Family travel 5: Saddle up for a trip out West
The American West has long been the scene of discovery and adventure. Here are five ways to tap into the spirit of the legendary landscape.
Paws Up Montana, Greenough, Montana
As guests at this 37,000-acre working ranch, you and your family will spend your days horseback riding, fly-fishing, biking or tackling the ropes course. Opt to participate in a cattle drive or rappel down cliffs in Lewis & Clark country. Join other families for a chuck wagon dinner where you'll learn how to rope and craft your own s'mores over an open fire. Families staying in any of five safari-style tent-filled camps (think luxury bedding and heated floors) will enjoy easy access to their own Dining Pavilion and the services of the camp chef. Spacious luxury home stays, some with adjacent tent accommodations for adventuresome youngsters, are also possible. You'll want to schedule time in Spa Town where a boardwalk connects a series of luxurious treatment tents where adults and older children can soothe tired muscles.
For more: www.pawsup.com
Road trip on Route 66
It's an iconic road trip across the western half of historic Route 66. Begin your adventure in the happy-go-lucky seaside city of Santa Monica before heading to Williams, Arizona, the Gateway to the Grand Canyon. Check out Gallup, New Mexico, the most populous spot between Flagstaff, Arizona, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, and home to classic neon Route 66 signage as well as the historic El Rancho Hotel. Then, roll on to Adrian, Texas, the midpoint on the famous route. It's also the inspiration for Radiator Springs, the town featured in the 2006 animated film "Cars." (The full itinerary continues to Chicago. ) Along the way, you'll marvel at the wide-open spaces, the changing landscape and the rich history to be found as you follow the path of the original Mother Road.
For more: www.nps.gov/subjects/travelroute66/index.htm
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
In the late 1880s fur trappers passing through this Colorado enclave heard an odd noise resembling a steamboat. They were pleasantly surprised to find more than 150 geothermal bubbling springs that today soothe tired muscles after skiing or a long hike.
Choose from a long list of outdoor pursuits that includes rafting, mountain biking, horseback riding and fly-fishing or tubing on the Yampa River. At day's end check out the impressive barrel racing and saddle bronc riding at the rodeo, a favorite of locals and visitors alike.
For more: www.steamboatchamber.com; www.colorado.com
American Prairie, Montana
Using an innovative model, the American Prairie, a Montana-based nonprofit, is in the midst of stitching together a 3-million-acre nature and wildlife reserve on the plains of Montana.
Once completed, the reserve will provide a continuous land area, collaboratively managed for wildlife and recreation. It will be the largest of its kind in the lower 48 states. Herds of elk, deer, pronghorn and bison once roamed these grasslands in great numbers. The Reserve's goal is to create a functioning ecosystem within this iconic landscape. Unlike developed national parks, visitors to the privately created American Prairie can expect a sense of uninterrupted nature.
The current habitat base of more than 527,000 acres stretches north and south of the Missouri River. Camping and a hut system provide access to driving tours with historic stops, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, wildlife watching and night-sky viewing far from city lights.
For more: www.americanprairie.org; www.visitmt.org
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
As a gateway to two of our most stunning national parks - Grand Teton and Yellowstone - this Wyoming paradise has long been a favorite stop for active travelers.
Lace up your hiking shoes and explore amid the jagged peaks of the magnificent Teton Range, following scenic trails that hug the shores of String, Leigh and Trapper lakes. Spend a sunny afternoon picnicking, wading, floating, fishing or kayaking on the Snake River.
Saddle up for a horseback ride and imagine how the early settlers might have felt upon discovering the magical beauty of the region.
For more: www.travelwyoming.com
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