99 Things To Do at YNP - 2007

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Hiking in Yellowstone Country affords

travelers views not necessarily seen from
the road.
Recreation
1. Go Camping
2. Canoe or Kayak a River
3. Ride a Horse
4. Experience Yellowstone
5. Visit Southwestern Wyoming
6. Take a Drive through
Lincoln County
7. Go Fishing
8. Take a Hike
9. Visit Lander, Wyoming
10. Enjoy Colorado
11. Explore a Desert
12. Go Goat Packing
13. Play a Round of Golf
14. Try Your Luck at Gaming
15. Go on a Horsepacking Adventure
16. Go on a Hunting Trip
17. Enjoy a Lake
18. Go on a Llama Trip
19. Ride a Mountain Bike
20. Climb a Mountain
21. Explore a Forest
22. Spend Time at a National
Recreation Area
65. See a Medicine Wheel
66. Visit a Museum
67. Visit the Museum of the Rockies
68. Visit an Old Mine
69. Attend a Mountain Man Rendezvous
70. Visit a Paleontological Site
71. See a Petroglyphs or Pictographs
72. Visit a State Capitol
73. Attend a PowWow
74. Visit an Old Prison
75. Go on a Stagecoach Ride
76. Visit Carbon County, Wyoming
77. Explore Historic Trails
78. Visit the Buffalo Bill Historical Center
79. Watch a Rodeo
80. Visit an Indian Reservation
81. Visit Casper, Wyoming
82. Dont Miss Northeastern Utahs
Dinoland!
83. Visit Historic Sites
84. Reasons to Visit Salt Lake
85. Visit Top Of Utah
86. Come to Bear River Heritage
87. Visit a Fine Art Gallery and Bronze
Foundry
88. Experience Wyomings Wind River
Country
Natural Wonders
89. Soak in a Hot Springs
90. Visit a National Monument
91. See a Natural Bridge or Arch
92. See Unusual Rock or Land Formations
93. Explore Sand Dunes
94. View a Waterfall
95. Look into the Grand Canyon of the
Yellowstone
96. Watch Geysers Erupt
Cuisine
97. Eat a Bagel
98. Go on an Old West Cookout
99. Take Home the Fresh Taste of West-
Mex
Reference
Park Regulations
Yellowstone Park Map
Regional Map
Advertiser Index
23. Ride in a Covered Wagon
24. Go Rock Climbing
25. Go For a Swim
26. Montana: Big Sky Country
27. Visit Albany County, Wyoming
28. Go Rafting
29. Explore West Yellowstone
30. Heat Things up in
Thermopolis, Wyoming
31. Experience Converse County
Winter Recreation
32. Go Cross Country Skiing
33. Go Downhill Skiing
34. Go Dog-Sledding
35. Go Snowboarding
36. Take a Snowcoach Tour
37. Go Snowshoeing
38. Go Snowmobiling
Wildlife
39. Go Birding
40. Visit a National Wildlife Refuge
41. See Wild Horses
42. Visit a Zoo
43. Visit the Rocky Mountain Elk
Foundations Visitor Center
44. See Amazing Wildlife
45. Enjoy Idahos Yellowstone-Teton Territory
Sightseeing
46. Take a Bus Tour
47. Spend Time at an Interpretive Center
48. Visit a National Park
49. Go on a Photo Safari
50. See a Historic Hotel
51. Visit a State Park
52.Enjoy a Scenic Drive
53. Ride a Train
54. Explore Buffalo Bills Cody/Yellowstone
Country
55. Explore Butte, Montana
56. Visit Missoula, Montana
57. Live the Legend of Cheyenne
58. Visit Dubois, Wyoming
Historic/Cultural
Attractions
59. Go on a Dinosaur Dig
60. Attend a Folk Dance Festival
61. Visit a Ghost Town
62. Pan for Gold
63. Stay at a Guest Ranch
64. Attend an Old West Gun Fight
Photo by Travel Montana
Contents

recreation
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Photo by Jeff Vanuga;

Luggage decal courtesy Tamsen Hert
Image from Hebard (Wyoming) Collection,
Univ. of Wyo. Libraries
9 9 T HI N G S T O D O I N Y E L L O WS T O N E C O U N T RY 2
campgrounds in
Eastern Idaho,
there is always a place
nearby with friendly
folks who will welcome you
home after an exciting day of exploration.
For a free Idaho campground directory,
call 1-800-Visit-ID. (Go to
www.rvidaho.org)
To get equipped for your camping
adventure, stop in at Sierra Trading
Post, in Cody and Cheyenne, Wyoming.
(Go to www.sierratradingpost.com.)
Go to www.Brunton.com for excellent
camping gear, including camp stoves,
GPS units, lanterns, compasses and more!
For information about recreating in
bear country and all your bear spray
needs, go to Counter Assault Bear
Deterrents website at
www.counterassault.com
Look to Primus for the best in camp-
ing gear, including lightweight stoves that
are famous throughout the world among
backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts, as
well as lanterns, headlamps, cooksets and
more. Go to www.primuscamping.com
2.
Canoe or
kayak a river
One of the best ways to enjoy this
region is to canoe a beautiful stretch of
water.
Canoeing provides a simple way to
enjoy some of the most stunning places
on the planet. Imagine drifting within
sight of elk, moose, deer, badgers, eagles,
well as a marina where you can rent
boats, sea kayaks and canoes to round out
your camping experience. (Go to
www.signalmountainlodge.com.)
Near Dubois, Wyoming, the Shoshone
National Forest has five developed camp-
grounds with settings that reflect the
incredibly varied scenery of the Upper
Wind River Valley. (Go to
www.duboiswyoming.org.)
Grand Teton RV Park & Resort,
located near Moran and the East
Entrance of Grand Teton National Park,
is a great place to park the camper or RV.
There are also clean rustic cabins in
which to stay (bring your own
bedding) and a swimming
pool. Enjoy dramatic views
of the Teton Range. (Go to
www.yellowstonerv.com.)
From the Medicine Bow
National Forest to beauti-
ful Ayres Natural Bridge,
Converse County,
Wyoming, offers plenty of
opportunity for family
camping. Abundant wildlife,
beautiful scenery and great fish-
ing add to the experience. (Go to
www.conversecountytourism.com.)
There are five different campgrounds
around Lake Flaming Gorge in south-
western Wyoming and northern Utah. All
the facilities are run by Flaming Gorge
Corporation and offer fantastic lake and
mountain scenery. For information and
reservations, call the Lucerne Valley
Marina at 435-784-3483. (Go to
www.flaminggorge.com.)
Travelers enjoying Thermopolis,
Wyomings Mineral Hot Springs or
Dinosaur Center will want to consider
spending a night out under the starry
Wyoming sky. For campers in tents or
RVs, Country Camping RV Park offers
peace, quiet and beautiful views. (Go to
www.countrycamp.net)
More than 383 campgrounds, 27 parks
and many picnic areas are located in
Cache Valley and nearby Wasatch-Cache
National Forest in Utah. With interesting
trails throughout the area and wonderful
weather during spring, summer and fall,
exploring Cache County is a delight for
all ages and abilities. (Go to www.tour-
cachevalley.com.)
Set up camp in Idahojust a short
drive across the border from Yellowstone
and Grand Teton National Parks. Idaho
offers the same spectacular beauty and
legendary outdoor recreationbut with-
out the crowds. With 65 RV parks and
coyotes and wolves. Youll enjoy mountain
vistas that cant be seen from a car or
road.
Paddling will also take you back in time
to a time when canoeing was the only
alternative to traveling by horse. Lewis
and Clark did the majority of their explo-
rations in boats. While paddling in the
Yellowstone region, the views you see are
similar to those enjoyed by Lewis and
Clark during their famous 1804-06 jour-
ney.
The following are a few of our canoeing
recommendations:
Inside Yellowstone Park, canoe the
Lewis River Channel to Shoshone Lake, a
very popular and heavily used route. Skill:
beginner/intermediate; Distance: 9 miles;
Average Time: 4-6 hours; Put in and take
out: Lewis Lake boat dock; Hazards/notes:
Afternoon winds and waves. Take bear
country precautions.
Follow the west shore and then head
north, passing a small thermal basin
before entering Lewis Lake Channel.
Crossing the open water of Lewis Lake is
not recommended, due to sudden storms.
Stay close to shore and start early to avoid
the wind. Figure four to six hours of pad-
dling to reach Shoshone Lake. (Expect to
pull your canoe through the upper sec-
tions of the channel.)
Inside Grand Teton National Park,
paddle from Jackson Lake Dam to Pacific
Creek. This is a great half-day trip. Enjoy
excellent fishing for cutthroat trout. See
eagles nesting. We recommend a side-trip
to the Oxbow Bend area. Skill Level:
Canoeing offers serenity and spectacular scenery.
exploring forests and trails and looking for
rocks while expending all that energy that
had to be contained in the car. For adults,
the solitude of the backcountry provides an
escape from traffic lights, ringing telephones
and the stresses of life.
Visitors are encouraged to hike one of the
thousands of trails in Yellowstone or Grand
Teton national parks, or in forests and
wilderness areas.
Before hitting the trail, be sure youve
completed your checklist of things necessary
to pack, as well as reviewed the regulations
for the area in which you plan to camp. Its
a good idea to announce your plans to
someone you know in case you run into
trouble. If you plan to camp in grizzly bear
country, take extra precautions.
To camp in the backcountry of
Yellowstone or Grand Teton national parks,
you must obtain a permit.
Visitors just looking to pitch a tent or
camp in their camper or RV can easily find
a campground.
For information on campgrounds inside
Yellowstone Park, go to
www.travelyellowstone.com.
Tucked along the shores of Jackson Lake,
the Colter Bay Village has accommoda-
tions ranging from campsites to cabins to
an RV park. There are two restaurants,
launderette and showers, a grocery store,
gift and apparel shops, corrals, service sta-
tion and a full-service marina. (Go to
www.gtlc.com.)
Enjoy spectacular campsite locations right
on the shores of Jackson Lake in Grand
Teton National Park. Signal Mountain and
Lizard Creek campgrounds are tucked
amongst the trees with unparalleled views
and lake access. The Signal Campground is
adjacent to Signal Mountain Lodges restau-
rants, lounge and convenience storeas
1.
Go
camping
One of the best ways to experience this region is by
spending a night or more in the outdoors. Go camping!
This type of escape
should have extra allure
if your family has been
driving across several
states to get here.
Children enjoy
Contents
1. Go Camping
2. Canoe or Kayak a River
3. Ride a Horse
4. Experience Yellowstone
5. Visit Southwestern Wyoming
6. Take a Drive through
Lincoln County
7. Go Fishing
8. Take a Hike
9. Visit Lander, Wyoming
10. Enjoy Colorado
11. Explore a Desert
12. Go Goat Packing
13. Play a Round of Golf
14. Try Your Luck at Gaming
15. Go on a Horsepacking Adventure
16. Go on a Hunting Trip
17. Enjoy a Lake
18. Go on a Llama Trip
19. Ride a Mountain Bike
20. Climb a Mountain
21. Explore a Forest
22. Spend Time at a National
Recreation Area
23. Ride in a Covered Wagon
24. Go Rock Climbing
25. Go For a Swim
26. Montana: Big Sky Country
27. Visit Albany County, Wyoming
28. Go Rafting
29. Explore West Yellowstone
30. Heat Things up in
Thermopolis, Wyoming
31. Experience Converse County

Winter
Frosty adventures await in Yellowstone during the winter,
with two inviting hotels open during the snowy season the
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, accessible by car from the
North entrance, and the award-winning Old Faithful Snow
Lodge in the parks interior. Enjoy convenience and value by
reserving a Winter Getaway Package.
Xanterra Parks and Resorts, the primary concessionaire in
Yellowstone, can help make the most of your park experience.
Speak with their expert staff for information and reservations.
Call 307-344-7311 or visit www.TravelYellowstone.com.
4. Experience
Y
ellowstone is the worlds first, and perhaps most treasured,
national park. It is an amazing place a 2.2 million acre
retreat offering more than you can ever imagine.
For a complete park experience, stay inside the park and enjoy
peaceful evenings in Yellowstone, where the only noises heard might
be the roar of a geyser or waves lapping at the lakeshore. During the
day, discover the park through exploration. Go out on your own, or
take advantage of naturalist-guided, multi-day Lodging and
Learning packages, to gain a deeper connection with Yellowstone.
Here are some tips to help you maximize your park experience.
Spring
Springtime in Yellowstone means newborn wildlife
and wildflowers. It also means the re-opening of park
hotels and Early Bird Specials. You can save by stay-
ing at designated park hotels and room types during
specific dates in May. Book before April 1.
Summer
A wide range of accommodations is available dur-
ing the summer from rustic cabins at Roosevelt
Lodge to suites at the elegant Lake Hotel to every-
thing in between. It is best to plan in advance to
reserve your room.
However, dont be afraid to call at the last minute.
With a bit of flexibility, rooms can be still obtained
inside the park, due to last-minute changes or can-
cellations that can occur.
There are many unique summertime tours and
activities, including the Teton Vista Rendezvous,
which explores southern Yellowstone and Grand
Teton National Park. Discover all four types of
geothermal features with the Firehole Basin
Adventure. Join a knowledgeable guide on a jour-
ney to Yellowstones more familiar sights. Guided
fishing and custom sightseeing trips are offered
from Bridge Bay Marina, where rental boats are
also an option.
Autumn
Autumn is one of the most inspiring times in
Yellowstone. Enjoy the fall colors, and listen to the
spine-tingling bugling of the bull elk during their
annual rut.
YELLOWSTONE! YELLOWSTONE!
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Images (from top) courtesy of Tamsen Hert; Hebard (Wyoming) Collection,

Univ. of Wyo. Libraries.
Recreation
intermediate; Distance: 5 miles; Average Time: 2-4 hours; Put in:

Jackson Lake Dam; Take out: Pacific Creek Landing; Hazards:
River obstacles, swift current.
To canoe inside Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks,
you must have a boat permit. A seven-day permit for a non-
motorized vessel in Grand Teton Park costs $5 ($10 for annual
permit) and can be purchased at the Moose or Colter Bay Visitor
Centers. In Yellowstone, the cost is $5 for a 7-day permit or $10
for a season permit. Obtain permits at the Lewis Lake Ranger
Station, Grant Village Visitor Center, Bridge Bay Marina and the
Lake Ranger Station. (Go to www.travelyellowstone.com.)
For paddlers looking to camp overnight, a backcountry permit
is required. Stop in at a ranger station for information on obtain-
ing a permit to camp.
There are also many great stretches of water in Montana,
Wyoming and Idaho on which to paddle.
In Wyoming enjoy the scenic Big Horn River, from the
Wedding of the Waters into Hot Springs State Park, near
Thermopolis, Wyoming. For a challenge, join the River Regalia
Parade and Race held each August in Thermopolis.
Paddlers will enjoy the North Platte River just outside Casper,
Wyoming. With long stretches of flat water and mild rapids
(except during runoff ), the North Platte makes for a beautiful day
on the water. (Go to www.casperwyoming.info.)
The North Platte River then winds smack-dab through
Glenrock and Douglas, Wyoming. Relax for a day or two of fam-
ily fun on the North Platte with canoeing, rafting, tubing and
fishing. Rafting and tubing rentals are available locally. Douglas
and Glenrock are also practically an anglers paradise off the shores
of the North Platte, for those seeking catfish or trout! Or just sit
back and relax and enjoy birding or watching the abundant
wildlife. (Go to www.douglaschamber.com.)
Kayaking enthusiasts will also be thrilled with this region. Some
of the most scenic rivers in the world beckon. From rushing
whitewater to long runs of flat water, you dont have to be an
expert to kayak here. And yet if youre an avid kayaker, there are
challenging waters with your name all over them.
Stop by an outdoor gear store to find out what rivers offer good
kayaking stretches. Check with local chambers of commerce in the
area you are visiting for information on companies that offer guid-
ed kayak trips. Some rafting companies in greater Yellowstone
offer kayaking or kayaking instruction.
3.
Ride
a horse
No other activity fulfills families visiting this Western region
like a horseback ride.
Wyoming, Montana and Idaho are home to real working cow-
boys the real deal, not just someone who wears a cowboy hat
and cowboy boots and says hes a cowboy.
Many companies in the region offer the opportunity to ride a
horse.
Inside Yellowstone, contact Yellowstone National Park
Lodges. The sage-covered valleys and breathtaking canyons seem
even more impressive on horseback. Mammoth Hot Springs,
Canyon Village and Roosevelt Lodge all offer one- or two-hour
guided trail rides. (Go to www.TravelYellowstone.com.)
All Yellowstone Sports, in West Yellowstone, offers full-day
horseback tours as well as overnight backcountry excursions. (Go
to www.AllYellowstone.com.)
Yellowstone National Park Horseback Rides: small groups,
amazing scenery and real Montana cowboys, makes these horse-
back rides hard to beat! All rides depart a private ranch ( 7,500
elevation) bordering Yellowstone Park. (Go to
www.flyingpigrafting.com/horseback.html.)
Grand Teton Lodge Company also offers guided horseback
rides in Grand Teton National Park. Breakfast, dinner and wagon
rides are available. (Go to www.gtlc.com.)
Togwotee Mountain Lodge offers horseback rides in some of
the most scenic and rugged backcountry in the Lower 48. Choose
a one-hour or overnight trip. Either way, youll want your camera
to help you remember the beautiful wildflowers, wildlife, towering
cliffs, mountain streams and plunging waterfalls. (Go to www.tog-
woteelodge.com.)
Flagg Ranch Resort, located between the two
national parks, also provides horseback rides.
Lodges of East Yellowstone. Ride an hour or
all day on our horseback trips in the spectacular
mountains and valleys just east of Yellowstone.
Call 307-587-9595. (Go to www.Yellowstone-
Lodging.com.)
Let the professional wranglers at 320 Guest
Ranch show you why riding is a way of life in
Montana. These wranglers cover 2,000 trail miles
each year and take care of trail maintenance all
summer long, so you know youre in the hands of
experts. Make reservations for full-day (with
lunch), half-day or 2-hour rides at
www.320ranch.com.
Whether its hiking, fishing, biking, riding,
climbing, rafting, soaking or just plain exploring,
theres a Holiday Inn nearby. Youll find a full
service restaurant, swimming pool, fitness center,
free high-speed internet, and, of course, Kids Eat
Free. (Go to www.holidayinnrockies.com).
Photo by Jeff Vanuga
A scenic horseback ride may very well be the highlight of your trip to Yellowstone
Country.
Photos by Jeff Vanuga
S
weetwater County in southwestern
Wyoming is worth a visit for its
historic and cultural attractions and
natural wonders.
The Red Desert
The Red Desert is home to over 350
wildlife species, including over 70,000
pronghorn antelope and a desert elk herd.
Among the fascinating sights in
the desert are Boars Tusk,
Killpecker Sand Dunes,
White Mountain petro-
glyphs, Honeycomb Buttes,
Steamboat Mountain and
the Badlands.
The Oregon Buttes, which
can be seen in the desert,
were a landmark for pioneers
on their journey West. Except
for a few roads and the loss of
bison herds, the landscape
here looks much the same
now as it did 175 years ago.
Killpecker
Sand Dunes
Killpecker Sand Dunes is the
largest active sand dune in North America.
Dunes, up to 150 feet high, constantly
change as winds blow sand eastward.
These unique sand dunes actually contain
ice deposits, and fossil beds from an
ancient inland sea remain here.
Wild Horses
If you want to see the foremost roman-
tic symbol of the American West wild
horses youve come to the right region!
The Red Desert region is home to some of
the largest free-roaming wild horse herds
in the entire world.
Boars Tusk
Located in the center
of the Red Desert region
is Boars Tusk, a 400-
foot-tall volcanic stem
that juts up out of the
desert.
Historic
Trails
Highway 28 parallels
the Oregon, Mormon,
Pony Express and
California historic
trails. There are over
100 miles of wagon ruts
in the Sweetwater County region some
of the finest trail remains in the country.
On their arduous journey, pioneers experi-
enced incessant dust, violent thunder-
storms, bad water, poor forage, sickness
and death as they traveled west on what
are now famous historic trails. Watch for
interpretive signs along Wyoming
Highway 28 and also while exploring the
Red Desert via the Tri-Territory Loop.
Whitewater Park
Green Rivers Whitewater Park has four
drops with pools that are sure to attract
not only the kayak enthusiast, but rafters,
folks in inner tubes and, yes, even fisher-
men. The river improvements begin at the
Pacific Power pump station, off of N. 8th
Street. Call the Chamber of Commerce at
800-FL-GORGE or 307-875-5711.
Flaming Gorge
The Flaming Gorge National
Recreation Area is located south of the
towns of Rock Springs and Green River
off I-80. Centered around a large artificial
lake formed by the Flaming Gorge Dam,
Flaming Gorge is framed by brilliantly
colored (flaming) towers that jut up to
1,500 feet high in places. The reservoir
stretches 91 miles and offers 375 miles of
shoreline.
For more information, go to www.tour-
wyoming.com.
Your vacation doesnt have to end. For
workforce opportunities, call 307-382-
2747.
BY TRAVIS G. BARNEY
A
re scenery, small-town life, history and
adventure among your reasons for visiting
the West? If so, make your way to Lincoln
County, Wyoming. The route can be easily
accessed whether youre coming from Salt Lake
City, Utah; or Denver, Colorado. Travelers coming
from either direction need only take Exit 18 off
Interstate 80, just thirteen miles east of Evanston.
Then go north on U.S. Highway 189 to
Kemmerer. Those headed home from the parks
can also take advantage of this one-of-a-kind
route. Simply follow U.S. Highway 89 south out
of Yellowstone to Jackson and then over the
mountain to the town of Alpine.
Kemmerer/Diamondville is world-renowned
for attractions like the Fossil Butte National
Monument, located just 15 minutes west of town
on U.S. Highway 30. Schedule ahead with one of
the local guides and you can actually fish the lay-
ers of time for fossils of ancient turtles, plants and
fish. Often you can even keep what you find.
Kemmerer is also home to the Oyster Ridge
Music Festival, Wyomings largest free music festi-
val, held at the end of July. The festival received
accolades from Rolling Stone Magazine, as well as
the 2006 Governors Arts Award. Experience the
rich history of Kemmerer by visiting the worlds
first J.C. Penney store, which is still in operation
Take a scenic drive
through beautiful
Lincoln County
5. Vi s i t S o u t h w e s t e r n Wy o mi n g
Flaming Gorge.
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The geology of the Red Desert
is spectacular.
Photo by Jeff Vanuga; image from Hebard (Wyoming)

Collection, Univ. of Wyo. Libraries
and located just off the town square. For

more of the rich natural and cultural histo-
ry of the area, visit the Fossil Country
Museum. Visitor information is available at
the Kemmerer Chamber of Commerce,
located in the center of town square, or you
can go to www.kemmererchamber.com.
Leaving Kemmerer, you have two
options. The shorter of the two takes you
west and then north along U.S. Highway
30 to Cokeville. However, if a beautiful
scenic drive is of interest to you, consider
taking the 68-mile-long Big Spring Scenic
Backway, which offers stops along the
actual Oregon Trail and frequent sightings
of local wildlife. So, if youre not in a rush
and dont mind gravel roads, you might
truly enjoy this thrilling loop.
The sage-covered town of Cokeville is
just a few miles from the Oregon Trail and
other historical sites. The history of
Cokeville reads like a novel, with figures
like the infamous Whitney Brothers; the
robbery of the State Bank in 1911; and
Ethel Huckvale Stoner, who, over eighty
years ago, was one of the first women to
hold public office.
Cokeville also boasts beauty in its moun-
tains, rivers, and streams, as well as great
skiing at Pinecreek Ski Area. Located less
than seven miles east of town, Pinecreek
promises great Rocky Mountain snow and
no crowds. Find more information at
www.pinecreekskiresort.com. The
Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife
Refuge and Lake Alice provide visitors with
opportunities for lovely scenic drives, hunt-
ing, fishing and snowmobiling. For travel-
ers coming from the north, Cokeville is also
the starting point for the Big Spring Scenic
Backway. For more information, visit
www.cokevillewy.com or stop by the local
Visitors Center located on the west side of
U.S. Highway 30 as it passes through town.
From Cokeville, continue north on State
Route 231. After driving 11 miles, take a
quick shortcut along State Route 89, and
then continue north on U.S. Highway 89.
Soon after entering Star Valley, you may
want to stop at Gardners Country Village
to refuel both yourself and your vehicle.
Rulons Burger Barn offers a great alterna-
tive to fast food, along with souvenirs com-
memorating the Olympic wrestlers gold
medal career. Afton offers many activities
and amenities including various nice restau-
rants and affordable lodging. The charming
town is known for many things, including
the Worlds Largest Cold Water
Intermittent Spring (geyser), located with-
in hiking distance of town. The main street
is home to several charming shops and
offers the chance to get a photo under the
Worlds Largest Elkhorn Arch. While in
the area, be sure to visit one of the local
sporting goods shops or just talk to one of
the friendly natives about the outstanding
opportunities for great hiking, fishing, and
snowmobiling. For more information about
the myriad of activities in Afton, go to
www.aftonwyoming.net. From Afton con-
tinue north on U.S. Highway 89 to
Thayne, Wyoming.
Thayne lies at the heart of Star Valley
and is home to the Star Valley Chamber of
Commerce, a great place to go for more
information about the Valley and what it
has to offer. For more information, go to
www.starvalleychamber.com. Located in the
midst of the Salt River Range, Thayne
offers unbeatable locales for hiking, fishing,
and hunting. The surrounding mountains
provide world-class horseback and snowmo-
bile riding. If water sports are on your list
of things to do, take advantage of the vari-
ous rivers, lakes and streams located within
minutes of Thayne.
Numerous campgrounds provide you
with the opportunity to spend a night out
under a starry Wyoming sky. If a hard day
of playing has you too tuckered out to
spend the night in a tent, keep an eye out
for the various lodging establishments
around town, but you may want to make
reservations in advance. For more informa-
tion, go to www.thayne-wy.com.
Visitors to the town of Alpine can expect
to enjoy views that most only see in photo-
graphs. Alpine is located at the convergence
of three pristine rivers, which merge into
the Palisades Reservoir, and the communi-
ty is bordered by three national forests.
The Greys River Area alone offers
471,000 acres of virgin national forest,
much of which is readily accessible by car
in the summer. Local fishing is among the
best in Wyoming. Portions of the Greys
River are designated fly-fishing only for the
natural angler. Big game animals abound
and an elk refuge is located right at the
edge of town!
For campers, Alpine offers everything
from full-service hook-ups for the RV
enthusiast to non-developed backcountry.
Easy day hikes, as well as more challenging
treks to remote lakes and trails, are available
within minutes of the town.
With 500 inches of snowfall, Alpine
made Top 5 in the West and Top 3 in
Wyoming for snowmobiling in SnoWest
Magazines 2002-2003 Winter Guide.
For further information, travelers
should visit the Confluence Information
Center at 91 US Hwy 89 or go to
www.alpinewyoming.org.
Thanks
for
visiting!
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miles of excellent trout waters,

north, south and west of Cody are
filled with native Yellowstone cut-
throat, brown trout, rainbow
trout and brook trout. The North
Fork of the Shoshone parallels the
road to Yellowstones East
Entrance for 50 miles and is a
world-class river, with some of
the strongest wild trout.
Another must fish is the
Clarks Fork of the
Yellowstone and the upper
Greybull.
The Snake, Hoback, Gros
Ventre and Green rivers are
just a few of the popular rivers
that drain into the Jackson
Hole, Wyoming, region. The
predominant fish is the native
Snake River cutthroat, but
there are plenty of browns,
rainbow and brook trout.
West Yellowstone,
Montana, has been held in
such high esteem for so long that
more prose describing it is wasted ink. However, the fishing is of
such quality that anglers are willing to put up with crowded condi-
tions to capture trout of trophy proportions.
North of Yellowstone National Park, three rivers, the Jefferson,
Gallatin, and Madison, join together at the town of Three Forks,
Montana, to form the mighty Missouri River. The Gallatin and lower
Madison Rivers are worth the effort. The Jefferson has de-watering
problems in the summer months. The Missouri is best fished by
anglers north of Helena, from Wolf Creek to Great Falls.
From the North Entrance of Yellowstone, through Paradise Valley
to the town of Livingston, Montana, anglers can enjoy almost 60
miles of the lower Yellowstone River. The Yellowstone River is wide
and swift here. Floating is a popular method of covering lots of
water, but streamside anglers can access wide eddies and tailouts.
Eastern Idaho has two premier fisheries, both easily accessed from
Jackson Hole or West Yellowstone on Highways 20 or 33. The
South Fork of the Snake is a tailwater fishery loaded with big
browns, rainbows and cutthroats. Anglers can fish from shore, but
this river is best fished by driftboat or raft.
Further north, the Henrys Fork of the Snake awaits anglers
wanting to match wits with healthy rainbows and cutthroats.
Fly fishing is the most popular method of angling in the Golden
Ring. However, lure anglers can find many places to chunk a spinner,
as can the bait advocate.
Each state requires a separate, valid fishing license, as does
Yellowstone National Park. Please follow the regulations and practice
smart angling ethics for the ultimate angling experience in
Yellowstone country.
TIM WADE OWNS NORTH FORK ANGLERS, IN CODY, WYOMING, AND
HAS BEEN GUIDING YELLOWSTONE WATERS FOR OVER 25 YEARS. GO
TO www.northforkanglers.com.
7
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Avoid the crowds by fishing Jackson
Lake in Grand Teton National Park. With
a professional guide from Signal
Mountain Lodge, the waters of Jackson
Lake reward anglers with trophy-sized
fish. (Go to www.signalmountainlodge.
com.)
At Togwotee Mountain Lodge,
explore the famous streams of Jackson
Hole or take a guided fishing trips on the
Snake River and Green River. No experi-
ence required; rods, reels, waders, guides,
drift boats and rafts available. (Go to
www.togwoteelodge.com.)
Lodges of East Yellowstone are situat-
ed along the spectacular North Fork of
the Shoshone River a world-class, blue
ribbon wild trout stream. (Call 307-587-
9595 or go to www.yellowstone-
lodging.com.)
Stay at the Super 8 in Columbus,
Montana, while enjoying the outstanding
fishing on the Yellowstone River. Fish and
picnic at the popular Itch-Kep-Pe Park or
enjoy the nearby Stillwater River. (Call 1-
800-442-4667 or go to www.montana-
motels.com.)
The Bar N Ranch is the ideal head-
quarters for enjoying Yellowstone
Country! Fish the private access on the
South Fork of the Madison. (Go to
www.bar-n-ranch.com.)
Fairmont Hot Springs Resort serves as
the perfect base camp while fishing for
blue ribbon trout on the scenic, unspoiled
Big Hole River; on Georgetown Lake; or
in the many rivers, creeks and pristine
streams in southwest Montana. (Go to
www.fairmontmontana.com.)
In Wyoming, fly fish grand-slam waters
of the Bighorn or Tongue rivers near
Sheridan to test your skills against rain-
bow, brown, cutthroat, grayling, golden
and brook trout. (Go to www.sheridan-
wyoming.org.)
The Bighorn National Forest and areas
surrounding Worland and Tensleep,
Wyoming, hold outstanding fishing
opportunities. Fish along quiet mountain
streams, wade a river, or boat and float-
tube on lakes and reservoirs. (Go to
www.tensleepworlandwyoming.com/99.)
The North Platte River, a blue ribbon
trout stream, flows through Carbon
County and offers anglers many pub-
lic access points. Go to
www.wyomingcarboncounty.com/
fishing.html.)
The legendary Henrys Fork coun-
try of Eastern Idaho boasts some of the
worlds finest trout fishing. Set up camp
near excellent fishing in one of Eastern
Idahos 65 RV parks and campgrounds.
For a free Idaho campground directory,
call 800-VISIT-ID. (Go to
www.rvidaho.org)
Whether its hiking, fishing, biking, rid-
ing, climbing, rafting, soaking or just
plain exploring, theres a Holiday Inn
nearby. Youll find a full service restaurant,
swimming pool, fitness center, free high-
speed internet, and, of course, Kids Eat
Free. (Go to
www.holidayinnrockies.com.)
For information about recreating in
bear country and all your bear spray
needs, see Counter Assault Bear
Deterrents online at
www.counterassault.com.
More Great Fishing Spots in Yellowstone Country
Treat yourself to world-class fly fishing in Yellowstone country!

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BY TIM WADE
I
magine yourself hip deep in a river holding your fly rod. The
water is cool and clear. The river whispers as it flows around
your body, speaking a language that only an angler can
understand. You breathe deeply of the sage and pine scented air,
each breath eliminating the stress of 60-hour work weeks, replac-
ing it with the knowledge that you are on vacation. Not just any
vacation, but a fishing vacation in the heart of what has been
called the Golden Ring by anglers of repute.
Where is this Golden Ring? Where else but in a vast chunk of
wild real estate that encompasses parts of three western states
(Wyoming, Idaho and Montana), including Yellowstone.
Millions of acres of public land are dissected by hundreds of
miles of blue-ribbon trout waters. We are talking serious trout
waters here mighty rivers where anglers find not only trout, but
wild trout abundant and larger than most anglers can imagine.
Roads encircle Americas oldest national park and follow the
major watersheds of the rivers just mentioned. The Yellowstone
River is one of the best, and most popular, dry fly rivers in
America. Its noted for its healthy population of native
Yellowstone cutthroats.
Fling a cast into the following waters in Yellowstone National
Park: Yellowstone Lake and Lewis Lake are on the road and pro-
vide action for lure or fly fishermen. Rivers to wade are the Snake,
Firehole, Gibbon, Madison, Gardner, the lower Yellowstone River,
and the Lamar.
Small to mid-sized streams to include are Soda Butte,
Hellroaring, Tower, and Slough creeks. All fish well and most
hold trout that are a respectable 12-18 inches.
Cody, Wyoming, is the most popular destination point for
anglers driving to Yellowstone National Park from the east. 1,500
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T
he following great hikes are outside of the Park, but still can
be enjoyed while vacationing here.
CIRQUE OF THE TOWERS
Lander/Pinedale/Farson, Wyoming
Trailhead: Big Sandy Campground. Distance: 8 miles, one-way;
Elevation change: 1,700 feet; Hiking time: 9 hours as roundtrip
day hike; Difficulty: first 5 miles easy; last 3 miles strenuous.
SOUTH PASS
Farson, Wyoming
Trailhead: 3 miles off Hwy 28, on Oregon Buttes Road;
Distance: 1.5 miles, roundtrip; Elevation change: 30 feet; Difficulty:
Easy.
Go to www.wind-river.org or www.mountainmancountry.com.
ELK CREEK TRAIL (Trail #602)
Cody, Wyoming
Trailhead: From Cody (go to www.pctc.org), head north on WY
120 for 17 miles to Dead Indian/Clarks Fork Highway, signed
Sunlight Basin Road. Follow this road for 21 miles to the signed
trailhead; Distance: 11 miles; Elevation Change: 2,900 feet;
Difficulty: strenuous.
H
iking opportunities abound in the Shoshone National
Forest and Washakie Wilderness Area in Meeteetse,
Wyoming. 310,578 acres provide various levels of trails in
the pristine wilderness. Francs Peak, at 13,153 feet, can be
accessed through one of the three trailheads in the area as well as
Anderson Lodge (on the National Historic Register). Breathtaking
views and abundant wildlife await your adventure. (Go to
www.meeteetsewy.com.)
Incredible hiking can be found within a short distance of
both Worland and Ten Sleep, including the Duck Swamp
Interpretive Area. This interpretive loop overlooking wet-
lands allows visitors the chance to see blue herons, hawks,
owls, ducks, kingfishers, muskrats, mink, beaver and more.
The Gooseberry Badlands Scenic Overlook and Interpretive
Trail provides visitors with a panoramic view of colorful desert.
The nearby Bighorn National Forest has countless trails and hikes.
(Go to www.tensleepworlandwyoming.com/99.)
Pack your lunch, head out the back door and hike into some of
the 2.5 million acres of public lands surrounding Togwotee
Mountain Lodge. Hike to a picnic beside the pristine Buffalo
Fork River. Take the challenge and climb nearby Angle Mountain,
where youll be able to see Jackson Hole, the Continental Divide
and the surrounding Teton, Gros Ventre, Wind River, and
Absarokas mountain ranges. (Go to www.togwoteelodge.com.)
Grizzly bears, wolves, hiking, skiing and more! Guides at
Adventure Yellowstone, Inc. have years of experience to help you
explore and discover all of the wonders of Yellowstone. All hikes,
safaris and tours are privately guided to meet your desires.
Offering tours year-round. (Go to www.national-park-tours.com.)
Enjoy breathtaking views with easy access from Salt Lake City.
Salt Lakes trail network offers wonderful hikes into the surround-
ing mountains and nearby canyons. Go to www.visitsaltlake.com.)
Dont hit the hiking trail without first getting outfitted with
your camp stove, lantern, headlamp and cookset from Primus.
(Go to www.primuscamping.com.)
Go to www.Brunton.com for excellent gear, including GPS
units, lanterns, compasses and more!
50 million years ago, Yellowstone had a dras-
tically different climate, probably lying no
more than a few thousand feet above sea
level and receiving 50-60 inches of rain each
year. Thus, Yellowstones fossil forests pro-
vide geologists with a window into the
past.
Another factor that makes Yellowstones
fossil forest unique is that many of the speci-
mens are still standing upright, with their
roots embedded in the ground right where
they grew millions of years ago. This rarely
occurs in other fossil forests.
Make a short side trip to the top of
Specimen Ridge. Its an additional 200-foot
climb, but the spectacular views of Mount
Washburn and open meadows make it worth
your effort.
Professor Erling Dorf of Princeton has
theorized that these specimens do not mere-
ly represent one entombed forest but rather
include trees from 27 separate forests, each
stacked on top of the other to a thickness of
1,200 feet. He explains that the Absaroka
volcanism lasted for 15 million years, with
alternating periods of activity and dormancy.
The active periods caused trees to be encased
and eventually fossilized. During the ensuing
dormancy new trees grew up on top of the
old, only to be encased by the next volcanic
activity. Thus, as you make your descent,
you are really passing through many differ-
ent forests, each older than the last.
T
hree million people visit
Yellowstone Park every year. Most
visitors tour the Grand Loop
Road and never venture far from their
cars or the boardwalks.
But did you know that 98 percent of
Yellowstone Park is backcountry? In fact,
some 1,300 miles of backcountry trails
exist in Yellowstone Park alone and beckon
to visitors looking to get off the beaten
path.
Our favorite hiking guidebooks are by
Tom Carter. He is the author of Day
Hiking Yellowstone National Park, Day
Hiking Grand Teton National Park, and
Day Hiking the Wind River Range. These
guidebooks can be purchased in stores
throughout the greater Yellowstone region.
The following is an excerpt of our
favorite day hike Fossil Forest in
Yellowstone Park from Carters Day
Hiking Yellowstone Park.
FOSSIL FOREST
Start: Four miles east of Tower Junction
on the Northeast Entrance Road (last pull-
out on the right side of the road before
crossing the Lamar River).
There is no trailhead sign nor is there a
marked trail to follow. Therefore, it is
important that you spot your destination
before leaving the highway. As you drive
east along the Northeast Entrance Road,
you will pass a number of small glacial
lakes about 2.5 miles from Tower
Junction. Look ahead on the right (SE) to
Specimen Ridge. Near the top you should
be able to pick out two large outcroppings,
which are separated by a patch of trees ris-
ing to the top of the ridge. Near the top of
the east outcropping lies a collection of
fossilized trees. If you have binoculars, you
should be able to spot some of the stumps
that protrude from the bare cliff. On your
topo map, this area lies just northeast of
the letter P in the word Specimen.
End: Same as start; Distance: 3 miles;
Elevation changes: A steep, 1,100-foot
climb; Time required: 3.5 hours.
Leave the highway, cross the sagebrush
flat, pass a number of large granite boul-
ders (left behind by glaciers) and climb the
open meadow to the top of the ridge that
runs northeast from the desired outcrop-
ping. Once on the ridge, you should have
no trouble following a fairly well traveled
trail up the ridge through a stand of trees
This hiker enjoys Wyomings Wind River Range.
Take a Hike! 8. Take a Hike!
and out to the fossil forest area. You will
first spot a huge petrified stump with two
tall petrified trunks just below. The huge
stump is the remains of a giant redwood
tree. It has a circumference of 26.5 feet and
probably stood 200-300 feet high when liv-
ing. The two trees below are pine. An early
visitor to the Parks fossil forest once com-
mented that they stand like columns of
ruined temple.
Around 55 million years ago, Yellowstone
entered a volcanically active phase. Ashes,
mudflows, and breccia from the vicinity of
the Absaroka Range entombed the trees
that were thriving in this area. As the vol-
canic matter cooled, cracks formed and
water seeped through. This water picked up
silica from the surrounding rock and was
then soaked up by the tree material, causing
the silica to be deposited in each dead tree
cell. Over a long time the tree decayed,
leaving only the hard rock behind. Much
later, these specimens were excavated by gla-
ciers as they cut through the Lamar Valley.
The fossilization is extensive. It is possi-
ble to count the growth rings and observe
even the microscopic details of the trees
cellular structure. Geologists have pieced
together an entire forest containing over
100 different types of vegetation. The most
prevalent trees discovered include: walnuts,
magnolias, maples, oaks, redwoods, dog-
woods, and pines. From this, it is clear that Easy day hikes make for great family time.
Ye l l o ws t o n e P a r k . c o m 13
Photo by Mark Gocke

