Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park's 2 million acres are home to an incomparable combination of natural beauty, rugged wilderness, majestic peaks and abundant wildlife, as well as the world’s largest concentration of geysers and thermal features. The iconic spots—Old Faithful, Lower Falls and Yellowstone Lake—may be familiar from paintings and photographs, but seeing them in person is a humbling, enthralling experience that visitors can enjoy year-round.

Located south of Yellowstone National Park and north of the town of Jackson, Grand Teton's 310,000 acres includes lush valley floors, mountain meadows, alpine lakes and the rising peaks of the Teton Range. While iconic locations like Mormon Row and the Moulton Barns may be the most photographed destinations in the park, Grand Teton's celestial peaks also provide the perfect setting for nature lovers, outdoor adventurers and road trippers who are looking to explore the park's incredible landscapes.

Anchoring the northeast corner of Wyoming is the country's first national monument—Devils Tower. Devils Tower is a jaw-dropping geological feature that rises 867 feet above Wyoming's rolling prairies.

While Devils Tower National Monument garnered significant attention as the backdrop in the movie ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’, the tower is sacred to many Northern Plains Indian tribes, as well as the Kiowa Tribe, who made their homes in the Black Hills region. With oral storytelling and a history that dates back thousands of years, today American Indian tribes continue to hold sacred ceremonies at the tower, including sweat lodges and sun dances. With a rich history that combines the country's First Nations with cowboys, rock climbers and incredible night skies, Devils Tower is a must-visit destination in Wyoming.

Cody, Wyoming was founded in 1896 by the living legend, Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, who at the age of 41 was one of the most famous men in the world. Founded as a hospitality centre, Cody truly is the “Wildwest way into Yellowstone”. Experience the west with attractions that include nightly rodeos, gun fight re-enactments, cowboy music and the world-class Buffalo Bill Centre of the West.

Outdoor adventure includes rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, fly-fishing, horseback riding or river rafting. Three scenic byways offer opportunities to view wildlife and see some of the most beautiful landscapes anywhere in America.

You’ll also find the Buffalo Bill Center of the West here, which houses five world-class museums and a research library all under one roof. Dedicated to the American West, it’s full of history, art, Native American heritage, the natural science of the Yellowstone region, and the development and importance of firearms to the West.

If you’re in town from June – August 2018, make sure to catch the Cody Nite Rodeo. The Cody Nite Rodeo started in 1938 and is the longest running and the only nightly rodeo in the world. Mo Betta Rodeo Company and Tate family have been producing the nightly rodeo for more than 10 years and continue to make history.

Cheyenne Frontier Days (20-29 July 2018)

Since 1897, Cheyenne has celebrated its Old West roots with an eye-popping festival. The centrepiece of this Western celebration is the world’s largest outdoor rodeo, which draws top professionals who compete for more than $1 million in cash and prizes. Complementing the daily rodeo action are behind-the-chutes tours, trick riding and a wild-horse race. A Native American Village, an old frontier town, a saloon, dancing, a chuck wagon cook-off, pancake breakfasts and an art show carry through the frontier theme. Rounding out the program are a carnival midway, an air show, top-name entertainment, professional bull riding shows and several parades that include antique carriages and automobiles. Cheyenne Frontier Days takes place each summer during the last full week in July.