American, Old West History on Display Across the Great American West

The Great American West states of Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming are chock-full of American and Wild West history. From landscapes carved by millennia-old events to colorful characters in Old West mythology, these five states are home to much of the history that shaped the United States. Read on for some historic stops to add to your bucket list!

Idaho

Idaho may be best-known for its mountains, hot springs and skiing, but its history of sheep ranching and silver mining are still celebrated. Or if vast strongholds of undeveloped wilderness are more your cup of tea, you can visit the Owyhee Mountains in the southwest part of the state.

Towering over the southernmost part of the Owyhee desert are the Owyhee Mountains, a rugged range extending from Southwest Idaho to northern Nevada. Photo courtesy of the Southwest Idaho Travel Association

Montana

Montana’s vast, unspoiled and wild landscapes boast adventure around every corner. Visit the eastern part of the state to gaze in awe at the breathtaking badlands, stop at one of the many parks in the Billings area for a unique perspective on Montana terrain, or head west to see Glacial Lake Missoula, whose catastrophic floods are responsible for much of the West’s most famous landscapes.

The Rimrocks, as the locals call them, allow visitors to make a quick retreat from the modern conveniences of the state’s largest city to breathtaking wilderness and views of distant mountain ranges piercing big blue skies. Photo courtesy of Visit Billings

North Dakota

North Dakota’s Fort Union Trading Post, once the “Walmart of the West” due to its status as commerce and cultural exchange hub, is brimming with living history interpretations like blacksmithing, weaving and teepee-building. And in Fargo-Moorhead, you can dive into history at Bonanzaville USA and its 40 preserved buildings.

The Cass County Historical Society Museum is made up of 40 historic buildings on 12 acres in West Fargo. Photo courtesy of Fargo-Moorhead CVB

South Dakota

Native American culture is still alive and well in South Dakota, and you can get a front-row seat to one of the most unique examples: an Indian Horse Relay Race! Or embark on a journey through Black Hills Gold Rush history in the Rapid City area, where you can visit museums, take a tour or even try your hand at gemstone mining.

Discover the underground wonders of the Rapid City area at Black Hills Caverns with a guided tour and try your hand at gemstone mining. Photo courtesy of Visit Rapid City

Wyoming

Visit Wyoming’s South Pass City to learn about the area’s gold mining and women’s suffrage significance. A “GEM” you won’t want to miss, the Grand Encampment Museum in Carbon County hosts several annual events that bring history to life. While you’re immersing yourself in the past, try a hands-on experience at Casper’s National historic Trails Interpretive Center or Historic Trails West. Cheyenne’s history is well-celebrated with various events each year, and don’t forget to take a moment to appreciate the reason the town exists today: the railroad. Cody Yellowstone, famously a favorite of Buffalo Bill Cody, offers history at every turn. Butch Cassidy and his infamous “Hole-in-the-Wall Gang” hid in Red Wall Country in Johnson County, and you can still see this remote area today. Sheridan County offers countless ways to experience the history that shaped the American West, from Indian Wars battle sites to a museum housing Western art.

At Martin’s Cove, you can try your luck pulling a handcart just like early pioneers with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Photo courtesy of Visit Casper

Denver

The Great American West Official Gateway City of Denver can trace its past back to Native American tribes, through history to the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush and to its present-day status as a booming tech hub.

The town of Denver City was established in 1859 following the discovery of gold in the South Platte River valley, and today has grown into a vibrant and cosmopolitan city known for outdoor activities and a booming tech industry. Photo compilation courtesy of History Colorado Center and Visit Denver

For more information or to start planning your trip to the Great American West, visit GreatAmericanWest.co.