The Great American West Has Lots to Offer Year-Round
Summer is certainly the most popular time to travel, but off-season travelers are sure to find some hidden gems in the Great American West states of Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.
Read on for the best insider tips for a shoulder-season or off-season trip to the Great American West:
Idaho
You can still enjoy Idaho’s outdoors in fall or winter with vibrant fall colors, a snowshoe trip or a cozy dip in a hot spring. If you’re in Southwest Idaho, relaxing spa experiences and high-energy festivals are both on offer in the shoulder seasons.
Over 400 bands and 30-plus venues combine into Treefort Music Festival, a high-energy, creativity-inducing five-day celebration. Photo courtesy of Visit Southwest Idaho
Montana
Montana has a lot on offer year-round, but one hidden gem that’s particularly spectacular in the off-season is Red Lodge. From wildlife viewing to skiing to wacky winter festivals, Red Lodge is worth a visit. A trip to Billings proves that winter is the coolest time of year in this part of the state. And Glacier Country takes advantage of the slow travel trend with Indigenous cooking classes, plein-air painting workshops and 30+ breweries.
When temperatures drop, warm your body and your soul in Billings, Montana. Photo courtesy of Visit Billings
North Dakota
Revel in the changing seasons in North Dakota, where lively fall festivals, haunted good times and stunning fall colors shouldn’t be missed. And Fargo-Moorhead’s cold winter weather doesn’t stop locals from having a good time – there’s plenty to do both inside and outside.
Bundle up and enjoy Fargo’s outdoors with ice skating, cross country skiing and snowshoeing in and around town. Photo courtesy of Visit Fargo-Moorhead
South Dakota
If you’re planning a shoulder season trip to South Dakota, be sure to read this list of cozy indoor attractions, winter outdoor activities, and events and festivals. Rapid City also has plenty on offer, from a historic hot air balloon celebration to a premier Native American powwow.
Visitors can enjoy scenic cruises near Rapid City year-round, like the stunning Needles Highway in Custer State Park. Photo courtesy of Jacob Moon
Wyoming
A winter trip to Wyoming is worth a spot on your bucket list! Soak in Saratoga’s famous hot springs, load up a fat bike for a winter cruise near Cheyenne, ski or ice skate in Cody-Yellowstone, or drive a scenic byway to take in electric fall colors in Sheridan.
Yellows, oranges and reds line the roads and vast wide-open spaces on Carbon County’s two scenic byways, Battle Pass and Snowy Range. Photo courtesy of Wyoming Carbon County
Gateway Cities
Be sure to plan an extra day on either end of your trip to explore the Great American West Gateway Cities of Denver and Minneapolis. Denver is a perfect winter getaway with nearby world-class ski resorts, and Minneapolis’ Great Northern festival celebrates winter to its fullest.
For more information or to start planning your trip to the Great American West, visit GreatAmericanWest.co.
