Off The Beaten Path in the Great American West

Catch a flight into Salt Lake City International Airport for your arrival day into the region. Relax, catch up on sleep, and prepare for your big adventure through the region! Overnight in Salt Lake City.

Head north from Salt Lake City to take a guided tour of Minnetonka Cave inside St. Charles Canyon above Bear Lake. The limestone cave stretches for a half-mile of enchanting stalactites, stalagmites and banded travertine. On your way to Lava Hot Springs, take the Oregon Trail-Bear Lake Scenic Byway and make a pit stop at the Soda Springs Geyser to witness the only captive geyser in the world – erupting every hour on the hour and reaching heights of 100 feet. Once you’ve arrived in the town of Lava Hot Springs, take the plunge into the famous Lava Hot Springs hot pools. Overnight in Lava Hot Springs.

Tucked away in the high desert of Southern Idaho, Shoshone Falls – the Niagara of the West – thunders as it plunges into the rugged Snake River Canyon. Shoshone Falls is one of the largest natural waterfalls in the U.S. at 65 meters tall and 274 meters wide, making it taller than Niagara Falls. Overnight in Twin Falls.

Carved by the powerful Snake River and physically separating the borders of Idaho and Oregon for more than 100 miles, Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in North America at over 2,100 meters. For those wanting to feel as connected to the water as possible, whitewater rafting through rapids reaching as high as Class IV is your closest connection to absorbing that energy. Off the water, there’s plenty of outdoor adventure to be had at Hells Canyon National Recreation Area with hiking and mountain biking through dramatic terrain vegetation of the canyon. No matter which route you chose, you’re sure to be treated to some fantastic canyon views including Nez Perce pictographs, bighorn sheep, black bears, deer, eagles and other wildlife. Overnight in McCall.

Imagine gliding down a trail of abandoned rail-bed on a mountain bike while soaring trees reach to the sky creating a wall or a plush bed of greenery. The Route of the Hiawatha provides North Idaho visitors the chance to experience a breath-taking experience along the crest of the Bitterroot Mountains. This mountain bike or hike trail spans 15 miles pocketed by sky-high trestles and train tunnels following the abandoned Northern Pacific railroad tracks. After your hearty bike ride, make your way to nearby Wallace. Founded in 1884 after the discovery of silver lodes, the town and surrounding area is the richest silver mining district in the world, earning it the nickname of “Silver Capital of the World.” Jump on the Sierra Silver Mine Tour to hear stories from a hard-rock miner and witness how silver is extracted from underground. Enjoy a pint of local beer at Wallace Brewing. Overnight in Wallace.

Make your way to Missoula by following the 22-mile long St. Regis-Paradise Scenic Byway that leads to the National Bison Range. The range is home to about 350-500 of American Bison and numerous other wildlife. After exploring one of the scenic drives at the range, continue to Missoula. Take an evening hike on the “M” Trail up Mount Sentinel to see the sunset over the Missoula Valley before turning in for the night.
Overnight in Missoula.

Continue south on U.S. 93 along the Bitterroot River through this picturesque valley. Make a stop at the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge to meet some of Montana’s wildest locals. Take time to stop at the Big Hole National Battlefield, which is a memorial to the people who fought and died here on August 9 and 10, 1877. Next up is Bannack State Park. Walk the deserted streets of Bannack and discover for yourself what the old west was really like. Bannack is one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the country. Continue to Butte for the evening and explore its unique uptown restaurants, bars and shops. Take a Trolley Tour to learn about its colorful characters and copper mining history. Overnight in Butte.

Virginia City served as the Montana Territorial Capital for 10 years, until the gold ran out. Just a mile away lies Nevada City, a western town created from a collection of buildings from other ghost towns. Both towns have been largely restored and preserved and have become living examples of the real Old West. Continue to Bozeman where you can enjoy this thriving arts and culture community with a historic western Main Street and activities ranging from main street festivals, farmers markets, cultural centers and museums, to symphonies, theatres, and art galleries. Overnight in Bozeman.

