A picture-perfect adventure awaits in Billings, Montana’s Trailhead. Don’t miss these stunning views of the American West:
Swords Rimrock Park
Take in unencumbered views of Billings from atop the ancient sandstone rock formations that hug the historic downtown. The 60-acre park offers unlimited vantage points of the landscape below and blue skies above.
Four Dances Recreation Area
A leisurely hike that begins just outside downtown Billings ends with breathtaking views at Four Dances Recreation Area. Grab a seat at the outlooks along the trail and treat yourself to panoramic scenes of the Yellowstone River, distant rock formations and rolling prairies.
The Beartooth Highway
One of the most majestic roads in North America is a must-see. Visitors can travel the Beartooth Highway as well as Chief Joseph Scenic Byway to cruise through some of the most spectacular byways in the West. Easily accessible via Billings.
Bighorn Canyon
Set your eyes upon every type of Montana terrain at Bighorn Canyon, including forest, mountains, deep canyons, high desert, wetlands and more. Hop aboard a paddleboard for 360-degree views of the canyon from Bighorn Lake or find a tranquil spot ashore to take it all in.
Take in unencumbered views and breath the fresh air in Billings’ Zimmerman Park. Photo courtesy of Visit Billings
For more information on Billings, visit VisitBillings.com.
Artist Point
This scenic spot in Yellowstone National Park opens to a view of Lower Yellowstone Falls and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Don’t forget your camera or phone to capture its magic.
Schwabacher Landing
East of the Grand Tetons, located on the banks of the Snake River, you’ll find Schwabacher’s Landing. The landing is a favorite for anglers and river rafters and provides a spectacular view of the Tetons.
Devils Tower National Monument
America’s first national monument, Devils Tower is a jaw-dropping backdrop for any photo. Sitting 867 feet above the rolling prairie, make sure you have the camera ready from a distance.
Lake Marie
Located in the southeastern part of the state, Lake Marie is a brilliant blue lake in Medicine Bow National Forest. With its pristine waters and a path circling the lake, this is a great place to stop and rest while enjoying the view.
Wild Horse Scenic Loop
Connecting Green River and Rock Springs in southwest Wyoming, this 23-mile trail is home to a herd of wild horses and Pilot Butte. With breathtaking desert landscape and a chance to encounter wildlife, we recommend a four-wheel drive vehicle to discover multiple picture-perfect stopping points.
East of the Grand Tetons, located on the banks of the Snake River, you’ll find Schwabacher’s Landing. The landing is a favorite for anglers and river rafters and provides a spectacular view of the Tetons. Photo courtesy of the Wyoming Office of Tourism
For more information on Wyoming, visit TravelWyoming.com.
If you’re interested in discovering wide-open spaces, dramatic vistas and picturesque locations, visiting Southwest Idaho any time of year is for you.
Owyhee Mountains
Nicknamed by local ranchers as the “Big Quiet,” Southwest Idaho’s Owyhee desert is still the most remote, undeveloped region in the lower 48. The Owyhee Uplands is one of those iconic, freewheeling spaces people envision when they think about the West.
Hells Canyon
The powerful waters of the Snake River slice through the mountains of central Idaho, creating the deepest gorge in the United States: Hells Canyon. Here, the land is as beautiful as it is dangerous. It’s full of myth, legend, beauty and the best whitewater in the nation.
Tamarack Resort
At Tamarack Resort, you can start your day biking rugged mountain ridges and end it wakeboarding through the warm waters of Lake Cascade. You can brave the snowy slopes and Nordic trails in the morning, then soak in a steaming hot tub before bed. At Tamarack, every season brings new adventures to experience, and you can take on the panoramic views of the mountains, lake and valley below.
At Tamarack Resort, every season brings new adventures to experience, and you can take on the panoramic views of the mountains, lake and valley below. Photo courtesy of Sherri Harkin Photography/Tamarack Resort
For more information on Southwest Idaho, visit VisitSouthwestIdaho.org.
