Mountain West Travel Guide
The Mountain West generally refers to the states encompassing the Rocky Mountain region of the US, as well as most of Nevada. Known for its geographic diversity, the Mountain West is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Whether you’re looking for hiking, skiing, or just some incredibly scenic drives, the Mountain West is pretty unparalleled.
The Mountain West region is home to some of the country’s most iconic National Parks.
Discover active glaciers in Montana’s Glacier National Park. Catch the geothermic activity in Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park. Feel like you’re on top of the world while driving through the alpine mountain ranges of Rocky Mountain National Park. And let’s not forget Utah’s stunning Mighty Five. There’s all this and so much more waiting to leave you in awe in the Mountain West.
Destinations
Mountain West Basics
States: Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming
Timezones:
Nevada & Northern Idaho: Pacific Standard & Pacific Daylight
Everywhere else: Mountain Standard & Mountain Daylight
Climate: Complex and varied, ranging from semi-arid to alpine
Major Airports:
Denver (DEN) – Colorado
Salt Lake City (SLC) – Utah
Bozeman-Yellowstone (BZN) – Montana
Billings Logan (BIL) – Montana
Reno-Tahoe (RNO) – Nevada
Boise (BOI) – Idaho
Best Time to Visit
SUMMER
With sunny skies, comfortable temperatures, and tons of outdoor adventures, summer is one of the best times to visit the Mountain West. The drawbacks are that its National Parks hit their peak tourist season in July and August, and wildfires tend to start in the summer as well.
AUTUMN
The Mountain West sees some fantastic fall colors! The aspen trees turn gold around late September, and larches peak in early October. This is typically shoulder season for tourism, but some parks, like Rocky Mountain National Park, continue to see high crowds. Wildfires can continue through early October as well.
WINTER
The snowy months are still a popular time to visit the Mountain West. With some of the best skiing in the country, winter is a great time to visit mountain towns like Aspen, Colorado or Park City, Utah. Roads in some mountainous areas and national parks close for the winter.
SPRING
For mostly pleasant weather and fewer crowds, spring is the perfect time to visit. Higher elevations might still see snow and closed roads, and other areas can experience unpredictable temperature swings.
mountain west road trip playlist
Mountain West Travel Guides
