Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

Yellowstone and the Rockies

The Rocky Mountains have a governing presence in the USA, running from the Canadian south into Montana and on to New Mexico. This vast mountain chain is one of the most spectacular land forms in North America and never fails to impress with its snow-capped mountains and lush forests.

Yellowstone National Park was the first designated park in the USA and is arguably the most renowned, covering an area of 3,468 square miles and considered a geothermal spectacle. With the majority of the world’s geysers preserved here, it is a park that never sleeps. Wildlife can be found at every turn, whether that’s grizzly bears, wolves and herds of bison and elk. Put simply: this is a wonderland.

Not to be forgotten are the dude and guest ranches that are synonymous with the west. Nowhere in the world are ranches a more intrinsic part of the day to day life and where is better to enjoy a horseback adventure than the stunning mountains of the Rockies.

Horse Ranch, Rockies, USA
Horse Ranch, Rockies, USA

Off-the-Beaten-Track in the Rockies

It may seem obvious to speak of the exceptional National Parks in the Rockies as a highlight, but what can be forgotten is to explore the areas away from the main ‘hot spot’ areas. National Parks including Yellowstone, Teton and Glacier all offer such diversity with the main roads and trails offering just a preview of what is on offer. Specialist guides are at their best in the USA and should be taken advantage of; they can offer unparalleled insight and access to the parks. Another must do is to visit Yellowstone in September when the aspen leaves are golden, against the backdrop of the Teton Mountains and its geothermal features.

Experiences

What do you really love doing? We curate your itinerary especially for you.

Beignets and Coffee, New Orleans, Deep South, USA
Yellowstone and the Rockies

Beignets at Cafe du Mond

Grab a plateful of New Orleans’ legendary beignets, deep fried nuggets of dough coated in layers of fluffy powdered sugar, and a hot cup of dark-roasted chicory coffee – we recommend that you visit this 24-hour establishment outside of busy hours so as to savour every mouthful in peace and quiet.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Smoky Mountains, Route 441, Newfound Gap, Tennessee, USA
Yellowstone and the Rockies

Hike the Smoky Mountains

Head in to the Great Smoky Mountains, a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains, for a day of hiking under its transcendent natural fog.

Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee, Deep South, USA
Yellowstone and the Rockies

Visit Graceland

Visit Graceland, Elvis’s private estate in Memphis, to peruse an exhibition of kitsch artefacts, see his collection of cars and private jets and taste his beloved fried peanut butter and banana sandwich.

Suggested Holiday Idea

French Quarter, New Orleans, Deep South, USA
Yellowstone and the Rockies

Walk the French Quarter

Explore the celebrated French Quarter in New Orleans to absorb Louisiana’s strong Creole culture, stopping to listen to a busking brass band while sipping on an iced tea.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Peaches, Georgia, Deep South, USA
Yellowstone and the Rockies

Peaches, Peanuts and Pecans

Voyage around Georgia in search of the three P’s – peaches, pecans and peanuts – perhaps stopping in at one of the many acclaimed family restaurants to sample a scrumptious peach cobbler.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Seaplane, Eastern Canada
Yellowstone and the Rockies

Ride in a Seaplane

All at once a spectacular scenic journey and a way to speed up transfer times, seaplanes are the sky taxis of Canada. Ideal for both romantic getaways and families keen to cut down on driving, we can arrange seaplane journeys between most destinations (even cities).

Suggested Holiday Idea

Humpback Whale, Caribbean Sea
Yellowstone and the Rockies

Snorkel with Humpbacks

Grab a wetsuit, put on some fins and pop on a mask before jumping in for an incredible snorkeling adventure with humpback whales off the coast of Newfoundland.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Iceberg, Fogo Island, Newfoundland, Eastern Canada
Yellowstone and the Rockies

Private Dinner at Sea

Head out on a culinary adventure atop the waters off Newfoundland in a privately chartered boat, feasting on local and seasonal produce en route to scenic Bell Island.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Classic Boat, Newfoundland, Eastern Canada
Yellowstone and the Rockies

Boat Building in St. John’s

Get stuck in and partake in the construction of a classic Newfoundland wooden rodney boat, which are used by the locals for fishing and exploring the coastline.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Bell Island, Newfoundland, Eastern Canada
Yellowstone and the Rockies

Bell Island with a Paleontologist

Spend a day at sea during a private zodiac adventure to Bell Island, exploring its sea caves, sea life and century old fossils in the company of an expert paleontologist.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Zapata Ranch £££££

  • USA
  • Farmstead and Ranches

Zapata Ranch is a 103,000-acre working bison and cattle ranch on the border of Great Sand Dunes National Park in Southern Colorado. It is a property for those looking to experience life on a working ranch with comfortable accommodation and good home-style food. The original 1800s’ ranch homestead is now the main lodge building housing a dining room and cosy sitting area. There are five lodge rooms, a Bunkhouse with five rooms and a separate five-bedroom house perfect for small groups or families.

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Ranchlands Camp £££££

  • USA
  • Farmstead and Ranches

Ranchlands Camp offers a fully immersive experience in the world of a working cattle ranch. For generations, camping out has been an integral part of cattle ranching. Now, you have the opportunity to sleep out under canvas too. The camp is set up with six stylishly furnished tents for a maximum of 12 guests. The camp is available for set weeks during the months of May and June. Each week is themed, from horsemanship and branding to painting and drawing.

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Lone Mountain Ranch £££££

  • USA
  • Farmstead and Ranches

Tucked away in the forests of Big Sky Montana, historic Lone Mountain Ranch was established in 1915 as a working cattle ranch. The ranch now offers a great year-round base to explore the Montana wilderness, with dramatic peaks and towering forests of spruce and aspen, to the endless streams and rivers that meander through this range.

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Brush Creek Ranch £££££

  • USA
  • Wilderness

Brush Creek Ranch is a high-end lodge set in 30,000 acres of Rocky Mountain wilderness close to Saratoga, Wyoming. The ranch has 39 units designed and inspired by the original homestead. There are lodge rooms through to three-bedroom self-contained cabin residences, all furnished to a very high standard in the rustic style of the ranch. Five miles from the main ranch is a homestead with a separate lodge building and seven restored cabins, perfect for a large family or group of friends.

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Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Roxy Dukes

Roxy has had many adventures throughout the USA, and has a passion for exploring the spectacular National Parks. Roxy’s tip is to invest in a private guides that take you off the grid, transforming your experience of these epic landscapes.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Paul Bird

In his travel to the USA, New York has remained at the top of Paul’s list. It is certainly not a one-stop destination, and Paul knows the little-visited hot spots and behind-the-scenes experiences that make a visit to this bustling city truly memorable.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

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