Badlands National Park (Wall)
Known as the land of stone and light, the Badlands are a must-stop for South Dakota visitors seeking the most unique photos. Be sure to arrive before sunrise or sunset to capture the most incredible light in the park.
Spearfish Canyon (Spearfish)
Towering limestone cliffs and a rushing mountain stream keep you company along the 19-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 14A, known as Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. Be sure to plan a hike to Roughlock Falls for breathtaking sights.
Nicolette Tower (Sisseton)
Climb the tower to capture the vast prairie landscape of three states – North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. The observation tower honors Joseph N. Nicollet, the French mapmaker who explored the Coteau Des Prairies in the 1830s.
Dignity (Chamberlain)
The Dignity sculpture is a stunning combination of art and history, designed to honor the cultures of the Lakota and Dakota people. You can capture a beautiful image of the sculpture with the sparking waters of the Missouri river.
Falls Park (Sioux Falls)
Visitors will be in awe of the triple-tier waterfall, located in the heart of Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s largest city. The views from the five-story viewing tower are well worth the climb!
The Dignity sculpture is a stunning combination of art and history, designed to honor the cultures of the Lakota and Dakota people. Photo courtesy of Travel South Dakota
For more information on South Dakota, visit TravelSouthDakota.com.
Sheridan County features a pair of U.S. Scenic Byways, both of which serve as trailheads to epic adventure. The Bighorn Scenic Byway begins in Dayton, home to the stunning Tongue River Canyon, and features Steamboat Point, Sibley Lake, Shell Falls and views of the Cloud Peak Wilderness. The Medicine Wheel Scenic Byway, which begins at Burgess Junction high atop the mountain and runs toward Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, features the namesake Medicine Wheel, Porcupine, Bucking Mule and Paradise Falls, as well as hundreds of miles of untouched backcountry terrain.
Historic downtown Sheridan is home to classic American architecture, beautiful neon signs and postcard-perfect small-town charms, like 100-plus pieces of public art, King’s Saddlery, the Sheridan Inn and so much more. The Battle of Little Bighorn site is just one hour away, while six other historic battle sites are located nearby.
The Bighorn Mountains are located 3.5 hours from Yellowstone National Park to the west and 2.5 hours from Devils Tower National Monument to the east, making Sheridan County the perfect road trip destination for visitors exploring the best of the Great American West.
The Bighorn Scenic Byway begins in Dayton, home to the stunning Tongue River Canyon, and features Steamboat Point, Sibley Lake, Shell Falls and views of the Cloud Peak Wilderness (pictured). Photo courtesy of Sheridan County Travel & Tourism
For more information on Sheridan, visit SheridanWyoming.org.
North Dakota offers many opportunities for a close-up look at the state’s beauty and diversity. Outdoor activities like hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, horseback riding and assorted educational opportunities provide fun and memorable ways to explore and take in the stunning scenery in the majestic Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Take a scenic drive and get back to nature. Open roads, gorgeous scenery, wildlife, waterways in their most natural environments and one-of-a-kind cultural and historic attractions are all found along North Dakota’s scenic byways and backways. Visitors are encouraged to get out and explore the wonders that beckon from each route. By car, motorcycle or even bicycle, these designated routes are your key to the state’s best vistas and experiences.
Surging waters carved the Pembina Gorge out of soft marine shales, creating one of the deepest, steepest and unaltered river valleys in North Dakota, as well as the largest uninterrupted blocks of woodlands. At least 65 different natural diversity features have been documented here, including 30 plant species and 21 animal species, which are categorized as “rare” in the state.
Open roads, gorgeous scenery, wildlife, waterways in their most natural environments and one-of-a-kind cultural and historic attractions are all found along North Dakota’s scenic byways and backways. Photo courtesy of North Dakota Tourism
For more information on North Dakota, visit NDTourism.com.
- Pioneer Scenic Byway. Travel the length of the Pioneer Mountain Range along this quiet, winding highway surrounded by mountains, forests and meadows. Explore the ghost town of Coolidge or stop at the tiny town of Jackson along the way.