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10. Enjoy Colorado

on your Yellowstone Vacation!
A
Colorado vacation is the perfect
complement to a Yellowstone
National Park visit. In addition to
the states accessibility to Yellowstone,
Colorado is home to nine magnificent
national parks and monuments, from the
Great Sand Dunes National Park and
Preserve, home to the tallest sand dunes in
North America; to Rocky Mountain
National Park, a living showcase of Rocky
Mountain grandeur.
Go Jurassic in Colorado
At the Dinosaur National Monument,
visitors can explore lands where dinosaurs
roamed. The Green and Yampa Rivers con-
verge here, offering dramatic views of beau-
tiful canyons, an area that, legend has it,
Butch Cassidy and his gang once called
home. Visitors can also get up close and
personal with wildlife.
Nestled underneath a lush mountain val-
ley in central Colorado lies the Florissant
Fossil Beds National Monument, one of
the richest fossil deposits in the world. Here,
visitors can experience pre-historic Colorado
through thousands of detailed fossil remains.
See Colorado Through
Ancient Eyes
At Mesa Verde National Park, visitors
can glimpse into the lives of Ancestral
Puebloan people who made this area their
home. Today, the park boasts 4,000-plus
archeological sites.
Hovenweep National Monument allows
visitors a further look into the life of the
Ancestral Puebloan people, with six prehis-
toric Puebloan-era villages spread over a
twenty-mile area.
Bents Old Fort National Historic Site
features a reconstructed 1840s adobe fur
trading post on the mountain branch of the
Santa Fe Trail. Today, living historians lead
guided tours that allow visitors a glimpse
back in time.
Experience Natures
Artistry
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison
National Park boasts a unique and spectac-
ular landscape, formed over time by water
and sediment sculpting hard Proterozoic
crystalline rock into massive formations.
Curecanti National Recreation Area is
in the heart of three reservoirs: Blue Mesa
Reservoir, Colorados largest body of water
and the largest Kokanee Salmon fishery in
the U.S.; Morrow Point Reservoir, the
beginning of the Black Canyon; and East
Portal, the site of the Gunnison Diversion
Tunnel, a National Historic Civil
Engineering Landmark.
For more information, visit
www.Colorado.com or call 1-800-
COLORADO for a free copy of Colorados
2007 Official State Vacation Guide.
Unparalleled views reward hikers in Colorado and Yellowstone Country.
Recreation
O
n your way to Yellowstone, be
sure to visit Lander, Wyoming.
Enjoy the spectacular views of the
Wind River Mountains while hiking
alone or with an outfitter, or strolling
down historic Main Street. After an
adventure-filled day, enjoy an evening of
dining, shopping or participating in one of
the nightly activities before retiring to your
first-rate accommodations.
Nestled against the foothills of the Wind
River Mountains on the banks of the Popo
Agie River, Lander is where Fremont
County history began. Lander saw the first
white trappers in 1811, became a small
military post in 1869 and now borders the
Wind River Indian Reservation.
If Landers friendliness and charm dont
captivate you, then blue skies and breath-
taking scenery will. Whatever your interests
are, discover Lander, Wyoming, where his-
tory is combined with visions for the future.
In town, you can explore Landers
Historic Downtown District on foot.
Landers Walking Tour Guide provides the
history of many buildings as well as anec-
dotes about some of Landers more colorful
characters. Browse in art galleries, shop at
specialty shops, and dine in numerous
restaurants and cafes.
Outside you can golf at an 18-hole pub-
lic golf course or walk on the Greenway
that parallels the Popo Agie River.
A few miles out of town, you can see the
unusual geological phenomenon at Sinks
Canyon State Park the Popo Agie River
disappears into a cavern (and then reappears
in a trout-filled pool 14 mile downstream).
From downtown, you can see the Wind
River Mountains, a range that has over 40
peaks that top 13,000 feet and over 150
glaciers. The Winds contain the
tallest peak in Wyoming Gannett
Peak at 13,804 feet and over
735,000 acres of continuous wilder-
ness area, the largest such designation
in the continental U.S.
In the winter, enjoy 70 miles of
groomed trails in the Lander/Sinks
Canyon area. Lander is the southern-most
trailhead to the Continental Divide
Snowmobile Trail, which leads into
Yellowstone National Park.
History enthusiasts can tour South Pass
City State Historic Site and its interpre-
tive exhibits, living history demonstrations,
visitors center and authentic general.
Explore the Pioneer Trails (the Oregon,
Mormon, and Pony Express) by car, moun-
tain bike, horseback or wagon train. The
South Pass portions of these trails are
among the most pristine and well preserved
in the state.
Visit Lander, only 156 scenic miles from
the southern entrance to Yellowstone.
(Go to www.landerchamber.org.)
Visit Lander 9. Visit Lander
A Shoshone Indian dancer.
Overlooking Red Canyon near Lander.
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ries. Bordering Grand Teton National Park,
this 18-hole, Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
Championship Course is open to the pub-
lic. (Go to www.gtlc.com.)
Play a round of championship golf in
Wyomings Golf Capital Sheridan
with four great courses within a 30-mile
radius. For details, go to www.sheridan-
wyoming.org.
In Cody, golf at the Olive-Glenn Golf
and Country Club, an 18-hole, par-72
course. (Go to www.pctc.org.)
Pine Rock Golf Course in Meeteetse
will challenge even the pros. This 9-hole
(with the option to play 18) course is
located on the bluffs and valleys overlook-
ing the Absaroka Mountain range and the
historical town of Meeteetse. (Go to
www.pinerockgolf.com.)
In Thermopolis, the Legion Town &
Country Club is a 9-hole public golf
course that sits above the town. Located
next to the airport, this golf course is a
great place to fly in for a game of golf. (Go
to www.thermopolis.com.)
Described as a fairly tight course, the 18-
hole Green Hills Municipal Golf Course in
Worland promises various challenges as
well as fantastic views of the surrounding
countryside. The Canyon Valley 9-hole
course in nearby Tensleep has been called
a beautifully designed course built around
the already existing natural hazards, such as
the stream that meanders across the 97-
acre property. (Go to www.tensleepwor-
landwyoming.com/99.)
Several golf courses dot Fremont
County. In Riverton, play at the Riverton
Country Club (307-856-4779) and in
Lander, golf at the municipal 18-hole
Lander Golf Club (307-332-4653).
Nestled in the beautiful red hills of the
badlands west of Dubois, the Antelope
Hills Golf Course is a challenging nine-
hole course. It is surrounded by extraordi-
nary views of the majestic Wind River
Range and the breathtaking snow-capped
Absaroka Mountains. (Go to
www.duboiswyoming.org.)
Golfers can play on four different courses
in Casper, including the 27-hole municipal
course, the 18-hole Casper Country Club
and the 18-hole Paradise Valley Country
Club. Three Crowns Golf Course is built
on a former Amoco Oil Refinery site along
the North Platte River. Known as the Platte
River Commons, the 350-acre site will be
comprised of a golf course, business park,
jogging trail, and parks. The golf course is a
7,065-yard, par-72 layout designed by
Robert Trent Jones, Jr. (Go to
www.threecrownsgolfclub.com or
www.casperwyoming.info.)
While they may not be the links you are
used to at the country club, the miniature
golf course at the Taco Johns Center in
Cheyenne will challenge the best and give
the kids a chance to stretch their legs. (Go
to www.cheyenne.org.)
In Idaho, golf the Oregon Trail Country
Club, in Soda Springs, which actually has
ruts from the Oregon Trail winding
through it. Its a 9-hole course located on
Highway 30 in southeastern Idaho.
14.
Try your
luck
at gaming
Yellowstone country is filled with a mul-
titude of exciting outdoor activities. But
when the sun goes down, Wind River
Casino is the place to continue the excite-
ment into the night! Located in the heart
of Wind River Country, just one mile
south of Riverton, Wyoming, the Wind
River Casino is the newest gaming venue
in the region. With over 400 gaming
machines consisting of slots and video
poker and table gaming, your excitement
level is sure to rise. Open 24 hours a day,
the Wind River Casino is growing quickly
and adding new features all the time.
The region surrounding the casino is
home to some of the most beautiful open
spaces and abundant outdoor activities in
the country. Riverton hosts many cultural
and traditional events that are held
throughout the year. The 1838 Mountain
Man Rendezvous, held each year during
the first week of July on the site of the
original 1838 Rendezvous, features a week-
long re-creation of trappers and traders
encampment, games of skill, food, danc-
ing, and entertainment.
The Riverton Rendezvous is another sort
of festival. This weeklong event, during the
second and third weeks of July, celebrates
Rivertons founding in 1906. With the
regions first and most
popular hot air balloon
rally, Arts in the Park,
street dances, the Rocky
Mountain Car and Bike
Show, and a WRA
rodeo, this event draws
visitors from across the
country.
Throughout the sum-
mer, June 15-August
15, Native American
dancing demonstrations
are hosted every
Thursday evening by
the Wind River Heritage Center at
Riverton City Park.
Wind River Casinos proximity to
Yellowstone and Grand Teton nation-
al parks makes it a logical stop for
any vacationer. Whether you stay at
one of the many hotels, RV parks, or
campgrounds, the casino certainly pro-
vides the nighttime fun and excitement
youre looking for! Check www.windriver-
casino.com often for news and promotions.
Located on I-15, just north of Pocatello
and south of Idaho Falls, Fort Hall Casino
is your place to find friendly service and
gaming excitement. With a large selection
of popular Las Vegas-style gaming
machines, Fort Hall Casino offers non-stop
entertainment 24 hours a day, seven days a
week.
Monthly promotions are always reward-
ing, with prizes such as exotic vacation get-
aways, luxury vehicles and large cash give-
aways. Promotions are exclusive to Players
Club Members, and membership into the
club is free! Just stop by the Players Club
booth and register for your card today.
Fort Hall Casino also features a newly
designed bingo room with comfortable
seating for 300 and games offered
Wednesday through Sunday. A snack bar is
conveniently located in the bingo room
and offers a variety of hot and cold sand-
wiches, snacks and beverages.
A wide selection of full entres can be
found at the Buffalo Horn Grill from 7
a.m. to 10 p.m. everyday. Prime Rib steak
is featured on Fridays and Saturdays and is
a sure bet for satisfying your hunger.
For more information about Fort Hall
Casinos great promotions and bingo sched-
ule, call 800-497-4231, go to www.forthall-
casino.com. Grab your friends and make
plans today to visit Fort Hall Casino, Exit
80 off I-15. Big funBig winners!
11.
Explore
a desert
Although the greater Yellowstone region
occupies much of the Rocky Mountain
Range, there are more than mountains
here. There are numerous high deserts.
The unique and vast Red Desert, in
south-central Wyoming, is located in the
Great Divide Basin. Here the Continental
Divide splits, forming the Great Divide
Basin, which drains to neither the Atlantic
nor the Pacific oceans.
The Red Desert encompasses one of the
last great undeveloped tracts of high desert
in the U.S. and is home to over 350 wildlife
species, including cougar, mule deer, bobcat,
badgers, coyotes, owls, falcons and eagles.
Over 50,000 pronghorn antelope also call
this region home, and a rare desert elk herd
inhabits the region.
Among the fascinating landforms in the
desert are Boars Tusk, an old black volcanic
plug; Killpecker Sand Dunes, part of the
largest active sand dune field in North
America; the White Mountain petroglyphs;
Honeycomb Buttes; Steamboat Mountain
and the Pinnacles.
The Red Desert also features painted
badlands, volcanic cones and shifting sand
dunes that contain ice deposits and fossil
beds from an ancient inland sea. Except for
a few roads and the loss of bison herds, the
landscape of the desert looks much the
same today as is it did 175 years ago.
Emigrants traveling on the Oregon and
Mormon trails passed through the Great
Divide Basin and wagon tracks still exist.
Prior to early settlers arrival, Shoshone
Indians made a home here. Throughout the
desert are 2000-year-old rock art sites and
other cultural and spiritual sites.
And dont forget the wild horses.
Wyoming is home to the second-largest
wild horse population in the country, and
many of the horses inhabit the Red Desert.
This desert is also home to the highest rap-
tor densities in the country.
To enjoy the Red Desert, we recommend
you set aside a few hours to a full day to
drive and explore a loop. To get there, head
north from Rock Springs on U.S. Highway
191 for about 10.5 miles and turn east
(right) on the Tri-Territory Road (County
Road 4-17). This 35-mile-long loop will lead
you to many landmarks found in the Red
Desert. (Go to www.tourwyoming.com.)
12.
Go
goat packing
Hiking enthusiasts or anyone looking
for a unique adventure thats easy on the
environment and your legs should try
goat packing.
Wind River Pack Goats, based in
Lander, Wyoming, has been offering trips
since 1987. WRPG is a permitted outfitter
on Wyomings Shoshone National Forest
and BLM lands and in the Escalante/Grand
Staircase National Monument in Utah.
Sign up for a custom trip, or check out
the schedule of trips each season. Trips
include spring adventures in southern
Utahs Escalante/Grand Staircase National
Monument area, or the Red Desert trip,
which explores Wyomings Great Divide
Basin, the only place where the Continental
Divide splits.
Families and less active folks will
enjoy the Get Acquainted with the Pack
Goat trip, a 3-day adventure in May that
provides spectacular scenery in the Red
Canyon area south of Lander. The
Wyoming Goats and Kids Trip allows
families with kids to go on a catered back-
country adventure.
According to WRPG owner Charlie
Wilson, kids and adults alike are smitten by
the goats. The goats are people pleasers and
therefore make bonding with them easy.
Each goat can carry approximately 45
pounds of gear. While hikers walk at their
own pace, the goats simply follow you
down the trail.
Other adventures include extended hikes
in the beautiful Wind River Range.
Typically, on these trips, youll rise and eat
breakfast early, hit the trail by 8-9 a.m., hike
5-6 miles before setting up camp at around
2 p.m., and spend the rest of the day fish-
ing, exploring, climbing a peak or just kick-
ing back. (Go to www.goatpacking.com or
call 307-332-3328.)
13.
Play a round
of golf
We hope you golf enthusiasts talked your
spouses into packing your sticks, because
there are many beautiful courses here.
Fairmont Hot Springs Resorts 18-hole,
par-72 golf course offers a multitude of
challenges to the experienced golfer, while
the novice or intermediate golfer will appre-
ciate the wide open fairways, friendly staff
and available golf lessons. The scenic
foothills of the Continental Divide provide
a panoramic backdrop to this 6,741-yard
course. Test your chipping and putting
skills on the largest green in Montana: the
three-tiered, 10,000-square-foot-green on
Hole #3. Conquer Montanas longest par 5,
Fairmonts mile high, mile long Hole #5
at 649 yards, where the mile-high altitude
can help you hit the drive of your dreams.
At the end of your round of golf, enjoy the
many other amenities of Fairmont Hot
Springs Resort Montanas only full service
hot springs, golf, and convention resort.
Just three miles from Interstate 90, 15 miles
west of Butte. (Go to
Play a round at Jackson Hole Golf &
Tennis Club. The course is ranked 10th in
Americas 75 Best Resort Courses and #1
for Wyoming in Golf Digest. It is a valley
course with water on nearly every hole, lots
of bunkers, contoured greens and water car-
Photo by Shelli Johnson
Recreation
Goat packing in the Red Desert is a great way for families to experience Yellowstone Country.
recreational sites include Squaw Hollow
and Buckboard Crossing on the western
shoreline and Firehole Canyon and Upper
Marsh Creek on the eastern shoreline.
From I-80, take the Green River Exit
(near the Information Center). If you
wish to see the western shoreline and
visit access points, follow Wyoming
State Route 530.
While at Flaming Gorge, include time at
Lucerne Valley Marina and campgrounds,
where youll find everything you need to
enjoy your outing on this incredible body
of water. From slip and boat rentals to cab-
ins and campsites to a fully stocked marina
with mechanical services, Lucerne is the
place to base from on Flaming Gorge. Rent
houseboats, fishing boats or ski boats along
with all the equipment needed to enjoy a
day on the lake. Enjoy incredible wildlife,
and mountain and lake scenery during your
stay with Lucerne Valley Marina and camp-
grounds. (Go to www.flaminggorge.com.)
Boysen Reservoir, located in Wind
River Country between Riverton and
Thermopolis, is another great lake in
Wyoming. This reservoir offers many
services around the lake, and two camp-
grounds are located below the dam along
the Wind River. Located in Boysen State
Park, this 19,000-acre reservoir is a
recreation mecca. Not only does it provide
boating and watersport enthusiasts with a
huge scenic lake to play on, but the fishing
is dynamite. The lake holds the state record
for walleye at 17 pounds, 6.75 ounces.
Access the east side of Boysen Reservoir
from U.S. Highway 20, or the south and
west sides from U.S. Highway 26. (Go to
www.wind-river.org.)
Six miles west of Cody is Buffalo Bill
Reservoir in Buffalo Bill State Park, named
for Colonel William Buffalo Bill Cody. In
1910, the Buffalo Bill Dam was designed to
be the tallest in the country. Originally the
dam was 325 feet high the highest in the
world. The cost of building the dam was
just under $1 million. (Go to
www.pctc.org.)
In south-central Wyoming, on the west-
ern flanks of the rugged Wind River Range,
see the beautiful lakes in the Pinedale
region. Fremont Lake is the areas largest,
and is the second largest natural lake in
Wyoming. It contains fish weighing as
much as 40 pounds. The lake is also one of
the deepest in North America! (Go to
www.mountainmancountry.com.)
In Montana, spend an afternoon at
Hebgen Lake, located 20 minutes west of
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Image from Hebard (Wyoming) Collection, Univ. of Wyo.

Libraries.
To best explore Yellowstone Lake, talk to
the folks at Yellowstone National Park
Lodges. You can take a scenic boat cruise,
rent a boat or hire a fishing guide. (Go to
www.TravelYellowstone.com.)
For those with their own boat, permits
are required for all vessels and must be
obtained in person at one of the following
locations: South Entrance, Lewis Lake
Campground, Grant Village Visitor Center,
Bridge Bay Marina, Lake Ranger Station,
and Mammoth Visitor Center. A separate
additional permit for Yellowstone is
required to fish Yellowstone waters. All ves-
sels are prohibited on the parks rivers and
streams except the channel between Lewis
and Shoshone Lakes, where only hand-pro-
pelled vessels are permitted.
In Grand Teton National Park is the gor-
geous Jackson Lake arguably the most
beautiful lake in the Yellowstone region.
After all, the majestic Tetons, the regions
most rugged mountain peaks, tower over
much of the 15-mile-long lake. Fishing,
campsites, showers, restrooms, dump sta-
tion and launch ramp are available. Jackson
Lake features many coves for excellent fish-
ing. Three recreational sites offer camping,
including Lizard Creek, Colter Bay and a
site near the dam.
No visit to Grand Teton National Park is
complete without experiencing Jackson
Lake, famous for its fishing, water activities
and gorgeous views. Visit lakeside Signal
Mountain Lodge, which provides a wide
variety of boat rentals and nightly buoy
rentals in addition to dining and shopping.
(Go to www.signalmountainlodge.com.)
Grand Teton Lodge Company offers
various boat cruises on Jackson Lake.
Choose from a narrated scenic cruise, a
breakfast cruise or an evening cookout at a
private site on Elk Island. Boat rentals are
also available through Grand Teton Lodge
Company. Go to the Colter Bay Marina,
where you can ply the waters of Jackson
Lake by canoe or a 9.9-horsepower motor-
boat. Finally, fishing enthusiasts can hire a
fishing guide to show you where the fish
are in Jackson Lake. (Go to www.gtlc.com.)
The following are some other great lakes
to enjoy in Wyoming.
Flaming Gorge Reservoir, in southwest
Wyoming and northeast Utah, is in a
National Recreation Area and for good
reason. Recreational opportunities abound.
Enjoy this huge lake and its phenomenal
fishing, boating and other watersports.
Campsites are available, along with a com-
plete range of services.
The reservoir extends 91 miles. Popular
West Yellowstone. One of the Wests most
violent earthquakes shook this area in 1959.
Measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale, the
earthquake triggered a massive landslide
that roared down mountains at speeds of
100 miles per hour. The quake dropped the
north shore of Hebgen Lake by 19 feet.
Hebgen Lake is great for boating, water
sports and fishing.
In Utah, Bear Lake, with 110 square
miles of surface area and pristine water
quality, is a mecca for water sports.
Activities include sailing, swimming, skiing,
and scuba diving. Fish-story-sized
Mackinaw and lake trout, along with white-
fish, are sought by avid fishermen. The
famous Bonneville Cisco are harvested in
mid-January by dipping the fish from the
lake through holes in the ice. (Go to
www.richcountyut.org.)
While in Salt Lake City, sail on the Great
Salt Lake, which is the largest salt water
lake in the Western Hemisphere. (Go to
www.visitsaltlake.com.)
18.
Go on a
llama trip
Weve got some advice for all you back-
packers and other backcountry enthusiasts:
Recreation
like no other. From mountainous terrain

to the high plains, you will find all types
of quarry to chase. Big game is the reason
many hunters make the journey to
Yellowstone country.
The chance to harvest an elk, moose,
bighorn sheep, antelope or deer draws
hunters from all over the world. The ter-
rain these animals inhabit is as varied as
the animals themselves. For information
about hunting, check with any of these
game and fish departments: Wyoming:
307-777-4600; Montana: 406-444-2535;
Idaho: 208-334-3700; Utah: 801-538-
4700; Colorado: 1-800-244-5613.
Some of the best antelope hunting in
the region can be found just outside of
Douglas, Wyoming. The animals are
plentiful and the access is open with a
good portion of public land. Many
landowners will allow hunters on their
private property if permission is request-
ed. (Go to www.conversecountytourism
.com .)
Opportunities abound whether you
hunt with a bow, a rifle, or a muzzle
loader in the mountains surrounding
Dubois, Wyoming. Whether you are
looking for elk, deer, bighorn sheep,
mountain lions, or game birds, these
lands offer some of the best and most
unique hunting experiences in the world.
(Go to www.duboiswyoming.org.)
Learn more about North Americas
hunting heritage and the role hunters
have played to ensure the future of
wildlife. Visit the Rocky Mountain Elk
Foundations Elk Country Visitor
Center in Missoula, Montana. View an
15.
Go on a
horsepacking
adventure
Explore this country the way the early
explorers did on horseback.
Theres no better experience than a
horsepacking trip for folks looking for a true
Western adventure that delivers unmatched
scenery and memories to last a lifetime.
Hundreds of outfitters make a living in
the Greater Yellowstone region by providing
visitors with authentic Western backcountry
adventures.
Companies offer trips that range from one
night to several nights. Choose a catered trip
where all you do is ride the horse and eat
like royalty while being waited on hand and
foot in some beautiful country. When off
your horse, you can bag peaks, fish a stream
or lake, read a book, or just plain sit back,
relax and take in the incredible scenery.
We recommend the following outfitters
for your horsepacking adventure:
All Yellowstone Sports in West
Yellowstone offers day rides and overnight
adventures. (Go to
www.AllYellowstone.com.)
Near the scenic East Entrance to
Yellowstone Park, enjoy a wilderness horse-
back adventure with the Lodges of East
Yellowstone. Call 307-587-9595. (Go to
www.Yellowstone-Lodging.com.)
Togwotee Mountain Lodge, located on
the Continental Divide between Jackson and
Dubois, Wyoming, is a recreation mecca and
offers several horseback riding opportunities.
(Go to www.togwoteelodge.com.)
Dubois offers some of the best backcoun-
try wilderness in Yellowstone country.
Luckily, the area is serviced by outfitters and
guides who can get you to the most beautiful
and untouched parts of this wilderness. (Go
to www.duboiswyoming.org.)
The Wind River Range, located southeast
of Yellowstone, offers breathtaking scenery,
uncrowded trails to high mountain lakes,
and wildlife galore. Travel in the hoof prints
of Jim Bridger and William Sublette and
experience the wilds as they once did, in
Mountain Man Country. Go to
16.
Go on a
hunting trip
What makes hunting in Yellowstone coun-
try so exciting? Is it the scenery? Is it the
abundance of wildlife? All of the above!
A hunting trip in Yellowstone country is
inspiring collection of truly spectacular
trophy elk mounts, and learn the stories
behind them. Relax by the fire in the
hunting cabin exhibit, share your favorite
hunting stories and reflect on what hunt-
ing means to you and your family. (Go
to www.elkfoundation.org).
Purchase some Brunton binoculars or
the popular Brunton Epoch, a binocular/
scope combination that hunters are raving
about. (Go to www.Brunton.com.)
Dont leave for your hunting adventure
without your outdoor gear from Primus.
(Go to www.primuscamping.com.)
Whether its hiking, fishing, biking,
riding, climbing, rafting, soaking or just
nearby. Youll find a full service restau-
rant, swimming pool, fitness center, free
high-speed internet, and, of course, Kids
Eat Free. (Go to
17.
Enjoy
a lake
There are several gorgeous lakes in the
Yellowstone region.
Inside Yellowstone Park, brace yourself
for the beauty of Yellowstone Lake, one
of the worlds largest freshwater lakes.
Situated at 7,733 feet, it is the largest
high altitude lake in North America.
Yellowstone Lake is home to the largest
inland population of wild cutthroat trout
on the continent. The lake measures 136
square miles, with 110 miles of shoreline.
The average depth of the lake is 140 feet
with its most significant depth 400 feet
located in the West Thumb area.
Reflections of the Teton Range in Grand Teton National Park.

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21.
Explore a
forest
The greater Yellowstone region is home
to 27 national forests. In Wyoming, there
are six: the Bighorn, Bridger-Teton,
Medicine Bow, Thunder Basin,
Shoshone and Black Hills. Nine forests
can be enjoyed in Montana: the
Beaverhead-Deerlodge, Bitterroot,
Custer, Flathead, Gallatin, Helena,
Kootenai, Lewis and Clark and Lolo
national forests. In Idaho, there are 12: the
Boise, Caribou, Challis, Clearwater,
Coeur dAlene, Kaniksu, St. Joe, Nez
Perce, Payette, Salmon, Sawtooth and
Targhee national forests.
Located immediately east of Yellowstone
Park is the Shoshone National Forest,
which encompasses about 2.5 million
acres. The Shoshone was designated the
first national forest in the United States.
This forest contains some of the most
rugged country in the Lower 48. (Go to
www.pctc.org.)
The Wind River Range makes up much
of this forest. Many outdoor enthusiasts,
including some who live in Montana and
Colorado, believe that Wyomings Wind
River Range is the prettiest range in all of
the Rocky Mountains. The Wind River
Range encompasses 2.25 million acres and
stretches over 100 miles from South Pass
to Togwotee Pass. Much of the ranges crest
forms the Continental Divide. The highest
point in the range is Gannett Peak, at
13,804 feet Wyomings tallest point.
About 900,000 acres of backcountry
make up four wilderness areas in the Wind
River Range. More than 2,000 lakes dot
the terrain, most a result of glaciation.
Sixty percent of Wyomings glaciers are in
the Wind River Range and, collectively,
represent the largest glaciated area in the
Lower 48. (Go to www.wind-river.org.)
The majestic Big Horn Mountains have
a magnetic effect, drawing people to them
because of their natural beauty and recre-
ational opportunities. Scenic Byway US
Highway 16 crosses the mountains, con-
necting the town of Buffalo on the east
side with Ten Sleep on the west. Visit the
Big Horn Mountain trailheads along the
way for some of the finest hiking in all the
Western States.
Buffalo, Wyoming is tucked away at the
base of the Big Horn Mountains. It is an
outdoor paradise filled with so many recre-
ational opportunities that it would take
much more than just a day to complete
them all. (Go to www.buffalowyo.com.)
While visiting Meeteetse, Wyoming,
drive up the Wood River and Greybull
River roads into the Shoshone Forest and
experience spectacular views and abundant
wildlife. Outdoor enthusiasts can fish or
camp at Brown Mountain, Wood River or
Jack Creek campgrounds. Sports enthusi-
asts can also enjoy cross-country skiing,
hunting, or even a game of golf at the
newly constructed 9-hole golf course.
Enjoy the sound of silence. (Go to
Consisting of three mountain ranges,
hundreds of lakes and streams, and back-
country trails, Dubois, Wyoming, set in
the heart of the Shoshone Forest, provides
a multitude of recreational opportunities
from ATV riding to mountain fishing.
(For more information about Dubois, go
to www.duboiswyoming.org.)
Take in yet more natural splendor in the
beautiful Medicine Bow National Forest,
located just south of Douglas, Wyoming.
The forest offers a stunning view of the
Laramie Peak a granite crown over
10,000 feet above sea level along with
camping, rock climbing, fishing, snowmo-
biling, cross country skiing and trails for
both foot and motorized access.
Campgrounds are rustic, but most offer
basic needs to enjoy a beautiful night
under the stars. The popular Labonte
Canyon, set between tall granite walls, is
perfect for exploring, rock climbing, fish-
ing and ATV riding. Dont miss
Esterbrooks Historic Church of the
Ascension with its breathtaking view. Then
take a break and have lunch at the cozy
Esterbrook bar and restaurant. (Go to
www.douglaschamber.com.)
Trails abound just outside of
Centennial, Wyoming, at the base of the
Snowy Range Mountains. Check with the
local chamber in Laramie for a trail hiking
guide. This beautiful area has trails for
every level of hiker. (Go to www.laramie-
tourism.org.)
Montanas Gallatin National Forest,
which encompasses 1.8 million acres,
shares its borders with Yellowstone Park.
The worlds largest thermal basin has pro-
duced fault lines that run through the
Gallatin, resulting in places like Earth-
quake Lake, formed by a 1959 quake that
registered 7.5 on the Richter scale. The
Gallatin National Forest features over
2,000 miles of trails, over a thousand miles
of streams and rivers and over 500 lakes
and reservoirs.
As land in Montana and Wyoming con-
tinues to become more popular, Rocky
Mountain Timberlands has worked
hard to find ranches with mountain
views and access to national forests.
Properties for sale include complete
ranches with thousands of acres as well
as subdivided ranches with sizes of 20 to
35 acres at quite affordable prices. The
Beartooth Valley Ranch, located just 30
miles from Red Lodge is just such a prop-
erty. Call 1-800-682-8088 or go to
www.rmtland.com.
Idahos Targhee National Forest lies
almost entirely within the Greater Yellow-
stone Ecosystem. The forest encompasses
1.8 million acres and is home to semi-
desert, sagebrush terrain as well as peaks
over 10,000 feet high.
Combined, these forests boast thousands
of miles of trails for hiking, biking, riding
an ATV, horseback riding, snowmobiling,
skiing and snowshoeing. These are public
lands your lands so get out and see
what these forests have to offer.
For information about recreating in bear
country and all your bear spray needs, go
to Counter Assault Bear Deterrents web-
site at www.counterassault.com.
22.
Spend
time at
a National
Recreation Area
If you havent figured it out yet,
Yellowstone country is one big recreation
area, with several popular national recre-
ation areas in its midst.
In Wyoming and overlapping into Utah,
your travel itinerary should include some
time at Flaming Gorge National
Recreation Area, located south of Rock
Springs and Green River, off I-80.
The Green River originates near the
Continental Divide in the Wind River
Range in west-central Wyoming. By the
time its waters join the Colorado River
and flow into the Gulf of Mexico, they
will have passed through six National Park
units. The first is Flaming Gorge National
Recreation Area.
Centered around a large artificial lake
formed by the Flaming Gorge Dam,
Flaming Gorge is surrounded by brilliantly
colored cliffs that jut 1,500 feet in places.
The lake stretches 91 miles and offers 375
miles of shoreline.
The area also has ancient Indian petro-
glyphs and fossils. Flaming Gorge is a
great place for boating and water sports,
not to mention trophy fishing! Go to
Let a llama carry your load.

