Americans know a thing or two about wide, open spaces, and our USA specialist, Dave, discovered what all the fuss was about during his research trip to the Rockies and the American West. He dug into dinosaur discoveries in Bozeman, snapped pictures of Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon and spotted bears and bison in Grand Teton National Park. When he wasn’t cheering at a Major League Baseball game in Denver, he was tucking into South Dakota’s specialty steak dish. Keen to find out more? Read on for the highlights from Dave’s epic road trip...
- Where did you visit?
- What did you get up to?
- What were the highlights?
- Did you learn about any secret spots?
- What’s your favourite thing you ate?
- What new things did you learn?
- What was something you’d never done before?
- What’s one thing that can’t be missed?
- Did anything surprise you about the destination?
- What’s a top tip you’d give to clients?
Where did you visit?
I spent 15 days exploring four states across the Rocky Mountains and the rugged American West – Colorado, South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana. After touching down in Denver, I drove north to Fort Collins, then onto Rapid City and Deadwood in South Dakota. I crossed into Wyoming to visit Sheridan and then headed up to Big Sky in Montana. From there, I ventured south through Jackson and Rawlins before wrapping up in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Talk about a jam-packed trip!
Image by Dave Martin
What did you get up to?
So much! I watched a baseball game in Denver, then headed to Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. In nearby Custer State Park, I jumped on a jeep safari and spotted wildlife with a local guide. After that, I drove through Sheridan, Bozeman and Cody, learning about dinosaur discoveries and frontier history at each stop.
Yellowstone was next, bubbling with mud pools and erupting geysers. Finally, I checked out the cowboy town of Steamboat Springs in northwest Colorado, where world-class skiing meets Western culture. Ranchers settled here in the 19th century, and it still has that laid-back old West feel.
Image by Dave Martin
What were the highlights?
My top highlight was spotting bears, moose, elk, coyotes and even an eagle in Grand Teton National Park. However, exploring Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon was a close second. It’s the world’s first national park, and the views are truly jaw-dropping. The Yellowstone River crashes over the Upper Falls, then plummets down the Lower Falls before winding through the 1,000ft-deep canyon. And I can't forget catching a live MLB game. Watching the Colorado Rockies take on the San Diego Padres was incredible; the stadium was buzzing.
Image by Dave Martin
Did you learn about any secret spots?
While it’s a popular area, there are still some quieter corners to enjoy – I loved spending some time in the more secluded town of Steamboat Springs. Tucked away in the Rocky Mountains, it’s a glorious spot with natural hot springs and pristine lakes, offering a chilled-out, casual vibe. It’s a much calmer alternative to the nearby mainstream ski towns of Vail or Aspen.
Image by Dave Martin
What’s your favourite thing you ate?
I had a couple of great steaks, but the steak tips were the real revelation – think burnt ends, battered like chicken nuggets… so tender and packed with flavour. Known as chislic, this is a South Dakota staple!
Image by Dave Martin
What new things did you learn?
I learnt that you don’t have to stay overnight in Yellowstone to get the most out of it. As you travel through the park towards your next destination, you can still explore different areas in lots of detail. Smoking geysers, craggy canyons and cascading waterfalls pop up around every corner. Honestly, I didn’t expect to fill my camera roll so quickly!
Image by Dave Martin
What was something you’d never done before?
I had never explored Grand Teton National Park before, but I’m so glad I made the trip. It’s one of the most beautiful spots in the country, with sharp, dramatic peaks, lush sweeping valleys and no foothills to interrupt your view. It’s also quite possibly the best place in the US to spot wildlife. I was lucky enough to see bears, moose, bison, coyotes and even pelicans, to name a few.
Image by Dave Martin
What’s one thing that can’t be missed?
A stay on a ranch! This is the kind of ranch landscape people dream about, and there’s no shortage of things to do. Ride on horseback through the mountains, valleys and wide-open fields, or just kick back and relax on your cabin’s front porch. Try your hand at fly-fishing or tomahawk throwing, a traditional form of axe-throwing. You can even dive deeper into ranch culture and join a team-penning session, where you and a couple of riders work together to herd cattle into a pen against the clock. It’s a great way to meet locals.
Image by Dave Martin
Did anything surprise you about the destination?
The weather really surprised me. I travelled in late May and felt like I experienced all four seasons, from sunny skies and 30°C in Denver to snowfall and -1°C in Yellowstone. There were autumnal gusts and patches of drizzle across the South Dakota plains, while crisp spring-like mornings and pleasant evenings were the norm in Steamboat Springs. It’s safe to say that packing for every season is the best course of action.
Image by Dave Martin
What’s a top tip you’d give to clients?
Slow it down and take time to enjoy the journey. Like Route 66, a trip through the Rockies is as much about the drive as the destination, with fabulous scenery at every turn. And don’t ignore the mileage, either. This isn’t a quick drive-by area; expect to take some longer journeys, but remember to enjoy what’s waiting at the other end – vast open roads, dramatic scenery and plenty of sights that’ll make you stop and look along the way.
Image by Dave Martin
Header Image by Dave Martin
