Travel Guides

25 Must-Do Great American West Experiences for 2025

25 Must-Do Great American West Experiences for 2025

Recently updated on November 20th, 2024 at 03:25 am

With its grand landscapes, legendary cowboys, welcoming Native American communities and unique opportunities to Make Travel Matter, the Great American West is a wild playground where outdoor adventures abound. So, to help you plan a stellar holiday in the USA’s wildest heart, we’ve lassoed a few of the must-do experiences in Discover Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. From hiking Yellowstone’s iconic wilderness to horse-riding, skiing, cultural excursions and dining, here’s just a small selection of the West’s unmissable highlights for your ultimate itinerary.

1. Choose your own Yellowstone adventures

Spanning some 9,000km, the world’s first national park has it all: spectacular geothermal features like Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring and more than half the world’s geysers; diverse wildlife, from bison to bears and wolves, all thriving in vast landscapes dotted with forests, lakes, and canyons; rich Native American heritage, and nearly 100 hiking trails. Get your bearings and Make Travel Matter with a Yellowstone National Park Safari – our local partner is the first to be awarded the Business Emerald Sustainability Tier (BEST) for their energy efficiency, conservation efforts, community investment and cultural support.

Grand Prismatic Spring

2. Walk in the footsteps of Calamity Jane and Crazy Horse

In South Dakota, you’ll learn the stories of nine tribes and legendary warriors like Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. This vibrant history is celebrated through numerous events, museums, historic sites, and powwows – a Native American cultural celebration that draws large crowds with lively singing, dancing, and drumming. Discover the Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota People at the Journey Museum in Rapid City, the Prehistoric Indian Village in Mitchell, and the Crazy Horse Memorial in the Black Hills. And don’t miss Deadwood’s gold rush heritage and Wild West legends – the whole town is a National Historic Landmark.

Figure depicting final design for crazy horse with location int he background.
Photo by TravelSouthDakota

3. Get your city fix in Boise

Easy access to outdoor adventures, a cosmopolitan vibe with an historic twist, and all the urban comforts to make you feel right at home … Idaho’s capital city over-delivers. Be sure to explore the scenic Boise River Greenbelt, with its trails and parks, then enjoy the city’s trendy food scene, from award-winning fine-dining to food trucks. For nightlife, Boise boasts vibrant live music, distilleries, and breweries; plus, the Basque Block, Old Idaho Penitentiary, Idaho State Capitol are well worth visiting.

Photo Credit Visit Idaho

4. Saddle up for a memorable ride

Whether you’re into horse-riding or cycling, the Great American West boasts some of the world’s most scenic trails. The Wilkins Peak and Curt Gowdy State Park are heaven for mountain-bikers. Pedal your way to spectacular views on White Clouds and Greenhorn trails, and through Turtle Mountains or Pembina Gorge. Alternatively, speak to our Destination Experts about a stay in a dude ranch and experience the true Wild West on horseback.

5. Take a hike in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Natural and human history converge in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, where you’ll find the sacred lands of Native American peoples, such as the Chippewa, Cree, Sioux, Hidatsa, Mandan and Arikara tribes, along with bobcats, wild horses and 186 bird species. It’s also a fascinating place to explore North Dakota’s history, with Teddy Roosevelt’s log cabin – which the 26th President built with his own hands – a highlight. The park is divided into three key areas (including the North Unit, Elkhorn Ranch Unit and the South Unit (which is the largest and most visited) and has 219km of trails to explore.

6. Reach for the stars and Make Travel Matter

Framed by the spectacular Teton Mountains and sprawling skies, Jackson is the perfect spot for a stargazing experience that Makes Travel Matter – and Adventure World’s local partner provides over 1,000+ hours of STEM education support for 300 Teton County school students each semester.  Throughout your astronomy tour, knowledgeable and enthusiastic educators decode Wyoming’s sprawling night skies, stoking your wonder as they reveal the intrigues of the planets, stars, nebulae, and galaxies.

7. Watch wildlife at the water’s edge

North Dakota’s 400-plus lakes – headlined by the scenic Devils Lake and Lake Sakakawea –  and 63 national wildlife sanctuaries, including the vast Audubon National Wildlife Refuge, support a dazzling menagerie of wildlife. Bring your binoculars to boost your chances of finding wild bison, whitetail deer, mule deer, coyotes, river otters, prairie dogs, pronghorn antelope, horses, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and vast flocks of migratory waterbirds. 

8. Take your time to explore Mount Rushmore

Etched into the towering granite of South Dakota’s Black Hills, the Mount Rushmore National Memorial is known as ‘America’s Shrine of Democracy’ thanks to its 18m-tall carvings of legendary US Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln – and a must-see on any Great American West adventure.  The historic site offers stunning views, an evening lighting ceremony, and a fascinating museum and Sculptor’s Studio, while the surrounding park’s trails, exhibits, and educational programs will deepen your dive into its intriguing heritage.