Llamas are low-maintenance animals that can carry a lot of
weight. Outdoorsy folks who love camping in the backcountry,
climbing peaks, fishing or just exploring the endless trails that this
region offers should consider taking a llama-outfitted trip or rent-
ing llamas.
Youll easily become attached to llamas for their charm. And
theyre easy keepers. Unlike horses, llamas will eat just about any-
thing. If you get to camp and want to go bag a peak or hike to a
distant lake, simply tie down your llamas in a place away from
trails and water, where theres a lot to eat, and take off to explore.
Llamas can generally carry 65-70 pounds each, depending on
the particular outfitters rules. There are several great llama compa-
nies throughout greater Yellowstone. Lander Llama Company, in
Lander, Wyoming, offers wonderful guides and awesome llamas.
(Go to www.landerllama.com.)
19.
Ride a
mountain bike
Because the Yellowstone region is full of mountain ranges and
public lands, mountain biking enthusiasts will have a ball here.
We could fill this entire magazine with great knobby tire rides,
but we dont have that luxury. For trail information, trail guides
and maps, stop in at a bike shop, and/or purchase a local moun-
tain biking trail guide.
At Togwotee Mountain Lodge, numerous trails leave from
your doorstep into the neighboring National Forest. If youre expe-
rienced, you can ride on your own. Or, the friendly staff at
Togwotee Lodge can put you in touch with a local mountain bike
touring company that can find the right trip for you, whether
youre a beginner or advanced rider. (Go to
Salt Lake Citys Bonneville Shoreline Trail is made up of a
series of single-track trails along the slope of the Wasatch
Mountains. Mountain bikers and hikers enjoy varied terrain and
amazing views of the Salt Lake Valley. (Go to
Whether its hiking, fishing, biking, riding, climbing, rafting,
soaking or just plain exploring, theres a Holiday Inn nearby.
Youll find a full service restaurant, swimming pool, fitness center,
free high-speed internet, and, of course, Kids Eat Free. (Go to
www.holidayinnrockies.com).
20.
Climb a
mountain
Those of us who love to hike also love to climb to the tops of
mountains. Our motto is: Good views come to those who hike
uphill!
Its both the lure of wanting to see whats on the other side and
the abundance of rugged mountain ranges in the Yellowstone
region that beckon hikers to climb mountains while here.
Some of the best mountains to climb in Wyoming can be found
in the Teton, Wind River and Big Horn ranges. Great places to
base out of before heading into the backcountry to climb
mountains like Gannett Peak, Lizard Head, Pingora, Wind River
Peak, the Grand Teton, and Cloud Peak are Lander, Pinedale,
Jackson and Sheridan. Choose Lander or Pinedale, Wyoming, and
youll have 40 peaks that top 13,000 to choose from, not to
mention all of the hundreds of peaks that arent in the 13,000-foot
range. (For information about Lander, go to www.wind-river.org,
and for information about Pinedale, go to
If youre an inexperienced climber or looking to summit a for-
midable mountain that involves more than simple scrambling,
contact a professional mountain guiding company and arrange a
guided trip.
For the ultimate mountain climbing experience, Jackson Hole
Mountain Guides offers two-, three- and four-day Grand Teton
ascents with training, meals and equipment included. JHMG also
provides guides to the highest peaks in the area: Granite Peak in
the Beartooth Mountains of Montana and Gannett Peak in the
Wind River Range of Wyoming. Cody, Wyoming, and Red
Lodge, Montana, serve as gateways to amazing mountain ranges.
(Go to www.jhmg.com.)
If you prefer ascending mountains at a faster pace, enter the
Absaroka Mountain Challenge in Meeteetse, Wyoming, on Labor
Day weekend (September 1, 2007), which has been chosen to be a
part of the Trail Runners Magazine Trophy Series. (Go to
www.meetrec.org.)
Take outdoor adventure to new heights atop one of Colorados
54 peaks exceeding 14,000 feet (the most of any state in the
nation). These peaks, known as 14ers by climbers, offer outdoor
enthusiasts a variety of challenges, ranging from easy to difficult;
hiking trails for exploring the scenery; wildlife and the ruggedness
of the state. (Go to www.colorado.com.)
To get outfitted for a mountain-climbing trip, stop in at Sierra
Trading Post in Cody or Cheyenne, go to
www.sierratradingpost.com.
Get the camping and backcountry gear you need for your
mountain adventure from Primus. (Go to
www.primuscamping.com.)
Mountain bikers will dig our trails.
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snowmobiling, the Snowy Range has more

than 300 miles of trails, over 200 of which
are groomed. If you choose accommoda-
tions in Centennial, Albany, or Woods
Landingthree small mountain ham-
letsyou will be just minutes away from
the snow, and you can actually snowmo-
bile right from your front door at some
locations.
Add to this shopping, dining and just
relaxing in the serenity of Laramies
Historic Downtown District, and youll
experience a stress-free visit to a place like
all American cities used to be. With the
presence of the University of Wyoming, all
the amenities desired by a sophisticated
student and faculty populationlike cof-
fee shops, sports bars, brew pubs, and
bookstorespresent themselves through-
out the city. Visit this thriving community
for a pleasurable small-city experience.
(Call 800-445-5303 or go to
www.laramie-tourism.org.)
L
aramie, Wyoming, an outdoor town
with an outlaw past, offers all kinds of
adventure, both winter and summer.
During the summer, there are horseback and
wagon rides in the mountains and on the
prairie along with hiking, picnicking, camp-
ing, fishing, water sports and exploring the
accessible Medicine Bow Peak at 12,013 feet.
In town, there are cultural/heritage tours
of the Wyoming Territorial Prison,
Laramie Plains Museum, and Wyoming
Childrens Museum and Nature Center.
The UW Art Museum in the Centennial
Complex, as well as tours at the UW
Geological Museum, Planetarium, and
Insect Gallery, are only a few of the 10
museums throughout our historic area.
Want the Old West? In June, participate
in the 1800s Western Outlaw Festival. Best
of the West Legends Concert, cowboy
church, pony express reenactment,
gunfighters and pistoleros, outlaws and
damsels in distress, sheep to shawl
demonstrations, childrens games from
long ago, pancake breakfasts, horse clinics,
Buffalo Roast & Barn Dances are all part
of the activities. In July, participate in
Wyomings Hometown Celebration,
Laramie Jubilee Days. This celebration of
Wyomings Statehood goes on for more
than a week with ranch rodeos, a July 4th
Fire in the Sky Fireworks and Western
Concert, Mr. T Calcutta and Bull Ride
and a rip-roaring PRCA rodeo.
In the winter, experience the Snowy
Range mountains on skis, snowshoes or
snowmobiles. The Snowy Range Ski Area
offers beginner, intermediate and expert
trails, as well as a halfpipe for snow-
boarders. Free cross-country ski trails,
maintained by the U.S. Forest Service, are
easily accessible from the Snowy Range Ski
Area or from any of the turnouts in the
Medicine Bow Routt National Forest.
Nominated by snowmobilers as one of
the top 15 destinations in the West for
27. VISIT
A L B A N Y C O U N T Y
I
n Montana, most everything is super-
sized: the larger-than life sky, count-
less mountains, free-flowing rivers,
untrammeled open spaces, spacious ski
resorts, and iconic national parks
Yellowstone and Glacier. Its hard to
know where to begin your adventure, so
here youll find a few in-the-know tips.
Some will want to get their hands dirty
on Montanas recently inaugurated
Dinosaur Trail. Now featuring 15 loca-
tions spread across the Big Sky State,
there are an abundance of opportunities
in which to indulge ones paleontological
fancy. From grand museums, such as the
one at Fort Peck, to actual dino-digs
theres a tactile, unforgettable experience
waiting.
Bring the Old West alive with a visit to
Virginia or Nevada City. These 1860s
mining towns are bursting with entertain-
ment in the summer months. Steam train
rides, brewery follies and re-enactments
make this colorful slice of Americana
come alive. The quintessential ghost town
of Bannack, Montanas first territorial
capital, is equally steeped in rough and
tumbles lore. With its nearby gold mines,
Bannack once boasted the largest popula-
tion of any Montana town.
If action-adventure is more your speed,
sink your edges into the largest skiing in
America at Big Sky and Moonlight
Basin Resorts. With over 5,300 acres of
terrain, these inter-connected resorts com-
bine to create the biggest ski area in the
USA. Thousands of kilometers of Nordic
skiing trails are available; one classic desti-
nation is the Izaac Walton Inn near
Glacier National Park.
Follow your wilderness experience with
a soak in one of Montanas many natural
hot springs and thermal pools. Chico,
Fairmont, Jackson and Potosi hot
springs are just a sampling of our thera-
peutic waters.
Fly fishing the Clarks Fork, backpack-
ing the Beartooth Plateau, snow kiting on
Georgetown Lake, searching for walleye in
Fort Peck reservoir, mountain biking
Helenas Prickly Pear trails, and catching a
real Wild West rodeo in Miles City are
just a snapshot of activities here in the
Big Sky state.
Montana is also home to seven Native
American Reservations, which host pow-
wows, traditional Indian games and even
tours of Glacier National Park
For general travel information on
Montana, log onto www.visitmt.com, or
call 1-800-VISITMT (800-847-4868).
26. Find what youre looking for in Big Sky Country
Montana
Recreation
www.tourwyoming.com. You can also con-

tact Lucerne Valley Marina (go to
www.flaminggorge.com) for more informa-
tion.
For information about the Utah side, go
to www.flaminggorgecountry.com.
In Montana and Wyoming, spend time at
the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation
Area, which straddles the border.
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
was established by an act of Congress on
October 15, 1966, following the construc-
tion of the Yellowtail Dam by the Bureau of
Reclamation. This dam, named after the
famous Crow chairman Robert Yellowtail,
harnessed the waters of the Bighorn River,
turning a variable stream into a huge lake.
Bighorn Lake extends 60 miles through
Wyoming and Montana including through
the spectacular Bighorn Canyon.
23.
Ride
in a
covered wagon
The Yellowstone region is home to many
historic trails, including the famous Oregon
and Mormon trails. Over 350,000 people
followed the Oregon Trail west during a 20-
year period. It was the largest voluntary mass
migration in human history.
In greater Yellowstone, there are opportu-
nities to ride back in time on covered wagon
replicas. Check with chambers of commerce.
A horse-drawn carriage ride is a great way
to experience downtown Cheyenne. Contact
the Cheyenne Area Convention and Visitors
Bureau at 800-426-5009. (Go to
www.cheyenne.org.)
24.
Go rock
climbing
There are many crags for rock climbers to
enjoy in the greater Yellowstone region.
Lander, Wyoming, is one such area, with
some of the best sport climbing in the coun-
try. Climbers featured on the covers of
Outside Magazine and National Geographic
have all climbed the crags in the Lander area.
Sinks Canyon, Wild Iris and Baldwin Creek
provide hundreds of sport climbing routes
on high quality limestone.
Wild Iris, 25 miles south of Lander, boasts
hundreds of routes ranging from 5.9 to 5.14
in difficulty. Sinks Canyon, only nine miles
southwest of Lander, offers year-round out-
door climbing, due to its south-facing cliffs.
Lander is home to the International
Climbers Festival the second full weekend of
July every year. (Go to www.wind-river.org.)
Pinedale, Wyoming, also offers some great
climbing. Theres quick access to the Cirque
of the Towers, Lizards Head, Sharks Nose
and the Watchtower, offering 5.8 to 5.10
pitches. Titcomb Basin, accessible from the
Elkhart Park trailhead, offers everything
from a 3rd class walkup to 5.12. (Go to
Ten Sleep Canyon in the Big Horn
Mountains has some more of the best rock
climbing faces in the West. Base out of
Worland, and venture into new territory!
In the Grand Tetons, Jackson Hole
Mountain Guides provides a variety of
climbing classes for every level. Kids Rock!
covers belaying, signals, knots, safety consid-
erations for climbing, and instruction for
efficient movement on rock and is fantastic
fun for families. Classes are available in
Lander, Cody and Grand Teton. JHMG also
provides climbing classes in City of Rocks in
Idaho, Devils Tower in northeast Wyoming,
and all over Yellowstone Country! During
the winter give us call to experience the
excitement of ice climbing. (Go to
www.jhmg.com.)
In Idaho, climbers will love City of
Rocks, located 45 minutes south of Burley.
About 700 routes have been described.
To outfit your climbing adventure, stop in
at the Sierra Trading Post in Cody or
Cheyenne, log on to
www.sierratradingpost.com.
ing, climbing, rafting, soaking or just plain
exploring, theres a Holiday Inn nearby.
Youll find a full service restaurant, swim-
ming pool, fitness center, free high-speed
internet, and, of course, Kids Eat Free. (Go
to www.holidayinnrockies.com.)
25.
Go
for a Swim
We hope you brought your swimming
suits, because when youre tired from a long
day of sight-seeing or when the kids have an
overflow of energy, you gotta relax, and the
best way we know is to get wet in the areas
many hot springs and pools.
In Montana, head to Fairmont Hot
Springs Resort for a day of swimming and
sliding. Fairmont has two Olympic-size hot
springs pools, one indoors and one outdoors,
plus a 350-foot, 5-story, enclosed waterslide.
Its an exhilarating ride into Fairmonts out-
door pool and you are guaranteed to make a
splash. The 160 naturally hot water is
cooled to temperatures ranging from 88 to
104. Kids can recover from a day in the car
by riding the waterslide or playing in the
large shallow sections, while adults can rest
their travel-weary bodies in the hotter soak-
ing pools. Pools are open 24 hours a day to
registered guests. Public admission hours are
8 a.m. 8:30 p.m. Large dressing rooms,
steam rooms, fitness room, lockers and a
snack bar complete Fairmonts pool facilities.
Just three miles from Interstate 90, 15 miles
west of Butte, Fairmonts pools are open
year-round and are part of Montanas only
full service hot springs, golf, and convention
resort. (Go to www.fairmontmontana.com.)
Stay at the Best Western Kelly Inn &
Suites Billings, one of Billings newest &
best lodging facilities. Smoke free facility,
water playland, continental breakfast, log
exterior, easy access of I-90. (Go to
www.bwbillings.com.)
As you travel through Wyoming, dont
miss the chance to swim in the Worlds
Largest Mineral Hot Springs located in
Thermopolis, Wyoming. Thermopolis
(Greek for Hot City) derived its name
from the hot water that comes from Big
Spring. The turquoise and green mineral-
laden spring issues 3.6 million gallons of
water per day. The water from this spring
contains at least 27 different minerals, some
say, making it very healthful to drink. Hot
Springs State Park, at the edge of town, is
home to three pools, each offering different
services. Tepee Spa features indoor and out-
door pools, a 162-foot indoor waterslide and
a 272-foot waterslide outside. Star Plunge
offers kids of all ages the chance to zoom
down a waterslide. The free, 30-minute State
Bath House is for people seeking a peaceful
soak. Later, if you havent had enough of
swimming, you can take a dip in the nice
pool at the local Super 8 by going to
www.super8.com or go to
www.thermopolis.com.
Come to the Douglas Water Park, in
Douglas, Wyoming, where two slides that
are three stories high will send the kids
zooming into the refreshing pool! Open
from 12pm to 5pm daily from Memorial
Day weekend to August, the water park is
adjacent to a covered picnic area and play-
ground and can accommodate large groups.
For information, call 307-358-4488 or visit
www.douglaswaterpark.com
The Gallatin River (Class III-IV) is a
small, rocky, mountain river for people
looking for an exciting, active experience
where they get to paddle hard. It has a
challenging section for the go-getters and a
less challenging one for families and first-
timers.
The Yellowstone River (Class II-III) is a
wide, deep river that has big waves, offering
a fun ride with less maneuvering.
The Yellowstone Paddle and Saddle trip
includes a morning horseback ride, a barbe-
cue lunch and an afternoon rafting trip.
The Madison River offers wilderness
rafting through the Beartrap Canyon with
class III-IV rapids!
Montana Whitewater offers FREE wet-
suit and bootie rentals for your comfort.
Call 800-799-4465, go to www.mon-
tanawhitewater.com.
Check out Flying Pig Raft Company,
based in Gardiner, Montana. The owner of
the company once told his grandfather that
he was going to kayak more than 3,000
miles from Yellowstone Park to the Gulf of
Mexico. His grandfather replied, When
pigs fly! In the fall of 1990, he and four
others set out. The owner made his grand-
fathers Pig Fly when the team reached
the Gulf more than 100 days later. He
named his business the Flying Pig to sym-
bolize that anything is possible.
Flying Pig Rafting prides itself on cus-
tomer service and small group size. They
offer day raft trips, inflatable kayak trips,
full day raft trips, kayak instruction, and
horseback rides.
Five percent of their profit is donated to
non-profit organizations that encourage
youth to broaden their horizons. Call 866-
807-0744 or go to
www.flyingpigrafting.com.
Geyser Whitewater, in Big Sky,
Montana, offers guided half-day and full-
day rafting trips on the Gallatin River.
Horseback rides are also available, and a
popular choice for guests is the combina-
tion half-day horseback ride and half-day
whitewater trip.
They feature both whitewater (for the
more adventurous) and scenic float trips
(for those families with young children and
senior citizens).
When water levels in the river recede
later in the summer, Geyser Whitewater
also offers kayak instruction, using sit-on-
top kayaks, which are safer and friendlier
for beginners.
We pick our guides seriously, Eric
Becker said. We make sure they are great
boaters and great people to be around. We
meet the needs and the personal service
that our guests want. Call 800-914-9031
or go to www.raftmontana.com.
When you head down the Snake River
with Mad River Boat Trips, youre travel-
ing with more than 100 years of river guide
experience. Their guides are knowledgeable
in local lore, Wyomings rugged and beauti-
ful waters, and advanced rafting safety.
Youll find the entire crew prides itself in
providing the very best, most exciting river
trip you can take in the Jackson area. Grab
a paddle and take a trip with Mad River.
Mad River Boat Trips guarantees it will be
one you remember for a long time.
While visiting Mad Rivers headquarters,
take in some history. The Jackson River
Runners Museum tells the story of
Americas river pioneers, the hardships they
endured, and the adventurous lives they
lived.
Mad River Boat Trips claims the best
name in whitewater! Choose the trip thats
best for you and book online! Call toll-free
800-458-7238 or visit www.mad-river.com.
Barker-Ewing River Trips, in Jackson,
Wyoming, is a second-generation river out-
fitter with a 40-year record as The
Standard of Excellence for safe, exciting
river adventure.
Eight-mile whitewater trips in standard-
sized rafts or smaller 8-man, self-bailing
paddle rafts depart at frequent intervals
daily, and require about four hours round-
trip.
Full canyon, 16-mile Scenic/Whitewater
Combos depart twice daily. The early
morning Breakfast Cookout Combo
requires about six hours. The late afternoon
Overnight Combo includes dinner and tent
cabin accommodations at Barker-Ewings
Pine Creek Canyon campsite, plus break-
fast and whitewater the next morning.
Those in search of a serene, smooth
water excursion will enjoy the 13-mile
South Park Scenic Float on an oar raft,
with options for a riverside picnic lunch or
dinner cookout.
Call 800-448-4202 or 307-733-1000,
stop by 45 West Broadway in downtown
Jackson, or go to www.barker-ewing.com.
Yellowstone Raft Company offers half-
and full-day guided paddle raft trips on the
Yellowstone River every day of the summer.
Half-day trips (offered at 10,11, 2, 3, and
5:15) run 8 miles and include 1 to 2 hours
on the water (about 3 hours total).
Youngsters 6 years old and older are wel-
come, and you dont need any experience to
enjoy this trip. Experienced guides give direc-
tions and encouragement from the back.
The Yellowstone River is a Class II-III
river, which means exciting waves and
rapids that are perfect for all ages.
Full day trips cover 17 miles, start-
ing with the exciting Class II-III
rapids in town. After a deli-style
lunch, the trip finishes with the rapids
in Yankee Jim Canyon.
In its 29th year, Yellowstone Raft
Company knows the river well and values
its reputation for safe, fun and professional-
ly run trips.
For reservations or more information and
photos, go www.yellowstoneraft.com. Call
1-800-858-7781.
Lewis & Clark Expeditions, in Jackson,
Wyoming, offers both scenic float trips and
whitewater trips on the Snake River.
Lewis & Clark offers the smallest boats
available on the Snake River, and, during
mid-summer, they offer riverside steak din-
ners. Half-day whitewater trips run on the
eight-mile class III stretch of the Snake
River from West Table Creek to Sheep
Gulch. The whitewater trips are a fantastic
introduction for families. The legendary
Lunch Counter Rapids, along with Big
Kahuna and other wave-crashing, class III
rapids, gets everybody wet.
Whitewater and scenic floats can be
combined for an all-day excursion. Half-
day scenic float trips run 13 miles just
south of Grand Teton National Park offer-
ing fantastic views of the Teton Range and
gliding past great wildlife habitat.
According to owner James Peck, as a
smaller, family-run outfitter, theyre able to
emphasize quality and provide more per-
sonalized service. Call 307-733-4022 or
800-824-5375, or go to www.lewisand-
clarkexpeds.com.
Sands Wild Water River Trips will show
you the best of the Snake River in Jackson
Hole.
What sets Sands apart? They are celebrat-
ing their fifth decade, making them one of
the most seasoned rafting companies in
Jackson Hole. They also have an expanded
line of rafts, renovated facilities and chang-
ing rooms and upgraded gear.
Theyve taken thousands of people safely
down the Snake River, including the
President of the United States. Theyve
become one of the most respected rafting
companies in the valley. They want your
entire experience to be positive and memo-
rable.
Their hard-working boatmen have
floated the Snake hundreds of times, giving
them a deep knowledge of every turn,
rapid, and current. Of course, their
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hose fancy, heated seats in your
late model, $45,000 SUV are a great thing in the
winter. But its hot outside, dude! Your best bet to cool off
is to get in a raft and take a trip down one of those blue squiggly
lines on the map.
Here are some tips to make your trip more enjoyable. First of all,
if you choose a whitewater trip, you will get wet. So dont wear that
new leather mini-skirt or the cashmere blouse. Instead, wear a T-
shirt and shorts with some river sandals.
Its probably not a good idea to bring that $2,000 Nikon digital
camera along. If you want photos to prove to your co-workers that
you are adventurous, buy a waterproof disposable camera.
In this high country, where youre closer to the sun, you can get
a nasty sunburn on the water. Water acts like a mirror, and bounces
the sun back at you when your skin is wet. Wear plenty of water-
proof sunscreen.
Finally, we recommend the following raft companies above all
others.
Join Wild West Rafting for the ultimate Montana whitewater-
raft-
ing trip! Located just north
of Yellowstone National Park, in Gardiner, Montana,
Wild West Rafting also specializes in scenic float trips through the
majestic Paradise Valley. With over 13 years experience, Wild West
Rafting offers high quality whitewater and scenic river trips on the
breathtaking Yellowstone River. Their river trips are suitable for the
entire family, from the beginner to the more seasoned thrill seeker.
So prepare for a trip of a lifetime and let our certified river guides
take care of the details. With names such as Man Eater and
Sleeping Giant, youre bound to get a little wet while safely run-
ning the Yellowstone River rapids. Looking for something tamer?
All ages can explore the historic beauty of Paradise Valley on a sce-
nic float where wildlife photo opportunities wait around every
bend. (Call 1-800-862-0557 or go to www.wildwestrafting.com.)
Montana Whitewater runs all three of the best rafting rivers
near Yellowstone and gives you the full scoop on the rafting
options in the area.
Photo courtesy of Flying Pig Adventure Company

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Photo by Julie Cornia

BY BOB BUDD
THE HAT:
Maybe the most important item you will
buy, so dont buy something youll never
wear again. The cowboy hat takes on the
country around it in windy areas, like
Yellowstone country, the brim is narrow. In
the desert, the brim is wide to shield the
sun. We recommend either silver belly or
black, nothing less than a 4X, about a
three-inch brim, and, unless your head
will hold ten gallons, a smaller crown.
Buy a brand you can trust. A hat
should fit snugly, but not too tight.
THE BOTTOMS:
These are pants, partner, and John
Wayne had them all wrong. There is
one word in pants, and that is denim.
Wrangler and Levis are what the
real cowboys wear, and the most
common error is buying them
too short in the legs, or too
tight in the crotch. A good
pair of jeans will highlight
your physique, but leave you
room to shake a leg. If your
inseam is 32, buy a pant with
a 34. They should slouch a lit-
tle over your boots.
THE KICKERS:
Buy a pair that feels good. For
many, that means a walking heel, and
even a shoe last instead of a boot last. Men
should look for a solid colored boot with a round-
ed toe ropers or lace-up ropers are great. Avoid
pointy toes, pastel colors, and stitching.
THE TOP:
For men, that would be the shirt, and we love the
basics. Long sleeves are mandatory. Button-down,
loose collar, snaps or buttons are optional. The real
cowboys wear heavier cotton, and the best-look-
ing western shirts are usually made that way.
The main thing is to pick a shirt (or top) that is
comfortable and looks good. In the summer
months, you can sometimes find them grow-
ing wild on chairs and barstools late at night.
SOMETHING TO HOLD IT
TOGETHER:
There are two parts to this challenge, the belt,
and the buckle. We recommend a great belt, with a
simple buckle. If you dont ride bulls, dont buy
some flashy bull-rider buckle. You wont fool any-
one. Instead, look for belts that include flashes of
silver, braided horsehair or rawhide, and buckles
that can become a keepsake. The classic buckle is a
tongue-and-groove made of silver and gold, with
matching tip for the other end of the belt. This is a
great place to invest some cash the belt will be
around longer than you, pilgrim.
ACCESSORIES:
Before you buy things like spurs and chaps,
make sure you will either use them, or want them
as a decoration. The classic accessory would be a
vest, an item with functional history, and classic
function. Again, keep it simple and classic
leather is OK, but wool or canvas are more
common. The reason cowboys wear a vest is the
pockets. Get the right one and you will never take
it off. The other classic is the slicker, either yellow
plastic, or the great oilskins from Australia (out here,
those are considered formal wear). And, think about a
hatband. Just keep it small and narrow, something
that you feel connected with; we like braided
horsehair, beads, or rawhide, without tassels and
attitude. Pure class.
BOB BUDD IS A LIFELONG WYOMING RESIDENT
WHO WEARS EVERYTHING HE WRITES ABOUT HERE.
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Photo by Donnie Sexton/Travel Montana

boatmen arent the only ones with experience.
The entire staff is prepared to make sure your
visit is safe and exciting. Call 800-358-8184 or
go to www.sandswhitewater.com.
Grand Teton Lodge Company, in Grand
Teton National Park, offers float trips on the
Snake River. Choose a morning, afternoon,
luncheon or supper float, all offering a
unique view of the Park along with the
exciting wildlife. (Go to www.gtlc.com.)
Rafting in Grand Teton National Park is
an unforgettable experienceespecially on
the famous Snake River, where you can
float with experienced interpretive guides
from Signal Mountain Lodge. Encounter
bald eagles, buffalo, moose and spectacular
views during your 10-mile excursion. (Go to
www.signalmountainlodge.com.)
Flagg Ranch Resort, located between
Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks,
offers a one-hour whitewater trip that takes you
through the magnificent Flagg Canyon. To sign
up for an adventure, stop in at the resort, call
800-443-231 or visit www.flaggranch.com.
A trip with Venture West tours includes a white-
water adrenaline rush along the Snake River or a
serene float entirely within Grand Teton National Park.
Come embark on a memorable trip of Yellowstone
Country! (Go to www.venturewesttours.com.)
Grand Teton Park RV Resort, located near Moran and
Grand Teton National Parks East Entrance, can also arrange a
float trip for you. (Go to www.yellowstonerv.com.)
Breathtaking excitement awaits you when you choose one
of Togwotee Mountain Lodges guided whitewater river raft-
ing trips. Experience the pristine beauty of a scenic river float
trip on the Snake River as you wind your way beneath the tow-
ering peaks of the Tetons. (Go to www.togwoteelodge.com.)
Experience the ride of a lifetime as you roar down the gor-
geous Wind River Canyon aboard one of Wind River Canyon
Whitewaters rafts. The canyon is located on the Wind River
Indian Reservation (just outside Thermopolis), and W.R.C.
Whitewater is proud to be a 100% Indian-owned and operated
business that offers fantastic rafting at a fraction of the cost of
many of their competitors around the state. (Go to www.win-
drivercanyonraft.com.)
When in Northeastern Utah, why not try traveling the region in
the mode of early explorers like Ashley and John Wesley Powell?
That is, try a rafting adventure down the famous Green River! Local
outfitters in Dutch John offer raft rentals for a fun day of self-guided
rafting beginning under the towering wall of Flaming Gorge Dam.
Vernal outfitters offer mild to wild daily and multi-day trips
through remote stretches of Dinosaur National Monument. For
more information, go to www.dinoland.com or go to www.flaming-
gorgecountry.com.
soaking or just plain exploring, theres a Holiday Inn nearby. Youll
find a full service restaurant, swimming pool, fitness center, free
high-speed internet, and, of course, Kids Eat Free. (Go to www.holi-
dayinnrockies.com.)
Kayaking is great for adventurous types.

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ucked away among the foothills of
the Owl Creek Mountains and
resting beside the Big Horn River
lies Thermopolis, Wyoming. Its one of
those small picturesque towns where the
elevation is higher than the population.
The town is renowned and even named
for being home to the Worlds Largest
Mineral Hot Spring.
Originally part of the Wind River Indian
Reservation, the Shoshone and Arapahoe
Tribes sold this land to the United States
so that the healing waters of the Big Horn
Hot Springs would be available to all peo-
ple. The Gift of the Waters Indian Pageant,
held annually during the first weekend in
August, is a celebration that recreates the
signing of this treaty.
Scalding water flows out of the turquoise
Big Spring in Hot Springs State Park and
into cooling ponds. The mineral-laden
spring issues 3.6 million gallons of water
per day, and the terraced formations over
which the water flows are comparable to
the wonders of Yellowstone National Park,
a scenic two-hour drive away. The hot
mineral water flows into water parks,
where you will find indoor and outdoor
swimming pools, water slides, Jacuzzi tubs,
saunas, steam rooms and more! Drive
through the rest of the park and enjoy fan-
tastic scenery and roaming bison.
Recently designated an official state sce-
nic byway, U.S. Highway 20 winds 34
miles through the gorgeous Wind River
Canyon, creating a drive that every
Yellowstone visitor should experience.
In Thermopolis and the surrounding
area, there are numerous recreational
opportunities available, including whitewa-
ter and scenic float trips, guided fishing
expeditions, hiking, biking, wildlife watch-
ing and more! For those interested in the
history and culture of the area, the
Wyoming Dinosaur Center and Dig
Sites, Legend Rock Petroglyphs, Old
West Wax Museum, Dancing Bear Folk
Center, Teddy Bear Museum and the Hot
Springs County Historical Museum are
must-stops for any visitor.
The unmatched landscape, rich culture
and abundant recreation make
Thermopolis a truly unique community.
Come explore Thermopolis and see what
you have been missing!
(Go to www.thermopolis.com.)
in Thermopolis, Wyoming
Heat things up 30. Heat things up
in Thermopolis, Wyoming
P
icturesque Converse County is a
prime spot for history, nature and
outdoor recreation, providing an
intimate snapshot of both yesterdays charm
and natures delights.
Crafted by the hands of Mother Nature
herself, the Ayres Natural Bridge, located
just south of the Oregon Trail, is one of
only three natural bridges in the United
States with water beneath. Considered one
of Wyomings first tourist attractions, this
breathtaking wonder includes a picnic area
and overnight camping.
Take in yet more natural splendor in the
beautiful Medicine Bow National Forest,
including a stunning view of Laramie Peaks
granite crown at over 10,000 feet. The for-
est offers camping, rock climbing, fishing,
snowmobiling, and cross country skiing, as
well as trails for both foot and motorized
access. Dont miss Esterbrooks Historic
Church of the Ascension with its breath-
taking view.
Outdoor recreation doesnt stop there.
Enthusiasts can enjoy the North Platte
River in canoes, rafts and tubes, which can
be rented locally. Or, relax and enjoy some
of the best fishing, bird watching and
wildlife.
Theres more to Converse County than
just nature. Every third full week in August,
the Wyoming State Fair, held in Douglas,
attracts people from around the nation with
entertainment, rodeos, and the Wyoming
Pioneer Museum. Also held every August is
the infamous Deer Creek Days in
Glenrock. Visit the Douglas Railroad
Interpretive Center, with its steam loco-
motive and eight rail cars. For those who
want to venture all the way back to prehis-
toric times, visit the Glenrock Dinosaur
Museum, where visitors can view rare
Triceratops and explore and participate in a
real fossil dig site. Just a short drive from
Douglas, visitors can enjoy water sports,
fishing, camping, canoeing, swimming and
sunning on the beach at Glendo State
Park. Motorsport lovers can watch drag
races almost every weekend in Douglas,
from May through September.
For the golf enthusiast, Douglas and
Glenrock offer you a chance to get those
clubs out and enjoy a round of golf where
the deer and the antelope play!
Converse County is a great place to enjoy
history and nature with a sprinkle of mod-
ern fun. Whether youre hiking in the forest
or hunting for jackalope in town, your
stay in Converse County is sure to be a
unique adventure.
(Go to
www.conversecountytourism.com)
31. Experience
Converse County, Wyoming
F
or more than a century, West Yellowstone has been
providing Yellowstone visitors with the necessities of
travel and the friendliness of home while they enter into
an incredible relationship with Mother Nature. With Yellowstone
National Park just to the East and as close as a breath, and
surrounded in all other directions by National Forests, this small
mountain community becomes the ideal base camp in an ocean of
exploration and outdoor opportunity. Guests discover not only the
Park, but also treasures in southwest Montana, eastern Idaho and
northern Wyoming. Stay here and play around!
Whether you prefer the leisure and comfort of touring, the
stimulation of soft adventure or some heart-thumping excitement,
West Yellowstone has something to offer.
There are attractions to experience.
The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center: a bear and wolf preserve
with wild animals in natural habitat and an excellent education
facility.
The Yellowstone IMAX Theatre: their six-story screen and
surround sound give an excellent prelude for a park visit.
The Playmill Theatre: Open Memorial Day to Labor Day, with
a repertoire of musicals all lively, action-packed and fun.
In town, the Yellowstone Historic District encompasses most of
the original buildings of the Oregon Short Line Railroad. The
center point of the District is the Historic Center Museum,
housed in the magnificent railroad depot. Its a great way to spend a
summer afternoon.
Hebgen Lake is a nearby gem. From springs thaw to
Novembers freeze, this high reservoir provides great water activities:
fishing, boating and sailing, to name a few. Held in the palm of the
surrounding mountains, it has public and private marinas,
campgrounds and resorts.
Quake Lake is the result of earth shattering moments.
One August night in 1959, an earthquake of 7.5 on the
Richter scale slammed the Madison Valley, sending a
mountain-side into the river below and forming this lake
just west of Hebgen. Today, a Forest Service Visitors
Center provides excellent interpretation of that night.
Tour for days.
The Upper and Lower Loops of Yellowstone Park are easily
toured from West Yellowstone. Other excellent day trips include the
old gold mining towns of Nevada and Virginia Cities; Big Sky,
Montana, where youll find the fine Lone Mountain Guest
Ranch, a full-service, year-round resort; Harriman State Park and
Mesa Falls in Idaho; the Red Rocks National Wildlife Refuge in
Montana, and Grand Teton National Park near Jackson,
Wyoming. Youll run out of time long before you run out of places
to tour.
While youre visiting, plan to slip into some action.
Wildlife and bird watching are always favorite! Spring heralds the
arrival of babies of every variety. Summer rewards the early risers
and evening searchers. Fall brings the bugling elk, while winter
provides up-close and personal experiences.
World-class fly-fishing is to be enjoyed in an abundance of water,
including seven blue-ribbon trout streams all within easy distance.
From early summer through fall, West Yellowstone provides easy
access to excellent horseback riding, hiking and biking. On a hot
summers day, theres nothing like a rafting trip.
Then, theres winter! Yellowstone Park is open to over-the-snow
vehicles from mid-December to mid-March. The adjacent National
Forests offer recreational opportunities such as the renowned
Rendezvous Cross-Country ski trails and a multitude of groomed
snowmobile trails from November through April. Whether your
preference for snow activities includes cross-country skiing,
snowmobiling, snowshoeing or taking a snowcoach tour, come on
in, the winters fine!
All of this and more is why West Yellowstones slogan is, West
Yellowstonemore than just a one night stand.
For more information, contact the West Yellowstone Visitors
Center at 406-646-7701 or visit www.destinationyellowstone.com
29.
Explore
WE S T
Yellowstone
Photo by Mark Gocke
Winter Recreation
31

