The Great American West Top 5 Experiences in 2022
Now our Australian borders are open for travel to the USA, it's time to put our dreams of this spectacular destination safely back into action. The Great American West states of Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming have so much of what we need right now; wide open spaces, unspoiled natural wonders and scenic delights at every turn of a road trip. They offer an awe-inspiring number of national parks and monuments, and outdoor activities galore, in every season. Add your choice of abundant wildlife, fascinating and authentic cowboy and Native American culture and history, cool small towns, food & wine delights and you have the basic ingredients for the trip of a lifetime.
To get you inspired and help to customise your dream trip to these incredible states, here's the top five experiences in each State for 2022, an update on what's new and news this northern winter.
Check out our Australian & New Zealand websites and our Facebook page for more great photos and information about the Great American West.
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IDAHO
Nez Perce Tourism has received a grant to further develop interpretative signage with Nez Perce language along the Nez Perce (Nee-ME-Poo) National Historic Trail route and Auto Tour including recorded interviews and professional photography with tribal elders and members.
Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) elder Pete Wilson raises a fox fur while sharing legends embedded into the places within his homelands. USDA photo, Brad Stinson
WYOMING
Top ten things to know for a winter visit to Yellowstone: https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/news/21035.htm
MONTANA
Glacier National Park Announces Plans for a 2022 Ticket System; View press release
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IDAHO: Yellowstone anniversary and dark sky dinners are 2022 highlights in Idaho
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New Moon Dinners in the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve: The Sawtooth Botanical Garden in Ketchum hosts New Moon Dinners in the darkest months of the year – November through February – to showcase the beauty and wonder of Idaho’s night skies in the southern tip of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve. Guests enjoy a catered farm-to-greenhouse dinner with wine, outdoor fire pits, and telescopes with local astronomers to map the night sky.
 Yellowstone National Park’s 150th Anniversary
Idaho is the Eastern gateway to Yellowstone National Park and is the perfect starting point to take in the area’s natural beauty and wildlife splendours without the crowds.
Take a road trip
Begin your journey, or extend your visit, with a road trip along the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway or Teton Scenic Byway. The region is home to Harriman State Park, the majestic Grand Tetons, stunning Mesa Falls and world-class fishing on Henry’s Fork of the legendary Snake River.
Basque Jaialdi Festival to Return in 2025: Idaho is home to the largest concentration of Basques per capita in the U.S.; and when it comes to celebrating their unique heritage and culture, the Basques know how to throw a party. Jaialdi, the six-day festival held every five years in Boise, will return in 2025. Attendees are treated to authentic Basque food, music, games, performances and more.
Sun Valley: No skier or boarder worth their bragging rights should miss a winter visit to Sun Valley, to soak up some Hollywood old-skool glamour at Sun Valley Resort and enjoy some of the best winter powder in the west, at each of Bald (‘Baldy”) Mountain or Dollar Mountain. Add to that the authentic charm of the western town of Ketchum with some Hemingway history, top notch accommodation, pioneer-style saloon and great dining options. It's all just a 2.5 hour drive from Boise or short direct flight from LAX or San Francisco into the local Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN), making access a dream.
For more information on Idaho, visit VisitIdaho.org
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MONTANA: Enjoy starry skies, a snowy dinner and history
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Montana’s wide-open spaces mean visitors can enjoy expansive, star-filled skies year-round. Some of the best stargazing spots include designated Dark Sky Parks Medicine Rocks State Park and Glacier National Park.
In summer 2022, Bozeman’s Museum of the Rockies (below) will be the second museum in the world to host "Apsaalooke Women and Warriors," an exhibit showcasing the prominence of women, daring feats in battle, unparalleled horsemanship and innovative beadwork.
Bannack Days (July 16-17, 2022): See re-enactments of mining days and demonstrations of pioneer skills, try gold panning, explore Hangman’s Gulch or even see a gunfight, all at Bannack State Park.
Montana Dinner Yurt: Discover an out-of-the-ordinary winter dining experience with amazing mountain views and star-filled skies in Big Sky. A snowcat takes you to a heated yurt in a backcountry setting at 7,500 feet elevation. Enjoy a delicious dinner, live acoustic music and sledding on Lone Mountain.
The elk rut in Gardiner during the fall mating season is a spectacle to be remembered. Bull elk bugle to ward off competing bulls as they gather females into harems. Other prime elk habitat includes the Bitterroot Valley south of Missoula, the Seeley Lake area and the Slippery Ann Wildlife Viewing area near Lewistown.
For more information on Montana, visit VISITMT.COM.
Five more one-of-a-kind experiences beyond Glacier National Park
1. ROAM Beyond is the best of camping/glamping without having to bring all of the gear. Stay in a boutique and customized, eco-friendly RV-style cabin near Glacier National Park.
2. Llama trekking allows you to make a new friend who doubles as a hiking buddy that carries all of your gear. Learn from your guide how these cute but hard-working animals have been domesticated along the hike to a lunch spot or on an overnight trek.
3. With River City Brews Rafting Tours, select a Montana craft beer, get in a raft on a river in Missoula and let someone else do the paddling as you enjoy the majestic views while making new friends.