Man looking at Mount Rushmore

9. Eat, drink and savour the West’s every flavour

The Great American West serves memorable dining experiences on a moreish platter with innovative breweries, traditional wineries, farm-to-table favourites and classic Western-style buffets plating up a feast of locally grown delicacies. Regional highlights include Idaho’s famous potatoes, huckleberry jams and pies; bison burgers and stews; fry bread, buffalo steaks, chokeberry jelly, and, if you’re game, Rocky Mountain Oysters – an appetiser made from fried bull testicles! 

10. See Idaho through Native American eyes

Rich in Native American heritage, Idaho rolls out the welcome mat with lively powwows, impressive interpretive centres, museums, historic trails, and the Nez Perce National Historical Park, where you’ll learn about the overland odysseys of the proud Nez Perce people. And, at the Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural & Educational Centre, you can discover the legacy of Sacajawea, an Agai Dika Lemhi Shoshone, who played a vital role in the legendary Lewis and Clark expedition.

Photo Credit Visit Idaho

11. Hit the road in the Authentic American Rockies

Explore the Wild West on our 16-day Authentic American Rockies adventure from Denver, Colorado, to Kalispell, Montana, and you’ll experience some of the region’s most iconic landscapes, communities and heritage along the way. Drive the legendary Beartooth Highway, one of the US’s most scenic drives; choose your own outdoor adventures in Glacier, Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain and Grand Teton national parks; live your cowboy dream on an authentic ranch stay, and feel the thrill of giving back with Make Travel Matter experiences in Jackson and Cody.

12. Experience North Dakota’s diverse cultural heritage

With Native Americans calling the state home for over 10,000 years and the legacies of the 19th-century cowboy era found far and wide, North Dakota’s heritage offers excellent sightseeing. Discover the Indigenous cultures of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara tribes at the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site and the MHA Interpretive Centre. In Medora, the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame highlights the deep connections between cowboys and Native Americans. And don’t miss the Medora Musical, renowned as the rootin’-tootinest show in the West, celebrating the region’s ongoing story through an outdoor Country Western music spectacular.

Credit North Dakota Tourism

13. Tread lightly in Grand Teton National Park

Renowned for its sustainability initiatives and education programs, Grand Teton National Park is an iconic, history-filled wilderness where 300km of trails lead to alpine meadows, dramatic granite spires, lakes, dense forests and its 4200m-high centrepiece, Grand Teton. Wildlife lovers are in their element as the park’s home to 300 bird species and 61 different types of mammal including bison, moose, and bears, while the adjacent National Elk Refuge is particularly famous for its elk herd (ask us about our guided sunrise and sunset photo safaris).

14. Meet the locals at landmark festivals

The Great American West boasts a year-round calendar of world-class events to level-up your visit. Get started with the North Dakota State Fair, which draws more than 300,000 visitors with Western entertainment, live music, rides, races and exhibits – and turns 60 in July 2025. Every spring in Jackson, Wyoming, Old West Days is a family-friendly party featuring great food, live music, powwows, and western heritage events and activities. Plus, you can see the best axe-wielding athletes compete for glory at Idaho’s annual Lumberjack Days championships, and channel your inner pioneer at South Dakota’s Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant.

15. Give back to South Dakota’s Indigenous community

Make Travel Matter with an immersive First Nations experience in Rapid City, with traditional story-telling and music from your Native American guides deepening your understanding of South Dakota’s Indigenous cultures. You’ll also visit the Oglala Lakota Artspace cultural facility, the Pine Ridge Chamber of Commerce, the Thunder Valley community initiative, and Maȟpíya Lúta (the Red Cloud Indian School), which is working hard to preserve the traditional Lakȟóta language – which all adds up to an authentic, only-with-Adventure World experience that directly supports the local community.

16. Chase waterfalls in Idaho

Twin Falls is renowned for its stunning natural attractions, with more than 30 waterfalls including Shoshone Falls which, at 65m tall, are known as the “Niagara of the West”. And when you’re not exploring by kayak, pontoon boat or casting a line, the City of Waterfalls boasts a buzzing historic downtown area, all year round. In Idaho’s northern region, Coeur D’Alene’s namesake lake is a hub for watersports with easy access to fantastic hikes, gold-panning experiences and memorable urban attractions from art galleries to a bordello museum.

kayakers in front of a waterfall
Photo Credit Visit Idaho

17. Step back in time in Bismark & Fargo

North Dakota’s cities are as intriguing as its wilderness. In Bismarck, head to the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Centre to relive the 1804-1806 expedition’s adventures and see artifacts from their epic 13,000km trek. At Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, reconstructed military buildings bring the 1800s to life, but the 400-year-old Mandan village, On-A-Slant, will take you even further back in time. In Fargo, dive into the city’s quirky side with a selfie at the infamous woodchipper from the film Fargo, explore the Plains Art Museum, and afterwards unwind aboard a Missouri River cruise.