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The Pinedale, Wyoming, region offers
outstanding cross-country ski trails and
opportunities. (For more information, go
to www.mountainmancountry.com.)
Ski outings in greater Yellowstone can
sometimes take the better part of a day, half
of which is spent in a car. Not so in
Laramie, Wyoming, thanks to the Pole
Mountain Ski Trails. Enjoy 15-20 kilome-
ters of groomed trails after just a 10-minute
drive east of town! The trail systems eleva-
tion ranges from 8,500 to 9,000 feet and
skiers will enjoy tranquil, wooded ski out-
ings. Go to www.laramie-tourism.org.
33.
Go downhill
skiing
The Greater Yellowstone region boasts
several mountain resorts some of them
world-class.
Grand Targhee Resort is nestled on the
west side of the Teton Mountains and is
famous for its light, fluffy snow and plenty
of it averaging 500 inches of snowfall
annually! Explore two mountains and over
2,000 acres of lift-served terrain for all
types of skiers.
Families take note: There is arguably no
better resort than Grand Targhee when it
comes to awesome amenities for the whole
family. Parents with small children will
appreciate the slope-side daycare and kiddie
school with ski lessons. The staff is awe-
some, and the kid-friendly equipment, such
as the magic carpet, which replaced the
rope-tow of old, are great features. Also,
families will enjoy a skating rink, dogsled
tours, Nordic trails, and even sleigh ride
dinners. For more information, go to
www.grandtarghee.com.
Jackson Hole is home to a world-class
resort, too. Jackson Hole Mountain
Resort is located in Teton Village. The
resort boasts 4,139 feet of vertical, and
lots of expert, intermediate and beginner
terrain.
With arguably the best snow in the
United States, Yellowstone Country pro-
vides some of most breathtaking backcoun-
try skiing around. Jackson Hole Mountain
Guides is available for guided ascents and
descents in the Grand Tetons and also pro-
vides a full range of avalanche safety classes
tain resorts. With great powder and soft
landings, there is something for skiers of
all ages and skill levels in Colorado. (Go
to www.colorado.com.)
34.
Go dog-
sledding
Most of you think of Alaska
when it comes to dog-sled-
ding. You think of the
Iditarod.
But the greater
Yellowstone region is fast
from beginner to advanced. (Go to
www.jhmg.com.)
Snake River Lodge & Spa is Jackson
Holes only slopeside AAA Four Diamond
resort. With three easily accessible ski
areas, thousands of acres of prime snow-
mobiling, and some of the most famous
backcountry skiing in North America,
Snake River Lodge & Spa is a winter
adventurers true destination. After an
exhilarating day of skiing or adventure,
experience the 17,000 square foot Avanyu
Spa, Wyomings largest full-service spa,
featuring a spectacular indoor/outdoor
pool with cascading rock waterfalls and
everything you need for complete restora-
tion of body and mind. (Go to
www.snakeriverlodge.rockresorts.com/.)
Wyomings newest ski resort is White
Pine Resort, located 10 miles north of
Pinedale. This resort is perfect for families
and is a best-kept secret. The top of one
lift is located at 9,500 feet. Enjoy three
lifts and over 25 trails, and the best news
is this: you wont break the bank!
In Utah, the Ski Salt Lake resorts
Alta, Brighton, Snowbird and Solitude
are known for their amazing terrain and
abundant snowfall (over 500 inches
annually). All just 40 minutes
away from downtown Salt
Lake. (Go to www.visit-
saltlake.com.)
Ski at one of
Colorados 25 moun-
becoming a destination for dog-sledding,
both in terms of recreational fun and
serious racing.
Many companies especially locat-
ed in northwestern Wyoming between
Dubois and Jackson offer dog sled
tours. A guide handles the dogs from the
back of a sled while you ride on the front
of the sled and enjoy the unmatched win-
ter scenery of Yellowstone country.
If youre planning a Yellowstone
vacation during the winter months, we
recommend you do it during late
January and early February so that you
can see the largest sled dog race in the
lower 48 states the International
Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race.
The sled dog race traverses almost 450
miles of Wyoming backcountry.
35.
Go snow-
boarding
Some snowboarding junkies we know
say snowboarding is the most fun a per-
son can have with clothes on. And they
arent joking!
Interest in snowboarding is growing at
a rapid rate. Why? Because its fun. Just a
few years ago, many ski resorts didnt
allow snowboarders. But now, youll see
as many snowboarders as skiers on the
mountains.
Snowboarders come in three models.
Carvers are those snowboarders who wear
a more rigid boot and who can be seen
carving with their body almost parallel to
the slope. Free riders enjoy all-mountain
riding conditions. And freestyle riders are
the ones who have no fear and who are
doing sick tricks in the half-pipe.
Snowboarders will get their fill at any
of the outstanding large and small family
resorts in the Greater Yellowstone Region.
Grand Targhee Resort has a new
Snowpark, offering terrain features for
freestyle skiers and snowboarders. The
Snowpark consists of a multitude of rail
slides (rainbows, double barrels, kinks),
table-tops, mailbox sliders and other
advanced terrain features. (Go to
www.grandtarghee.com.)
We recommend you also try backcoun-
try snowboarding.
Strap on your snowshoes, pack along
an avalanche transceiver (after being
trained in its use) and head for the back-
country. Often, in places like Wyomings
Teton Pass and Togwotee Pass regions,
youll see snowboarders who snowshoe to
try ski trails are abundant throughout the
region and inside Yellowstone Park.
Some of the most popular ski trails can
be found in the geyser basins, where youll
ski around geysers, steam vents and hot
pools while catching glimpses of bison and
elk. A day skiing along the rim of the
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is also
recommended.
While traveling this region in winter,
stop in at local chambers of commerce or
outdoor gear shops and inquire about good
places to classic or skate ski. Skate skiing is
becoming very popular and in just one to
two hours you can be whipped into shape
while seeing some phenomenal scenery.
Sierra Trading Post, a mail-order com-
pany with outlet stores in Cody and
Cheyenne, Wyoming, is your headquarters
for outdoor gear and equipment. Go to
www.SierraTradingPost.com to shop the
online catalog or stop in a store to get
expert advice.
Once you have your gear, consider
signing up for a guided ski
tour, such as Afternoon Ski
Daddles, with Yellowstone
National Park Lodges. Ski
with a guide in the Old
Faithful region, or take a
snowcoach to the Grand
Canyon of the Yellowstone,
where youll ski with a
guide to enjoy great views
of the Lower Falls. (Go to
www.travelyellowstone.com.)
Wood River Valley Ski
Touring Park, located just 22
miles southwest of Meeteetse,
Wyoming, offers the skiing
enthusiast the opportunity to
experience a spectacular moun-
tain area of the Shoshone
National Forest. The ski park
provides 25 kilometers of
groomed trails, a warming
hut and an overnight cabin.
(Go to www.meetrec.org.)
32.
Go cross-
country
skiing
For visitors who
enjoy exercising
and winter,
theres no bet-
ter way to
explore this
country than on
skinny skis.
Cross-coun-
Backcountry skiing offers pristine snow and dramatic views.
Snowboarding is one of winters fastest-
growing sports.
Bottom photo by Jeff Vanuga; luggage decal courtesy of
Tamsen Hert
Contents
32. Go Cross Country Skiing
33. Go Downhill Skiing
34. Go Dog-Sledding
35. Go Snowboarding
36. Take a Snowcoach Tour
37. Go Snowshoeing
38. Go Snowmobiling

the top of a mountain before surfing down
through untracked powder. Breathtaking
scenery, no lift lines and no lift tickets are
appeals of backcountry snowboarding. Plus,
you get plenty of exercise hiking up those
hills so the beer and loads of food you con-
sume afterward are easily justified.
36.
Take a
snowcoach
tour
For those looking to just sit back and
watch while someone else does the driving
during your winter Yellowstone vacation,
sign up for a snowcoach tour.
Yellowstone Sno-Vans, of All Yellowstone
Sports in West Yellowstone, Montana, offers
tours in a warm, heated snowcoach. Choose
from various tour packages. The Old
Faithful Package Tour includes two nights
lodging and takes you to Old Faithful. The
Canyon Package Tour includes two nights
lodging and takes you to the Grand Canyon
of Yellowstone. The Ultimate Wildlife
Viewing Tour is also available, where you
may see wolves! To sign up for a tour, call
800-548-9551. (Go to
SeeYellowstone Snowcoach Tours, of
West Yellowstone, Montana, has been guid-
ing trips into Yellowstone for over 30 years.
Whether you ride in a roomy 13-seat
minibus Vanterra or a 9-seat Econoline van
with captains chairs, you will have a won-
derfully relaxing winter experience. Special
clear glass windows allow for the best photo
opportunities without even leaving the vehi-
cle, while fun, interpretive Park-authorized
guides point out everything of interest. (For
more information, call 1-800-221-1151 or
visit www.seeyellowstone.com.)
The historic 320 Guest Ranch in Big
Sky, Montana, offers several winter activity
options, such as starlit sleigh rides to a
mountain man campsite, snowshoeing
(rentals on hand), alpine and nordic skiing,
snowcoach tours in Yellowstone Park, and
snowmobile excursions to places like Carrot
Basin and Buck Ridge. You can even simply
relax in front of the rock fireplace and enjoy
a good meal in the 320 Steakhouse. To find
out more, go to www.320ranch.com and
click on activities.
Inside Yellowstone, Yellowstone National
Park Lodges also offers Snowcoach tours in
warm over-snow vehicles. (Go to
37.
Go
snowshoeing
Looking for a way to beat cabin fever? Try
snowshoeing. Its so easy, anyone can do it.
Plus its cheap. Snowshoes can be rented for
$5-10 a day or purchased for as little as
$95, if you opt for a recreational pair.
Snowshoeing is basically walking with big
platforms on your feet. Snowshoes allow
you to walk on top of the deep powder that
often covers this area.
Many backcountry enthusiasts choose
snowshoeing as a way to ascend hills or
mountains before snowboarding or sledding
down them. You get a workout on the way
up and a thrill on the way down.
In short, unless you like post-holing
walking one step at a time burying each leg
up to the thigh and then digging it out with
each step snowshoeing is the way to go.
Instead of being a couch potato for
another snowy day, get out and snowshoe
for an hour or two. Need one more reason
to snowshoe? It burns calories lots of
them. So snowshoe for an hour and then eat
some more holiday fudge.
Yellowstone National Park Lodges offers
snowshoe rentals, guided snowshoe adven-
tures, and snowcoach shuttles are available
to the parks interior. (Go to
Before snowshoeing, get outfitted in
clothing and snowshoes at Sierra Trading
Post. (Go to www.sierratradingpost.com.)
38.
Go snow-
mobiling
In greater Yellowstone, theres no shortage
of world-class snowmobiling. In areas of
Montana, Wyoming and Idaho, snowmobil-
ers will find hundreds make that thou-
sands of miles of groomed snowmobile
trails, scenery and deep snow.
West Yellowstone, Montana, located
right next to Yellowstones West Entrance, is
a mecca for sledders. Hundreds of main-
tained trails start right in town and take
snowmobilers to the tops of mountains or
to other trail systems in Montana, Idaho
and Wyoming.
And snowwell, lets just say its not a
problem. West Yellowstone often receives 28
feet of snow. Except for on a couple of
roads, snowmobiling is allowed throughout
the town of West Yellowstone. Visitors ride
their sleds right up to restaurants, attrac-
tions and hotels.
Explore endless country outside of town.
The 110-mile Big Sky Trail stretches from
Grayling Creek, near West Yellowstone, to
Bear Creek, near Bozeman. Visitors should
also plan on riding the Two Top Trail. This
popular trail takes you through groomed
trails winding in and out of trees and
includes areas where you can leave the trail.
There are many companies in West
Yellowstone that provide snowmobile
rentals, guided tours and vacation packages.
All Yellowstone Sports is a great place to
WI N T E R R E C R E AT I ON

arrange your winter getaway. Stop in at the
10,000-square-foot facility that features a
large fleet of top-of-the-line Polaris snow-
mobiles.
The folks there offer snowmobile rental
Fun Packages, guided snowmobiling and
snowcoach tours. Its also home to Polaris
West, a snowmobile and ATV dealership.
(Go to www.AllYellowstone.com.)
With the largest selection of snowmobiles
in the area, See Yellowstone Snowmobile
Tours is the only authorized concessionaire
for both snowmobile/snowcoach tours into
Yellowstone National Park and guided serv-
ice into all three adjoining national forests
adjoining West Yellowstone (Gallatin,
Beaverhead & Targhee). One call to the
local snowmobiling experts at 800-221-
1151 and youll have help arranging a days
rental for trail or mountain snowmobiles, a
full day into Yellowstone Park, or even a
Value Package that includes lodging, cloth-
ing, tours and snowmobiles. (Go to
www.seeyellowstone.com.)
Yellowstone National Park Lodges also
rents snowmobiles. (For more information
on snowmobiling in Yellowstone National
Park, go to www.TravelYellowstone.com.)
In 2004, the Continental Divide
Snowmobile Trail was ranked #1 by
SnoWest Magazine. The Continental Divide
Snowmobile Trail is a 360-mile trail that
stretches from just south of Lander,
Wyoming, to West Yellowstone. Its the
most complete snowmobile trail in the
region, offering the sledder everything
quality groomed trails, spectacular moun-
tain scenery, wide open spaces and lots of
opportunities to view wildlife. (Go to
www.wind-river.org for more information
about the CDST.)
During winter, the Pinedale, Wyoming,
area becomes a mecca for snowmobiling.
The hills and valleys turn into a winter
playground for sledding enthusiasts.
Located on the famous Continental
Divide Snowmobile Trail, Pinedale offers
snowmobilers a great adventure. The
Wyoming Range trails, also in this region,
offer great snowmobiling. (Go to
The area around Dubois, Wyoming, is
known for having a trail system that is one
of the best in the world. There are 150
miles of spectacular, rugged snowmobile
trails and thousand of acres of off-trail rid-
ing conveniently located adjacent to the
Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail.
(Go to www.duboiswyoming.org.)
Togwotee Mountain Lodge is the king
of the mountain when it comes to snowmo-
bile rentals, guided trips and vast sledding
terrain on the Continental Divide
Snowmobile Trail. (Go to
For a snowmobile experience close to
both national parks, visit Flagg Ranch
Resort. Its on the banks of the scenic Snake
River two miles south of Yellowstone
National Park and five miles north of Grand
Teton National Park, and offers guided
snowmobile trips into Yellowstone, as well
as rentals, multi-day trips and group dis-
counts. (Go to www.flaggranch.com.)
Grand Teton Park RV Resort, located at
the base of Togwotee Pass, also offers snow-
mobile rentals and guided snowmobile
adventures. (Go to
www.yellowstonerv.com.)
Wyomings Snowy Range Trail System is
also an awesome sledding region. (Go to
Carbon County, named one of the top
six snowmobiling areas in the country, offers
direct access to the Medicine Bow National
Forest, with trail systems ranging from the
Sierra Madre Mountains to the beautiful
Snowy Range. Riders of all skill levels can
enjoy more than 360 miles of groomed trails
and 240 miles of ungroomed trails. (Go to
www.wyomingcarboncounty.com.)
The Burgess Junction Trail System, not
Snowshoeing is fun for the entire family.
for the mild-hearted, is located in the
northern Big Horns and features 218
miles of well-marked trails.
Experienced riders should try the Paint
Rock Trail 52 miles of trail along the
Cloud Peak Wilderness boundary. This
trail system connects with the Ten
Sleep trails in the southern mountains,
offering an additional 188 miles of
both groomed and ungroomed trails.
Springtime provides excellent snow
conditions with deep snow and warm
days; riding into May is not unusual.
For details, go to
www.sheridanwyoming.org.
For the winter sports enthusiast, the
Big Horn Mountains, near Worland
and Tensleep, provide unrivaled
opportunities for activities such as
snowmobiling. In fact the Bighorn
National Forest offers more than 300
miles of groomed snowmobile trails,
and more than 50 miles of ungroomed
trail riding. Riding in the area was
named One of the nicest snowmobil-
ing areas of the world, in 2001. (Go
to www.tensleepworlandwyoming.
com/99.)
A perfect day.
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To view birds, buy only the best when
it comes to optics buy Brunton. (Go to
www.Brunton.com.)
40.
Visit a
National
Wildlife Refuge
The greater Yellowstone region is home
to several wildlife refuges. These refuges
are great places to go to view wildlife,
especially if your time is limited.
Wyoming is home to two National
Wildlife Refuges. The National Elk
Refuge, in Jackson, provides a winter
home for about 7,500 elk. Late in
October and in early November, when
the snow flies, elk begin migrating south
from their high summer range in the
Tetons and in Yellowstone. While elk are
the primary animal visitors will see in the
National Elk Refuge, visitors might also
catch glimpses of bighorn sheep, moose,
bison, mule deer, coyotes, badgers,
ground squirrels, and even wolves.
Waterfowl are often seen on ponds and
marshes in the Refuge, and trumpeter
swans can be seen nesting with their
young on Flat Creek Marsh.
The Seedskadee National Wildlife
Refuge is located on the Green River,
about 30 miles southwest of Farson on
Highway 28, (or 30 miles north of Green
River on Highway 372). The Refuges
cottonwood and willow woodlands pro-
vide important habitat for migrating and
resident song birds. Over 200 species of
birds have been observed on this refuge.
Canada geese and a variety of ducks have
nested along the river for centuries. (Go
to www.TourWyoming.com.)
There are several National
Wildlife Refuges in Montana,
including the Bowdoin NWR in Malta;
Lee Metcalf NWR in Stevensville;
Medicine Lake NWR in Medicine Lake;
National Bison Range in Moise; Red Rock
Lakes NWR in Lima; and Charles M.
Russell NWR in Lewiston. The Benton
Lake NWR, in Great Falls, is recognized
by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird
Reserve Network as an internationally sig-
nificant shorebird site.
In Idaho, Bear Lake Wildlife Refuge is
an 18,000-acre area thats mainly a bulrush
marsh with some open waters and flooded
meadows. Its home to many species of
birds and animals.
To learn more about elk in the Rocky
Mountains and throughout North
America, be sure to visit the Rocky
Mountain Elk Foundations Elk Country
Visitor Center. Since the organization
was founded in 1984, it has permanently
protected or enhanced 4.7 million acres of
habitat an area nearly twice the size of
Yellowstone National Park. (Go to
www.elkfoundation.org).
Dont forget your binoculars and/or
spotting scope. Brunton is one of the best.
(Go to www.Brunton.com.)
41.
See wild
horses
If you want to see the romantic symbol
of the American West wild horses
youve come to the right place. After
all, Wyoming is home to the nations
second-largest wild horse popula-
tion (behind Nevada). Arguably
the nations most famous wild
horses, the Pryor Mountain
herd, can be viewed in parts of
Wyoming and Montana.
According to Don Glenn, wild
horse specialist at the Wyoming
State BLM office, the wild horses vis-
itors will see here represent part of the
mystique of the Old West.
Glenn says wild horses differ from
domestic ones, mainly due to how
theyre bred.
cans and the three-toed woodpecker.
Look for waterfowl on the gorgeous
Jackson Lake. We recommend Birds of
Grand Teton National Park, by Bert
Raynes, available through the Grand
Teton Natural History Association.
Parade Rest Guest Ranch, in West
Yellowstone, is the birding headquarters
for Yellowstone Park and the unique
Hebgen Lake area. You can spot over 75
different species of birds amidst the ranch
buildings, corrals, and creeks or by horse-
back. Serious bird watchers can spot
American white pelicans, bald eagles,
osprey and hawks, sandhill cranes and
even spotted sandpipers. Great horned
owls, warblers, woodpeckers, swallows
and wrens abound in the aspen trees;
mountain bluebirds and finches wing past
cabin porches; colorful calliope, broad-
tailed and rufous hummingbirds dart into
nearby feeders; and sounds of killdeer,
Gary catbird, and warblers can be heard
from your porch. Check out the all-inclu-
sive packages combined with special bird-
ing activities at the Ranch. Go to
www.paraderestranch.com/birdwatching.
html or call 800-221-1151.
In Montana, Warm Springs Ponds is a
diverse wetland environment which pro-
vides habitat for resident and migrating
birds, such as lons, grebes, pelicans, cor-
morants, bittern, heron, swan, geese,
many types of ducks, osprey, eagles,
hawks, falcons, owls, kingfishers, wood-
peckers, flyfishers and more.
Nearby Fairmont Hot Springs Resort
provides a comfortable environment for
the migrating human species at their full
service hot springs, golf and convention
resort. (Go to www.fairmont-
montana.com.)
39.
Go
birding
Montana is home to the largest population of
trumpeter swans in the Lower 48. The beautiful
trumpeter swans are the largest of North
American waterfowl and the worlds heaviest fly-
ing birds.
See them at the Red Rock Lakes National
Wildlife Refuge. To get there, turn off I-15 near
the Idaho border at Monida and drive 28 miles
east on an improved gravel road.
In Wyoming, birders should spend some time
at Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge, located
about 30 miles southwest of Farson on Highway
28 (30 miles north of Green River on Highway
372). This riparian habitat, along the Green
River, supports mountain bluebirds, sage thrash-
ers and sage sparrows plus over 220 other species.
Sandhill cranes gather here in the fall.
Along Wyomings Snowy Range Scenic
Byway, which stretches through the Medicine
Bow-Routt National Forest and is open from late
May until October, watch for Townsends
solitaire, mountain chickadees and
cordilleran flycatchers.
In Idaho,
Bighorn sheep call Yellowstone Country home.
birders will want to get their binocs out at
Bear Lake State Park, too. South of
Montpelier, this park is home to the Bear
Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Occupying
17,000 acres of marsh, open water and
grasslands, birders will see nesting mallards,
pintails and canvasback ducks, as well as
sandhill cranes, blue herons, egrets, Canada
geese and white pelicans.
Harriman State Park also provides great
birding. The Henrys Fork of the Snake
River meanders through this park, and one-
third of the Rocky Mountain trumpeter
swan population winters here.
Inside Yellowstone Park, many species of
birds can also be seen, including trumpeter
swans, osprey, eagles, gray jays, Clarks nut-
cracker, mountain chickadees, American
dippers, rosy finches, great gray owls, white
pelicans, common ravens, and, if youre
lucky, maybe even a peregrine falcon.
According to Yellowstone ornithologist
Terry McEneaney, Yellowstone Park is not
one of the hot spots for watching a great
diversity of bird life.
But, where else can you watch an osprey
carrying a fish in its talons fly past a spec-
tacular waterfall, or a common raven feed-
ing on a bison carcass as a geyser erupts?
We highly recommend McEneaneys
book, Birds of Yellowstone, for in-depth
information that will assist you when bird-
ing in Yellowstone.
In Grand Teton National Park, birds
are abundant. Watch especially for bald
eagles along the Snake River and at Oxbow
Bend. Keep your eyes peeled for the black
rosy finch. You may also spot a great gray
owl or boreal owl, trumpeter swans, peli-
Photos by (from top)
Photo by Mark Miller; image from Hebard

Wi ldli fe
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Be observant, and you may spot a bear or three!
You can almost be sure to see wild horses in Wyomings Red Desert.
Photos by (from top) Mark Gocke,
Jeff Vanuga
Contents
39. Go Birding
40. Visit a National Wildlife Refuge
41. See Wild Horses
42. Visit a Zoo
43. Visit the Rocky Mountain Elk
Foundations Visitor Center
44. See Amazing Wildlife
45. Enjoy Idahos Yellowstone-Teton
Territory

Unfortunately or fortunately, depending
on how you look at it we cant guarantee
youll see a bear while traveling through
Yellowstone or Grand Teton parks.
But we can guarantee youll see a bear in
the region.
Yellowstone Bear World, located south-
west of Yellowstone Park in Rexburg,
Idaho, strives to ensure visitors see spectac-
ular animals. To help, Yellowstone Bear
World accommodates all vehicles includ-
ing travel trailers, motor homes and
tour buses. (Go to
www.YellowstoneBearWorld.com.)
See loads of elk.
The summer population of elk
numbers approximately 15,000
25,000, and the winter population
numbers about 12,00015,000. Adult
bull elk weigh 500700 pounds, while
adult females may weigh anywhere from
400-500 pounds. The animals head is
dark brown in color, and males coats are
lighter than those of females. Their rear-
ends are white, and often give them away
to passersby looking for them in dry, brush-
covered areas. An elks tracks resemble two
facing half moons.
N
owhere in the Lower 48 is there
more abundant wildlife than in the
greater Yellowstone region.
Yellowstone Park is home to the largest
concentration of large and small mammals
in the lower 48 states. Most of the animals
that live in Yellowstone Park also inhabit
regions of Grand Teton National Park and
the states of Wyoming, Montana and
Idaho.
Following is a summary of some of the
more popular wild animals that live in
Yellowstone Park and where visitors might
best view each. Remember, you may also
see these animals while traveling in sur-
rounding states.
Keep your distance. Wild animals are just
that wild and although they may
appear tame, they are not. Visitors are
reminded not to approach, harass or feed
wildlife.
See a bear!
The Yellowstone region is
home to 210-610 grizzly
bears and many more
black bears.
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Image from Hebard (Wyoming) Collection, Univ. of Wyo. Libraries
During early September, the elks rut typ-
ically begins, and perhaps theres no better
time to view this animal. Fall visitors to
Yellowstone will be treated to the elks
bugle, which is the animals way of telling
other bulls that are competing for his
females to back off. The bull elk also
bugles to round up his harem.
Where to see them: Look for elk through-
out Yellowstone, but especially in the
Lamar Valley, Gibbon River, Norris
Junction, Elk Park and Mammoth Hot
Springs areas. Also keep an eye out for
them when traveling the Old Faithful-
Upper Geyser Basin, Firehole River and
Madison Junction areas.
Great elk need great habitat! In
Missoula, Montana, visit the Rocky
Visitor Center to see great examples of the
benefits of habitat conservation. Marvel at
the impressive display of record-setting tro-
phy elk mounts and one-of-a-kind fighting
bulls exhibit. Learn and connect with these
magnificent animals and discover how the
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is ensur-
ing the future of elk and other wildlife and
their habitats. (Go to
www.elkfoundation.org.)
Mule deer can be distinguished from whitetail deer by their distinctive ears.
Wild horses are bred through natural
selection for survival mainly. The traits that
they have are the traits they need to survive
out in the wild countryside. Their legs and
feet are usually bigger, thicker and heavier
than domestic horses. If they had thin,
spindly legs and small feet, they wouldnt
survive very long.
Wild horses have a lot of stamina and
are normally a little bit smaller than horses
you see in a pasture.
Glenn estimates Wyomings wild horse
population to number about 6,000 ani-
mals, but says the appropriate management
level is right at 3,100. As a result, every
year, horses are rounded up between mid-
July and mid-November and shipped to
various places in the country to be adopted.
Glenn says the Wyoming horse popula-
tion grows by about 20 percent a year. We
have to round up about 1,200 head every
year just to stay even, he says.
There are currently 16 wild horse herd
management areas in Wyoming, and
according to Glenn, most of the horses
have a range of 20-30 miles.
To see wild horses in Wyoming, Glenn
recommends visitors especially keep their
eyes peeled when traveling the Red Desert
region between Rock Springs and Rawlins.
(Go to www.TourWyoming.com.)
Also look for them in the Muskrat Basin-
Rock Creek Mountain area stretching from
Jeffrey City to the Gas Hills.
East of Cody, the McCullough Peaks
area is home to wild mustangs believed to
be descendents of Buffalo Bills horses from
the Wild West Show. Summer daily guided
tours are available. Check with the Cody
Chamber of Commerce. (Go to
www.pctc.org.)
About 60 miles south of Billings,
Montana, are the Pryor Mountain wild
horses, Montanas only large herd of free-
roaming wild horses. This herd of 120-160
animals is reputed to be of Spanish ancestry,
of which very few are still in existence today.
To view them, head two miles east from
Lovell, Wyoming, on Highway 14A and
turn left on Highway 37. Go 17 miles to
Devils Canyon Overlook. Or, if you have a
4-wheel-drive vehicle, on Highway 37, head
13 miles to a road marked with a sign that
says Tillets Fish-Rearing Station. Take that
road to the Bad Pass Highway to try to view
these horses.
In Idaho, three herds of wild horses
inhabit a region in southwest Idaho called
the Owyhee Front. About 150 wild horses
inhabit the region, which encompasses
about 120,000 acres of public land.
42. Visit a zoo
Looking for an escape? Embark on a voy-
age at ZooMontana. Located on the west
end of Billings, Montana, you will embark
on a scenic and serene voyage of discovery.
The zoo is young and growing, but you will
find many adventures. Enjoy everything
from the playfulness of the river otters to
the awe inspiring and intimidating size of
the Amur tigers. This summer, you can also
watch as a new bear exhibit takes shape.
Zoo Montana features a natural setting
and exceptional exhibits for the animals. So
come, take a break and enjoy ZooMontana.
Call 406-652-8100 for hours and admis-
sion prices. (Go to www.zoomontana.org.)
While in Billings, stay at Clubhouse Inn
& Suites, located off I-90. Enjoy a large
indoor pool, deluxe continental breakfast,
family rooms, Jacuzzi suites, pets welcome.
Cracker Barrel restaurant next door. (Go to
www.clubhouseinnbillings.com.)
43. Visitthe Rocky Mountain Elk Foundations
Elk Country Visitor Center
W
hat would North America be like without conserva-
tion? Why are hunters the backbone of conservation?
Find answers to these questions and more at the Rocky
Mountain Elk Foundations Elk Country Visitor Center in
Missoula.
Opened to the public in November 2005, the Elk Country
Visitor Center is designed to educate and inspire anyone with an
interest in wildlife and wild places.
Upon entering the Elk Country Visitor Center, visitors are
immersed in exhibits and displays that help them understand how
the Elk Foundation is ensuring the future of elk and other wildlife
and their habitats. Since its founding in 1984, the Elk Foundation
has permanently protected or enhanced 4.7 million acres of habitat
an area nearly twice the size of Yellowstone National Park. The
organization has 160,000 members and more than 11,000 active
volunteers.
Visitors entering the new facility at the base of the Rattlesnake
Wilderness Area (on the northwest side of town) learn about Elk
Country and the history of conservation with all of their senses.
The interactive exhibits allow visitors to hear an elk cow call her
calf, view a battle between two bull elk portrayed in a full-mount
display, and learn about more than 60 species of mammals, birds,
fish and plants that inhabit Elk Country.
The Elk Country Visitor Centers one-of-a-kind display of
record-setting elk mounts is a great example of the benefits of con-
servation. Without extraordinary
habitat, elk will never reach their
potential. In addition, thousands
of volunteers have made this
organization one of the most suc-
cessful wildlife conservation
groups in the world.
The Visitor Centers theater
treats guests to films that help
them better understand the orga-
nizations history and successes,
including the reintroduction of
elk east of the Mississippi River.
The Elk Foundation and its part-
ners have played a pivotal role
bringing elk back to their native
habitat, from the Appalachians to the Great Lakes, and from the
Rockies to the West Coast.
The Visitor Center is a fascinating experience for every member
of the family. Consider ending your tour with a visit to the gift
shop, which offers unique, made-in-Montana gifts and Elk
Foundation souvenirs.
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundations Elk Country Visitor
Center is open year round and admission is free. Call
800CALLELK or go to www.elkfoundation.org.
44. See
AMAZING
Wil dl ife
44. See
AMAZING
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See bison (also called American
buffalo).
Yellowstone is home to about 3,500 bison. Bison are respect-
ed not only for their size, but for their resilience. At the turn of
the century, Americas wild bison which at one time num-
bered 60 million had dwindled to about two dozen animals.
The bison in Yellowstone today are descendants of those sur-
vivors. Bison can weigh 2,000 pounds, and, although they seem
docile, they are unpredictable and have been known to charge
at visitors who approach them too closely.
Where to see them: In Yellowstone Park, check out the Lamar
and Hayden valleys both great places to watch bison. Also
look for them near Pelican Valley, the Lower Geyser Basin and
in Gibbon Meadows.
See pelicans.
Pelicans are beautiful, graceful swimmers. They have bright
orange bills that can measure almost a foot long. The bird,
whose diet is composed primarily of fish, uses its bill to scoop
up food. Pelicans often work in groups, like synchronized
swimmers, when trying to catch a meal. By crowding around
the fish, pelicans are able to corral the fish closer to shore (and
shallow water), where the birds scoop them up and eat them.
Where best to view them: In Yellowstone Park, look along the
Yellowstone River between Fishing Bridge and Hayden Valley,
and on Yellowstone Lake.
See a trumpeter swan.
Trumpeter swans are the largest waterfowl in North America,
and the biggest flyers in Yellowstone. Male trumpeter swans
wingspans can reach seven feet. Usually heavier than eagles,
males weigh 25-30 pounds, while females weigh 23-27 pounds.
They are the worlds heaviest flying birds.
They are long-necked and all white, except for their black
bills and webbed feet. Trumpeter swans are graceful and swim
with their necks straight up.
Where to view them: In Yellowstone Park, the best place to
view trumpeter swans is near Seven Mile Bridge, between
Madison Junction and the West Entrance of Yellowstone. Also
look for them south of Mammoth Hot Springs on Swan Lake,
and on the Yellowstone River between Fishing Bridge and
Hayden Valley.
Try to see a
wolf.
Yellowstone Park is
now the premier place
to see wolves from
the roadside. Wildlife
biologist Doug
Smith, who is in
charge of the
Yellowstone Wolf
Project, says a per-
sons chance for see-
ing wolves in
Yellowstone from
the roadside is really
good if youre
patient.
The gray wolf,
Yellowstones largest canid,
hunts and kills animals that
are often larger than itself. In
Yellowstone, the wolves diet
is composed primarily of elk.
But some wolves have taken
down bison and moose.
During the winters of 1995
and 1996, a total of 31 gray
wolves were reintroduced to
Yellowstone from Canada. As
of early 2007, there were
approximately 311 wolves
inhabiting the greater
Yellowstone region.
Visitors best chances to see
wolves in Yellowstone Park will be in
the Lamar Valley where the parks largest pack, the Druid Peak pack,
resides. More than 100,000 visitors have reported seeing wolves
inside Yellowstone since their reintroduction in 1995.
Still, we cant guarantee youll see a wolf in the wild while traveling
through Yellowstone Park. They arent as plentiful as elk, bison or
even moose.
You can also try seeing wolves at Yellowstone Bear World, near
Rexburg, Idaho.
To try to see wolves while vacationing in the greater Yellowstone
region, we recommend you purchase some Brunton binoculars. (Go
to www.Brunton.com.)
Look for moose.
The largest member of the deer family, the moose is a vegetarian
with an odd-looking, but charming, appearance. They are dark
brown in color, have a long snout and bulbous nose, and a dewlap
under the throat that distinguishes them from Yellowstones other
hooved animals. With the exception of
bison, moose are the largest animal
in Yellowstone. They can weigh as
much as 1,000 pounds half a
ton and stand as high as seven
feet at the shoulders.
Moose frequent streams, ponds
and marshes in the summer, feeding
on succulent vegetation.
Male moose have large antler racks. They
show off their huge racks during the rut in the fall to display domi-
nance over other males competing for the females.
About 800 moose inhabit the southern part of Yellowstone, Grand
Teton National Park and surrounding national forests. They are most
heavily concentrated in Grand Teton Park, due to the parks abun-
dance of water and aquatic vegetation.
Where to see them: In Yellowstone Park, look for moose in Willow
Park, between Norris Junction and Mammoth Hot Springs. Also
check out the Yellowstone Lake, Fishing Bridge and Hayden Valley
regions. In Grand Teton Park, the best places to look for moose are
Willow Flats, Christian Pond (near Willow Flats) and around
Oxbow Bend.
For more information about viewing wildlife inside Yellowstone,
go to www.TravelYellowstone.com.)
This is wolf country again.
Wildlife Viewing
Opportunities
Yellowstone Bear World, located south-
west of Yellowstone Park in Rexburg, Idaho,
strives to ensure visitors see spectacular ani-
mals. Visitors can view a variety of North
American wildlife such as elk, bison, white-
tailed deer, mule deer, moose and of course
black bear, grizzly bear and gray wolves
all the animals you would expect to see in
Yellowstone National Park but, unfortu-
nately, are rarely seen. Yellowstone Bear
World accommodates all vehicles including
travel trailers, motor homes and tour buses.
(Go to www.yellowstonebearworld.com.)
The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
is a unique non-profit bear and wolf pre-
serve. The wildlife facility is located in the
gateway community of West Yellowstone,
Montana, just a block away from the west
entrance of Yellowstone National Park.
Enjoy up-close views of live grizzly bears,
including a sow and her two yearlings. (Go
to www.grizzlydiscoveryctr.org.)
Let the local Yellowstone experts at
Yellowstone Tour and Travel help you cre-
ate a life-long Yellowstone memory with
custom vacation packages with lodging
combined with unique summer and winter
wildlife activities. Go to
www.seeyellowstone.com or call 1-800-
221-1151 to help you see Yellowstone in
a whole new way!
Grizzly bears, wolves, hiking, skiing and
more! Guides at Adventure Yellowstone,
Inc. have years of experience to help you
explore and discover all of the wonders of
Yellowstone. All hikes, safaris and tours are
privately guided to meet your desires.
Offering tours year-round. (Go to
www.national-park-tours.com.)
Sheridan, Wyoming, remains an outdoor
paradise with recreational opportunities as
abundant as the wildlifemoose, elk, deer,
antelope, birds of prey, turkey, and pheas-
ant. The Big Horn Mountains rise majesti-
cally to the west and rolling plains slope
gently to the east. Take any roadway out of
town or visit Kendrick Park for your fill of
wildlife. Just moments away for any out-
door enthusiasts are: fishing, hiking, pic-
nicking, biking, rock climbing, wildlife
viewing, hunting, cross-country and down-
hill skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and
snowmobiling. (Go to
www.sheridanwyoming.org.)
Whether on your way to or from
Yellowstone, you may not have the chance
to see all the wildlife you would like to see.
If thats the case and youd like a closer look
at not only the species native to
Wyoming but many others from
around the world, visit the Holiday
Inn located on the edge of Hot
Springs State Park, in Thermopolis,
and just minutes from the world
famous hot pools. (Go to
www.thermopolis-hi.com.)
Cooke City, Colter Pass and Silver
Gate make up the trio of tiny mountain
communities that welcome visitors to
Yellowstone country and Yellowstone
National Parks northeast entrance. Each of
these unique towns has a style of its own
and a journey here is like no other. (Go to
www.mycookecitystyle.com.)
For information about recreating in bear
country and all your bear spray needs, go to
Counter Assault Bear Deterrents website
at www.counterassault.com.
Gangly, yet graceful, the moose is the
biggest member of the deer family.
Y
ellowstone-Teton Territory is home
to world-class fly-fishing, a drive-
through bear and wolf park, and
Legacy Flight Museum just to provide a
sampling. Rexburg is the gateway commu-
nity to the region and is easily accessed.
Yellowstone Bear
World
Located about 5 miles south of Rexburg
off Highway 20, Yellowstone Bear World is
a unique drive-through park where you can
watch wildlife in their own habitats from
your vehicle. Open from mid-May to mid-
October, seven days a week. Rates vary; full
vehicles receive discounts.
Fishing
Fly fishing the South Fork of the Snake
River, one of North Americas premier dry-
fly fisheries, provides anglers of all ages
opportunities to land trophy size native
Yellowstone cutthroat, rainbow, and brown
trout in a pristine setting.
Legacy Flight Museum
Brand new to Rexburg, the Legacy Flight
Museum offers tremendous insight into the
history of flight, particularly war planes. At
least 10 World War II, Korean War, and
Cold War airplanes and memorabilia are
displayed. These real, working planes
include such models as the P-63 King
Cobra (one of only three in the world that
still fly!), the P-51 Staggerwing Beech (two
planes), the Sky Raider, and the L-39,
among many others. Step into history and
get a firsthand look at this amazing exhibit.
For more information, call 208-359-
5905 or go to www.rexcc.com.
Idahos
Yellowstone-Teton Territory
Enjoy
45.
For more information, contact:
Yellowstone-Teton Territory www.yellowstoneteton.com 800-634-3246
Rexburg Chamber www.rexcc.com 888-INFO-880
Yellowstone Bear World www.yellowstonebearworld.com 208-359-9688
Legacy Flight Museum www.legacyflightmuseum.com 208-351-0044
si ghtseei ng
Images (from top): Tamsen Hert; Hebard
(Wyoming) Collection, Univ. of Wyo. Libraries
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open all year, and the cars can be opened
for walk-through tours. Free admission.
Get swept into the days of the Iron Horse
at the Douglas Railroad Interpretive
Center and Depot. (Go to
www.douglaschamber.com.)
In Montana, the Lewis and Clark
National Historic Trail Interpretive
Center is located in Great Falls.
Experience the life of Lewis and Clark -
without the sleeping arrangements - at
the Crystal Inn Great Falls. Enjoy large
rooms, free breakfast, and peaceful nights.
Next to I-15, near the airport. (Go to
www.crystalinns.com/grtfls.html.)
48.
Visit a
National
Park
There are three national parks in
greater Yellowstone. All are unique.
Grand Teton National Park, located
in northwest Wyoming and adjoining
Yellowstone via the Rockefeller Memorial
Parkway, was established in 1929. Grand
Teton National Park emerged from a
complicated and controversial series of
events.
The park first consisted of the moun-
tain range and several glacial lakes. Later
parks. Tours leave Flagg Ranch at 9 a.m.,
include lunch and return by 5 p.m. Call
800-443-2311. (Go to
www.flaggranch.com.)
47.
Spend time
at an inter-
pretive center
Travelers who enjoy getting off the
beaten path and not just zooming at warp
speed toward their destinations can take
comfort in the greater Yellowstone areas
large number of interpretive centers.
Visitors can participate in hands-on
experiences, join educational tours, see a
presentation or pick up literature about
the area theyre visiting.
When traveling in Wyoming, interpre-
tive centers in the greater Yellowstone
area can be found at the new Draper
Museum of Natural History in Cody,
one of the five museums at the Buffalo
Bill Historical Center. (Go to
www.bbhc.org.)
Also while in Cody, stop in at the
Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center. In
1910, the Buffalo Bill Dam was designed
to be the tallest in the country. Originally
the dam was 325 feet high the highest
in the world. The dam is listed in the
National Register of Historical Places in
1973. The Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor
Center is a must-see! (Go to
www.bbdvc.org.)
At the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in
Thermopolis, there are not only fossilized
dinosaurs to examine, but also a dig site
and a preparation lab. (Go to
www.wyodino.org.)
One of the finest wildlife centers in the
region is the National Bighorn Sheep
Interpretive Center, in Dubois,
Wyoming. Go to www.bighorn.org for
more information.
Another interpretive center near
Yellowstone is at Sinks Canyon State Park
near Lander, Wyoming.
The National Historic Trails Center
in Casper is a new facility that interprets
the Oregon, Mormon, Bozeman and
Overland trails, among others. (Go to
The Douglas Railroad Interpretive
Center has what may be the largest
collection of railroad vehicles in the state
of Wyoming. The Center houses a total of
nine cars, starting with a massive 1940s
locomotive and tender, a 1950s sleeping
car, a 1940s dining car, a 1911 baggage car
and a 1884 passenger car. The Center is
the valley floor was protected as Jackson
Hole National Monument. The two
areas were combined in 1950.
Today the park encompasses nearly
310,000 acres and protects the Teton
Range, Jackson Hole, 50 miles of the
Snake River, seven morainal lakes, over
100 backcountry and alpine lakes, and a
wide range of wildlife and plant species.
The park is also rich in a cultural histo-
ry: early peoples (paleo-Indians), Native
Americans (modern tribes), fur trappers,
homesteaders, ranchers/farmers, conserva-
tionists, and recreationists. Climbing,
hiking and backpacking, camping, fish-
ing, wildlife and bird watching, horseback
riding, boating on Jackson and Jenny
lakes, rafting on the Snake River, bicy-
cling, and photography are all common
activities in the area. About 4 million visi-
tors enjoy the park each year.
Signal Mountain Lodge offers a vari-
ety of activities in the heart of Grand
Teton National Park. (Go to www.signal-
mountainlodge.com.)
If you are in the mood for frontier ele-
gance, Snake River Lodge & Spa is right
up your alley. Nestled at the base of
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snake
River Lodge & Spa is located just one
section of Yellowstone and into neighboring
Grand Teton National Park.
For an extra bonus that will result in a
lasting memory, sign up for a Yellowstone
Lake Historic Sunset Tour in a 1937
touring bus! Enjoy the scenic shores of
Yellowstone Lake and great views from
Lake Butte while on board this historic
tourist bus. Tales from the past are brought
to life. (Go to www.Travel
Yellowstone.com.)
Interpretive Van Tours and winter
Snovan Tours in Yellowstone are available
through All Yellowstone Sports. (Go to
SeeYellowstone Summer Van Tours
offers unique, full-day guided tours, includ-
ing the memorable Old Faithful Geyser and
Lower Loop tour, a unique evening wildlife
tour into the Upper Yellowstone area, a
Grand Teton Park/Jackson Hole WY tour
and personalized custom group tours.
Multiple-tour discounts, tour-plus-lodging
packages and comfortable vans with large,
clear viewing windows for the best photo
opportunities make these tours the best
value in West Yellowstone. (Call 800-221-
1151 or go to www.seeyellowstone.com.)
Grizzly bears, wolves, hiking, skiing and
more! Guides at Adventure Yellowstone,
Inc. have years of experience to help you
explore and discover all of the wonders of
Yellowstone. All hikes, safaris and tours are
privately guided to meet your desires.
Offering tours year-round. (Go to
www.national-park-tours.com.)
Grand Teton Lodge Company offers
Scenic Park Bus Tours. Enjoy a narrated
bus tour of Grand Teton and Yellowstone
national parks on one of these trips. These
tours offer a great introduction to the won-
ders of history, geology and geography of
this fascinating area. (Go to www.gtlc.com.)
Flagg Ranch Resort, located between
Grand Teton and Yellowstone National
Parks, also offers interpretive tours of the
Upper and Lower Geyser basins, to the
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, to
Gibbon Falls, and to Yellowstone Lake. The
Yellowstone in a Day tour introduces you
to Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful,
Yellowstone Lake and the Grand Canyon of
the Yellowstone. The Firehole Basin
Adventure tour takes visitors on a
three-hour afternoon explo-
ration of the Old Faithful
area. Enjoy an interpre-
tive, guided walk
through geothermal
features. The Teton
Vista tour, which
departs from
Fishing Bridge,
Lake Hotel, Bridge
Bay, Old Faithful
Inn, and Grant
Village, takes you
on a full-day
tour
through
the
southern
46.
Take a bus
tour
Let someone else do the driving so you
can simply sightsee.
Yellowstone National Park Lodges
offers Interpretive Motorcoach Tours.
The biggest benefit of one of these tours is
the wealth of information about the parks
history and features that go with the ride.
And dont worry, there will be plenty of
stops for photos, wildlife-viewing and sight-
seeing. Choose from four tours: The
Circle of Fire tour travels inside the
Caldera rim, taking you to the
Lower Falls of Yellowstone.
Contents
46. Take a Bus Tour
47. Spend Time at an Interpretive Center
48. Visit a National Park
49. Go on a Photo Safari
50. See a Historic Hotel
51. Visit a State Park
52.Enjoy a Scenic Drive
53. Ride a Train
54. Explore Buffalo Bills Cody/Yellowstone
Country
55. Explore Butte, Montana
56. Visit Missoula, Montana
57. Live the Legend of Cheyenne
58. Visit Dubois, Wyoming