Begin this day by heading east toward Livingston. This was the “Original Gateway City to Yellowstone National Park.” The town is surrounded by four beautiful, wild mountain ranges that offer an abundance of outdoor activities year-round, as well as the Yellowstone River. Continue east to Billings, Montana’s largest city. Explore the Black Otter Trail to take in inspiring views of Billings and five mountain ranges. In Swords Park, visit the memorial to Luther Sage “Yellowstone Kelly”, a frontiersman, trapper and scout who roamed the northern Plains in the late 1800s. You’ll get more great views of the Rimrocks from Four Dances Recreation Area. Explore the historic sites, restaurants, and great shopping all in Billings. Overnight in Billings.

Take a trip down the Enchanted Highway in western North Dakota for a glimpse of classic roadside art. Giant metal sculptures line the highways starting at Exit 72 on I-94 near Gladstone and ending 32 miles down the road in the small town of Regent. Beginning with “Geese in Flight” at Exit 72, large metal sculptures are placed along the county highway, each with a parking area and kiosk. Sculptures include “World’s Largest Tin Family,” “Teddy Rides Again,” “Pheasants on the Prairie,” “Grasshoppers in the Field,” “Deer Crossing” and “Fisherman’s Dream.” You’ll park under the drawbridge, be guarded by knights in armour and be attended by the royal staff. The castle is located in Regent at the southern terminus of the Enchanted Highway and features large deluxe units with ‘royal’ decor. Overnight in Regent.

Norsk Høstfest is held annually in the fall in the North Dakota State Fair Center on the North Dakota State Fairgrounds in Minot, North Dakota. The festival was founded in 1978 by the late Chester Reiten and a group of friends who shared his interest in celebrating their Nordic heritage. Norsk Høstfest celebrates Scandinavian culture and heritage of the five Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Other entities in Minot have sprouted from the same interest of preserving heritage and celebrating Nordic culture. Among those organizations are the Scandinavian Heritage Association, Høstfest-Heritage Foundation and the Telemark Trade Office. Overnight in Minot.

Since 1932, nestled in the Turtle Mountains of North Dakota and Manitoba, the International Peace Garden is one of the continent’s most symbolic and scenic attractions – a tribute to peace and friendship between the people of the United States of America and Canada. The garden encompasses 2,300 acres of nature’s beauty, two pristine freshwater lakes, scenic hiking and driving trails, wildflowers, waterfalls, and a large variety of North American birds and animals. An off-the-wall nearby attraction is Mystical Horizons – the “Stonehenge of the Prairie” on the edge of the Turtle Mountains. Overnight in Bottineau.

Learn of the region’s pioneer and military history at Fort Seward Military Post and interpretive center in Jamestown. Visit the Stutsman County Memorial Museum to see a collection of memorabilia from the region. Keep in mind that legendary western writer Louis L’Amour walked the streets of Jamestown and gained inspiration for his novel. A walking trail takes guest to sites frequented by the late writer. When the need to get into the great outdoors arises, visit the Jamestown Reservoir. With seven boat launches, seven picnic shelters, two swimming beaches, three miles of hard-surfaced walking and biking trails, a world-class disc golf course, and 2,492 acres of water surface area, the reservoir is Jamestown’s premier recreation area. At Frontier Village is the National Buffalo Museum. This museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the bison, as well as, promoting the bison industry of today. The museum is home to numerous art works, artifacts, and related Native American items. A trip to Jamestown in not complete without a stop at the World’s Largest Buffalo. This 26-foot-tall, 60-ton concrete giant has been standing watch over Jamestown from the Frontier Village since 1959 and has proven to be one of the Midwest’s most popular roadside attractions for over 50 years. Overnight in Jamestown.

Start your journey in South Dakota with a stop at Wylie Park in Aberdeen. The beautiful 210-acre park features go-karts, bumper boats, miniature golf, bicycle and surrey rentals, playgrounds, miles of trail, picnic shelters, sand volleyball, a small lake with swimming beach and fishing for youth. As you head south stop in at the Redlin Art Center in Watertown and enjoy more than 160 original oil paintings of natural settings by South Dakota artist Terry Redlin. End your day with some great attractions in Brookings, SD.
Overnight in Brookings.

