Yellowstone to Grand Teton National Parks

Named for the settler who brought the first wagon train of pioneers to the region, Bozeman’s rugged scenery lures hikers to the Bridger Mountains, downhill skiers to Big Sky Resort and fly fishers to the Madison, Yellowstone and Gallatin rivers. Be sure to witness the thermal theatrics of Old Faithful, a predictable geyser that spouts scalding water every 60-90 minutes.

Yellowstone Lake is frozen half the year, but when the ice melts, anglers relish some of the park’s best trout fishing while canoeists savor the solitude. Overlooks offer superb views of Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, known for its stunning hues; Lookout Point provides a stellar glimpse of Yellowstone’s tallest waterfall, the 308-foot Lower Falls.

A hot spot for geyser activity resulting from a volcanic eruption some 600,000 years ago, Yellowstone has virtually thousands of thermal pools and springs. As you stroll along the nature trail at Fountain Paint Pot, awaken your senses to the bubbling, hissing, spouting and splashing percolating from hot springs, fumaroles, geysers and the steaming clay of vivid mud pots.

Sparkling lakes, glaciers, snowfields and lush, verdant stands of fir, pine and spruce sprinkled amid the mountains and valleys of Grand Teton National Park create one of the West’s most wondrous landscapes. Skiers love tackling the demanding terrain of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, while the town of Jackson offers dining, shopping and nightlife with a Western flair. (Some park attractions are subject to seasonal closures.)