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ral and human wonders. Visit one of Colorados four national parks
today! (Go to www.colorado.com.)
soaking or just plain exploring, theres a Holiday Inn nearby. Youll
find a full-service restaurant, swimming pool, fitness center, free
high-speed internet, and, of course, Kids Eat Free. (Go to www.hol-
idayinnrockies.com.)
For information about recreating in bear country and all your bear
spray needs, go to Counter Assault Bear Deterrents website at
www.counterassault.com.
49.
Go on a
photo safari
Because of Yellowstones unique and breathtaking features, its not
hard to become a great photographer on your vacation to this
region. This is even more true, thanks to the availability of photo
safaris.
Yellowstone National Park Lodges offers Picture Perfect Photo
Safari, a morning safari trip that includes a photographer-guide
who will take you to where the wild things are. (Go to
50.
See a
historic hotel
This region is so rich in Western history that its no wonder that
there are historic hotels here. But there are a couple extra special
gems that are worth some ink in this magazine.
While Yellowstone National Park is known throughout the world
for its natural wonders, there are a number of man-made landmarks
as well. No human contribution is more beloved nor appreciated
more than the impressive Old Faithful Inn.
Opening on June 1, 1904, the Inn has withstood 100 years of
guests and gawkers, sweltering sunshine and snowstorms, quivers
and quakes, and even the largest forest fire in hundreds of years.
Today, the historic hotel stands as a monument to what is known as
parkitecture. The gnarled logs woven into the lodgepole pine,
stone and lumber hostelry have wowed visitors and architects alike.
Even Disney demonstrated its admiration and inspiration of the Inn
with its Wilderness Lodge at Disney World.
A 29-year-old architect named Robert C. Reamer was hired by the
president of the Yellowstone Park Transportation Company, Harry
W. Child, to design a hotel for the upper geyser basin of Yellowstone
Park. Financial support from the Northern Pacific Railroad allowed
the dream to come to life.
A comprehensive structural renovation is occurring over the next
few years. The work will occur during the winter, spring and late
fall, still allowing guests to enjoy shortened summer seasons in the
log and stone masterpiece. The Inn will be open May 1September
9, 2007. (Go to www.TravelYellowstone.com.)
The Historic Plains Hotel has been a proud fixture of downtown
Cheyenne for almost a century, enjoyed by dignitaries, cattle barons
and oil tycoons, as well as travelers on their way to Yellowstone and
the Grand Tetons. A recent renovation enables the historic Plains
Hotel to serve travelers in search of the Western High Style experi-
ence. The Capitol Grille restaurant and bar features signature items
and the best prime rib in town.
For overnight accommodations, enjoy uniquely restored guest
rooms showcasing western artwork, custom designed furniture and
work spaces with high-speed, wireless internet. (Call toll free 866-
2PLAINS or go to www.ThePlainsHotel.com.)
The Historic Irma Hotel in Cody, Wyoming, is a phe-
nomenal tribute to the history of the West.
In 1902 Buffalo Bill built the Irma Hotel, which he
called just the swellest hotel that ever was. He himself
maintained two suites and an office at the Irma. When
the Burlington Railroad completed a spur line to Cody, his
plan was to have travelers stay at the hotel while en route to
the worlds first national park.
The Irma Hotel, designed by Alfred Wilderman Woods, is
listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the
National Park Service. The famous cherrywood bar dates to
the period of construction and is one of the most pho-
tographed features in all of Cody. The fireplace in the Silver
Saddle Lounge is an assemblage of rock, ores, minerals and
fossils from the Big Horn Basin. While traveling to or from
Yellowstone Park, plan to spend at least one night at this his-
toric hotel and perhaps sleep in one of the very same rooms as
Buffalo Bill. (Go to www.IrmaHotel.com.)
51.
Visit a
State Park
Yellowstone Country is home to numerous state parks.
Of the eight state parks in Wyoming, these are a few of our
favorites:
Buffalo Bill State Park, located near Cody, is named for
Colonel William F. Buffalo Bill Cody. Mountains dominate
the scene at this park. Shoshone Canyon is framed by
Rattlesnake Mountain to the north and Cedar Mountain to
the south. The north and south forks of the Shoshone River
are divided by Sheep Mountain, and Carter Mountain is
prominent on the southern skyline. Great hiking, boating and
fishing can be enjoyed here. (Go to www.pctc.org.)
Hot Springs State Park, in Thermopolis, is built around
the worlds largest mineral hot spring. Big Spring spews forth
millions of gallons of water at a constant 127 degrees. This
park boasts many picnic spots and a playground.
Sinks Canyon State Park, located about six miles southwest
of Lander, is located in the foothills of the rugged Wind River
Range. The parks name comes from the Popo Agie River that
sinks into a cavern, then reappears about one-half mile down
the road. Sinks Canyon is often referred to as the gateway to
the Winds and offers awesome hiking, fishing and rock climb-
ing. (Go to www.wind-river.org.)
Boysen State Park, in west-central Wyoming, can be
accessed both from Highway 20 on the east side of the reser-
voir, and from Highway 26 on the south. Located at the head
of the beautiful Wind River Canyon, this park is known for
its unique geology and abundance of water sport opportuni-
ties, including tremendous fishing and boating.
Curt Gowdy State Park, located between Laramie and
Cheyenne, is home to wildlife and two reservoirs that offer
great fishing. (Go to www.cheyenne.org or www.laramie-
tourism.org.)
Edness K. Wilkins State Park, east of Casper, is a mecca
for bird-watchers and walkers. A pathway allows visitors
access to this outdoor classroom that affords views of about
200 species of migratory and nesting birds. (Go to
Montana is home to 16 state parks. Here is one of our
favorites.
mile from the southwest entrance to Grand
Teton National Park and 60 miles from
Yellowstone National Park. Snake River
Lodge & Spa boasts 88 beautifully appoint-
ed rooms, 40 luxury condominiums and
the renowned GameFish Restaurant. Snake
River Lodge & Spa is located near all the
outdoor riches for which the area is
famous. Its central location is convenient to
Wyomings best golf, tennis, whitewater
and scenic rafting, fly fishing and chuck
wagon dinners, as well as hiking trails and
horseback trail rides. (Go to
www.snakeriverlodge.rockresorts.com/.)
Yellowstone National Park was the
worlds first national park. A designated
World Heritage Site, Yellowstone National
Park occupies 3,472 square miles or 2.2
million acres, larger than Rhode Island and
Delaware combined. The parks highest
point is Eagle Peak, at 11,358 feet.
Yellowstone Park is home to seven species
of native ungulates, two species of bears
and approximately 50 species of other
mammals. There are 311 recorded species
of birds, 18 species of fish, six species of
reptiles, four species of amphibians, and
western Montana, is home to over 1 mil-
lion acres of forests, alpine meadows, and
lakes. The spectacular glaciated landscape is
a hikers paradise, containing 700 miles of
maintained trails in one of the largest intact
ecosystems in the lower 48 states.
The Comfort Inn of Shelby, Montana is
the best place to stay while on your way to
Glacier National Park. Guests will enjoy
the newly renovated accommodations with
indoor fitness pool, free secure high speed
internet access, a free deluxe breakfast buf-
fet featuring fresh hot waffles, and much
more! For reservations, call 800-442-4667
or visit www.montana-motels.com. Receive
a 15% discount when you mention 99
Things to Do in Yellowstone Country.
Experience the life of Lewis and Clark,
without their sleeping arrangements, at
Crystal Inn Great Falls. Enjoy large rooms,
free breakfast, and peaceful nights. Next to
I-15, near the airport. (Go to
www.crystalinns.com/grtfls.html.)
From the highest sand dunes in North
America to one of the deepest canyons in
the Western Hemisphere, Colorado lays
claim to many of the nations unique natu-
five species protected as threatened or
endangered.
And dont forget about Yellowstones
unique geology. There are over 10,000 geo-
thermal features. Over 2,000 earthquakes
are felt every year. Some 300 geysers erupt
here in a year, some more faithfully than
others. It was 50 years in between
Steamboat Geysers eruptions at one time!
Yellowstones caldera is one of the worlds
largest, measuring 45 by 30 miles. In addi-
tion, one of the worlds largest petrified
forests is in this national park. Add to that
about 290 waterfalls that flow year-round.
And if thats not enough, the park is
home to Yellowstone Lake, the largest high-
altitude lake in the Lower 48, boasting 136
square miles of surface area and 110 miles
of shoreline.
Ninety-eight percent of Yellowstone is
backcountry. For visitors looking to get
away from the crowds, over 1,300 miles of
hiking trails beckon.
Go to www.YellowstonePark.com for
extensive news and information about
Yellowstone.
Glacier National Park, located in north-
The sight of the Tetons is majestic in any season.
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historic towns to Georgetown Lake and
Philipsburg. The road travels through both
conifer-clad mountains and sage-covered
hills, following Flint Creek. It is a wonder-
ful alternative to Interstate 90 when travel-
ing between Butte and Missoula.
Philipsburg, named Montanas premier
Visitor Community of the Year, sits at the
heart of the Pintler Scenic Route. Likened
by guests to Brigadoon, it has a feel-good
quality that is infectious and lasting. You
are invited and will be genuinely wel-
comed. (Go to www.philipsburgmt.com.)
Passing through the Lewis and Clark
National Forest and Little Belt Mountains,
the Kings Hill Scenic Byway allows trav-
elers to leisurely savor the rugged beauty
and fresh air that are part of the Montana
experience. Stretching 71 miles along
Highway 89, the Byway winds its way
through pristine mountain lakes and
streams and is home to an abundant vari-
ety of wildlife.
and continues to house locomotives
today. Additionally, the passenger cars
have been completely remodeled for
the 2007 season. Make sure to
purchase tickets in advance, as 98%
of excursion trains were sold out in
2006! For more information on train
rides or tours, go to
www.copperkingexpress.com or phone
406-563-5458.
Ride Alder Gulch Short Lines fully
refurbished 1910 Baldwin Steam
Locomotive No. 12 from Nevada City to
Virginia City Montana every weekend
in July and August, plus holidays during
the summer of 2007. Enjoy Moonlight &
Steam specials in June, July and August. A
smaller train operates when No. 12 is not
running. For information, call 800-829-
2969 or go to www.virginiacitymt.com/
AlderGulch.asp
Colorado offers several scenic, historic
routes to take you back in time while
exploring the beauty of this awesome state
by railway. (Go to www.colorado.com.)
Youll find a full-service restaurant, swim-
53.
Ride
a train
Located along Interstate 90, halfway
between Yellowstone and Glacier National
Parks, is the Copper King Express
excursion train. This excursion train
originates in the Smelter City of Anaconda
and operates over the 111-year-old corridor
of the legendary Butte, Anaconda and
Pacific Railway! Numerous points of
interest, such as the worlds tallest
smokestack, are featured during the three-
hour trip, providing a glimpse into the
glorious past of the area. Passengers will
also enjoy the beautiful scenery of rugged
Durant Canyon, where the only inhabitants
are elk, deer and antelope. New in 2007
will be daily tours of one of the last
operating roundhouses in the United States!
The 20-stall roundhouse was built in 1894
Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park,
in Three Forks, is Montanas first and
best-known state park. It is home to one
of the most highly decorated limestone
caverns in the Northwest. These caves,
lined with stalactites, stalagmites,
columns and helicitites, date back
through time.
Idaho is home to 25 state parks. We
outline a couple of our favorites.
Harriman State Park, located in Island
Park, is the site of the old Railroad
Ranch, where the Harrimans, of Union
Pacific Railroad fame, came to spend
their summers. The ranch sits in the mid-
dle of a 16,000-acre wildlife reserve,
which is home to trumpeter swans,
moose, sandhill cranes and more. The
Henrys Fork of the Snake River, which is
world-famous for its fly-fishing, meanders
through the park.
Henrys Lake State Park, located near
Macks Inn, is home to a high mountain
lake that produces trout worth bragging
about if you catch one. Camp, boat, hike
or fish at this park.
Bear Lake State Park, south of
Montpelier, boasts a beautiful turquoise
lake that is 20 miles long and straddles
the Idaho/Utah border. Swim in the lake,
camp along the shore, go boating or cast
a line.
In Utah, Willard Bay State Park is
conveniently located along the Wasatch
Front near major metropolitan areas.
Willard Bays lengthy boating season
attracts boaters, anglers, sunbathers,
swimmers, and birdwatchers year-round.
(Go to www.boxeldercounty.org.)
that ranges from alpine forests to willow
bottoms and sage-covered hills. Enjoy
views of both the beautiful Breccia Cliffs
and the Teton Range. The total route is
about 40 miles. (Go to www.wind-
river.org.)
As you travel to Yellowstone along the
I-90 corridor to Highway 14 & 14A,
dont miss Sheridan, Wyoming, offering
world-class culture wrapped up in warm,
western hometown hospitality, with spe-
cialty shopping in the historic downtown
antiques and cowboy memorabilia,
intriguing boutiques and galleries. The
Big Horn Mountains remain an outdoor
paradise with recreational opportunities
as abundant as the wildlife. (Go to
Buffalo, Wyoming, boasts the base
camp for one of the most beautiful scenic
drives to Yellowstone, Highway 16. First,
enjoy Buffalo and Kaycee, Wyoming,
towns that are rich in both western history
and majestic scenery. Then, head west on
Highway 16 over the famous Big Horn
Mountains for amazing views and abun-
dant wildlife. (Go to
www.buffalowyo.com.)
Charles Kuralt called the Beartooth
Scenic Highway the most scenic drive
in America. The scenic drive stretches
from Red Lodge to Cooke City,
Montana. Get ready for some sights that
are normally not seen unless youre
mountain climbing. After all, this drive
takes you over Beartooth Pass to an eleva-
tion of almost 11,000 feet. Enjoy
panoramic views of snow-covered moun-
tains and hundreds of tiny ponds and
lakes situated in glacial depressions. The
Beartooth area is one of the highest and
most rugged areas in the lower 48 states,
with 20 peaks reaching over 12,000 feet
in elevation.
Nestled at the foothills of the
Beartooth Mountains, Red Lodge,
Montana, is a place the Crow Tribe called
paradise and its that way still. (Go to
www.myredlodgestyle.com.)
Cooke City, Colter Pass and Silver
Gate make up the trio of tiny mountain
communities that welcome visitors to
Yellowstone country and Yellowstone
National Parks northeast entrance. Each
of these unique towns has a style of its
own, and a journey to the area is like no
other. (Go to
www.mycookecitystyle.com.)
The Anaconda-Pintler Scenic
Highway is a 63-mile drive that goes
from Anaconda one of Montanas most
52.
Enjoy a
scenic drive
When it comes to scenic drives in the
greater Yellowstone region, its not a question
of if there is one, but which one to take.
Weve narrowed the choices for you. Here
are some of our favorites.
The stunning 75-mile Flaming Gorge-
Uintas National Scenic Byway climbs from
the sagebrush valleys of Vernal, Utah,
through the magnificent Uinta Mountains
to Manila, Utah. Its theme of Wildlife
through the Ages is explored in 15 inter-
pretive pullouts and 4 self-guided nature
trails. Along the Byway, youll find world-
class fishing, camping, wildlife viewing and
miles of mountain trails. (Go to www.flam-
inggorgecountry.com.)
The Chief Joseph Scenic Byway starts
near Cody, Wyoming. Head north out of
Cody on Highway 120. After 17 miles, take
a left on Highway 296. This byway climbs
Dead Indian Summit. Travelers will enjoy
spectacular mountain vistas, including
snow-covered ridges and dramatic spires.
Wildlife and opportunities for recreation
abound. The total route is about 47 miles.
In addition, this corridor is home to a sci-
entifically important archeological site. Its
believed that prehistoric Indians inhabited
the area now known as the Dead Indian
Archaeology Site some 4,500 years ago. (Go
to www.pctc.org.)
The Wyoming Centennial Scenic Byway
stretches along Togwotee Pass, a high moun-
tain pass between Dubois and Moran,
Wyoming. The route starts about 15 miles
northwest of Dubois, Wyoming, on
Highway 287. It crosses the Continental
Divide, passing through dramatic scenery
Tetons at dusk.
S
et against the beautiful backdrop of Yellowstone National
Park and the Absaroka and Beartooth mountains, Buffalo
Bills Yellowstone Country sits at the doorstep to some of
the nations most scenic country. This makes it the ideal
getaway spot for the outdoor enthusiast.
The communities of Cody, Powell, Meeteetse and the East
Yellowstone Valley make up Buffalo Bills Yellowstone County,
all offering visitors a myriad of outdoor activities, including
horseback riding, hiking, hunting, fishing, mountain biking,
rock climbing, windsurfing, rafting, golfing and camping.
Panoramic views and abundant wildlife create some of the most
extraordinary scenic drives in the country.
Cody, located 52 miles from the East Entrance to
Yellowstone National Park, was founded in 1896 by Colonel
William F. Buffalo Bill Cody. This historic entrance to
Yellowstone boasts one of Americas finest western museums,
the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. Its five museums the
Buffalo Bill Museum, the Plains Indian Museum, the Whitney
Gallery of Western Art, the Cody Firearms Museum and the
Draper Museum of Natural History help this complex live up
to its nickname, the Smithsonian of the West.
Museum enthusiasts will also enjoy a trip to the
Homesteader Museum in Powell and the Belden/Meeseetse
Museum and Bank Museum in Meeteetse. These museums
reflect the unique history of the ranching and farming
communities and depict the settlement of the area.
History buffs will enjoy
the one-hour historic trolley
tour offered by Cody Trolley Tours. Many
use this tour as an introduction to the community, as it
highlights all the major attractions and activities as well as the
history in Cody. Stroll through Tecumsehs Trading Post and
Miniature Village and Museum, as well as Old Trail Town, to
get a feel for the real West. Watch the exciting gun fight
reenactments at the Irma Hotel, built by Buffalo Bill and
named after his daughter.
End your day with rip-roarin action at the Cody Nite
Rodeo, with performances nightly June through August. Watch
competitors in events such as bull-riding, bronc riding, barrel
racing, team roping and steer wrestling. You might also enjoy
an evening at Dan Millers Cowboy Music Revue, a fast-paced
Branson-like show for the entire family.
Dude and guest ranches in Buffalo Bills Yellowstone
Country offer visitors the complete western experience. Most
ranches are located in the East Yellowstone Valley where guests
stay in modern cabins or rustic lodges. Guest/dude ranch
activities include daily horseback riding, cookouts, fishing and
eating hearty fare.
Dont miss the ideal historic getaway Buffalo Bills
Yellowstone Country at the east and northeast gates of
Americas first national park, Yellowstone. Go to
www.yellowstonecountry.org.
54.
E x p l o r e Buffalo Bill s
Cody/Yellowstone
Country
Image courtesy Tamsen Hert
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Photos by Travel Montana; Glacier Country
Tourism Division/Donnie Sexton
K
nown as the Garden City for its
dense trees and lush green land-
scape, Missoula is nestled in the
heart of the northern Rockies of Western
Montana. A community of nearly 100,000
residents, Missoula lies in a mountain forest
setting where five valleys converge, located
140 miles from Glacier National Park and
270 miles from Yellowstone National Park.
Three major rivers, countless lakes and
seven wilderness areas offer a paramount
playground for outdoor enthusiasts some
of the worlds best hiking, biking, fishing,
skiing and water recreation.
Although cultural tourism wasnt invent-
ed in Missoula, it has come close to perfect-
ing it. As Montanas most culturally diverse
city, Missoula thrives on events and attrac-
tions offering bountiful cultural treasures
that make this community so unique under
the Big Sky. Sporting events, the symphony,
live theater productions, gallery events,
museums, public markets, festivals and fairs
offer an abundance of entertainment
throughout the year. Missoulas diverse
attractions, such as A Carousel for
Missoula, the internationally renowned
Missoula Childrens Theatre, the new
world-class visitor center at the Rocky
Mountain Elk Foundation and the Aerial
Fire Depot and Smokejumper Center
the largest smokejumper base in the nation
provide unique experiences for everyone
in the family. The literary and dramatic
arts thrive in Missoula. The annual
Montana Festival of the Book,
International Wildlife Film Festival and
International Choral Festival are among
the many events with international appeal.
Missoula is also fortunate to offer excep-
tional choices for both the casual and seri-
ous shopper. Downtown Missoula offers
unique shopping opportunities with over
100 boutiques, galleries and specialty
stores set in one of Missoulas numerous
historic districts. Missoula is also home to
Southgate Mall, Montanas premier
enclosed shopping destination, with over
100 top specialty stores.
Missoula is the proud home of the
University of Montana. Founded in 1893,
the University of Montana is the largest
school in the Montana state university sys-
tem. Situated on a 200-acre campus, con-
sidered one of the ten most beautiful in the
country, the University of Montana is home
to 13,000 students and boasts an excellent
Law School, Journalism School, Business
School and Forestry and Conservation pro-
gram. The Universitys seven schools train
students for professions in business, educa-
tion, fine arts, forestry and conservation,
journalism, law and pharmacy/allied health
sciences. The University is also home of
the Montana Grizzlies and their national
award-winning mascot Monte!
In short, Missoula is in the middle of it
all where recreation, culture and fun
abound! For more information, call 800-
526-3465, visit www.missoulacvb.org or see
ad below.
56. VISIT MISSOULA, MONTANA
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n Dubois, time seems to move at a
slower pace. The rustic log buildings
that line the main street look much as
they did when the town was first settled in
the late 1800s. The town is nestled in a
valley between the Absaroka and Wind
River mountain ranges And, yes, a river
runs through it. The Wind River meanders
peacefully through town on its way to join
the Yellowstone River system.
Native Americans, fur traders,
homesteaders, outlaws, and Scandinavian tie
hacks are all part of the areas diverse
cultural heritage. Legendary outlaw Butch
Cassidy even spent a fall and winter living
near Dubois before embarking on his most
notorious crime spree. History buffs can
learn more at the Dubois Museum/Wind
River Historical Center.
For the outdoor enthusiast, Dubois offers
four seasons of outdoor adventures. Dubois
is surrounded by the Shoshone National
Forest and over 800,000 acres of unspoiled
wilderness. Camping, hiking, wildlife
viewing, horseback riding, fishing,
hunting, snowshoeing, snowmobiling,
dog sledding, and cross-country skiing are
just some of the possibilities.
The area is home to the largest herd of
bighorn sheep in the lower 48 states. The
National Bighorn Sheep Center tells its
story in interpretive displays and takes
visitors to view the sheep in winter.
Several thousand elk winter around
Dubois, and watchful visitors can easily spot
mule deer and moose. Wolves have been a
presence in the area since a pair of wolves
wandered out of Yellowstone National Park
to establish the first pack outside the park.
Despite its rustic appearance, Dubois
offers accommodations to fit every taste and
pocketbook. Guest ranches offering an
authentic Western experience are a long
established Dubois area tradition. One of
the two oldest guest ranches in Wyoming is
located a few miles south of town. Dubois
offers a wide range of dining choices from
family fare to elegant gourmet cuisine.
A surprisingly varied selection of special
events is part of the Dubois experience.
Beginning with Winterfest in February,
theres something happening almost every
month. Duboiss Headwaters Center is
home to a national juried art show in July.
Beginning in June, a family-oriented rodeo
and a chuck-wagon dinner are held weekly.
The Sheep Center and Dubois Museum
offer free weekly interpretive programs.
Dubois is the southern gateway to
Yellowstone, but we invite you to linger and
relax in a true Western community. For
more information, go to
www.duboiswyoming.org.
Photo by Dan Hubbell Photo.
L
ike many western towns, Cheyenne sprang up in the path
of the transcontinental railroad in 1867 as it crossed the
Great Plains. Nicknamed Hell on Wheels, the rowdy
town of railroad workers and soldiers from nearby Fort D.A.
Russell was teeming with numerous saloons and burlesque
theaters.
Cheyenne did not remain a wild town for long, as a booming
livestock industry attracted investment from eastern and foreign
cattle barons. With this new wealth, Cheyenne developed fine
hotels, theaters and the first opera house west of the Mississippi.
In the 1880s, Cheyenne was the wealthiest per capita city in the
world. The state Capitols dome was even covered in gold leaf.
Today, Cheyenne boasts many attractions that hark back to its
early days. Victorian mansions and historic buildings like the
Capitol and Governors Mansion dominate
downtown. Cheyennes newest downtown
attraction is its restored Union Pacific
Depot. The grand structure is home to a
Visitors Center, restaurant, and the
Cheyenne Depot Museum, which
highlights Cheyennes railroad history.
Modern visitors can hear many of these
classic stories on the Cheyenne Street
Railway Trolleys two-hour historic tour
(800-426-5009; MaySeptember). For a similar
experience, horse-drawn carriage rides are available in the
downtown area. Kids will enjoy the excitement of the West at the
Terry Bison Ranch (307-634-4171), which boasts wagon and
horseback rides, exotic animals and 3,200 bison.
During the summer, the Cheyenne Gunslingers (800-426-
5009) perform free western skits and gunfights at 6:00 p.m. each
weeknight. Cheyennes Holliday Park is also home to one of the
few surviving Big Boys, the largest steam locomotive ever made.
Cheyenne also has a Museum Loop Tour that includes the
Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum (307-778-7290), the
Nelson Museum of the West (307-635-7670), the F.E. Warren
ICBM and Heritage Museum (307-773-2980), Cheyenne Botanic
Gardens (307-637-6458), and the Wyoming State Museum (307-
777-7022).
Cheyenne is also known for its rodeo, Cheyenne Frontier Days
(800-227-6336). Begun in 1897, the event has now grown into
the largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration in the
world. The celebration includes daily rodeos, nightly
concerts, an Indian Village, parades, art shows, pancake
breakfasts, a carnival, and more. The 111th Frontier
Days takes place July 21-29, 2007.
For a more relaxed rodeo experience, visitors can
enjoy the Pine Bluff s Night Rodeo (307-632-3626)
every Friday night June through August (40 miles east
of Cheyenne).
For more information, contact the Cheyenne Area
Convention and Visitors Bureau (800-426-5009;
www.cheyenne.org).
Legend of Cheyenne
57. Live the
Legend of Cheyenne
B
utte Montanas most interesting,
colorful town is central to the
states rich history. Check in at
the visitor center, pick up a self-guided
walking tour map or trails map, or hop a
ride on our new trolley! Youll enjoy rich
history; spirited, friendly residents; great
restaurants; unique shops and abundant
outdoor recreation!
Butte is home to the largest National
Historic Landmark District in the West,
making it a dont-miss for anyone who finds
history fascinating. The most popular
attraction, The Berkeley Pit open-pit cop-
per mine, welcomes tens of thousands of
visitors every year.
Butte is also known as a festival town,
for it loves a good party! Make plans to be
there for St. Patricks Day; the Freedom
Festival on July 3 and 4; Evel Knievel Days
in late July; or An Ri Ra, Montanas Irish
Cultural Heritage Festival, held in Butte
every August. For more information, visit
www.buttecvb.com.
Tour Buttes Arts Chateau
Museum, a 26-room historic mansion
built in 1898. The museum, reminis-
cent of a French Chateau, houses a
diverse collection of artwork, 18th
and 19th century furniture, textiles,
and collectibles. Youll also want to
take time to visit the new Arts
Center, located at 124 S. Main St.
For more information, visit
www.bsbarts.org.
Experience breathtaking views
of Butte from 8,500 ft. above sea
level, at the site of Our Lady of the
Rockies. Visitors will enjoy the inspiring
story of how Our Lady was built and placed
atop the Continental Divide. Bus tours run
daily, June through September, weather per-
mitting. Go to www.ourladyoftherockies.org
for more information.
Discover Buttes richness at the World
Museum of Mining and Hell Roarin
Gulch. Explore 12 acres of indoor and out-
door displays, built at the site of a 100-year-
old
silver and zinc mine.
And dont let the name fool you this
museum is also about the politics, pride and
individuality that shaped the West. For
more information, go to
www.miningmuseum.org.
Butte has a beautiful setting.
55. Ex p l o r e Butte,Montana
58. Discover Dubois, Wyoming
Historic/Cultural
Attractions
Image from Hebard (Wyoming)
brick and mortar buildings before silver
prices plunged and reduced its popula-
tion to ghost town status. Today, histor-
ical Philipsburg is the best living exam-
ple of what these ghost towns were
like. (For more information, go to
www.philipsburgmt.com .)
In Wyoming, South Pass City, on
the historic South Pass of the
Continental Divide south of Lander,
is one of the most authentic and
complete historic sites in the West.
Wyomings City of Gold is sur-
rounded by mining claims, with
several still being worked today.
The restored area contains 20 orig-
inal structures and a Gold Mining
Interpretive Center, complete with
an original working stamp mill.
Town resident William Bright
introduced a bill in the territorial
legislature granting women the
right to vote, making Wyoming
the first territory or state where women
had full citizenship privileges. Two
months later, Esther Morris was appoint-
ed the towns justice of the peace, becom-
ing the nations first female judge. (Go to
Kirwin, located at the head of the
spectacular Wood River
Valley, is a historic mining
town surrounded by abrupt,
breathtaking mountain
peaks rising to over 12,000
feet. The annual Kirwin
Excursion, sponsored by
Meeteetse Museums, is held
on the second Saturday of
August, with local speakers
giving presentations on dif-
ferent aspects of the area.
(Go to www.meeteetse
museum.org.)
One Wyoming town with
a classic ghost town look is
actually a collection of his-
toric buildings restored and
relocated to Old Trail Town
on the west edge of Cody.
Idaho alone has about
150 ghost towns. The best
of them, Silver City, was
founded in 1865, just two
years after silver and gold
were discovered nearby, lur-
ing hundreds of miners from
all walks of life. Today, all
thats left are about 70
buildings and numerous
mine dumps.
Yellowstone area, abandoned mines.
When the gold rush ended in Bannack,
Montana, it was just getting started in
Virginia City, which took over as territo-
rial capitol of the Treasure State in 1865.
Once endangered due to neglect, the
State stepped in and purchased both
Virginia City and nearby Nevada City
and began preserving over 100 remaining
structures. Montanas only operating
steam locomotive now serves the Alder
Gulch short-line railway between the two
towns each summer. (For more informa-
tion, go to www.virginiacitymt.com.)
The Comfort Inn of Dillon, Montana,
is the best place to stay while enjoying
Bannack, Virginia City and Nevada City.
Guests will enjoy the newly renovated
accommodations with a free deluxe
breakfast buffet featuring fresh hot waf-
fles, indoor heated pool, free secure high
speed internet access and much more!
For reservations: 1-800-442-4667 or visit
www.montana-motels.com. Receive a
15% discount when you mention 99
Things to Do in Yellowstone Country.
Along the west leg of the historical
Yellowstone Trail (MT 1), is Philipsburg,
which had its hard rock mining heyday in
the late 1800s. Silver mining spawned
62.
Pan
for gold
Thars gold in that there water! Yessiree!
While not grammatically correct,
prospectors hitting the streams in the
greater Yellowstone area may have made
exclamations such as these when panning
for gold.
Travelers to the area can also take part
in such vocalizations by hitting the
streams themselves. Throughout the
region, historic gold mining districts hold
annual festivals where folks can roll up
their sleeves and get their feet wet and
perhaps find a touch of color in the bot-
tom of their pans.
In Montana, see gold panning demon-
strations in several locations. At the
Kootenai National Forest near Libby, an
entire area has been dedicated for gold
panning. In the historic gold mining
towns of Virginia City and Nevada City,
gold panning is a part of the annual Gold
Rush Town held June 13, 2007. (Go to
www.virginiacitymt.com.)
Montanas many colored sapphires,
mined since 1892, are found in the
famous placer gravels near Philipsburg.
You can mine your own in the summer at
Gem Mountain and all year long at the
Sapphire Gallery, as featured on the
Travel Channel this year. World-class
gems of 1 to 2 carats and larger are often
found and made into fine heirloom jewel-
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Photo by Jeff Vanuga; image from Hebard (Wyoming) Collection,
Trail rides are one of the activities offered at guest ranches.