4. Quinn’s Hot Springs just completed a renovation of its soaking pools of healing mineral waters. At Quinn’s, visitors can reserve a time to soak in the pools, have a superb dinner at Harwood House Restaurant or stay in the lodge or river-view cabins.
5. Garden of One Thousand Buddhas is an international center for peace, public park, botanical garden and Buddhist center located on the Flathead Indian Reservation in the Jocko Valley of Montana. Interesting, right?
For more information on Western Montana’s Glacier Country, visit GlacierMT.com.
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| NORTH DAKOTA: enjoy nature, history, wildlife and more |
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North Dakota’s top five experiences offer adventures, scenic trails, enchanting views, wildlife, nature, history, art, culture and more.
With its wide-open spaces, vistas that take your breath away, and views of wild horses and bison roaming free, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is truly one of the most beautiful places in North Dakota.
The International Peace Garden (above) is one of the continent's most symbolic and scenic attractions, touting 2,300 acres of nature’s beauty, 155,000 flowers, pristine lakes, scenic hiking and driving trails, waterfalls and a large variety of birds.
The MHA Interpretive Center is an expansive, stunning multipurpose facility that interprets the history and culture of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara people. The center houses a museum, interactive kiosks, coffee and gift shops, and offers cultural classes.
Travel through time in the oldest state park in North Dakota and explore its rich culture and history. Venture through reconstructed earthlodges and gaze upon breathtaking views of the river bottoms while traversing the scenic trails of Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park.
Fargo is the largest city in North Dakota, boasting a dynamic arts and culture scene, a vibrant downtown, unique lodging, exceptional eating establishments, thrilling entertainment venues, and numerous attractions and activities for everyone.
For more information on North Dakota, visit NDTourism.com.
Dig deeper: Fargo-Moorhead's top 5 keeps things fun year-round
Frostival: Fargo's winter festival has fun for the whole family, including cardboard sled races, “Amazing Race”-style competitions, yoga in the snow, winter camping and more. Full schedule
Tailgating: Each fall, North Dakota State University's championship team not only has great football games fans love, it also hosts an awesome "tailgate" party beforehand. From die-hard fans to first-time visitors, everyone is welcome to enjoy the classic food, drinks and fun you expect at a tailgate. Guide to tailgating
Drekker: ( above). Housed in one of the oldest buildings in Fargo, Drekker's Viking-themed brewery has a gorgeous interior with tall ceilings and bier hall-type tables. Drekker has tons of sour options as well as seltzers, pilsners and lagers. Learn more
Woodchipper: From the infamous film “Fargo,” this iconic prop is located in the Visitor Center and makes for an awesome photo op. Check out the other movie memorabilia and even grab some one-of-a-kind movie-themed merchandise while you're there. Learn more
Bonanazaville: This pioneer village pays homage to the history of the region. Fargo's first house, old bonanza farmhouses, a car museum
More information: Visit Fargo-Moorhead.com
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SOUTH DAKOTA's top 5 unique events and celebrations
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| South Dakota's top 5 unique events and celebrations |
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Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup & Arts Festival: Feel the thunder of the massive buffalo herd as cowboys and cowgirls round up and drive them into the corrals. It’s an extraordinary experience seen only in Custer State Park.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant: Channel your inner pioneer during the theatre performance of Laura’s “Little House on the Prairie” books on the outdoor stage, and join in song as the Ingalls family is celebrated.
100th Anniversary of Days of ’76: Celebrate the 100th year of parades, Native American performances and truly one of the best outdoor rodeos in the country with some of the best cowboys and cowgirls right here in Deadwood, South Dakota.
Arc of Dreams: A tribute to the dreamers, the Arc of Dreams spans the length of a football field across the Big Sioux River in downtown Sioux Falls and is truly a marvelous sight lit up in the night sky.
Celebrate Native American culture in Rapid City
Black Hills Powwow: He Sapa Wacipi Na Oskate: Colorful finery, elaborate featherwork and intricate beadwork help make up the beautiful visual atmosphere of a powwow, or wacipi. Witness the power of the largest wacipi in the nation and admire the artistic traditions of the Native American culture.
The Black Hills Powwow is one of the largest celebrations of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota cultures in the United States. This colorful event takes place each October in Rapid City, South Dakota. In 2022, it will debut in the newly built arena at the Monument, Rapid City’s entertainment mecca. Attend to hear drums and honor songs, explore Native American art, shop different vendors, and witness an explosion of color as thousands of dancers come together in their regalia and flood the arena floor. This special event is often described as a homecoming for these cultures. The Black Hills, or Paha Sapa in Lakota, are a sacred place and the birthplace of the Great Sioux Nation. To learn more about tribal history in the Black Hills region, explore The Journey Museum & Learning Center located in downtown Rapid City, or see art, crafts, beadwork and more at Prairie Edge Trading Co. & Galleries. More places that hold significance to Native American culture near Rapid City include Crazy Horse Memorial®, Bear Butte State Park, Badlands National Park and Wind Cave National Park.
For more information on Rapid City, visit VisitRapidCity.com.
For more information on South Dakota, visit TravelSouthDakota.com.
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WYOMING: celebrating milestones in 2022
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Wyoming celebrating top 5 milestones in 2022
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DENVER Co; Gateway to the Great American West
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