- Milk River Observation Point. Take a half-mile walk from the parking lot to the top of the hill where the Observation Point is located. This is one of the highest points in northeastern Montana, and it offers expansive views of the confluence of the Missouri River and Milk River, where the Lewis & Clark Expedition traveled.
- Big Horn Canyon National Recreation Area. Visitors are rewarded with breathtaking scenery, solitude, wildlife and adventures such as hiking, camping and boating.
- Two Medicine Lake. One of the quieter locations in Glacier, this lake is surrounded by forest and mountains with abundant hiking trails. Or get out on the water on a canoe or kayak, available for rent, or on an historic boat tour.
- Southeast Montana’s landscape changes from dramatic open plains to the rugged eastern badlands to river canyons. You will find a picturesque view everywhere you drive, whether it’s by motorcycle, RV or car.
The Big Horn Canyon National Recreation Area rewards visitors with breathtaking scenery, solitude, wildlife and adventures such as hiking, camping and boating. Photo courtesy of the Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development
For more information on Montana, visit VisitMT.com.
With its sapphire lakes and winding rivers, Idaho’s waterways are some of the best places for stunning images and endless adventure:
Ritter Island, Thousand Springs State Park | Twin Falls
Snap a waterfall-framed selfie or pose in the endless blues and greens of the water and vegetation in the park.
Lake Pend Oreille | Sandpoint
Capture the star-studded sky at the fifth-deepest lake in the U.S. Surrounded by the northern Rocky Mountains and a dense forest of fir and pine, there is no shortage of colors and textures on which to set your lens.
Three Island Crossing State Park | Glenns Ferry
There are few better locations to experience the scenic and diverse landscapes of American agriculture. The lush farms and vineyards offer a perfect contrast to the high-desert plateau of the region.
Bear Lake State Park | St. Charles
From the sparkling turquoise waters in Bear Lake to the complex wetlands of Mud Lake, Bear Lake State Park captivates with its mountain peaks, migratory birds and sandy beaches.
Fall Creek Falls | Swan Valley
Focus your lens on this threading waterfall in Eastern Idaho, surrounded by the flowing Snake River and Snake River Range mountains in the distance.
Capture the star-studded sky at the fifth-deepest lake in the U.S., Lake Pend Oreille. Surrounded by the northern Rocky Mountains and a dense forest of fir and pine, there is no shortage of colors and textures on which to set your lens. Photo courtesy of Idaho Tourism
For more information on Idaho, visit VisitIdaho.org.
There are certain places that exist in the world that are so beautiful, they almost don’t seem real. One such place: Western Montana. Glacier Country is filled to the brim with amazing scenery and picture-perfect scenes. Here are just a few:
Twilight at Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park
Accessible year-round, this view of Lake McDonald from Apgar is located just inside the west entrance of Glacier National Park.
Missoula from Mount Sentinel
One of the most popular Missoula hikes, the zigzagging trail that leads up to the “M” on Mount Sentinel is an easy hike, with views all along its path.
Kootenai Falls and Kootenai Falls Swinging Bridge
Kootenai Falls (between Libby and Troy) from the swinging bridge. This picturesque bridge is suspended over the rushing Kootenai River, presenting the perfect photo op and an unforgettable experience.
The Mission Mountains
As you travel along Highway 93 from Missoula to Polson, you’ll be met by the impressive peaks of the Mission Mountains. A few favorite photo locations for this mountain range are cresting Ravalli Hill just south of St. Ignatius (use the designated scenic pullout) and Ninepipes Lodge in Charlo.
As you travel along Highway 93 from Missoula to Polson, you’ll be met by the impressive peaks of the Mission Mountains. A few favorite photo locations for this mountain range are cresting Ravalli Hill just south of St. Ignatius (use the designated scenic pullout) and Ninepipes Lodge in Charlo. Photo courtesy of Western Montana’s Glacier Country
For more information on Western Montana’s Glacier Country, visit GlacierMT.com.