Check with local chambers of commerce
for information about where to go to see a
dinosaur dig site or to participate in a dig.
60.
Attend a
folk dance
festival
For over 20 years, the world has come to
Idaho to dance. Each summer in Rexburg
and Burley, Idaho, folk dancers from all
around the world gather at the Idaho
International Folk Dance Festival.
2007 marks the 22nd season for the
Folk Dance Festival. Teams last year came
from Mexico, Panama, Romania, South
Korea, Georgia, Canada, Tahiti and the
United States.
Over 300 dancers perform in a variety of
venues. From the opening ceremonies
through the parade, street festival, youth
culture classes, performances, and other
ceremonies, it is not unusual to see danc-
ing, singing, and laughter filling the streets.
Individual teams teach classes throughout
the week. The first-class performances are
filled with color, music and rhythm.
It is breathtaking to see the world come
to Idaho, to witness the cultural exchange,
and to watch American hosts open their
homes as well as their hearts. The Folk
Dance Festival comes to Burley July 25-27,
2007 and to Rexburg July 28-August 4,
2007. The Folk Dance Festival is presented
by the Rexburg Chamber of Commerce.
(Go to www.rexcc.com/festival/index.html.)
61.
Visit a ghost
town
Ghost towns conjure up images of dusty
and empty streets, weathered old buildings,
blowing tumbleweeds and, in the greater
unearth history and become a paleontolo-
gist for a day.
Dinosaur dig sites are an exciting place to
visit because each day new bones and fossils
appear as you dig them up.
If you want to see history unfold right
before your eyes, then a dinosaur dig site
is the perfect place for you.
Dig site tours at the Wyoming
Dinosaur Center in
Thermopolis, Wyoming, pro-
vide information on area
geology, how dinosaur bones
are found and removed and
why the sites are impor-
tant. Tours are conducted
hourly from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
every day in the summer. Visit
www.wyodino.org.
For buffs who want to venture all
the way back to the prehistoric
time, there is the Glenrock
Paleontological (Dinosaur)
Museum, located in Glenrock,
Wyoming, where visitors can view
rare Triceratops and even explore a
real fossil dig site or participate in a
dig. Started in 1994 after Stephanie,
the Triceratops, was found just out-
side of Glenrock, the museum is con-
stantly adding new attractions. The
newest member is a great meat-eater,
the Allosaurus. The Glenrock
Dinosaur Museum is open from
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday
through Saturday, and
admission is FREE. (Go
to www.paleon.org or call
307-436-2667.)
59.
Go
on a
dinosaur dig
There are many places
throughout Yellowstone
country where visi-
tors can
actually
Contents
59. Go on a Dinosaur Dig
60. Attend a Folk Dance Festival
61. Visit a Ghost Town
62. Pan for Gold
63. Stay at a Guest Ranch
64. Attend an Old West Gun
Fight
65. See a Medicine Wheel
66. Visit a Museum
67. Visit the Museum of the
Rockies
68. Visit an Old Mine
69. Attend a Mountain Man
Rendezvous
70. Visit a Paleontological Site
71. See a Petroglyphs or
Pictographs
72. Visit a State Capitol
73. Attend a PowWow
74. Visit an Old Prison
75. Go on a Stagecoach Ride
76. Visit Carbon County,
Wyoming
77. Explore Historic Trails
78. Visit the Buffalo Bill
Historical Center
79. Watch a Rodeo
80. Visit an Indian Reservation
81. Visit Casper, Wyoming
82. Dont Miss Northeastern
Utahs Dinoland!
83. Visit Historic Sites
84. Reasons to Visit Salt Lake
85. Visit Top Of Utah
86. Come to Bear River Heritage
87. Visit a Fine Art Gallery and
Bronze Foundry
88. Experience Wyomings Wind
River Country

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Pinedale, Wyoming, is home to the Museum of the Mountain

Man. (Go to www.museumofthemountainman.com.)
In Casper, spend some time at the Nicolaysen Art Museum in
the center of town and then stop at the Tate Mineralogical
Museum. The brand new National Historic Trails Center is
another great stop. (Go to www.casperwyoming.info.)
While in Casper, experience Western hospitality at the Casper
Holiday Inn on the River Hotel and Convention Center.
Located off I-25, within minutes of historic downtown Casper,
enjoy complimentary high-speed wireless internet, business cen-
ter, gift shop, indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, fitness center and
full-service restaurant and newly remodeled lounge. As always,
kids stay, play and eat free. (Go to www.casperhi.com.)
Douglas, Wyoming, is home to one of the finest
free collections of Wyomings western heritage,
the Wyoming Pioneer Memorial Museum.
The Pioneer Museum is located on the
Wyoming State Fairgrounds and offers a step
back in time with artifacts ranging from
common pioneer household items to
Indian displays of arrowheads, clothing,
beaded works, handmade instruments,
weapons and much more. An 1864 Sioux-
style teepee, used on the set of the 1990
movie Dances With Wolves, looks as
though it were recently abandoned. The
Pioneer Museum welcomes visitors Monday
through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with
additional Saturday hours from 1 to 5 p.m. offered from
June 1 through September. Admission is FREE. (Go to
www.wypioneermuseum.com.)
Carbon County is home to many museums devoted to
preserving the history of the area. Step back in time and dis-
cover an experience that only the past can offer. Festivals take
place during the summer months, from living history days to
an authentic mountain man rendezvous. (Go to
While traveling I-80, stop at Wyomings university town,
Laramie, and spend time at the Wyoming Territorial Park, fea-
turing the restored 1890s Territorial Prison and Museum. (Go to
In Wyomings capital city of Cheyenne, home to the largest out-
door rodeo in the worldthe Frontier Days Rodeovisit the
Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum and enjoy
exhibits about the worlds greatest outdoor rodeo, com-
plete with a collection of Western art and restored
horse-drawn wagons. (Go to www.cheyenne.org.)
In Meeteetse, stop at the Belden Museum,
which displays a collection from famous Western
cowboy photographer Charles J. Belden, and arti-
facts from the Pitchfork Ranch. The Meeteetse
Museum features one of the largest grizzly bears
taken in Yellowstone country and a wolf display
in their natural hunting habitat. (Go to www.mee-
teetsemuseum.org.)
Thermopolis features a unique sampling of avail-
able museums. The Old West Wax Museum and Hot
Springs County Museum and Cultural Center offer a
view of the Old West and pioneer life through dioramas and wax
ry. For more information, go to www.gemmtn.com or
www.sapphire-gallery.com.
Across the border in Wyoming, gold prospectors can be
found hard at work panning the water most days during the
summer along public stretches of creeks and streams in the
South Pass Area near Lander.
At South Pass City State Historic Sites Gold Rush Days,
held the last Friday, Saturday and Sunday of July, gold panning
lessons are taught along the banks of Willow Creek. (Go to
Travelers who are interested in gold panning should stop at
local sporting goods or hardware stores along their route and
seek out gold panning supplies. When you find them, its a
good bet theres gold in them thar waters nearby. Yippee!
63.
Stay at a
guest ranch
Remember the movie City Slickers? If so, you probably
remember wanting to leave behind the stresses of your own life
in the city for a ranch vacation out West. Youre in luck!
The greater Yellowstone landscape is dotted with guest
ranches. Youll enjoy friendly hospitality in a gorgeous setting.
For the most complete information about guest ranches all
across the country, contact The Dude Ranchers Association.
(Go to www.duderanch.org.)
With more than a dozen guest and dude ranches in the area
surrounding Dubois, Wyoming, one could very well conclude
this community as the guest ranch capital of the world. Make
one of these ranches your headquarters for an unforgettable
Yellowstone vacation. (Go to www.duboiswyoming.org.)
Located on the western border of Yellowstone National Park,
Parade Rest Guest Ranch combines a unique western adven-
ture with a visit to Yellowstone National Park. All-inclusive
packages include lodging in a restored rustic cabin, three home-
cooked meals a day, horseback lessons and mountain riding,
world-class fly fishing, birding and guaranteed relaxation
Western style. For more information, call 1-800-221-1151 or
go to www.paraderestranch.com.
Only six miles from the west entrance to Yellowstone
National Park, the Bar N Ranch offers a welcome respite from
your day of travel. Our beautifully appointed cabins and
unique lodge rooms boast unsurpassed views of our two hun-
dred acres and glorious mountain vistas. (For more informa-
tion, go to www.bar-n-ranch.com.)
Just east of Yellowstone, in the beautiful Absaroka
Mountains, you will find the Lodges of East Yellowstone,
where you will experience a real western adventure. For more
information, call 307-587-9595 or go to www.yellowstone-
lodging.com.
64.
Attend an
Old West gun fight
The Historic Irma Hotel in Cody, Wyoming, is listed on
the National Register of Historic Hotels. Buffalo Bill Cody
built the hotel in 1902, naming it after his youngest daughter.
In the hotels main dining room you will see the famous cherry
wood bar given to Buffalo Bill by Queen Victoria. It is one of
the most photographed features in all of Cody.
Buffalo Bills famous Wild West Show toured the world for
thirty years, starting in 1883. The Irma Hotel keeps this spirit
alive by hosting free gunfights, performed by the Cody
Gunfighters, Monday through Saturday at 6 p.m., from June
thru September. After the gunfight, you can enjoy Irmas famous
Prime Rib Buffet, served nightly, starting at 5 p.m. The Irma
Hotel is a fun place to stay and enjoy the real flavor of the West.
(Go to www.irmahotel.com.)
Cheyenne Gunslingers present enactments of gunfights,
Western skits, and other Wild West activities in Old Town
Square in downtown Cheyenne. June-July, Monday-Friday at 6
p.m.; Saturdays at noon. (Call 800-426-5009 or go to
www.cheyenne.org.)
65.
See a
medicine wheel
While traveling in Wyoming, plan a stop at the Bighorn
Medicine Wheel.
To get there, take U.S. Alt. 14, between Burgess Junction and
Cody. There is a fairly steep and narrow unpaved side road that
runs from the summit of U.S. Alt. 14 to the top of Medicine
Mountain, where youll see the fascinating medicine wheel. This
prehistoric structure is a circular arrangement of stones laid out
on the ground. The circle measures 245 feet across and has 28
spokes.
This is a National Historic Site and holds spiritual significance
for Native Americans. Some experts believe the Medicine Wheel
resembles the Northern Cheyenne Sun Dance Lodge. In 1902, a
buffalo skull was found facing east, suggesting a possible con-
nection with the Sun Dance. In addition to the Medicine
Wheel, other features on Medicine Mountain include stone cir-
cles and markers depicting arrows, boxes and crosses.
Note: Closed to vehicular traffic. Visitors are required to walk one-
and-a-half miles to the site.
66.
Visit a
museum
When it comes to museums, the greater Yellowstone area is
hard to beat. In fact, the entire area itself is a natural history
museum of sorts.
As for specific museums, consider the Buffalo Bill Historical
Center in Cody, Wyoming, which is actually five museums
under one roof. The Draper Museum of Natural History is the
newest of the Centers world-class museums, joining the Buffalo
Bill Museum, the Whitney Gallery of Western Art, the Cody
Firearms Museum and the Plains Indian Museum. This massive
facility is widely regarded as the finest western museum in the
United States, and its just one hour from the east gate of
Yellowstone Park. This impressive museum complex grew out of
a simple log structure built in 1927 to house artifacts from the
life of the famous western showman, Buffalo Bill Cody and his
Wild West Show. (Go to www.bbhc.org.)
Stop at Old Trail Town, which features 26 buildings dating
from 1879 to 1901, 100 horse-drawn vehicles and an authentic
collection of frontier memorabilia and artifacts. Also while in
Cody, stop in at the Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center. In 1910,
the Buffalo Bill Dam was designed to be the tallest in the coun-
try. Originally the dam was 325 feet high the highest in the
world. The dam is listed in the National Register of Historical
Places in 1973. The Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center is a must-
see! Cody is just east of Yellowstone Park. (Go to
www.bbdvc.org.)
Bannock was the site of Montanas
first gold srike in 1862.
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Photo by Museum of the Rockies
figures. The Dancing Bear Folk Center
invites you to the Teddy Bear Den, a collec-
tion of teddy bears and their history from
around the world, a marble collection and
history, and a textile museum. At the
Wyoming Dinosaur Center and Dig Sites,
you can take a tour of the dig and return to
view over two dozen mounted dinosaur
skeletons in a 16,000-square-foot complex.
While you are there, watch the technicians
in the preparation lab as they skillfully
remove rock from the fossilized bone. (Go
to www.wyodino.org.)
Sheridans history is captured in its
museums: Kings Museum presents the
largest collection of saddles, leather tools,
and cowboy memorabilia in the region;
Trail End Historic Site features the
elegantly unique aspects of rich ranching
heritage in a 20th century Flemish
architectural home; and Bradford Brinton
Memorial and Museum presents a peek
into the cultured past of a gentleman
rancher through the historic house and
gallery featuring fine Western art, Native
American art, and other one-of-a-kind
historic treasures. (Go to
Interested in bighorn sheep? If so, the
National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive
Center in Dubois, Wyoming, is for you.
The Wind River Heritage Center in nearby
Riverton, features an outstanding mounted
wildlife collection with over 40 specimens.
(Go to www.wind-river.org.)
The National Museum of Wildlife Art,
in Jackson, is home to the nations premier
public collection of fine art devoted to
wildlife. The museum is nestled in a hillside
overlooking the National Elk Refuge and the
Gros Ventre Range. (Go to
www.wildlifeart.org.)
Visit the World Mining Museum, a 44-
acre museum in Butte, Montana. Anything
but a stale collection of artifacts, this muse-
um leads you through the history of mining
and mining technology. The museum
includes the 3,200-foot-deep Orphan Girl
Mine, in operation from 1875 to 1956, and
containing over 7,000,000 ounces of silver.
You can walk under her massive headframe
and climb into her ore houses to learn
more. This museum incorporates hundreds
of pieces of original mine equipment with
an authentic reproduction of a mining
town, Hell Roarin Gulch, dating back to
1890s. A dramatic facelift of the museum is
in progress, including reorganizing the
Orphan Girl Mine Yard, refurbishing the
Hoist House, and much more. (Go to
www.miningmuseum.org.)
Dont miss a visit to the Teton Flood
Museum in Rexburg, Idaho. The Teton
Dam was in the final stages of completion
when it collapsed in June 1976. It had been
built for flood control, power production,
recreation and irrigation. During the spring
of 1976, snowmelt came faster than expect-
ed. The water behind the dam found its way
into cracks in the canyon wall and got into
the dam itself, forming a spring near the
bottom of the dam. The volume of the
spring increased and moved up the side of
the dam until the crest was breached on
June 5. The north side of the dam collapsed,
and water for seventeen miles up the reser-
voir came thundering out. The museum is
located in the basement of the historic
Tabernacle in Rexburg. (Go to
www.rexcc.com.)
In northeastern Utah, the town of Vernal
has an exciting array of museums that dis-
play everything from dinosaurs to frontier
Western history. Start your tour at the
famous Dinosaur National Monument
Quarry, which features an amazing wall of
dinosaur bones. In town, dont miss the new
Utah Field House of Natural History
State Park Museum, Daughters of the
Utah Pioneers Museum and the Western
Heritage Museum. Just down the road, the
Duchesne County Visitor and History
Center has a great collection of historical
photos. (Go to www.dinoland.com.)
From Picasso to Planets to Paleontologists,
the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, the Utah
Museum of Natural History and the Clark
Planetarium are just some of the wonderful
museums in Salt Lake City. (Go to
In Missoula, stop by the Rocky
Visitor Center. Fun and interactive for the
entire family, the exhibits invite you to dis-
cover the diverse wildlife that calls elk coun-
try home. Explore the role we all play in
conserving habitat, and connect with the
rich heritage that makes the outdoors so
important to so many of us. (Go to
www.elkfoundation.org).
From Bozeman, explore Yellowstone
Countrys natural and cultural history with
Venture West Tours. Adventures include
visits to the Museum of the Rockies and
the National Museum of Wildlife Art.
Dinosaurs, native cultures and renowned
wildlife art await you! (Go to
www.venturewesttours.com.)
In Great Falls, Montana, the CM Russell
Museum features over 2,000 personal
objects and artifacts belonging to famed
cowboy artist Charles M. Russell, as well as
10,000 works by other notable Western
artists. In addition to art, the museum com-
plex also includes the Russell residence (built
in 1900) as well as Russells log cabin studio.
It is said that following the studios comple-
tion in 1903, Russell never painted any-
where else. Go to www.cmrussell.org or call
406-727-8787 for more information.
The Yellowstone Art Museum, Moss
Mansion and the Depot let visitors explore
a glimpse of Billings, Montana, in its earlier
years. Enjoy these along with Zoo
Montana and then unwind in one of 5 hot
tubs and pool at the Cmon Inn in Billings,
Montana. Go to www.Cmoninn.com.)
67.
Visit the
Museum
of the Rockies
The Museum of the Rockies offers a
one-of-a-kind adventure. Where else can you
discover, under one roof, one of the worlds
preeminent dinosaur museums, reenact-
ments of pioneer life, a woven tapestry of
Montanas Native American heritage, and
spectacular star gazing?
Called Montanas most entertaining muse-
um by Lonely Planet Guidebooks, the
Museum of the Rockies is Montanas pre-
mier natural and cultural history museum.
The Museum houses permanent exhibits on
dinosaurs, geology and Montana history
including Native American cultures as well
as a planetarium, a living history farm and a
museum store.
The museum is renowned for its paleontol-
ogy program and is home to well-known
paleontologist Jack Horner, scientific advisor
to the Jurassic Park movies and commenta-
tor on many Discovery Channel specials.
The Museum of the Rockies is home to one
of the largest dinosaur collections in the
world and the largest dinosaur fossil collec-
tion from the United States. In June of
2007, the museum will open its new spec-
tacular Siebel Dinosaur Complex, featuring
incredible fossil dinosaur eggs, nests, interac-
tive games and giant sculptures.
During the summer, do not miss the out-
door Lewis & Clark challenge course, offer-
ing visitors the experience to climb aboard a keelboat, outrun a
bear, and try to lift a cradleboard like the one Sacajawea carried.
Additionally, the Living History Farm has daily activities, pro-
grams and livestock to illustrate life on a Montana homestead a
century ago.
Summer hours from Memorial to Labor Day are 8 a.m. to 8
p.m. daily. The rest of the year, the museum is open from 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m. except for Sundays when it is open 12:30 to 5 p.m.
Located just south of the MSU campus at 600 West Kagy Blvd.
Go to www.museumoftherockies.org or call (406) 994-DINO.
68.
Visit
an old mine
For people interested in knowing what minerals come out of
the ground, the greater Yellowstone area has several old, historical-
ly significant mines that travelers can visit.
While the three-state area is dotted with ghost towns and rem-
nants of gold and silver rushes, copper is king when it comes to
successful commercial mining, and Montana had copper galore.
In the 19th century, as the country was being wired for electric-
ity, copper wire was required, and lots of it. Two Montana towns,
Butte and Anaconda, were more than happy to supply the
demand. In the process, several men in these two towns earned a
huge fortune.
Thousands of immigrants and other workers converged on
western Montana to work the mines, and the fruits of their labor
are visible today.
An excellent minerals museum is also located in Butte, with
1,500 specimens. This museum is on the campus of Montana
Tech. West of Butte sits the big mining town of Anaconda, the
site of a huge copper smelter. All that is left of the smelting plant
today is the Anaconda Stack, a 585.5-foot-high smokestack, the
tallest in the country.
The Comfort Inn of Butte, Montana is the best place to stay
while enjoying the rich history, culture and recreation that Butte
has to offer. Guests will enjoy the newly renovated accommoda-
tions with a free deluxe breakfast buffet featuring fresh hot waf-
fles, indoor heated pool, hot tubs, free secure high speed internet
access and much more! For reservations, visit www.montana-
motels.com or call 800-442-4667. Receive a 15% discount when
you mention 99 Things to Do in Yellowstone Country.
The historic Gregson Hot Springs, between Butte and
Anaconda, provided quiet and cleansing getaway for the miners,
beginning in the 1870s. This hot springs area has evolved into the
current Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, a year-round hot springs,
golf, and convention facility. (Go to www.fairmontmontana.com.)
Wyomings South Pass City State Historic Site allows visitors
into one mining shaft. In 2003, The State of Wyoming purchased
the adjacent Carissa Mine. The purchase ushered in a new phase
of development at South Pass City. With the mine came nine his-
toric structures, 17 significant mine features and 201 acres. The
addition makes South Pass City the largest historic site in the
state. Just a few miles away is an overlook on Highway 28 with
vistas into the former Atlantic City Iron Ore pit mine, which is
now being reclaimed. (Go to www.wind-river.org.)
Also, Kirwin, located in the Wood River area southwest of
Meeteetse, was once an active gold and silver mining town. Four-
wheel drive is required to explore this old mining area, but its
spectacularly beautiful and worth the adventure. (Go to
69.
Attend a mountain
man rendezvous
The first inhabitants of Yellowstone country were mountain
men. They survived in this mountainous terrain by trapping,
hunting and fishing the abundant wildlife in the area.
Many of them got together once or twice a year to trade their
furs or hunting equipment, exchange stories and enjoy the com-
pany of friends.
Called a rendezvous a French word meaning appointed
place of meeting these gatherings offered a time for trappers,
both white and Indian, to gather to sell their furs and trade for
needed supplies, socialize with old friends, get rip-roaring drunk,
engage in storytelling, gambling, gun duels and contests of all
sorts. Horse racing, wrestling bouts and shooting contests were
the favorites.
Many rendezvouses are still held today in Yellowstone country.
One of the regions best is the Green River Rendezvous, in
Pinedale, Wyoming, held the second weekend of July. This
rendezvous started in 1936 and is Wyomings oldest historical
pageant. (Go to www.mountainmancountry.com.)
Other rendezvous events of note include: Burnt Hole
Rendezvous West Yellowstone, Montana; Red Lodge
Rendezvous Red Lodge, Montana; Massacre Rocks Rendezvous
American Falls, Idado; 1838 Mountain Man Rendezvous
Riverton, Wyoming (go to www.wind-river.org); Fort Bridger
Rendezvous Lyman, Wyoming; and Bear River Rendezvous
Evanston, Wyoming.
Photo by PinedaleOnline.com
The Rendezvous Pageant is one of the events that takes place
during the Green River Rendezvous in Pinedale, Wyoming.
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Visit a
paleonto-
logical site
In Wyoming, head to the southwestern
region known as fossil country. Warfield
Fossils, Tynskys Fossil Fish, and Ulrichs
Fossil Gallery teach visitors digging tech-
niques, and arms them with the proper
tools while they dig for 50-million-year-old
fossil fish each summer. Diggers can keep
any finds that arent considered rare.
Fossil Butte National Monument,
located 60 miles from Evanston, Wyoming,
is another must-see in southwestern
Wyoming. This monument showcases
insects, birds, reptiles and plants. Exhibits
include a 13-foot crocodile, the oldest
known bat, and a mass mortality of 356
fish.
Huge dinosaurs can be found at Western
Wyoming Community College in Rock
Springs. Tyrannosaurus Rex appears ready
to pounce on unsuspecting students in the
food court, while Camptosaurus looks for a
meal near the bookstore. Several other
dinosaurs and fossils native to the area are
also on display. (Go to
www.tourwyoming.com .)
In Thermopolis, head to the Wyoming
Dinosaur Center. Visitors can take a tour
of the museum and dig sites at Warm
Springs Ranch through the Dig for a
Day program. There are 55 dig sites on
the ranch filled with bones from dinosaur
giants like Camarasauraus and
Apatasauarus. (Go to www.wyodino.org.)
Check out the University of Wyoming
Geological Museum in Laramie, or the
Tate Mineralogical Museum in Casper.
Also in central Wyoming is Glenrock,
home to some major dinosaur finds in
recent years. In fact, a new educational
center is under direction by famed bone
hunter Dr. Robert Bakker, who served as
technical advisor for the movie Jurassic
Park. The Glenrock Paleontology
Museum is focused on cleaning, repairing
and exhibiting fossil remains. The museum
was started after the discovery of a
Triceratops skull just outside of Glenrock
in 1994. One-day excursions and week-
long programs allow participants to help
excavate and prepare fossils. (Go to
www.paleon.org.)
Finally, in the Greybull, Wyoming, area,
visit the Red Gulch Dinosaur Track Site
its one of the largest dinosaur track sites
in North America!
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See petro-
glyphs or
pictographs
Petroglyphs and pictographs some
12,000 years old can be viewed in the
Yellowstone region.
Petroglyphs are incised, pecked or carved
onto rock walls, while pictographs are
made by painting pigment on the rock sur-
face.
Do not touch the rocks and do not take
anything from or leave anything at the
rock art sites. They are important in deter-
mining what the ancient people were like
who once lived in these areas.
Mike Bies, an archaeologist in the
Worland, Wyoming, BLM office, recom-
mends two sites in the Bighorn Basin in
northern Wyoming Legend Rock and the
Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site.
Both are drop-dead amazing, says Bies,
for their concentrations of rock art that
arent found elsewhere.
Legend Rock is located about 20 miles
from Thermopolis. To get driving direc-
tions and a key to open a gate and access
Legend Rock, stop in at the Hot Springs
State Park office located at the entrance of
the state park in Thermopolis.
At the Legend Rock site, visitors will see
illustrations of human figures, animals and
abstracts, some of them larger-than-life.
Bies says ancient people used rock art for
three reasons. One reason is classic graffi-
ti, he explains.
Other art looks like they were telling a
story. They actually depicted historical
events. And finally, the third category
and we have strong evidence of this is
that people were doing religious vision-
questing.
To get to the Medicine Lodge State
Archaeological Site, take SR 31 east from
Manderson for 22 miles, and follow it to
Hyattville. Just before going down the hill
into Hyattville, turn north onto Cold
Springs Road. Follow the road for about
four-and-a-half miles until you come to a
large yellow and brown sign that says
Wildlife Habitat Management Area and
Archaological Site. Here, turn left onto a
gravel road and follow it for one-and-a-half
miles to the site. Across the parking lot are
petroglyphs and pictographs.
Theyre huge, says Bies. The highest,
off-the-ground rock art is in the neighbor-
hood of 65-70 feet above the ground. We
have evidence here that stretches back
12,000 years.
White Mountain Petroglyphs, located
in the Red Desert in southwestern
Wyoming, are also worth a visit. To get
there, travel north from Rock Springs on
U.S. Highway 191 approximately 10.5
miles and turn east (right) on the Tri-
Territory Road (County Road 4-17). Travel
approximately 10 miles on the Tri-
Territory Road and take a left when you
see a sign marking the White Mountain
Petroglyphs. White Mountain Petroglyphs
are 26 miles north of Rock Springs. (Go to
www.tourwyoming.com.)
Throughout northeastern Utah, ancient
Fremont Indians left signs of their early
occupation in numerous and celebrated
rock art panels. The best of these is Nine Mile Canyon. It is con-
sidered by many to be the longest natural art gallery in the
world. Featured in National Geographic, this scenic desert canyon
has numerous rock art panels scattered along a self-guided auto
tour. The Dry Fork Petroglyphs, located just outside Vernal, are
well known for their quality and accessibility. These 800-year-old
Fremont Indian panels cover over 200 feet of a cliff face of Navaho
Sandstone. (For more information, go to www.dinoland.com.)
In Montana, see 4,500-year-old pictographs at Pictograph Cave
State Park, located seven miles southeast of Billings off I-90. Take
the Lockwood Exit, then travel six more miles on county roads.
Before the Crow Indians, people hunted woolly mammoth in the
Yellowstone Valley and documented their lives by painting in these
caves.
72.
Visit a
state capital
While traveling the Yellowstone region, pay a visit to the state
capitals in Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Utah and Idaho. All of
these towns offer culture and recreation.
Cheyenne, Wyoming, claims to have begun its life as the
Entertainment Capital of the West, and it lives up to its claim.
After all, Cheyenne is home to the Frontier Days Rodeo the
largest outdoor rodeo in the entire world. With seven PRCA
events, WPRA Barrel Racing, Rookie Saddle Bronc, and Wild
Horse Racing, the non-stop action of Cheyennes Frontier Days
shows why the event is called the Daddy of em All. (Go to
www.cheyenne.org.)
Located in downtown Denver (200 E. Colfax Ave), the
Colorado State Capitol Building offers free tours and is within
walking distance to attractions like the Denver Art Museum and
the Colorado History Museum. Free tours are provided every 45
minutes during the following hours: SeptemberMay:
MondayFriday: 9:15 a.m.2:30 p.m. JuneAugust:
MondayFriday: 9 a.m.3:30 p.m. (Go to www.colorado.gov.)
Utahs capital, Salt Lake City, is the perfect place to begin or
end your adventure, as it serves as a gateway city to national parks
both north and south. Although Salt Lakes capitol building is in
the midst of a $200 million renovation, the downtown environs
are well worth a visit. (Go to www.visitsaltlake.com.)
Cradled in the foothills of the Montana Rockies lies Helena,
Montana. According to the folks at the Helena Chamber, Helena
is a unique blend of past and present, power suits and blue jeans.
People from all walks of life can find an environment to enjoy.
Boise, Idaho, is situated where the high desert meets the western
edge of the Rocky Mountains. In Idahos capital city of Boise, your
only trouble will be deciding what to do next.
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Attend
a powwow
Many Indian powwows, which feature a variety of dances,
drumming and songs, are scheduled in the greater Yellowstone area
throughout the summer season.
Powwows are social events, attracting tribal members from across
the country. The colorful events also serve to preserve the rich her-
itage of Native culture and allow tribal members to participate in
the old traditional ways. Its also a way to make a few extra dollars
as contest powwows feature cash and other prizes.
Competitive dances are held for all ages and both genders.
Boys and men compete in traditional, fancy and grass dances,
while girls and women show their skills in traditional, jingle
and shawl dances. Specialty dances, such as hoop dances, can
also be held.
Competitions take place among drum groups, comprised of
singers who chant or sing vocables (songs without words) while
drumming. The songs may be recent compositions or variations of
traditional songs.
When an intertribal dance is called, everyone is welcome to
participate. These intertribal dances often include round or social
dances.
Powwows traditionally begin with a grand entry in which a flag
song is dedicated to the tribal members who have served in the
U.S. Armed Forces. When the flag song is sung, all stand in
respect. Honor songs to acknowledge elders or others are also
songs of respect.
Wyomings biggest powwow is the Eastern Shoshone Indian
Days, which includes an All Indian Rodeo and horse racing held
in Fort Washakie, Wyoming, the fourth week of June each sum-
mer. (Go to www.wind-river.org.)
In mid-June, the Plains Indian Museum Powwow in Cody fea-
tures dancers not only from the Northern Plains, but also from
Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona. (Go to www.pctc.org.)
Many of these dancers also attend the Eastern Shoshone Indian
Days.
In Montana, the Valley of the Chiefs Powwow and Rodeo is
held at Lodge Grass on the Crow Reservation over the
Independence Day weekend. The Crow Fair Powwow and Rodeo
is featured the third weekend of August at Crow Agency. Over the
Labor Day weekend, the Ashland Labor Day Powwow is held on
the Northern Cheyenne Reservation.
In Idaho, the Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival is held at the
Fort Hall Reservation in late August. This festival also includes an
all-Indian rodeo, traditional Indian games and a fair.
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Visit an
old prison
The lure of an old prison seems irresistible to travelers, so visi-
tors to this region wont be disappointed. Former prison facilities
have been reopened for visitors, complete with guided tours, muse-
ums, and, of course, gift shops.
In Laramie, Wyoming, the old Territorial Prison was built in
1872 and housed prisoners for a total of 31 years. Notable among
the prisons inmates was Butch Cassidy, Big Nose George Parrott
and Clark The Kid Pelton, a member of the Bevins and
Blackburn gang who made a living holding up the Cheyenne to
Deadwood Stagecoach.
By 1902 a new and much larger prison was taking shape in
Rawlins, and the Territorial
Prison closed the next year.
The University of Wyoming
then began using the stone
building, not for unruly stu-
dents, but for livestock, hous-
ing UWs experimental stock
farm. In the mid-1970s, the
livestock moved out, and a
decade later restoration work
Photo by Mark Gocke
Spring issues forth an explosion of color in the Tetons.
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Photo by Jeff Vanuga; Image from Hebard

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finally began.
The Wyoming Territorial Park then re-opened as a travel
attraction, complete with the old territorial prison and museum.
(Go to www.laramie-tourism.org.)
The new prison in Rawlins served the state until 1981.
Resembling a sandstone castle more than a house of detention,
the Old Frontier Prison is located just off the downtown sec-
tion of Rawlins and features daily tours to see the old cell
blocks, infirmary, the gas chamber, exercise yard and visiting
rooms. The cellblocks in the old prison, both of them, are four
stories tall. The lobby of the old prison has been remodeled into
a museum with photographs and old relics. (Go to
75.
Go on a
stagecoach ride
During the 1880s, the whole face of visitation to Yellowstone
Park changed. In 1881, the railroad finally arrived in eastern
Montana.
Suddenly, with the rails here, you had visitors, says Lee
Whittlesey, historical archivist for Yellowstone. This meant an
immediate need for transportation. But all there was, was a
bunch of good ol boys who happened to have wagons and
horses.
Thus began the first mechanized travel in Yellowstone Park the
stagecoach. Stagecoach travel continued in Yellowstone until 1917,
when stagecoaches were no longer allowed in the park.
Thanks to a couple of companies in the two national parks, visi-
tors to Yellowstone country can ride in a stagecoach and imagine
what it must have been like to explore the parks the way early visi-
tors did.
Yellowstone National Park Lodges offers visitors rides in an
authentic stagecoach replica in the parks Roosevelt Country, in the
northern section of the park. The rattles and rumbles of the stage-
coach will take you back 100 years! To sign up for a stagecoach
adventure, stop in at the Roosevelt Lodge. (Go to
In Grand Teton National Park, sign up for a stagecoach adventure
with Grand Teton Lodge Company.
A ride in a stagecoach or covered wagon
gives you the feel of the Old West.
AT T R AC T I ON S
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elcome to Wyomings Carbon
County! Your interests may lie in
vast prairie lands or in big
mountain country. You may be a history
buff following the Overland Trail or a rein-
carnated gold miner from days long ago.
Maybe youre a
fisherman look-
ing to catch a
trophy rainbow
trout, a wilder-
ness backpacker
who wants
renewal in the
high country,
or someone
looking to
experience the
cowboy way at
a rodeo.
There is something for everyone in
Carbon County, where, no matter what
your interests, you will experience the
authentic spirit of the West.
The North Platte River runs through
Carbon County and is home to rainbow,
brown and cutthroat trout. A portion of the
river, known as the Miracle Mile, is famous
for legendary numbers of trout. Die-hard
anglers will find it easy to get lost in such a
paradise. Breathtaking views can be found
in all directions in the mountains of the
Medicine Bow National Forest and Sierra
Madre Range.
Lakes and reservoirs, including Seminoe
and Pathfinder, provide opportunities for
boaters, jet skiers, photographers and fisher-
men. When the mountains are covered with
snow, snowmobilers have the time of their
lives. With hundreds of miles of groomed
trails, the ride is like nowhere else on
Earth.
Drive through the mountains and
prairies of Carbon County, Wyoming
to observe bountiful wildlife and
breath-taking scenery. Wyoming is
home to some of the best kept secrets
in the natural world. Whether youre
exploring the great Continental
Divide, high mountain deserts or
vast prairie lands, Carbon County's scenery
will not disappoint. Keep your eyes open
and you may catch a glimpse of native
wildlife species including foxes, coyotes,
deer, antelope, moose, elk, bald eagles,
badger and more.
Carbon County is rich in history, too.
For starters, visit the Old Frontier Prison,
where youll experience history at the
Frontier Prison Museum, which brings
together stories of Wyomings best and
worst. For 80 years from 1900 to 1981
the Frontier Prison was Wyomings only
state prison.
And, how about some culture? Carbon
County provides rodeos, festivals, dances,
parades, outdoor concerts, cutting events
and wood-chopping competitions for your
entertainment.
Towns in Carbon County that make up
the Frontier Route to Yellowstone include
Rawlins, Ft. Steele/Sinclair, Hanna and
Arlington, Medicine Bow, Elk Mountain,
Saratoga, Encampment, Riverside, and
Baggs, Savery and Dixon.
For a free information packet, go to the
Carbon County Visitor Councils website
at www.wyomingcarboncounty.com or call
800-228-3547.
76. Visit Carbon County, Wyoming
WHOAWhats your hurry?
Legendary fishing
Mirror Lake
Wyoming Territorial Prison
Abundant wildlife

