Wyoming, Montana and the Dakotas are vacation destinations that offer plenty of outdoor activities.
The northwestern United States is home to wide-open spaces and unspoiled nighttime celestial views. A wide array of activities are available in Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota that will keep you and your family entertained. The area boasts hunting grounds, American Indian lodges and national parks.
Yellowstone National Park
Covering the northwest corner of Wyoming is Yellowstone National Park. You could take a hiking and camping trip, or stay at one of the numerous lodges or cabin sites in one of the U.S.'s most famous national parks. See the famous geysers, such as Norris and Old Faithful. Take a dip in the Mammoth Hot Springs. Hike up to Tower Falls or Tower Roosevelt for unobstructed views of the surrounding park area. You can picnic in the park, or there are small stores and restaurants in several areas around the park. The park is open year-round, but several of the roads into the park and the stores and restaurants close for the winter season.
American Indian Reservations
Montana is home to several American Indian tribes with reservations in the state. Take your family on a roadtrip to any or all of these reservations and experience powwows, tribal celebrations and a rich cultural heritage. Tribes that populate the seven reservations of Montana include Blackfoot, Crow, Sioux and Cheyenne. While visiting these tribes, you can purchase artwork and crafts and sample some traditional American Indian foods. These reservations are not far from cities, so hotels, lodges or campgrounds are located nearby. Warmer months make for a better vacation, as parts of Montana can be extremely cold during winter. Ask permission before taking pictures of individuals and drive carefully, as you may encounter wildlife in the open spaces while on the reservation.
Badlands Horseback Riding
Southwestern South Dakota is home to rugged terrain, particularly within the Badlands National Park. Several ranches, including the Badlands Ranch Resort, will take you and your family on guided tours of this unforgiving landscape. You can take time out from your ride to do some rock and fossil hunting; the Badlands are one of the richest deposits of fossilized remains in the country. Many of the ranches have lodges or cabins, as well as spaces to either park an RV or camp.
North Dakota Fishing
There are dozens of lakes in North Dakota of all different sizes, so fishing in North Dakota is a popular outing. The fishing season is open year-round, however, in the winter, visitors can go ice-fishing, which is a slightly different experience. The lakes of North Dakota are teeming with a variety of "good-eating" fish, such as walleye, salmon, Northern pike and smallmouth bass. A variety of accommodations across the state cater to the needs of both amateur and professional anglers.
Tags: North Dakota, American Indian, National Park, Wyoming Montana, your family, lakes North