people walking past a rebuilt military building
Credit North Dakota Tourism

18. See the wild mustangs of Buffalo Bill country

For a unique look at Wyoming’s iconic wildlife and culture, head to historic Cody. Here, a private tour of the non-profit Buffalo Bill Centre of the West offers insights into Western art, cowboy culture, and Plains Indian history – all while supporting its mission to preserve local history and culture, and to offer educational outreach programs across the USA. Nearby, on a Red Canyon Wild Mustang Eco Safari, you can encounter one of the largest herds of wild horses in the USA – descendants of mustangs introduced by the Spanish in the 1500s.

19. Connect with nature across the West

Explore some of the West’s best Falls, Peaks & Parks on Adventure World’s 12-day journey through Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. This adventure not only takes in Yellowstone National Park, Park City, Salt Lake City, Boise, Sun Valley, Jackson and Twin Falls, it also features Make Travel Matter experiences that deepen your immersion while treading lightly, with Urban Art & History e-Bike tours, kayaking, guided hikes and sustainable safari excursions all on offer. Contact our Destination Experts to learn more.

20. Have a great time in the Badlands

South Dakota’s Badlands National Park spans 98,000ha dotted with buttes, mesas, spires, hoodoos and walls formed during the Oligocene age; 160km of hiking trails, and an array of wildlife, including bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs and various birds. There’s a lot to see here, so start your adventure at the Visitors Centre where fossils and other exhibits decode the park’s geology and cultural history, before hitting the Badlands Loop Road for a grand overview of the wilderness. Afterwards, the discoveries continue nearby at Wall Drug, Sioux Falls, Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park.

Landscape of the badlands

21. Road-trip through the Dakotas

Up for a Great American West adventure through North and South Dakota? Our customisable 13-day Dakotas Drive itinerary highlights legendary Deadwood, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, and the stunning Badlands, while immersing you in Native American heritage, cowboy culture, and travel -with-purpose experiences that give back. Connect with our Destination Experts to learn more about this and more American Rockies adventures.

22. Ski, board and snow-shoe

When winter rolls around, the Great American West becomes a white wonderland ripe for adventure. Idaho boasts 18 ski areas and scenic trails like the Ashton to Tetonia Trail, perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. In South Dakota, Terry Peak Ski Area features over 380cm of snow annually, with excellent terrain for skiing and snowboarding. North Dakota’s cosy ski areas include Bottineau Winter Park, ideal for all skill levels. And Wyoming’s Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee Resorts are renowned for pristine powder and expansive terrain. While our Destination Experts are unable to help with booking your ski experience, we can certainly help you experience the region’s other winter delights.

23. Explore the Sun, Moon and beyond

Get carried away by Idaho’s dramatic landscapes. In Sun Valley, you can take your pick of 1,100 kilometres of trails (don’t miss the Bald Mountain Track), more than 300 mountain lakes and 40 jaw-dropping peaks reaching for the clouds. Nearby, the Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve is a staggering landscape of lava and sagebrush in a high-desert ecosystem, formed over some 15,000 years of volcanic activity.

Man looking up to a hole made of rocks
Photo Credit Visit Idaho

24. Dive into watersports

Whether you’re keen to cast a line or go kayaking, the Great American West is brimming with sparkling waterways. In Wyoming, Flaming Gorge Reservoir dazzles with its surrounding landscapes and diverse fish, while Yellowstone Lake offers stunning views and abundant trout. North Dakota’s Lake Sakakawea is perfect for walleye fishing and paddling. Idaho’s Payette Lake will see you kayaking amid the stunning Sawtooth and Salmon River mountains. And don’t miss South Dakota’s Lake Oahe, a must-visit for anglers seeking pike, catfish, bass, and more. Talk to our Destination Experts for stellar on-water experiences in these regions and beyond.

Lake with mountains in the background

25. Hit the green in cowboy country

The Great American West is home to some of the world’s most scenic golf courses, so don’t miss your chance to tee off. In South Dakota, the Buffalo Ridge Golf Course affords epic views of the Black Hills, while North Dakota’s Prairie West Golf Club features strategic bunkering and water hazards. In Wyoming, the Jackson Hole Golf Club is set against the stunning backdrop of the Teton Mountains and is lauded as much for its commitment to sustainability as its challenging layout, while Idaho’s Coeur D’Alene Golf & Spa Resort boasts the world’s first floating green.

Adventure World’s range of customisable Great American West itineraries take you into the wildest, authentic heart of this iconic region. Visit us online to browse our complete range of USA journeys, or call our Destination Experts on 1300 363 055 in Australia, 0800 238 368 in New Zealand and 1-800 687 4003 in the US to plan your ultimate journey today.

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