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Photo courtesy of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center
This was a great adventure

before venturing to Yellowstone.
Katy, Alexandria, VA
BBHC visitors agree:
Wonderful! Just visited Yellowstone Park
and appreciated it so much more.
Hugh, Hampton, VA
Really helped complete
our Yellowstone visit.
David, Corsicana, TX
BY ERNIE OVER
T
he wide open spaces of the West
evoke a time when adventurers and
pioneers trekked across the country
on foot, in longboats, in wagons and on
horses. It wasnt that long ago that this
country was the wild frontier. Some say it
still is.
In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson
commissioned two men to begin charting
the vast expanse west of the Mississippi
River. What followed were tales of adven-
ture and grandeur, and eventually, a flood
of people. First, it was the fur traders and
trappers in the 1830s, and then came the
emigrants a decade later.
Even though the West is now settled,
much of it still remains open and, with a
little imagination, its not hard to conjure
up what Meriwether Lewis and William
Clark and their Corps of Discovery first
saw crossing Montana and Idaho. Its also
not difficult to imagine scenes along the
Oregon Trail across Wyoming and Idaho.
Of all the trails that crisscrossed the
West, the Oregon Trail was the most
important. Fur traders, missionaries, gold
seekers and emigrants traveled over its more
than 2,000 miles. For two decades begin-
ning in 1841, the Oregon Trail was the best
route to the West Coast, and the only route
that offered fresh water and tall grasses for
most of the way, critical for the survival of
both pioneer and beasts of burden. (Go to
In Wyoming and Idaho, no fewer than
60 historic sites are marked
along the trail, and
Wyoming contains more
of the original trail than
any other state.
Fort
Laramie,
in south-
east
Wyoming,
was a trading post,
re-supply point and
military post. The bar-
racks at the fort, Old
Bedlam, has
been restored
and is the oldest surviving building in
Wyoming. The 214-acre site is now a
National Historic Site with summer-long
living history and other interpretative pro-
grams.
A self-guided walking tour of Cheyennes
historic downtown district will take you to
the old Union Pacific depot and the beauti-
ful Tivoli Building. Pick up a free brochure
at the Depot Visitor Center. (Go to
www.cheyenne.org.)
In Casper, Wyoming, the National
Historic Trails Center interprets not only
the Oregon Trail, but also the story of the
other trails that coursed through Central
Wyoming, including the Mormon Trail and
the Pony Express route. (Go to
Converse County, Wyoming, is crossed
by no fewer than five historic trails. These
include the Oregon/California Trail, the
Mormon Trail, the Bozeman Trail, and the
Pony Express. The Oregon Trail, with over
350,000 of the first tourists to Wyoming,
followed the North Platte River through
Douglas and Glenrock. The Bozeman Trail
starts west of Douglas and parallels I-25
and I-90 through Buffalo and Sheridan.
(Go to www.conversecountytourism.com.)
Sheridan, Wyoming, is steeped in and
central to our countrys history of western
expansion once the most prized hunting
grounds of the Plains Indians, who hunted
and fished the fertile valley of Little and
Big Goose creeks. The area surrounding
Sheridan presents history through muse-
ums, historic sites, forts, and battlefields,
including the Little Bighorn Battlefield, the
Rosebud Battle site, the Bozeman Trail, and
Fort Phil Kearny. (Go to www.sheridan-
wyoming.org.)
Trails were not exclusively for human
use. By the 1860s, more trails had been
established, including the Bridger Trail, the
Bozeman Trail, the Overland Trail and the
Texas Trail, the latter used to trail cattle
from the Lone Star State to the tall grass-
lands of Wyoming and Montana.
When Lewis and Clark traversed
Montana and Idaho, they used three routes,
one jointly on their way to the West Coast
and the other two individually on their sep-
arate trips home. The westward route of the
trail follows the Missouri River across
northern Montana. The Lewis and Clark
National Historic Trail Interpretive
Center and Giant Springs Heritage Park
are two locations near Great Falls where
travelers can learn more.
In Idaho, the Lemhi Shoshone, Salish
and Nez Perce peoples aided Lewis and
Clark, as they discovered the route west
wasnt as easy as they had hoped.
On the return trip, Lewis generally fol-
lowed the original route, but Clark headed
south from Lolo Pass, dipping down as far
as Dillon before he eventually headed east
along the Yellowstone River, to Bozeman,
Billings and Miles City before rejoining the
Missouri in North Dakota.
The Nez Perce National Historic Trail
courses through Oregon, Washington,
Idaho, Wyoming and Montana, covering
over 1,100 miles. It is the route Chief
Joseph and five bands of Nez Perce traveled
when they fled their Idaho homeland to
escape war in 1877. They attempted to join
their Crow allies by heading south into
Wyoming through Yellowstone Park, but
when blocked by the Cavalry at Laurel,
Montana, they took flight to Canada, only
to surrender on the Bear Paw Battlefield,
about 50 miles short of the border.
The Nez Perce National Historic Park
in Spalding, Idaho, on the Nez Perce
Reservation, tells the story of the tribes
flight, plus a cultural history of the people,
artifacts and other exhibits.
In central and southeast Idaho, be sure to
visit the National Oregon California Trail
Center at Montpelier, the Shoshone-
Bannock Tribal Museum at Fort Hall, and
at nearby Pocatello, the re-created historic
Fort Hall.
In 1847, Brigham Young and the first
party of Mormon followers reached the Salt
Lake Valley, opening the way for more
than 60,000 Mormons to come to Utah by
covered wagon or handcart in the next 20
years. Brigham Young designated where the
temple would be built, and, on April 6,
1853, he laid the cornerstone of the temple
foundation. It was completed 40 years later.
77.Explore
Historic Trails
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t the Buffalo Bill Historical Center (BBHC), in Cody, Wyoming,
located just 50 miles from Yellowstones east entrance, you can find
out all about Yellowstone National Park, the greater Yellowstone area,
and the American West. The stories told weave a tapestry of the region in
nature, history, art, and culture. Whether you have two hours or two days,
youll be happy you stopped here on your trip to the West.
For starters, you can navigate the sights, sounds, and even smells of the
greater Yellowstone area, including wildlife specimens, in the Draper Museum
of Natural History. You can preview what youll see when you reach
Yellowstone, or add to what you may have already seen.
And thats just the beginning.
Buffalo Bill Cody arguably the most famous American of the early 1900s
knew exactly what todays visitors are talking about. In 1896, he founded
the town that bears his name, and theres no better place to meet the leg-
endary showman and see authentic artifacts of the American West than the
Buffalo Bill Museum.
Yellowstones drama, fascinating landscape, and unique wildlife provide a
perfect subject for many artists of the American West. In the Whitney Gallery
of Western Art, you can marvel at many of the masterworks of those who
chronicled Yellowstone and the American West, as well as outstanding artists
of today.
For Northern Plains Indian Tribes, Yellowstone held special significance.
The Plains Indian Museum features their artistry, traditions and culture,
much of it told in their own voices. And you dont want to miss the incredi-
ble Plains Indian Museum Powwow, June 16 & 17.
Whether cowboy, trapper or Native American, the story of the American
West is incomplete without firearms. Housing the most comprehensive collec-
tion of American firearms in the world, the Cody Firearms Museum adds yet
another dimension to your experience.
Factor in a research library, a museum store that offers an amazing selection
of authentic collectible, books, CDs and DVDs, as well as a fine eatery, and
the BBHC is a perfect one-stop-experience about the American West. (Go
to www.bbhc.org.)
78.
BUFFALO BI LL
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Photo by Jeff Vanuga Image from Hebard (Wyoming)
powwows in the region, an all-Indian rodeo

and a reenactment of the signing of the
Treaty of 1868. Shoshone Indian Days is
traditionally held the last week of June at
Fort Washakie.
Several must-see cultural centers on the
Wind River Reservation include the
Rupert Weeks Traditional Center/
Shoshone Cultural Center at Fort
Washakie school campus and the Heritage
Center at the St. Stephens Catholic
Mission south of Riverton. (Go to
The Crow and Northern Cheyenne
reservations in south-central Montana
share a common border, but its on the
Crow Reservation where the Little
Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
and the Reno-Benteen Battlefield are
located and draw thousands of visitors
each year. The sites commemorate the
Sioux/Cheyenne victory over the Seventh
Cavalry and General George Armstrong
Custer. The site includes a museum and
interpretive center.
The Crow Reservation is also home to
Chief Plenty Coups State Park and the
Montana side of Bighorn Canyon National
Recreation Area. After Plenty Coups death
in 1932, his land and home were turned
into a park for all people to enjoy.
Major events include the Northern
Cheyenne Powwow and Rodeo at Lame
Deer over the Memorial Day weekend,
and the Crow Fair Powwow and Rodeo
the third week of August at Crow Agency.
Other tribal homes in Montana include
the Blackfeet Nations reservation
around Browning; the Fort Belnap
Reservation around Harlem is home to
the Assiniboine and Gros Ventre tribes;
the Fort Peck Reservation is occupied by
the Assiniboine and Sioux; the
Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes
call the Flathead Reservation home; and
the Rocky Boys Reservation is home to
the Chippewa-Cree tribe.
Idaho is home to the Shoshone-
Bannock tribe at the Fort Hall
Reservation, near Pocatello, the Shoshone
Paiute tribe of the Duck Valley
Reservation, plus the Nez Perce and the
Coeur dAlene, whose respective reserva-
tions bear their tribal identity.
BY ERNIE OVER
N
ative American history flourishes in
Wyoming, Montana and Idaho,
where a dozen Indian reservations
are located and where some of the last
Indian battles in the Northern Plains were
fought.
Montana has the most reservations with
seven; Idaho is home to four reservations
and Wyoming has one. But Wyomings
Wind River Reservation, with 2.2 million
acres, is the third largest in total land size
of all Indian reservations in the entire
United States.
Home to the Eastern Shoshone and the
Northern Arapaho peoples, the Wind River
Reservation is also notable because the U.S.
Army Buffalo Soldiers were posted at Fort
Washakie, and the guide of the Lewis and
Clark expedition, Sacajawea, is allegedly
buried there.
It is also the only reservation where the
government allowed Indian people to
choose their own land. The reasons are
many, but simply stated, the great
Shoshone Chief Washakie was a man of
vision. He always placed the peace and wel-
fare of his people above all other concerns,
and he knew that for his tribe to succeed, it
would have to adapt to the changing world
around them. As a result, Washakie was on
friendly terms with the U.S. Army, and he
and his band of warriors not only served as
Army scouts, but they protected early white
settlers from the raids of other tribes. As a
reward for his cooperation, Washakie was
allowed to establish the Shoshone
Reservation on his tribes ancestral winter-
ing and hunting grounds.
The Northern Arapaho arrived a decade
later on a temporary basis, en route to a
promised reservation in Idaho. But the new
reservation was never established, and the
two tribes now jointly administer the large
area, home to over 7,000 American Indians.
The reservation contains some of
Wyomings most scenic mountain and
foothill vistas with more than 1,100 miles
of streams and some 265 lakes, including
the home of the rare golden trout, found
only in high elevation lakes.
The famous Indian woman guide of the
Lewis and Clark Expedition, Sacajawea, is
said to be buried on Wyomings Wind River
Reservation, a claim that is not without
controversy. The states of North and South
Dakota claim the famous Lewis and Clark
guide died and was buried in 1812 at Fort
Manuel near the North Dakota border.
According to local historical accounts,
Sacajawea, a native of the Idaho Lemhi
band of Shoshone, came to live with the
Eastern Shoshone several years after the
Lewis and Clark Expedition ended. Here
she was called Wad-ze-wipe, or Lost
Woman, and lived to be
100.
Sacajawea is reported to
have taken part in negotia-
tions that created the reser-
vation, acting as an inter-
preter because of her lan-
guage skills.
Her grave and a memo-
rial are located in the
Sacajawea Cemetery, just
north of the Roberts
Episcopal Mission on
Trout Creek Road near
Fort Washakie.
The largest annual event
on the reservation is the
annual Eastern Shoshone
Indian Days, which fea-
tures one of the largest
80. Vi si t an Indi an
Reservati on
Attending a powwow on an Indian reservation is entertaining
and educational.
79. Watch a
R
o
d
e
o
!
J
ust about every town in the greater
Yellowstone region has rodeos sched-
uled throughout the year. But
Wyoming, The Cowboy State, is arguably
the best place for attending a rodeo.
During a rodeo, cowboys and cowgirls
put their skills to the test against legendary
bulls, bucking broncs, crafty calves and
hefty steers. Cowboys and cowgirls compete
in bareback bronc riding, bull riding, steer
wrestling, steer roping, saddle bronc riding,
calf roping and barrel racing.
Many of Wyomings rodeos are known
throughout the world, including Cheyenne
Frontier Days the Daddy of Em All.
Cheyenne Frontier Days is the largest
outdoor rodeo in the world, attracting big
names from all over the country. It provides
spectators with the best outdoor rodeo
action in the world, with top riders com-
peting for the largest purse on the profes-
sional circuit.
The 9-day celebration, the 111th annual
event, will be held July 21-29, 2007.
Besides the exciting PRCA rodeo action,
there is a carnival midway, top-name enter-
tainment concerts, Indian village and danc-
ing, USAF Thunderbirds Air Show, free
parades, a free chili cook-off plus much
more. For a change of pace, dont miss the
Old West Museum and Cheyenne
Frontier Days Western Art Show and
Sale. (Go to www.cheyenne.org.)
Cody is often called the Rodeo Capital
of the World. The Cody Stampede is the
richest rodeo in America on the 4th of July.
From July 1 through July 4 each year, more
than 800 of the best and best-known cow-
boys and cowgirls compete for prize money.
The Cody Stampede has been voted The
Best Big Outdoor Rodeo in America not
just once, but twice!
The Cody Nite Rodeo is where the stars
get their start. This is rodeo at its family
best cowboys, cowgirls, clowns, and top
livestock and even the kids get to partici-
pate! For 88 nights every summer, fans fill
the stands above the bucking chutes in one
of the most user-friendly rodeo arenas any-
where. (Go to www.pctc.org.)
Beginning in June and running through
September, Dubois offers a Friday night
rodeo experience that is fun for all ages.
From bronc riding to mutton-bustin, the
Dubois Rodeo is genuine western good
time! (Go to www.duboiswyoming.org.)
Rock Springs Red Desert Roundup
Rodeo, scheduled for July 26-28, 2007, has
twice been voted the best mountain states
circuit PRCA rodeo. The event consists of
three performances: a PRCA Pro Rodeo, a
Coors Chute Out and Dodge Truck Rodeo
that attracts big-name competitors. (Go to
www.tourwyoming.com.)
You can also witness the oldest paid
rodeo in the world the Granddaddy of
Em All on your trip to Wyoming.
Landers 113th Annual Pioneer Days
Rodeo will be held July 2-4, 2007. (Go to
www.Wind-River.org.)
Sheridan WYO Rodeo, a top-ranked
national professional rodeo event, features
some of the worlds top cowboys and cow-
girls and is held the second week of July.
Attend additional rodeo events weekly
throughout the summer season. (Go to
There are many other great rodeos
scheduled in Rocky Mountains through-
out the summer. Check with local
chambers of commerce for dates and loca-
tions.
Nestled at the foothills of the
Beartooth Mountains, Red
Lodge, Montana,
is a place the
Crow Tribe called
paradise its that
way still. (Go to
www.myredlodge
style.com.)
Corral West is
proud to support the
western lifestyle. Corral
West is an official sponsor
of the National High School Rodeo
Association, the National High School
Finals Rodeo, the National Little Britches
Rodeo Association and Finals, the National
Senior Pro Rodeo, the PRCAs Wrangler
National Finals Rodeo held each year in Las
Vegas, the National Western Stock Show
and Rodeo in Denver and the Greeley
Stampede, among others. (Go
to www.corralwest.com.)
9 9 T HI N G S T O D O I N Y E L L O WS T O N E C O U N T RY
E
stablished in 1888, Casper prom-
ised adventure to all who traveled
its famous trails. Its a promise that
continues to this day. Whether you seek
the excitement of rivers, mountains or
plains, Casper is Wyomings Adventure
Capital!
More than a century ago, the North
Platte River presented a challenge to
those who were determined to journey
safely across its waters. Today, the chal-
lenge lies in its world-class fishing, kayak-
ing and rafting. And while the early pio-
neers found heart-pounding adventure
traveling the waters and terrain around the
area, today Alcova Reservoir is the perfect
place for swimming, skiing, jetskiing,
boating, camping or rock climbing at
Alcovas Fremont Canyon.
Casper Mountain, once an obstacle for
pioneers, is today a haven for those who
love to ski, sled, snowmobile, and snow-
board. In warmer weather, the mountain
offers hiking/biking trails, an archery
range, and many picnic and camping sites.
Its a safe bet Caspers pioneers had
enough challenges with day-to-day life,
and the challenges endure at the areas four
golf courses, including the all new Three
Crowns Golf Cluba one-of-a-kind
experience! Casper also offers variety of
spectator sports, including the College
National Finals Rodeo, Casper Rockies
professional baseball team and Wyoming
Calvary football team.
For modern pioneers, Casper offers up
history in comfort with several museums
and historical sites. The National Historic
Trails Interpretive Center celebrates
those brave souls who helped establish the
adventure capital, while the Nicolaysen
Art Museum and the kid-friendly Science
Zone are not to be missed.
When planning your stay, dont forget
to visit www.casperwyoming.info. There,
youll find information about all the
accommodations, events and attractions
you can enjoy in Casper. Each month, this
website shines a spotlight on new activities
with audio and video webcasts that will
whet your appetite for adventure!
The Visitor Center at 500 North
Center Street (I-25 Exit 188A) provides
information MondayFriday, 8 a.m.5
p.m., September through May, with
extended hours and weekend openings
JuneAugust. 800-852-1889. The offices
of the Convention and Visitors Bureau,
at 992 N. Poplar Street, are open 8 a.m.5
p.m., MondayFriday year round.
81. Visit
Casper,Wyoming

Ruts on portions of the Oregon Trail are still visible.
D
o you really need to race straight to
Yellowstone on your next vacation? A
big secret to touring the West is to
remember to plan enough time to savor
the scenery and adventures you might find
along the way! One such area is
Northeastern Utah, an easy days drive
south of Yellowstone National Park. We
call it Dinosaurland, and youll find it
offers an array of family adventure and
awesome sites that will burn up another
couple rolls of film!
Dinosaurland is located in the top right
hand corner of Utah and holds some of
the most scenic recreation destinations in
the state. The landscapes are always
changing as you travel through this region:
from the serene desert terrain of Dinosaur
National Monument, to the high alpine
reaches of the High Uintas Wilderness to
the vast, sweeping splendor of Flaming
Gorge National Recreation Area.
In the old days, dinosaurs ruled this
land and they are still local celebrities
today. Over 1,600 bones have been
partially exposed and left on display to
awe modern day visitors at the Quarry
Visitor Center in Dinosaur National
Monument. Known as the most
productive Jurassic Period dinosaur quarry
in the world, many of the finest museums
in the country display dinosaur skeletons
excavated from here.
In nearby Vernal, kids can
spot large dinosaurs all over town. In
fact, the new Utah State Fieldhouse
Museum is surrounded by them! After
marveling at the seventeen life-size
dinosaurs of the outside gardens, wander
inside to enjoy state-of-the-art exhibits
about those prehistoric times. With so
many dinosaurs about, its best to come
prepared get your free Dinosaur Hunting
Licenses anytime at www.dinoland.com.
After the age of dinosaurs, ancient
peoples thrived in this region. The
numerous rock art sites of the area invoke
the mysteries of their culture. Near
Duchesne, the famous petroglyphs of Nine
Mile Canyon have even been featured on
the cover of National Geographic! The Dry
Fork Petroglyphs, just outside of Vernal, are
easily accessible to all ages. Dinosaur
National Monument also features some
great rock art panels along its Tour of
Tilted Rocks scenic drive.
Speaking of scenic drives, did you know
that Dinosaurland is packed with them?
The crown jewel is the Flaming Gorge-
Uintas National Scenic Byway, which
climbs and twists through 600 million years
of time! The Byway features 15 interpretive
pullouts and several nature trails that
explore the theme of Wildlife through the
Ages. But some might prefer to just seek
the high mountain solitude of the Red
Cloud Loop. Or hang out with the
friendly herds of bighorn sheep on the
Sheep Creek Geologic Loop. Grab a 2007
Dinosaurland Travel Guide and you can
even follow the outlaw trail of Butch
Cassidy and the Wild Bunch over several
Utah Scenic Backways in the region.
But its the huge array of outdoor
recreational opportunities that brings most
folks to our neck of the woods. At the top
of that list is the world-class fishing of
82.
Dont Miss Northeastern Utah s
A
T
T
R
A
C
T
I
O
N
S
Flaming Gorge National Recreation
Area. The famed Green River, below
Flaming Gorge Dam, is regarded as
one of the finest tailwater fisheries in
the world! It is a prime fly-fishing
destination, offering abundant
populations of huge rainbow, brown
and cutthroat trout. Many state
record fish have come from the deep
waters of 91-mile-long Lake Flaming
Gorge, a boating paradise. Hundreds
of campsites offer everything from
lakefront views to scenic alpine
meadows. Have an intimate
encounter with our splendid
backcountry on horse, mountain
bike, ATV or just in your favorite
hiking boots the choices are
endless! The town of Manila is
centrally located to this phenomenal
outdoor playground, and folks there
are always eager to help you find
your own brand of adventure. The
U.S. Congress made this a National
Recreation Area; it wont take you
long to see why!
For more information, contact the
Dinosaurland Travel Board at 800-
477-5558 or visit
www.dinoland.com. Find all the
secrets of Flaming Gorge at
www.flaminggorgecountry.com.
DINOLAND
In Wyoming:
Fort Fetterman, about 12 miles north of Douglas, features
living history demonstrations and a museum. It was located at the
intersection of the Oregon and Bozeman Trails and served as a
major supply point for the Army. Today, exhibits in three original
buildings showcase Native Americans, frontier military and the
wild west town of Fetterman City. For more information, go to
www.conversecountytourism.com.
Fort Casper, on the banks of the North Platte River, is also
known as the Platte Bridge Station. Its located in Casper and
includes a museum. For more information, go to
www.casperwyoming.info.
Independence Rock, where over 5,000 travelers bound for
Oregon Country left their names, is located west of Casper. (Go
to www.casperwyoming.info.)
South Pass City, a gold rush town built in 1867 and located
south of Lander, is most famous for its role in the womens
suffrage movement. Twenty-four of the original town buildings
have been restored. (Go to www.wind-river.org.)
Fort Bridger State Historic Site, second only to Fort Laramie
as the most important outfitting site for emigrants along the
western trails, is located near Evanston. The Mormon, California
and Oregon Trails all pass through Evanston, which is also home
to the Historic Union Pacific Round House & Railroad.
Heart Mountain Relocation Center offers a free, year-round,
self-guided, eight-station walking tour of the site where nearly
11,000 Japanese-Americans were interned during World War II. It
also features a restored military honor roll and memorial park.
This site contains original buildings and is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. Located between Cody and Powell.
(Go to www.heartmountain.us.)
Fort Phil Kearny is located at the foot of the Big Horn
Mountains, which was then Crow land. This, the largest stockade
post of its time, was under daily attack by Lakota and Cheyenne
warriors during its brief two-year existence.
Sheridans Historic Main Street District, on the National
Register of Historic Places, serves as a cultural center for the
region it is home to hundreds of local artists, from painters to
musicians, authors to sculptors. The communitys history is
captured in its numerous museums: Kings Museum presents a
large collection of cowboy and Indian memorabilia; Sheridan
County Museum exhibits the colorful culture, commerce and
characters of the area; Trail End Historic Site, a cattle barons
mansion, features unique ranching heritage; and Bradford Brinton
Memorial and Museum presents the cultured past of a gentleman
rancher. (Go to www.sheridanwyoming.org.)
In Montana:
The Portage National Historical Landmark near Great Falls
marks the point where the Lewis and Clark expedition was forced
to portage around the Great Falls of the Missouri for 18 miles.
Battle of the Little Bighorn, where an overwhelming force of
Sioux and Cheyenne warriors overran Gen. George A. Custer and
his 7th Cavalry, near Hardin.
Big Hole National Battlefield, site of the 1877 battle
between the Nez Perce and the U.S. Cavalry, near Wisdom.
National Historic Districts are located in Anaconda and
Philipsburg, both rich in Montanas copper and silver mining lore.
In Idaho:
Visitors continuing westward from Yellowstone will want to
stop at Fort Hall in Pocatello. Like Fort Laramie, Fort Hall
began as a trading post owned by the Hudsons Bay Company to
serve the mountain men and fur traders, but unlike its Wyoming
cousin, Fort Hall was surrounded with timbers. The original fort
no longer exists, but it has been re-created.
Teton Dams collapse is commemorated at the Teton Flood
Museum in Rexburg and via a scenic overlook at the site of the
dam, which collapsed in 1976 and inundated eastern Idaho with
80 billion gallons of water. (Go to www.rexcc.com.)
EBR-1 National Historic Landmark marks the spot where
electricity generated by nuclear power first powered an American
town.
City of Rocks National Reserve, near Oakley, is the area
where the Oregon and California trails separated. The two trails
are still visible.
Nez Perce National Historic Park, at Spalding, contains
cultural exhibits of the Nee-Me-Poo along with artifacts and
the story of the tribe and its most famous leader, Chief Joseph.
soaking or just plain exploring, theres a Holiday Inn nearby.
Youll find a full-service restaurant, swimming pool, fitness
center, free high-speed internet, and, of course, Kids Eat Free.
(Go to www.holidayinnrockies.com.)
In Utah:
Box Elder, Cache, and Rich Counties in Utah enjoy a
heritage steeped in Pioneer and Old West fact and legend.
Many beautiful and impressive turn-of-the-century homes,
churches, and store buildings dot the landscape, and
opportunities to visit historic sites abound. (Go to
www.utah.com/culture/historic_sites.htm.)
The Dry Fork Petroglyphs, located just outside Vernal, are
well known for their quality and accessibility. These 800-year-
old Fremont Indian panels cover over 200 feet of a cliff face of
Navaho Sandstone.
John Jarvie Ranch Historical Site is located in historic
Browns Park (access near Dutch John). The 1880s era original
stone house, dugout and General Store are located on a 35-acre
site. Get an idea of Old West frontier life in what was once a
famous hideout along the Outlaw Trail (yes, Butch Cassidy
really was here!).
Josie Bassetts Historical Cabin is located along the Tour of
Tilted Rocks in Dinosaur National Monument. This restored
cabin homestead tells a great story of one hardy pioneer women
(yes, she even dated Butch Cassidy!).
Nine Mile Canyon is considered by many to be the longest
natural art gallery in the world. Featured in National
Geographic, this scenic desert canyon has numerous rock art
panels scattered along a self-guided auto tour.
Swett Ranch Historical Site is a 1900s ranch homestead in
the heart of Flaming Gorge Country. Restored by the U.S. Forest
Service, guided tours are offered throughout the summer season.
For more information, go to www.dinoland.com and
www.flaminggorgecountry.com.
BY ERNIE OVER
T
he history of the West is the history of the westward
expansion of the United States and of the conflicts that
ensued. In Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, designated
state and national historic sites are nearly exclusive to that broad
theme. History enthusiasts visiting the greater Yellowstone area
will find plenty of stops to satisfy their curiosity.
There are dozens of historic sites waiting to be explored. Some
are fully developed with interpretive centers. Others merely
point out a site where a significant event occurred, and some,
like Fort Laramie National Historic Site in Wyoming, feature
living history.
One of the most important outposts on the migration route
followed by the pioneers, Fort Laramie began in 1834 as a
trading post during the height of the Fur Trade Era. The United
83.VI SI T
H I S T O R I C S I T E S
States purchased the fort from William Sublette and Robert Camp-
bell five years later to protect and supply emigrants on the Oregon
Trail. The forts location, near Torrington, later made it a major link
in the Pony Express and the transcontinental telegraph systems. Fort
Laramie also served as a base for the U.S. Cavalry during the High
Plains Indian Wars.
Today, 22 structures survive at Fort Laramie including Old
Bedlam, the oldest structure in Wyoming. Summer visitors to the
Fort are treated to living history demonstrations as park personnel
adopt the clothing, and the persona, of those who served there.
In Montana, another fort that played a prominent role in the
opening of the Northwest was Fort Benton. Located on the Missouri
River, Fort Benton began as a trading post in 1860, later served the
U.S. Cavalry, and then was a center for steamboat navigation on the
Missouri. Today, Fort Benton features many historic buildings, a
museum and a riverfront park.
A
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The names of over 5,000 pioneers are etched on Independence Rock, near Casper, Wyoming.
Other major historic sites

A
s you plan your trip through the West, Utahs capital, Salt
Lake City, is the perfect place to begin or end your adven-
ture. Often known as a gateway city to the National Parks
both north and south, Salt Lake has a lot to offer and most will
enjoy the easy access of over 800 daily flights in and out of Salt
Lake City International Airport. (See ad on facing page, or go
to www.visitsaltlake.com.)
Salt Lake is alive with new hotels from the five-diamond-rated
Grand America Hotel to mountain properties like the Inn at
Solitude. You can enjoy attractions like the new Salt Lake City
Library and the Clark Planetarium and IMAX Theater.
Shopping is a delight at one of the downtown malls, the Gateway
Center or historic Trolley Square. Pubs, bistros, coffees houses,
restaurants and bars offer a variety of entertainments and cuisines.
Whether your tastes run to an evening of Stravinsky at Abravanel
Hall, a superstar concert at the Energy Solutions Arena, or a
peaceful Sunday morning at Salt Lakes Temple Square listening
to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, there is always plenty to do.
For those interested in shaking their family tree, there is no
place on earth like the LDS Family History Library. For sports
fans, well, Utah Jazz isnt just a form of music. It is also Utahs
NBA team. Youll also find AAA baseball with the Salt Lake Bees,
professional hockey with the Utah Grizzlies and major league
soccer with Real Salt Lake. The spirit of the 2002 Winter Games
lives on at the Olympic Cauldron Park, a stunning museum set
adjacent to Rice-Eccles Stadium, on the University of Utah cam-
pus, site of the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies.
Of course, a pioneering spirit is still strong in Salt Lake and is
found in the frontiers of science and technology where todays
explorers target new types of uncharted territory, striving to bene-
fit society at places such as the Huntsman Cancer Institute,
Evans & Sutherland or the
Eccles Institute of Human
Genetics at the University of
Utah.
The centerpiece of downtown
Salt Lake City is Historic
Temple Square, a monumental
tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the
Mormon Pioneers, and world headquarters of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Visitors are invited to attend hundreds of free
concerts along with the rehearsals of the world-
renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir in the
newly renovated Tabernacle. While in Salt Lake,
spend a day building your personal family tree at
the interactive FamilySearch Center in the
Joseph Smith Memorial Building, or take in the interactive
exhibits and beautiful artwork on display in the north and south
Visitors Centers. Afterwards enjoy a leisurely stroll through
award-winning gardens enroute to touring Brigham Youngs his-
toric home, the Beehive House. History buffs will delight in the
opportunity to
relive the pioneer
trek west, and
view stunning
southwestern art
at the Museum of
Church History
and Art. Be sure
to sample the fine
dining of one of
the four world-
class restaurants,
The Garden: an
airy, patio-style
lunch or dinner
experience, and
The Roof: a
gourmet buffet
with breath-taking city views. Use the Salt Lake Connect Pass at
the Lion House Pantry: the best home cooking in the area or
stop by the new Nauvoo Caf for great food and gifts to go. If
time permits, youll want to see the free film showing all day at
the Legacy Theater.
For more information and an up-to-date schedule of events,
visit www.visittemplesquare.com.
Clockwise from top: The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the
FamilySearch Center, and the view from The Roof restaurant.
84. REASONS TO VISIT
Salt Lake
AT T R AC T I ON S
ENJOY THE JOURNEY

A
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Cache is pronounced cash" and is a French word that means to hide or store one's treasure." You'll nnd plenty
of hidden fortune in this high mountain agricultural valley known for outdoor adventures, hands-on heritage
experiences, and performing and nne arts. Mountain biking, canoeing, ny nshing, bird watching, hiking, rock
climbing, skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling are a few outdoors attractions. Stop in at the American West
Heritage Center, a 160-acre living-history center where you can experience nrsthand the history of the Old West.
Depending on the day, you'll visit with Native Americans, mountain men, farmers, and pioneers. They'll
keep you busy living life like they did through games, activities, crafts, and food, music, wagon
rides, and more. For a true taste of the area you'll enjoy the Cache Valley Food Tour where
you can sample famous foods made in the area including cheeses, chocolates, coffee,
cookies, honey, fruit, ice creams, and pastries. The city of Logan is home to Utah
State University, a dozen art galleries and specialty shops, great examples of
early Mormon pioneer architecture, and the stunning 1923 Ellen Eccles
Theatre, home of the renowned Utah Festival Opera company and other
nationally touring productions. Between Logan and Bear Lake you'll
drive through dramatic mile-high limestone cliffs along the Logan
Canyon National Scenic Byway, a 45-minute road trip through
forested canopies along the winding Logan River.
() 3 4/2 ) # " /8 % , $% 2 #/5.4 9
Your adventure begins with bird-watching at the Bear River Migratory
Bird Refuge, a 74,000 acre National Wildlife Refuge with a stunning
brand new visitor's center near Brigham City. You'll see thousands of birds
during every season including shorebirds, up to a half-million ducks and
geese, over 30,000 tundra swans, northern harriers, rough-legged hawks,
bald eagles, prairie falcons, and many more. Visit the Golden Spike
National Historic Site where East met West in 1869 when the Southern Pacinc and Union Pacinc railroads
joined the nation with the driving of the Golden Spike. Get up close to steam locomotives and enjoy
a reenactment of this legendary event. While you're in town, don't miss buffalo steaks
and burgers or famous fried chicken at Maddox Ranch House and hand-dipped
chocolates from Idle Isle Candies-both are decades-old traditions. Take
a leisurely drive down Utah's colorful Fruit Way. This two-mile stretch
of historic Highway 89 meanders past more than 10 family-owned fruit
farms where you can sink your teeth into a wide variety of the freshest
fruits and vegetables of the season as you head through Sardine Canyon
(Highway 89) to beautiful Cache Valley.
" % ! 2 , ! +% " % !54 9
One glimpse of Bear Lake and you'll know why it's known as the Caribbean of the Rockies. Its intense
turquoise water spans 20 miles long and 8 miles wide and you won't nnd better boating, sailing,
water-skiing, jet-skiing, or wakeboarding anywhere. Feel the rod-bending excitement of a Bear
Lake cutthroat on the end of your line. Sail off into the sunset. Sip a famous fresh raspberry
milkshake. Try horseback riding, hiking, and cycling. Perfect temperatures make for
perfect days of golf at three challenging courses. During winter months you can't beat
the rush of snowmobiling on more than 300 miles of groomed trails in powder that's
ranked in the Top 10 best snowmobiling destinations in the country. Explore America's past
and discover the stories of the hearty souls who settled this area. Don't miss Mi nne t onka
Cave-a fascinating 9-room cave of stalactites, stalagmites, and banded
travertine. The Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge
is located on the north shore of Bear Lake. Idaho
and Utah State Parks provide stunning scenery
as a backdrop to beautiful Bear Lake.
UTAH
0HOTO -IKE "ULLOCK
THE MOST SCENIC WAY TO YELLOWSTONE AND JACKSON
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Bear Lake Sunset
American West Heritage Center Bear Lake
Logan River Golf Course
Cox Honey
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Photos by The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints
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Photos from top: Bill Sniffin

and Scott Rockhold
F
or people interested in art, two
sites in Lander, Wyoming, should
be must-see visits during a trip
to Yellowstone National Park.
The Eagle Bronze Foundry is the largest
monument art foundry in the United
States and has been the source of heroic
bronze monuments installed across the
world.
The Eagle Bronze Gallery of Fine Art is
one of the states most exclusive art gal-
leries, featuring works of art that include
small bronzes and etchings, priced from
$50 to $50,000.
Located in the heart of downtown
Lander, at 343 Main Street, the gallery
offers a quiet, contemplative atmosphere
to fully appreciate the high quality of the
art on display.
Although one might think that the
gallery focuses on western scenes, it actual-
ly features an eclectic mix of contemporary
bronzes and paintings, as well.
For folks interested in making a pur-
chase, the gallery staff can wrap the art-
work so that it can easily taken home, or it
can be prepared to be shipped.
Of the 99 things to do in Yellowstone
Country, visiting art galleries is one of the
most interesting and educational experi-
ences. Artists in the West do a magnificent
job of capturing raw emotions and freez-
ing events in time.
Owning such art can provide both a
good investment and a wonderful remem-
brance of your trip to Yellowstone
Country.
87. Visit a
fine art gallery
and a real
bronze foundry
Eagle Bronze Foundry was founded by Monte and Bev Paddleford more
than 20 years ago, and it has become the home base for many of the best
sculptors in the world.
Tours of the foundry are held Monday through Friday at 9:30 a.m. (June-
September) and cost just $2 per person. Tours from September to May 31
are offered on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:30 a.m.
The foundry is located in the South Lander Industrial Park at 130 Poppy,
just southeast of town on Highway 287.
If you are lucky, you may get to watch large monuments being cast.
Some of the largest bronze monuments in the world have been completed at Eagle Bronze, including a herd of bronze cattle
in downtown Dallas and a gigantic bronze horse and conquistador in El Paso, Texas.
Lander has been called The City of Bronze, primarily because of the good works by the Paddleford family.
The towns millennium project was a bronze display of three longhorn cattle and a cowboy on the east edge of town. You
will find more bronze monuments, per-capita, in Lander than in any other city in America.
For more information,
go to Eagle Bronzes website
at www.eaglebronze.com
or call (307) 332-5436 (foundry)
or (307) 332-3384 (gallery).
86. Come to Bear
River

