hiking trails, fishing landscapes and more. The Hells Canyon scenic byway lives up to its name with narrow, winding roads that give the path an air of danger, but will also let you see portions of Hells Canyon and the deepest river gorge in North America.

Entertain yourself at the Idaho Ice World theme park for the afternoon or find the Silverwood Theme Park, which is the largest theme park in the Northwest with 65 rides, shows and attractions right around the corner from Coeur d’Alene. These theme parks are the ideal escape for a short stay away from the natural beauty of the Mountain regions for a day of pure, manmade fun and thrills.

Visit the unique hot springs in this area as well, including the remarkable Lava Hot Springs, which was once a winter retreat for the Native Americans in the region. These hot springs have been a welcoming retreat for past presidents and celebrities alike, who enjoyed soaking in the hot waters as a fascinating way to relax and unwind. The hot springs have also been known to help cure various ailments.

See the impact of the Mormon church when you visit Utah. You can also enjoy some of the best skiing around when you visit Park City, Utah, which was home to the Olympics. See Salt Lake City's famous attraction of the salt lake and enjoy mountain biking and hiking on various mountain trails. The Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah features the unique rock structure called Thor's Hammer. Visit old ghost towns and learn more about Butch Cassidy, the Rough Riders and Billy the Kid. When you are walking through town, you are sure to pass a few modern-day cowboys as well!

Go rock climbing and whitewater rafting down the Green River or Colorado River. Dip through canyons on your ride down the water and see infamous drops like Satan's Gut, Little Niagara or Little Falls. You can travel through the Grand Canyon and see what everyone else is talking about.

Get your freshwater fishing license in the Mountain States and fish Lake Powell or Boulder Mountain for trout, muskie and striped bass. You can spend hours with your family fly fishing in these waters or just admiring the relaxing scenery.

Go see one of the biggest rodeos in the country in Cody, Wyoming. Home of Buffalo Bill Cody, this town features real-life cowboys who embrace the lifestyle of a person living off the land and with a strong appreciation for nature. See an old Territorial Prison or visit a number of old military forts. There are even archaeological and paleontological sights that show you dinosaur bones, fossils and the actual dig sights that found them.

Reserve cabins in this area of the country to see what the rustic lifestyle feels like or find houses with BBQ grills in the backyard. Spend all day on horseback and come back to a luxury home for your family or romantic evenings for you and someone special.