Peaks, Pools and Cowboys: The Best of the USA’s Northwest

Rise and shine as it’s the first full day of your holiday. Pick up a complimentary breakfast-to-go from your accommodation before being picked up and taken on a sunrise 4x4 wildlife safari. Grand Teton National Park is famous for its awe-inspiring landscapes, so make sure your cameras are charged as today you’ll encounter craggy peaks, crystal-clear alpine lakes and lush coniferous forests. Led by an experienced naturalist guide, your excursion will last around four hours in a small group of up to seven people. Learn all about the flora and fauna of the region as you keep an eye and ear out for the abundant, diverse wildlife of the park. Spot elk, bison, wolves, bears and bald eagles (all from the safety of your 4x4 vehicle, of course). If early mornings aren’t your bag, there’s also the option of an equally beautiful sunset wildlife safari instead. Binoculars and snacks are provided while on safari, so you (and your stomach) won’t miss a thing whether it’s dusk or dawn.

Besides a wildlife safari, there’s so much to get involved with in Jackson Hole, from horse riding and hiking to climbing. We recommend exploring the quaint town, which is full of art galleries, boutiques and delicious restaurants for you to peruse.

Seeking something a little more adventurous? Today, your prayers are answered with the ultimate thrill-seeker’s activity: white water rafting. You’ll be taking to the frothy, swirling waters of the infamous Snake River – consistently one of the best white-water adventures in the USA – for an unforgettable excursion. The Snake River is a majestic beast flowing through four states in the region; you’ll be riding the ebb and flow of its waters on class three-ranked (out of five) rapids such as the ‘Big Kahuna’, the ‘Three Oar Deal’, and the ‘California Curl’. No previous rafting experience is needed, but if you’d rather take it easy, sit in the centre of the boat for a (slightly) gentler ride. Don a life jacket and get your blood pumping for a three-and-a-half-hour group experience set within spectacular Wyoming scenery.

After your rapturous rapid adventure, you can enjoy some chill time back at your accommodation. Maybe you’ll even treat yourself to a rejuvenating spa treatment, or have a soak in the saltwater hot tub on your final night in Jackson Hole.

Today, you’re embarking on the next leg of your journey, so hop into your faithful ride and get our destination-themed playlist blasting from the speakers. You’ll be driving two-and-a-half hours north towards Yellowstone, so prepare for panoramic views of the distant snowy Teton peaks and Wyoming’s characteristic great plains. Be on the lookout for wildlife such as bison and deer as you enter Yellowstone National Park through a forest of dead trees – remnants from the fire of 1988. Once you’ve arrived and settled into your comfortable accommodation – where you’ll be spending one night – it’s time to discover the park. Get back on your four wheels and drive around the Grand Loop Road to explore the iconic natural beauty of Yellowstone, from the Upper Geyer Basin to the Grand Prismatic Spring. Admire wildlife grazing between fumaroles, geysers, hot springs, mud pools and waterfalls set against spectacular canyons.

The next stop on your whistlestop Wyoming tour is the city of Cody. En route on the three-hour drive, you’ll be treated to more varied landscapes including rocky mountains, green meadows, rivers and waterfalls. You’ll be spending two nights in Cody, a town founded by the mythical figure of the American Old West, ‘Buffalo Bill’. Cody is a city frozen in time, and your authentic hotel is reminiscent of an old lodge, filled with rustic furniture. Tonight’s activity? We recommend experiencing Cody’s famous rodeo, held every summer evening.

Cody is yours for the taking today. After enjoying a continental breakfast in your hotel, head to the Buffalo Bill Centre of the West Museum for an introduction to all things American West. Entrance is included in your itinerary, so get stuck into the history, myths, art and culture of the region. The complex consists of a research library and five museums, so there’s no excuse not to be a Western expert at the end.

Another must-see in Cody is the Old Trail Town. Step back in time and say ‘Yeehaw’ as you explore this brilliantly reconstructed Western town. This is the perfect place to re-create scenes from your favourite Western film and take as many embarrassing photos as possible. Museums are hungry (and thirsty) work, so head into town afterwards for a bite to eat and wander around the shops.

Today, you’ve got a one-hour-and-45-minute drive ahead of you. Your destination? The state of Montana’s largest city, Billings. Bordering the Yellowstone River, Billings is home to 100,000 inhabitants and is notable for its plentiful museums. You’ll be spending two nights here in a hotel voted the best in the city, with warm interiors inspired by the surrounding landscapes and two restaurants. Tuck into dinner at the traditional diner for a casual meal or opt for the fine dining restaurant if you’re feeling fancy.

Enjoy a full day discovering Billings today. Don’t miss the wonderful Moss Mansion Historic House Museum, Western Heritage Centre or the Yellowstone Art Museum. There are also some great natural wonders in and around Billings, so head to the Pictograph Caves, Lake Elmo or DanWalt Gardens for your nature fix. Explore the restaurants and shops in downtown Billings at dusk before heading back to your hotel for a nightcap.