Experience the life of a pioneer through the eyes of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family at the Ingalls Homestead in DeSmet. While exploring the area where Laura Ingalls Wilder’s family homesteaded, visitors experience South Dakota pioneer heritage through hands-on activities such as riding the covered wagon and making a corncob doll. The World’s Largest Pheasant is located on Highway 14 in Huron. This 28-foot, 22-ton pheasant made of fibreglass and steel has affirmed Huron as a premier pheasant hunting location since 1959. Make your way to South Dakota’s state capital city of Pierre and visit the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center. This is the official museum of the South Dakota State Historical Society and tells the story of the state’s history, from pre-statehood to present day. Another must-see is the South Dakota State Capitol Building. Located just six miles north of Pierre, the Oahe Dam & Visitor Center stands as one of the largest earth-rolled dams in the world. Overnight in Pierre.

Keep an eye out for beautiful yellow fields of sunflowers along your drive – South Dakota is one of the largest producers of sunflowers in the United States. You will see the breathtaking fields in full bloom in August! As you head toward Sturgis, you can’t miss Bear Butte State Park. Bear Butte, a 1,200-foot tall geological formation, offers an expansive view of its surroundings. An easy hike takes you around Bear Butte Lake. A more challenging hike takes you to the summit on a 1.8 mile-long trail. Today, the ancient ceremonies of the past still take place at the mountain. The mountain is a sacred place to the Lakota, Cheyenne and all the indigenous tribes of the Northern Plains, which still use Bear Butte as a place of worship. The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum is home to an ever-growing variety of motorcycles dating back to 1905. On display are a huge selection of American and metric bikes that are on loan from private individuals, along with a wide variety of exhibits, photographs, memorabilia and Sturgis Motorcycle Rally history. Overnight in Sturgis.

Begin your day in the Black Hills at the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center. Explore information about the Sanford Underground Research Facility, the city of Lead, and the history of Homestake. Down the road in Hill City is the Museum at Black Hills Institute. Black Hills Institute of Geological Research Inc. has long been recognized as one of the world’s finest paleontological and earth science supply house.
Jump on board the 1880 Train and see the Black Hills by vintage steam train. Relax and enjoy the ride between Hill City and Keystone and experience the narrated and fun journey. Overnight in Hill City.

Thermopolis is a great little town in central Wyoming offering hot springs, wildlife and dinosaurs all within a few miles! Hot Springs State Park features water that flows from natural hot springs at a temperature of 56 degrees Celsius. Drive through Hot Springs State Park to see the state bison herd in their natural habitat. Located approximately 30 miles northwest of Hot Springs State Park, Legend Rock enables visitors to view over 300 petroglyphs spanning a time-period of thousands of years. These petroglyphs introduce you to multiple cultures and eras long past. Some of the first dinosaur remains were found around Thermopolis, and many are still being dug up in this region today. Wyoming Whiskey is located just north of town in Kirby. Here is where locals and tourists alike flock to get quality whiskey and tour the establishment to see how and where this liquid gold is created. Overnight in Thermopolis.

Rock Springs sprung from the growth and development of the area’s coal mining industry, but today, Rock Springs thrives with trona mines and a booming oil and gas industry, keeping the city vibrant and making it a local hub for dining, shopping and attractions. Western Wyoming Community College is home to five life-sized dinosaur displays. They are the largest easily accessible collection of dinosaurs along I-80 from Chicago to San Francisco. Overnight in Rock Springs.

Both the Flaming Gorge Reservoir and the Green River in southwestern Wyoming are a fishing paradise. On any given day you will see a fleet of drift boats and rubber rafts floating down the Green River.
The epic scenery and landscape of Flaming Gorge makes it the perfect place to take a hike. Visitors can also tour the Flaming Gorge Dam. Located just south of the Wyoming border in our neighboring state of Utah, the dam separates the reservoir from the river and is one of the largest in the West. It rises more than 500 feet above the Green River and provides water storage in addition to hydroelectric power. Overnight in Green River.

Located in beautiful southwest Wyoming, Fossil Butte National Monument is one of the largest deposits of freshwater fish fossils in the world. The area’s calm water, lack of scavengers and fine sediment all worked together to create the perfect conditions for preserving fossils. At the base of Fossil Butte are the bright red, purple, yellow and gray beds of the Wasatch Formation. Eroded portions of these horizontal beds slope gradually upward from the valley floor and steepen abruptly. Overnight in Kemmerer.

Drop off your rental car and make your way to Salt Lake International Airport to head back home.