Leaving Montana headed south, and cruising through the rest of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming is the next point of interest for both its natural and man-made attractions. People are still not plentiful, but Wyoming has plenty of beautiful scenery to make for its lack of population. And for those starting to suffer from civilization withdrawal, Colorado is coming soon.
Wyoming
As for sights to see in Wyoming, it is hard to beat the rugged majesty of the Grand Teton National Park, just south of Yellowstone. Jagged snow covered mountains jut skyward and beg to be explored, or at least hiked with a picnic lunch. Being in these mountains it is easy to see the difficulty that the first explorers faced when attempting to tame the American West, and why vast areas are still largely empty.
To understand a bit more about the early history of the West, starting well before white settlers arrived, check out some of the Native American reservations in Wyoming. In particular the Wind River Indian Reservation tells of the struggles and hardships endured by the indigenous peoples, and educates the public about this disappearing culture. Plus, guides at the reservation will teach visitors a few steps of their traditional dances. There are also dozens of archeological sites including cave paintings and stone carvings, some dating back nearly a thousand years.
Heading across Wyoming it becomes clear once again why the American road trip is so popular. While just seeing the state’s points of interest would be worth the effort for most, linking these sites together with drives through some marvelous scenery makes the experience doubly enjoyable. So turn on the road-tripping music and enjoy the scenery.
There are so many incredible roads, highways, byways and scenic overlooks in Wyoming that it is impossible to list them all. Fortunately the Wyoming Tourism Board has gone through the effort of putting them online here,and they even have an app for iPhone and iPad (see, Wyoming is modern) to make planning your trip easier.
Along the way, be sure to experience some of Wyoming’s beauty by getting out of the car. This state is perfect for outdoorsy types, especially in summer, and there are tons of wilderness outfitters offering river rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking and rock climbing trips; or, simply do some camping and hiking on your own.
Before bidding goodbye to Wyoming, make a stopover at Devil’s Tower National Park. This little park is famous for its massive flat topped rock formation that shoots up from the ground, and was the location for the alien meet-and-greet scene in the late 70s cult flick Close Encounters of the Third Kind (no aliens now, however). Plus, it is conveniently located on the way to South Dakota and those long awaited Badlands.
The South Dakota Badlands (Finally)
It has taken a while to get here, considering how many interesting places there are to see between Southern California and the center of the North American continent, but this South Dakota site will prove worth it. The Badlands are special if for no other reason than that they are about as far from the ocean as anyone can get in the U.S.A., but the Badlands’ appearance makes the area feel like another planet.
This eroded wasteland is as exceptional for its beauty as for its foreboding desolation. The erratic sandstone formations exemplify chaos theory, yet there is a beautiful if vague pattern to its vast randomness.
Spend a day or two camping and hiking around the Badlands, but be sure to bring sufficient supplies as temperatures get very hot during summer days and can be very cool at night. During spring and autumn, be aware that it will be cool during the day, but well below freezing overnight.
When you have had your fill of this sprawling expanse of nothingness, it is time to head to Colorado, and there are two main routes to get there. Either head south and back through Wyoming to the west, or go through Nebraska to the east. Either route will stretch across America’s vast farmland, so just pick the one you like best.
Colorado
In contrast to the Wild Wild West vibe of its neighbors to the north, Colorado is a more hippy-friendly locale, with bigger cities and tons of outdoor activities.
Known best for its skiing and snowboarding, Colorado offers plenty to do in summer as well, and feel free to check out Denver for a day or two to recharge and rest from the road – but most importantly, don’t overlook Colorado Springs, 75 miles south.
This is cool, smaller city with lots of eco-friendly, fair-trade-iness. This means great cafes and restaurants, excellent coffee, local breweries, and the fantastic Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Plus, there are lots of other museums and exhibits, many with free admission, to make passing a few days in town very enjoyable. Check out activities here, and find out how Colorado Springs offers civilization without the hassles of being in a big city.
When you finally press on to the next location, New Mexico, rather than taking the more predictable Interstate 85 South route, hook west and take State Highway 285 through the edge of the Rockies. It is not only more scenic, but also provides a perfect opportunity to stop and have a much needed soak in one of the thermal hot springs dotted around Colorado. Closest to Highway 285 is the massive Mount Princeton Hot Springs in the little town of Nathrop. For around $20 per person per day, it is a great budget-priced luxury. Your sore bits will thank you.
Next time: Backpacking America – Part 6, New Mexico and Arizona, and the big decision…
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