Outdoor Recreation
Fremont County hosts over one million
acres of national forest and wilderness.
The Wind River Mountains offer 53 peaks
over 13,000, including Gannett Peak
the states highestand 7 of the largest
glaciers in the Rocky Mountains.
Outfitters throughout Wind River
Country offer guided trips into the Winds
and Absarokas. Horseback riding, fishing,
camping, canoeing, mountain biking,
water skiing, rock climbing, four-wheeling
and golfing are some of the many activities
to enjoy.
For a FREE vacation packet, call the
Wind River Visitors Council at 1-800-
645-6233 or visit www.wind-river.org.
W
hether youve already visited
Yellowstone or you are on your
way, include Wind River
Country in your Wyoming travels. As the
southeast gateway to Yellowstone and the
Tetons, Wind River Country offers excep-
tional attractions that cant be found any-
where else. In less than an hour from
Yellowstones southeast entrance, you can
be in the heart of Wind River Country.
Tourists who venture beyond the
crowds of the national parks will discover
Native American culture, Indian pow-
wows, the Oregon Trail, real cowboys and
rodeos, abundant wildlife and mountain
man rendezvous re-enactments. You will
find friendly locals in Dubois, Hudson,
Lander, Riverton and Shoshoni who will
share stories and provide directions to
Wind River Countrys special places.
Native American and
Western Culture
Two Native American tribes, the Eastern
Shoshone and Northern Arapaho, share
the geographically diverse Wind River
Indian Reservation and offer insight into
their past through cultural centers, muse-
ums, missions, tours and powwows. The
Shoshone Tribe also boasts the burial site
of the famous Lewis and Clark guide,
Sacajawea.
Western culture lives on with action-
packed rodeos, guest ranches, cattle drives
and museums to brag about. Western art
can be found in trading posts and galleries
in almost every community in Fremont
County.
Pioneer and Mountain
Man History
Southern Wind River Country holds the
history that opened the West to pioneers.
The Oregon-Mormon-California-Pony
Express trails all cut directly through
Wind River Country, and many miles of
the deeply rutted trails are accessible on
public land. Nineteenth century emigrants
traveled over the Continental Divide at
South Pass. Like the pioneers, you will be
greeted by breathtaking landscapes looking
much as they did over 150 years ago.
Later, the South Pass area became popu-
lar for its gold, resulting in the historic
mining towns of Atlantic City and South
Pass City. The South Pass City State
Historic Site offers modern-day gold dig-
gers the opportunity to pan for gold and
see how miners lived.
Riverton was the home of the mountain
man rendezvous. Trappers, traders and
Indians would travel for days to what is
today Riverton to exchange their goods
and partake in contests and merry making.
Today, Riverton recre-
ates one of the
largest trading
posts, the 1838
Mountain Man
Rendezvous, each
July at the original
rendezvous site.
88. Experience WYOMINGS
WIND RIVER COUNTRY:
The southeast gateway to Yellowstone and the Tetons
Cowboys round up horses in Wind River Country.
natural wonders
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Photo by Jeff Vanuga; image from Hebard
spring, Thermopolis is located two hours

east of Yellowstone Park. Check out Big
Spring, at Hot Springs State Park, located
on the north edge of town. Big Spring
spews forth millions of gallons of water at a
constant 127 degrees. Some of the water is
channeled into cooling ponds for use in
spas, water parks and the public bathhouse.
The rest of the water flows over the colorful
Rainbow Terrace before spilling into the Big
Horn River.
You can soak in hot springs at the Tepee
Pool, where youll find indoor and outdoor
pools, plus a 162-foot indoor slide and a
272-foot slide outside. Temperatures range
from cool to just over 100 degrees at both
swimming complexes.
Thermopolis also offers other recreation-
al and historical attractions. For more
information, visit the local Chamber of
Commerce located at 107 North 5th
Street, and while there, stroll along and
sample the unique shopping and dining
available in downtown Thermopolis. (Go
to www.thermopolis.com .)
The quiet and picturesque resort town of
Saratoga in Wyoming holds a true Carbon
County gem: Hobo Hot Springs. Much of
the history of Saratoga revolves around the
world-famous mineral hot springs and ther-
mal waters. For more information, go to
www.wyomingcarboncounty.com.
90.
Visit a
National
Monument
When it comes to the preservation of
Americas scenic and geologic treasures,
Wyoming was there first. Contained within
the states borders is the first national park,
Yellowstone; the first national forest, the
Shoshone; the first road west, the Oregon
Trail; and the first-ever designated national
monument, Devils Tower.
In all, Wyoming is home to a total of
seven nationally designated areas. In addi-
89.
Soak in hot
springs
After spending a day sitting in the car or
hiking in this mountainous country, theres
nothing better than a soak in some natural
hot springs. Lucky for you, this region has
plenty of them.
Montana offers hot springs of all sizes,
and Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is con-
sidered the most Funtastic. Fairmont has
two Olympic-sized pools for swimming
and waterplay one indoors and one
outdoors plus a 5-story, 350-foot
enclosed waterslide. And when you
need a rest, you can relax in one of
Fairmonts two warmer soaking
pools, one indoors and one out-
doors. No matter what the weather
brings, the natural hot springs water
is always comfortably warm at
Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Pools
are open 24 hours a day to registered
resort guests. Public admission hours are
8 a.m. 8:30 p.m. Massage and reflexol-
ogy treatments available. Just three miles
from Interstate 90, 15 miles west of
Butte, Fairmonts pools are open year-
round and part of Montanas only full
service hot springs, golf, and convention
resort. (Go to
In Wyoming, stop at Thermopolis,
which is Greek for hot city, for a soak.
Home of the worlds largest mineral hot
877-256-3252 or go to
www.mt.blm.gov/ido/um.
In Idaho, five areas have been set aside
for our nations enjoyment, including the
Nez Perce National Historic Park at
Spalding, the City of Rocks National
Reserve in south-central Idaho, Hells
Canyon National Recreation Area north of
Boise and two national monuments.
Craters of the Moon National
Monument, in central Idaho, encompasses
the largest lava field in the contiguous
United States.
In northeastern Utah, dont miss
Dinosaur National Monument, located
20 miles east of Vernal. Known as the most
productive Jurassic Period dinosaur quarry
in the world, about 350 tons of fossils have
been excavated here since 1909. The
Quarry Visitor Center encases a wall of
sandstone where over 1,600 dinosaurs
bones have been left in place. In addition
to these amazing creatures, the Monument
has wonderful hiking trails, exciting white-
water rafting, Indian rock art sites and
restored pioneer cabins. (Go to
www.dinoland.com.)
tion to the ones already mentioned, are
Grand Teton National Park, Fossil Butte
National Monument, and the Bighorn
Canyon and Flaming Gorge National
Recreation Areas.
In northeast Wyoming, Devils Tower
rises 1,280 feet above the pine forests of
the Wyoming Black Hills. This massive
tower of volcanic rock served as a land-
mark for explorers and travelers heading
west from the Black Hills, and it plays an
important role in the legends and folklore
of American Indians who call the tower
Bear Lodge. The famous tower also starred
in the Hollywood movie, Close Encounters
of the Third Kind.
At the other corner of Wyoming sits the
states second national monument, Fossil
Butte. Just a few miles north of Kemmerer,
Fossil Butte is where Wyomings pre-his-
toric past as an inland sea comes to light.
Found in a three-foot thick layer of sedi-
mentary sandstone on the butte are rich
deposits of fossil fish, reptiles and plants,
including turtles, perch, paddlefish, croco-
diles, herring and others.
In Montana, travelers can learn more
about the Northern Plains Indian wars at
several battlefields, including the Little
Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
near Hardin and the Big Hole National
Battlefield near Wisdom.
At the Little Bighorn, an army of Sioux
and Cheyenne warriors overran the
Seventh Cavalry and General George
Armstrong Custer. At the Big Hole
Battlefield, the U.S. Cavalrys surprise
attack on the sleeping camp of Chief
Joseph and five bands of Nez Perce was
repulsed with heavy losses to the Cavalry.
Other nationally designated areas in
Montana include Glacier National Park
and a portion of Yellowstone, the Bighorn
Canyon National Recreation Area
shared with Wyoming, the Grant-Kohrs
National Historic Site, near Deer Lodge,
and portions of the Nez Perce National
Historical Park in locations near
Missoula, Wisdom, Laurel and Chinook.
The Upper Missouri River Breaks
National Monument covers 375,000 acres
of public land that hold a spectacular array
of plant life, wildlife, unique geological fea-
tures, endless recreational opportunities
and significant historical and cultural val-
ues. The rugged landscape has retained
much of its unspoiled character over the
centuries and, as a result, offers outstand-
ing opportunities for solitude and dis-
persed recreation. For more information,
contact the BLM office in Fort Benton at
91.
See a
natural
bridge or arch
Visitors to this region can see a natural
bridge or arch.
Inside Yellowstone National Park, hike
the Natural Bridge Trail. Its just a one-
and-a-half-mile jaunt to see a 51-foot
natural bridge formed by rhyolite rock that
has been carved by erosion of Bridge
Creek. (Note: Access to the top of the
bridge is prohibited. This trail is usually
closed until early summer because grizzly
bears, hungry after a long winter snooze,
enjoy feasting on spawning trout in Bridge
Creek.)
Ayres Natural Bridge, located 10 miles
north of Douglas, Wyoming and a few
miles south of Glenrock, is an oasis on the
plains of Wyoming. It is one of only three
natural bridges in the world with a trout
stream flowing beneath and surrounded by
an amphitheater of red rock. It also
includes a picnic area and overnight camp-
ing. Open April through October, 8 a.m.-
8 p.m., the massive 150 acres of solid
rock arch is a perfect peaceful place for the
entire family and offers free camping and
free admission. For more information,
contact 307-358-2950. (Go to
www.ConverseCountyTourism.com.)
In Montana, near Glendive, is the
Makoshika Natural Bridge. This is a 50-
foot natural bridge made of sandstone. It
can be reached after a short walk on the
Cap Rock Nature Trail.
Devils Tower, in northeast Wyoming, is a striking sight and was the countrys first
national monument.
Contents
89. Soak in a Hot Springs
90. Visit a National Monument
91. See a Natural Bridge or Arch
92. See Unusual Rock or Land
Formations
93. Explore Sand Dunes
94. View a Waterfall
95. Look into the Grand Canyon of the
Yellowstone
96. Watch Geysers Erupt

view the Upper Falls, which tumbles 109

feet.
The canyon is 4,000 feet wide and
1,200 feet deep in places. Its spectacu-
lar colors inspired the famous artist,
Thomas Moran.
Charles Cook, of the Folsom-Cook-
Peterson expedition of 1869, was the first credit-
ed discoverer of the Canyon. According to Lee
Whittleseys Yellowstone Place Names, Cook was said to have com-
mented: I sat there in amazement, while my companions came
up, and after that, it seemed to me that it was five minutes
before anyone spoke.
Some 600,000 years ago, huge volcanic eruptions occurred in
Yellowstone that emptied a large underground magma chamber.
In just minutes, volcanic debris spread for thousands of square
miles, causing the roof of the magma chamber to collapse, and
resulting in a giant caldera, 30 miles wide by 45 miles long.
Lava flows produced thermal basins, which altered rhyolite
lava through hot steam and gases. The canyon walls are evidence
of this hydrothermally altered rhyolite. Other lava flows blocked
rivers, forming lakes that eventually overflowed and cut through
the rhyolite, creating the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Later the canyon was blocked by glaciers, which formed lakes
filled with sand and gravel. Then, flooding from melting glaciers
re-carved this canyon, making it deeper while removing most of
the sand and gravel.
Located in the Grand Canyon of the
Yellowstone, Lower Falls plunges 308 feet into
the Yellowstone River below. In some places,
the walls of this canyon are 1,200 feet deep.
The Upper Falls is just upstream of Lower Falls
and is itself impressive as it tumbles 109 feet
into the canyon. Other waterfall wonders to
enjoy with little effort required include Tower
Falls, Lewis Falls, Undine Falls, Virginia Cascades and
Gibbon Falls.
In eastern Idaho, dont miss views of Upper and Lower Mesa
Falls, two undisturbed waterfalls that thunder through a chasm
carved by the Henrys Fork of the Snake River. The whole Snake
River pours over the crest and drops 114 feet to the canyon floor
with an explosion of spray. Wooden walkways and railings make
it possible to view this beautiful fall from relative safety.
The falls are located 35 miles north of Rexburg. Highway 47
east of Ashton has been designated Mesa Falls Scenic Byway. (Go
to www.rexcc.com.)
95.
Look into
the Grand Canyon
of the Yellowstone
The most breath-taking sight inside Yellowstone Park is the
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Stand at one of several vantage points and get views of the
Lower Falls, which plunges steeply into the canyon 308 feet, or
In Idaho, Wind Tunnel Arch is a natural
bridge that spans 33 feet. It is located in
Jackknife Canyon in the Lemhi Mountains
north of Howe in southern Idaho, not far
from Craters of the Moon National
Monument (which itself has several natural
arches/bridge formations).
92.
See unusual
rock
or land formations
In Wyoming, head to Sundance, where
President Theodore Roosevelt established
Devils Tower National Monument on
September 24, 1906, making it the coun-
trys first national monument. Devils Tower
is a spectacular rock formation a former
volcanic neck that juts 1,280 feet above
the ground. Climbers test their skills on
vertical rock walls. Visitors delight in the
beauty of the area and enjoy the activities
offered at the monument. American
Indians consider the area sacred, a place for
prayer and renewal.
The Yellowstone Highway, west of Cody,
features some of the most unique volcanic
rock formations in northwestern Wyoming.
The Holy City, Ford Rock and Devils
Backbone are the names of just a few of
the formations visitors will see. (Go to
www.pctc.org.)
Inside Yellowstone Park, enjoy views of
the Hoodoos, located just below and east
of Terrace Mountain in the northwest
region of Yellowstone Park. According to
Lee Whittleseys Yellowstone Place Names,
G. L. Henderson may have named the
area because of its ghostly, strange shapes
and the somewhat spooky appearance of
fallen rocks.
Boars Tusk, in the Red Desert north of
Rock Springs, is the neck of an ancient vol-
cano. Set against some of the largest sand
dunes in North America the Killpecker
Sand Dunes Boars Tusk is an unusual
sight. (Go to www.tourwyoming.com.)
Plume Rock, near Rock Springs, thrusts
up from the desert floor in a majestic dis-
play of color adjacent to the Oregon Trail.
Pioneers used Plume Rock as a landmark
on their journey West.
East of Laramie, on I-80, the Vedauwoo
area is a recreation mecca. Huge, unusually
shaped rocks and cliffs tower over an enor-
mous area that beckons visitors looking for
a great spot to picnic, hike, bike, camp or
climb. (Go to www.laramie-tourism.org.)
Also on the summit between Laramie
and Cheyenne is a 13.5-foot-high bust of
Abraham Lincoln.
Split Rock, near the town of Jeffrey City,
in central Wyoming, can be seen as a cleft
in the top of the Rattlesnake Range. This
was an important landmark for early travel-
ers, since it can be seen for a full days jour-
ney from the east, and for two days from
the west.
In Idaho, spend time at City of Rocks,
located 45 minutes south of Burley, on Elba
Almo Road, off Idaho Highway 77. Its a
landscape of granite columns some reach-
ing 60 stories tall that loom above this
500-acre valley. Inscriptions can be seen
that were written in axle grease by pioneers
traveling through on the California Trail.
At Massacre Rocks State Park, see high
cliffs that loom over remnants of the
Oregon Trail. Craters of the Moon National
Monument is an 83-square-mile attraction
with a stunning array of volcanic features.
For a variety of unique rock formations,
including caprocks, spires and hoodoos, visit
Makoshika State Park, in eastern Montana.
93.
Explore
sand dunes
While exploring the recreational oppor-
tunities and scenery throughout this great
region, explore some sand dune areas.
In Wyoming, the popular Killpecker
Sand Dunes in Wyomings Red Desert
should not be missed. From Rock Springs,
travel north on U.S. Highway 191 approxi-
mately 10.5 miles and turn east (right) onto
the Tri-Territory Road (County Road 4-
17). Once youve traveled 28 miles from
Rock Springs, youll arrive at Killpecker
Sand Dunes.
Killpecker Sand Dunes is one of the
largest active sand dunes in North America.
Dunes, up to 150 feet high, constantly
change as winds blow sand eastward. The
name comes from Killpecker Creek, color-
fully named by the U.S. Calvary in the
1860s because of the mineral-rich waters
effect on the troops.
The Killpecker Sand Dunes are a popular
place for off-road vehicle enthusiasts. Many
ATVers head to the dunes, where the BLM
has opened 13,000 acres to off-road vehicle
use. For more information about the Red
Desert, go to www.tourwyoming.com.
In Idaho, pay a visit to Bruneau Dunes
State Park, located in the southwestern
part of the state. Here, youll see the conti-
nents tallest single sand dune rising over
470 feet above the desert floor. Recreation
opportunities abound.
About eight miles west of St. Anthony,
Idaho, are the St. Anthony Sand Dunes
41,000 acres of moving sand dunes. The
white rolling hills of sand rise 200 to 300
feet above the valley floor. They stretch
about 35 miles in length and one to five
miles in width. In mid-summer, although
the sand gets hot, the temperature rarely
tops 90 degrees. (For more information, go
to www.yellowstoneteton.com.)
94.
View a
waterfall
Most people think of wildlife, geysers
and mountains when they think of the
Yellowstone region. But this region is also
home to some spectacular waterfalls. Inside
Yellowstone Park alone, there are close to
300 waterfalls.
Yellowstone Parks Upper and Lower
Falls are breathtaking in their beauty and
can be seen starting at about one-and-a-half
miles south of Canyon Village. There are
numerous vantage points for both water-
falls. Look for the signs.
Looking over the brink of the 308-foot-high Lower Falls in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is a rush!
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Photo by Shelli Johnson Photo by Jeff Vanuga; image from Hebard
Y
ellowstone is the largest active
geyser field in the world. Home to
about half of the worlds geysers,
Yellowstone delivers big when it comes to
providing visitors with views of these
strange, mysterious, odd-smelling steaming
vents and spouting features.
Yellowstone is home to over 10,000 hot
springs and geysers. Some of Yellowstones
300 geysers erupt yearly. Some erupt faith-
fully, while others dont.
The Upper Geyser Basin Yellow-
stones largest geyser basin and the worlds
largest single concentration of hot springs
occupies about one square mile.
Located between the Old Faithful area
and the Biscuit Basin road, the Upper
Geyser Basin contains several groups of hot
springs, including over 150 geysers. The
basin is less than a half-mile wide and most
of its geothermal features are situated with-
in a few hundred feet of the Firehole River.
Located midway between Upper and
Lower Geyser basins, Midway Geyser
Basin covers a one-mile stretch along the
Firehole River and is home to some of the
largest single hot springs in the world.
Lower Geyser Basin is home to approx-
imately 100 geothermal features.
Combined, these features cover five square
miles and include all four types of features,
including fumaroles, hot springs, geysers
and mud pots. Lower Geyser Basin is
located between Madison Junction and the
After about 15 minutes, Castle goes into a
raucous steam phase that roars like a train.
Castle erupts from one of the largest
cones in the Upper Geyser Basin. Its cone
is 30 feet tall, and intervals between erup-
tions average about 11-13 hours. Expect
water to shoot 70-80 feet into the air.
Riverside Geyser is worth seeing
because its so unique. It erupts over a river.
Riverside shoots water about 80 feet
into the air at 60-degree angle across the
Firehole River. Check this geyser out in
the afternoon and you may even see a
rainbow in the eruption. This geyser
erupts about every six hours, each lasting
about 20 minutes.
Midway Geyser Basin
This basin is located midway between
Yellowstones Upper and Lower geyser
basins. Although Midway Geyser Basin is
small, it is home to some of the largest sin-
gle hot springs in the world.
Grand Prismatic Spring is Yellow-
stones largest single hot spring and the
worlds third largest hot spring. The enor-
mous pool is not only huge, its colorful.
Notice the steam that is suspended in the
air directly above the large spring. The
steam reflects the colors of the rainbow.
One naturalist describes viewing Grand
Prismatic as being like walking along a
beach of color.
Lower Geyser Basin
Lower Geyser Basin is home to approxi-
mately 100 geothermal features.
Acidity in the steam is responsible for the
surface rock in this area breaking into clay.
The clay and the steam pushing through it
create natural occurrences and the most
popular attraction in the basin, the
Fountain Paint Pots, Yellowstones most
easily accessed large group of mud pots.
The steam responsible for the paint pots
is enough to turn the clay into shades of
white, brown and gray, but it cant muster
the strength or the amount of water
necessary to wash the clay away. Addi-
tional liquid at different times of the year
gives the paint pots their characteristic
look of bubbling, blended mud.
Norris Geyser Basin
Two very different basins make up
Norris Geyser Basin: Porcelain Basin and
Back Basin. Back Basin has impressive gey-
sers like Echinus Geyser, while Porcelain
Basin is home to many hot springs, vents
and pools.
Steam vents are often referred to as
fumaroles. A fumarole is like a hot spring,
but with less water
and a lot more heat.
Fumaroles are so
hot that what little
water there is boils
away before reach-
ing the surface.
The result is a
hissing steam vent.
While at Norris, check out Black Growler
Steam Vent. This feature had tempera-
tures ranging from 199 to 280 degrees F
(93 to 138 degrees C).
Its wonderful to see Echinus Geyser
erupt. Echinus Geyser is the most popular
of all the geysers at Norris but recently has
become very unpredictable. Echinus gets
its name from the Greek word for spiny.
Echinus usually erupts every 2 hours to
4 days not necessarily one you want to
wait around for. Watch as its large crater
slowly fills with water. Echinus is a typical
fountain-type geyser, throwing its water in
a series of closely spaced bursts. Echinus is
always active and will provide one of the
best eruptions you will see in the park.
Mud Volcano
Visitors traveling through certain parts
of Yellowstone will no doubt smell a rot-
ten egg odor. Microorganisms eat the sul-
fur and create sulfuric acid. As it evapor-
ates, it becomes hydrogen sulfide gas.
Thats what you smell.
The Mud Volcano region is more acidic
than some of the parks other geyser areas.
This is due to the sulfur present in Mud
Volcanos soils. Sulfur and bacteria basical-
ly eat up surrounding rock, creating mud.
Dragons Mouth Spring is this areas
most popular feature. This is a spring that
fills a cave in the side of a hill. The gases
that rise to the surface cause the water to
splash back and forth against the three
cave walls. This splashing
of water resembles a
tongue lashing out.
Its the rhythmic belch-
ing of water that gave this
spring its name. The spring is
inside the cave and its so steamy
that you cant really see all the
way back, in but we think its
pretty shallow, says Karen
Reinhart, a park ranger naturalist.
If you listen closely, youll hear rumblings
from deep below the feature. This is evi-
dence of the areas stored energy and heat.
Mammoth Hot Springs
At Mammoth Hot Springs, visitors will
enjoy views of travertine limestone ter-
races. Flowing waters spill over the color-
fully streaked Minerva Terraces, resulting
in a gentle waterfall appearance.
Hot gases are stored underneath the sur-
face. Water seeps down into the ground
and meets with these gases. Some of the
gases are readily dissolved in the hot water
to form an acid solution. This hot and
acidic solution dissolves great quantities of
limestone as it works up through the rock
to the surface. Once exposed to the air,
some of the carbon dioxide escapes from
the solution. As this happens, limestone
no longer remains in solution and it is
deposited, resulting in the terraces.
Mammoth Hot Springs deposits about
two tons of travertine limestone (calcium
carbonate) per day.
Whether its hiking, fishing, biking,
riding, climbing, rafting, soaking or just
nearby. Youll find a full-service restau-
rant, swimming pool, fitness center, free
high-speed internet, and, of course, Kids
Eat Free. (Go to
in America. It was discovered in 1870 by
the Washburn Expedition, whose members
stumbled upon the geyser during eruption.
Imagine what it must have been like for
those early explorers to see Old Faithful
erupt. Today, seeing the geyser erupt for
your first time will be a similar experience.
Due to the geysers frequent eruptions,
Washburn Expedition members named it
Old Faithful. The name was a good one.
Old Faithful geyser has erupted more than
a million times since Yellowstone became
the worlds first national park in 1872.
On average, Old Faithful erupts about
every 92 minutes, and shoots water 135
feet into the air, but has been known to
shoot it as high as 190 feet, and as low as
100 feet. There are many factors that
determine when Old Faithful will erupt
next. In order to predict an eruption,
observers analyze past information such as
intervals between eruptions, length of
eruption, and the character of an eruption.
Old Faithful, like most of the parks gey-
sers, gets its water from the depths of the
earth. Snow and rainwater reach depths of
about 10,000 feet below the earth, where it
is heated by the magma body, which forces
it up through the surface.
Castle Geyser is most interesting
because it accumulates so much energy.
Old Faithful area.
Yellowstones hottest geyser basin is
Norris Geyser Basin. A research drill hole
at the basin found a temperature of 459
degrees F (237 degrees C) at a depth of
only 1,087 feet. Many geyser-gazing
experts feel Norris Geyser Basin is the most
exciting and unpredictable of the various
basins in Yellowstone.
When exploring Yellowstone, visitors
should not overlook a visit to Mud
Volcano. Located just north of Yellowstone
Lake, the Mud Volcano area includes over
a dozen unique geothermal features.
The Mud Volcano region is close to the
center of the caldera that forms
Yellowstone. In fact, the lava from the
explosive eruption flowed through a vent
that lies in this collection of mudpots.
And finally, dont forget Mammoth Hot
Springs. A unique kind of spring exists at
Mammoth Hot Springs, located in the
northwest section of the park. Hot water
ascends through ancient limestone
deposits. The result is a landscape of ter-
races sculpted by travertine limestone.
The following is a very brief overview of
these six geyser areas.
Upper Geyser Basin
It is recommended that those planning a
visit to the Upper Geyser Basin spend a
good portion of their time here.
Old Faithful is the most famous geyser
Watch Geysers
Castle Geyser at sunset.
A geothermal feature.
E
r
up
t
!
E
r
up
t
!
96.
Old sheet music.
9 9 T HI N G S T O D O I N Y E L L O WS T O N E C O U N T RY
Cui si ne
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Wildflour Bakery. Or, call toll-free 877-

532-9728.
Wildflour Bakery products are also avail-
able at these establishments:
Lander, Wyoming: Ace Conoco, 192
Main St.; Popo Agie One Stop, 8116 Hwy
789; and Safeway, 485 Main Street.
Rawlins, Wyoming: Huckleberries
Espresso, 509 W. Cedar
Street.
Riverton,
Wyoming: Pony
Expresso, 926
N Federal Blvd;
and The
Ledge, 514
W. Main
Street.
98.
Go on
an Old
West cookout
Want to eat a meal like the Yellowstone
regions early explorers did? Sign up for an
Old West Cookout.
Yellowstone National Park Lodges offers
chuckwagon/cookout dinners at the
Roosevelt Lodge. It will be a meal and
memory you wont forget. Smell the cow-
boy coffee percolating over a campfire and
steaks sizzling over a barbeque. Feast on
Roosevelt baked beans, potato salad, chuck-
wagon corn, coleslaw, corn muffins, water-
melon and apple crisp. And if thats not
enough, this delightful meal is served up
with music, storytelling, wranglers, hors-
es and wagons.
In Grand Teton National Park, visi-
tors can also enjoy an Old West
Cookout. Grand Teton Lodge
Company offers an evening boat
cruise to Elk Island on Jackson Lake
for a cookout. This is an adventurous
way to spend an evening!
Also, enjoy a Covered Wagon
Cookout at the Grand Teton Park RV
Resort, located near the East Entrance
of Grand Teton National Park, near
Moran.
If youre lookin to escape the crowds
and enjoy a real western experience,
then Grand Teton Covered Wagon
Cookouts at Togwotee Lodge is for
you! Wagons will take you on a com-
fortable thirty-minute ride through the
splendor of Buffalo Valley. Your destina-
tion is an isolated aspen grove, where
you will experience one of the best rib-
eye steak dinners this country has to
offer. Topping off dinner is true cowboy
entertainment that is sure to get your
toes tappin! (Go to
The Bar N Ranch in West
Yellowstone, Montana, has earned a dis-
tinction throughout Yellowstone
Country for exceptional food and out-
standing service. The chefs of the N
Restaurant carry this reputation with a
pure approach to fine dining. The N
Restaurants food philosophy is salt of
the earth, accentuating a collection of
flavors from Old Montana. (Go to
www.bar-n-
ranch.com.)
99.
Take
Home The
Fresh Taste of
West-Mex
Visiting any one of the 27 Taco

Johns Restaurants across the state is
certainly not the last thing you want to
do during a visit to wonderful
Wyomingbut if youve never enjoyed
the unique West-Mex menu
items or the famous Potato
Ols, dont leave without
trying em! Youll be tak-
ing home a hankerin that
you wont be able to satis-
fy anywhere else.
After all even though
theres a good chance now
youve got a hometown Taco
Johns where you live Taco
Johns started in Cheyenne,
Wyoming, 35 years ago. And its been
serving up some of the tastiest delights
ever since. This is meat-and-potatoes
country, and theres plenty of Ol! in
their delicious grilled and traditional
burritos, taco quesadillas, and salads.
Choose from tender chargrilled chicken,
new steak or seasoned ground beef on
any of their tasty items.
Our service is fast and friendly
most Taco Johns have a convenient
drive-thru so you dont have to interrupt
your enjoyment of the beautiful
Wyoming scenery but the dining
areas are cozy and comfortable, too. The
franchises are owned by hometown
owners who care as deeply for their
communities as they do for their busi-
ness success, and they love to reflect the
local flavor for you. To find a complete
list of Taco Johns throughout the Rocky
Mountain region or wherever youre
traveling, go to www.tacojohns.com.
breakfast bagel, complete with egg and
bacon or ham on your favorite bagel.
One of our favorite things to buy from
Wildflour is their Exploding Cheese
Bread. The name says it all. Enjoy soft,
fresh-baked bread that is exploding with
cheese and chives, cheese and jalapenos,
cheese and pepperonis, or just lots of
cheese. Exploding Cheese Bread is a meal
on its own, or make a sandwich out of it by
adding your favorite deli cuts.
Muffins, cookies and cinnamon rolls are
baked and offered for sale daily, along with
18 varieties of fresh bread. On Thursdays,
enjoy Wildflours delicious coffee cakes
another personal favorite of ours and on
Saturdays, indulge in cream cheese-filled
cinnamon rolls. Trust us, it doesnt get any
better than this if youre looking for great
baked goods!
Daily lunch specials include homemade
soups, salad and sandwiches. Eat in or
carry out.
And if thats not enough, you can get
your caffeine, too! Wildflour Bakery has a
full-line espresso bar, complete with hot
and cold drinks.
While passing through to Yellowstone
Park, or on your return
trip, stop in at
97.
Eat
a bagel
Start your day in Yellowstone Country
off right with a trip to Wildflour Bakery.
Located at 545 Main Street in Lander,
Wyoming, the southeast gateway to
Yellowstone Park, Wildflour Bakery is an
awesome scratch bakery. Everything is
made from scratch and baked fresh daily.
You cant beat their bagels and other
unique baked goods! And believe us, we
know. The Yellowstone Journal staff often
starts its day with a run to Wildflour.
On any day, enjoy 15 different bagel
flavors, which are great plain or topped
with one of 10 different flavors of cream
cheese spreads. The bagels also make great
breakfast and lunch-time sandwiches. For
those looking to eat a
heartier breakfast
and sightsee right
through
lunch, try
the
Contents
97. Eat a Bagel
98. Go on an Old West Cookout
99. Take Home the Fresh Taste of West-
Mex

81
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reference
site. Jenny Lake Campground is open
to tents only (7-day maximum). Other
campgrounds will accommodate tents,
trailers and recreational vehicles (14-day
maximum). Campgrounds are operated
on a first-come, first-served basis.
Reservations are not accepted inside
Grand Teton Park.
Backcountry Use
Permits
A backcountry use permit is required
to camp in the backcountry of either
Yellowstone or Grand Teton National
Park. The permit costs $20. Reser-
vations in Yellowstone are accepted after
April 1 of each year, in person or by
mail; in Grand Teton Park, a faxed
request is also accepted, and reserva-
tions are accepted from Jan. 1-May 15.
Once money and request is received,
youll be sent a confirmation notice,
with instructions for picking up your
permit. For Yellowstone, get a back-
country trip-planning worksheet by
calling 307-344-2160 or write:
Backcountry Office, P.O. Box 168,
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190.
To request a reservation for the back-
country in Grand Teton Park, write:
Grand Teton National Park, P.O.
Drawer 170, Moose, WY 83012 or fax
307-739-3438. Reservations may be
made at the Moose Visitor Center.
Phone reservations are not accepted.
For more information, call 307-739-
3309 or 307-739-3397. For informa-
tion on regulations in Glacier National
Park, please call 406-888-7800.
The season begins the Saturday of
Memorial Day weekend (usually the
last weekend in May) and extends
through the first Sunday in November.
Open daily from 5 AM to 10 PM.
The entrance fee is $25 for a private,
noncommercial vehicle; $20 for each
snowmobile or motorcycle; or $12 for
each visitor 16 and older entering by
foot, bike, ski, etc. This fee provides the
visitor with a 7-day entrance permit for
both Yellowstone and Grand Teton
National Parks. Remember to keep your
admission receipt in order to re-enter
the parks. Snowmobile operators must
possess a valid motor vehicle operators
license.
driving or riding in vehicles.
Slow-moving vehicles must pull over to
let others pass. Never stop or pause in the
middle of the road. Use pullouts!
Speed limit is 45 m.p.h.
Spotlighting viewing animals with an
artificial light is illegal.
Weapons and firearms, including state-
permitted concealed weapons, are not
allowed in Yellowstone. Unloaded firearms
may be transported in a vehicle when the
weapon is cased, broken down or rendered
inoperable, and kept out of sight.
Ammunition must be placed in a separate
compartment of the vehicle.
Boat Permits
Yellowstone Park: A 7-day motorized
boat permit costs $10; an annual permit is
$20. Non-motorized boat permits cost $5
for 7 days or $10 for the season.
Grand Teton Park: A 7-day motorized
boat permit costs $10; an annual permit is
$20. Non-motorized boat permits cost $5
for 7 days or $10 for an annual permit.
Fishing Permits
Yellowstone Park: A special permit is
required to fish in the park. Anglers 16
years of age and older are required to pur-
chase either a $15 three-day permit, a $20
seven-day permit or a $35 season permit.
Anglers 12 to 15 years of age are required to
obtain a non-fee permit. Children 11 years
of age or younger may fish without a permit
when supervised by an adult. Fishing per-
mits are available at all ranger stations, visi-
tor centers, and Yellowstone Park General
Stores. No state fishing license is required in
Yellowstone National Park.
Grand Teton Park and Rockefeller
Memorial Parkway: A Wyoming fishing
license is required, which can be purchased
at Moose Village Store, Signal Mountain
Lodge, Colter Bay and Flagg Ranch Village.
Campgrounds
Yellowstone National Park Lodges oper-
ates 12 campgrounds (14 day maximum).
Fees for each range from $12-33.
Reservations are accepted at the Bridge Bay,
Canyon, Fishing Bridge RV, Grant Village,
and Madison campgrounds or by calling
307-344-7311 or 344-5395.
Grand Teton National Park operates five
campgrounds. The fee is $12 per night per
General Regulations 07
Bicycling is permitted only on established
public roads, parking areas, and designated
routes. Bicycles are prohibited on board-
walks and backcountry trails.
Boaters must have a Coastal Guard-
approved wearable flotation device for
each person boating.
Calling to attract wildlife bugling to
elk, howling to wolves, etc. is illegal.
Disturbing park features possessing,
collecting, removing, defacing or destroying
any natural or archaeological objects or
plants, animals or minerals is prohibited.
Feeding wildlife is against the law.
Fires are permitted only in designated
campgrounds, in picnic areas with fire grates
and in some backcountry campsites. Any
dead-and-down material may be used as
firewood, but chainsaws are prohibited.
Thoroughly extinguish all fires.
Fishing tackle must be non-toxic. Lead
split-shot sinkers, soft lead-weighted ribbon
for nymph fishing and other toxic tackle is
not allowed.
Food must be attended to while not in
storage, and must be stored properly. Never
leave food outside your vehicle or around
your campsite when youre away or sleeping.
Littering is illegal.
Motorcycles, motor scooters and motor
bikes are not allowed off-road or on trails.
Operators must have a valid drivers license
and vehicles must display valid state license
plates.
Climbing is allowed in only a few areas
of Yellowstone Park. It is illegal in the
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone area.
Contact the backcountry office in
Yellowstone for more information.
For climbing information in Grand Teton
National Park, stop in at the Jenny Lake
Ranger Station, staffed by climbing rangers
during peak season who can advise on
weather and route information.
Pets must be leashed and are prohibited
from trails, in the backcountry and in ther-
mal basins. Pets are not allowed more than
100 feet from a road or parking area.
Leaving a pet unattended or tied to an
object is prohibited. In Grand Teton Park,
pets are also not allowed in boats on the
Snake River, or on lakes other than Jackson
Lake.
Seatbelts must be worn by all people

Y
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I
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n
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a
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C
o
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p
o
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a
t
i
o
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/
Y
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83
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Ye l l o w s t o n e P a r k . c o m
AmericInn-Rexburg
Best Western Executive Inn
Best Western Kelly Inn-
Billings
Best Western Rawlins
Blair Hotels
Clubhouse Inn-Billings
Clubhouse Inn-West
Yellowstone
CMon Inn
Comfort Inns-Montana
Crystal Inns
Days Inn
Days Inn-West Yellowstone
Grand Teton Lodge Co
Holiday Inn-Casper
Holiday Inn Rockies
Holiday Inn-Thermopolis
Holiday Inn-West Yellowstone
Irma Hotel
Kelly Inn-West Yellowstone
Parkway Plaza
Plains Historic Hotel
Ramkota Hotel
Quality Inn Rawlins
Ranch Inn
Signal Mountain Lodge
Snake River Lodge & Spa
Super 8-Columbus
Super 8-East
Super 8-Thermopolis
Super 8-West
Three Bear Lodge &
Restaurant
Town House Inns
Town Square Inns
Wingate Inn
Xanterra
Guest Ranches
320 Guest Ranch
Bar N Ranch
Dude Ranchers Association
Lodges of East Yellowstone
Lone Mountain Ranch
Parade Rest Guest Ranch
RV Parks
Buffalo Meadows RV Park
Country Campin RV Park
Grand Teton Park RV
Idaho RV And Campground
Resorts
Fairmont Hot Springs
Flagg Ranch Resort
Grand Targhee Resort
Togwotee Mountain Lodge
ADVERTI SER I NDEX
Activities
New West Conference
Apparel
Corral West
Entertainment
Cheyenne Frontier Days
Cody Nite Rodeo
Fort Hall Casino
Grizzly & Wolf Discovery
Center
Wind River Casino
Wyoming Books
Yellowstone Bear World
Yellowstone IMAX
Zoo Montana
Food
Jackson Hole Buffalo Meat
Taco Johns
Wildflour Bakery
Gear
Brunton
Counter Assault Bear Spray
Primus
Sierra Trading Post
Museums
Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor
Center
Buffalo Bill Historical Center
CM Russell Museum
Eagle Bronze Gallery &
Foundry
Heart Mountain Relocation
Center
Museum of the Mountain
Man
Museum of the Rockies
Ntl Museum of Wildlife Art
Nicolaysen Art Museum
Rocky Mountain Elk Visitor
Center
Univ. of Wyoming Libraries
Wyoming Dinosaur Center
Raft Companies
Barker-Ewing
Flying Pig Raft Co
Geyser Whitewater
Lewis & Clark Expeditions
Mad River Boat Trips
Montana Whitewater
Sands Wild Water
Wild West Rafting
Yellowstone Raft
Realtors
Rocky Mountain Timberlands
Trips/Tours/Rentals
Adventure Yellowstone
All Yellowstone Sports
Copper King Express Train
Jackson Hole Mountain
Guides
Lander Llama
Lucerne Valley Marina
North Fork Anglers
See Yellowstone
Venture West Tours
Wind River Pack Goats
In Colorado:
Colorado
In Idaho:
Idaho Falls Regional Airport
Nez Perce Trail
Rexburg
Yellowstone-Teton Territory
In Montana:
Butte
Cooke City
Missoula
Philipsburg
Red Lodge
Travel Montana
Virginia City
West Yellowstone
In Utah:
Bear River Heritage Area
Dinoland
Flaming Gorge
Salt Lake City
Top of Utah
In
Wyoming:
Albany County
Buffalo/Johnson County
Carbon County
Casper
Cheyenne
Converse County
Dubois
Greybull
Lander
Meeteetse
Newcastle
Park County
Sheridan
Star Valley
Sublette County
Sweetwater County
Ten Sleep
Thermopolis
Togwotee Trail
Wind River Country
Worland
Regions to Explore
Lodging:

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C

Hiking in Yellowstone Country affords

Photo by Jeff Vanuga;

Images (from top) courtesy of Tamsen Hert; Hebard (Wyoming) Collection,

intermediate; Distance: 5 miles; Average Time: 2-4 hours; Put in:

Photos by Jeff Vanuga

Photo by Jeff Vanuga; image from Hebard (Wyoming)

and located just off the town square. For

Photo by Jeff Vanuga Photo by Mark Gocke

miles of excellent trout waters,

Treat yourself to world-class fly fishing in Yellowstone country!

Photo by Mark Gocke

10. Enjoy Colorado

Image from Hebard (Wyoming) Collection, Univ. of Wyo.

like no other. From mountainous terrain

Let a llama carry your load.

snowmobiling, the Snowy Range has more

www.tourwyoming.com. You can also con-

Photo courtesy of Flying Pig Adventure Company

Photo by Julie Cornia

Photo by Donnie Sexton/Travel Montana

Photo by Jeff Vanuga

Photos by Jeff Vanuga

Photo by Jeff Vanuga

Trail rides are one of the activities offered at guest ranches.

Pinedale, Wyoming, is home to the Museum of the Mountain

Photo by Jeff Vanuga; Image from Hebard

Image from Hebard (Wyoming)

This was a great adventure

powwows in the region, an all-Indian rodeo

Photo by Jeff Vanuga

Photo by Jeff Vanuga

ENJOY THE JOURNEY

Photos from top: Bill Sniffin

Photo by Jeff Vanuga

spring, Thermopolis is located two hours

Photo by Jeff Vanuga

view the Upper Falls, which tumbles 109

Wildflour Bakery. Or, call toll-free 877-

Visiting any one of the 27 Taco

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