Your state-hopping extravaganza continues today as you head back to Wyoming for an overnight stay in the small town of Sheridan. It will take just under two hours to reach Wyoming’s ‘emerald city’, which is nestled near two sites of the greatest battles of the Indian Wars. In Sheridan, you’re immersed in the story of the conquest of the West, so watch a rodeo and stroll downtown to pick up a period object or two. Sheridan is also a stone’s throw away from the Bighorn National Forest, where tall forests, majestic mountains and mirror lakes await. Head there for sunset to witness the landscape transforming from orange to pink in the sinking sun.

Tonight, you’ll be staying in a historic hotel where Ernest Hemingway added the finishing touches to his novel, A Farewell to Arms. Each of the rooms in your accommodation also pays tribute to the legend of Buffalo Bill (with whom you should be well acquainted by now).

It’s time to head to the next state on your itinerary today – South Dakota – so get your seatbelts on and bags packed. Make sure to stock up on snacks for the journey ahead, as you’ll be taking the scenic route and covering 292 miles in just under five hours. En route, take a detour to Devil’s Tower, a natural monolith with a peak that rises almost 5,000ft high. You’ll also journey through the beautiful Black Hills National Park before continuing to Rapid City. You’ll spend the next three nights in a charming historic hotel, built in 1927 to pay tribute to the Sioux nation. The hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, so expect period features combined with comfort and contemporary design. End the night with some food and drink in the hotel’s rooftop bar, enjoying panoramic views over Rapid City.

The next two days are yours to explore Rapid City and its surrounding area. Just 20 minutes away is the famous Mount Rushmore, where you’ll find the faces of George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln immortalised in granite. We recommend visiting at sunrise or sunset to see them bathed in a spectacular golden light. Another must-see is the Crazy Horse Memorial, an engraving paying tribute to the Sioux warrior and tribal leader who distinguished himself in the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876. Located about an hour’s drive to the east of the city, don’t miss the Badlands National Park, home to stony eroded landscapes and the largest mixed grass prairie in the USA. Hike along one of the many trails and venture deep into the park for extraordinary scenes. Custer State Park in the Black Hills also provides a taster of South Dakota’s natural beauty – expect serene lakes, rocky vistas and lots of buffalo.

And if you’ve got time to spare? Explore the charming Rapid City itself. Take a stroll around the characterful downtown area, visit one of the many museums, dine in one of its plentiful eateries and soak up the atmosphere in the ‘City of Presidents’.

Today, you’re heading back to Wyoming, so strap in for a four-and-a-half-hour drive south towards the capital city and most populous in the state, Cheyenne. True Western culture is celebrated here, so giddy up and get your cowboy hat and boots on if you want to pass for a local. You’ll be spending one night in a spacious hotel located in a pleasant 32-hectare wooded park. Once you’ve arrived and settled into your room, get out and make the most of your evening in Cheyenne. We recommend visiting one of Cheyenne’s local rodeos, watching a gunslinger performance in the square, or putting your best (cowboy) boot forward with some boot-scootin’ line dancing.

Say goodbye to Cheyenne this morning as you embark on the next leg of your journey, a one-and-a-half-hour drive towards Estes Park, Colorado. Along the way, stop off in the picturesque university town of Fort Collins for a stroll along Main Street and a local craft beer (not for the designated driver, though). You’ll then take the scenic Highway 34 which runs along the impressive Big Thompson Canyon, before reaching your hotel in Estes Park. Nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains National Park, you’ll be spending the next three nights in recently renovated rooms with access to a swimming pool, hot tub and gym. Tonight, discover the local breweries, shops and restaurants in Estes Park in the area, before hitting the hay.

After piling your plates high at breakfast this morning, it’s time to get outdoors and explore what is arguably Colorado’s greatest asset: Rocky Mountain National Park. Encompassing 660 square miles of some of the highest mountains in the USA, the park is home to thick evergreen forests, steep valleys and steel-blue lakes. One of the best ways to explore the park is to drive along the 48-mile-long Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in the USA. This spectacular drive takes you above the treeline and it’s likely you’ll spot wildlife such as elk and bighorn sheep along the way. Be on the lookout for bald eagles and black bears (if you’re lucky), too.

A visit to the park wouldn’t be complete without some hiking, and handily, there’s ample ground to cover. Take trails through the alpine tundra passing waterfalls and lakes with names such as ‘Emerald’ and ‘Dream’. And trust us, it'll be worth the early wake-up call to catch the sunrise over Bear Lake one day. In the evenings, you’ll no doubt be putting up your tired feet for some deserved relaxation, but if you fancy venturing into town, try one of Estes Park’s many delicious eateries or bars (most of which come with a view).

Your time discovering Colorado’s great outdoors comes to an end today. Swapping lakes and mountains for city life, you’ll begin the 71-mile drive towards Denver. It should take around one and a half hours to reach your hotel for an overnight stay in the vibrant capital. Set within the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, there’s so much more to the ‘Mile High City’ than its proximity to the ski slopes. For a culture fix, visit the world-renowned Museum of Nature and Science, the Denver Art Museum and the State Capitol building. With a plethora of restaurants and bars to visit, make sure to consult our Dossier of the best tried-and-tested establishments. After sampling some of the best American cuisine in the city, head back to your contemporary hotel with its stylish alpine-meets-city aesthetic for your final sleep State-side.