A vast and scenic landscape provides the timeless backdrop for the American West. Mountains rise against big blue skies, geysers and hot springs gush out of the earth, and wildlife abounds. Grateful residents live amongst it all in manageable yet exciting cities and towns. Near the center of the Western region, you’ll find Yellowstone National Park, one of the highlights of the US National Park system. An ideal way to experience all that the region has to offer is to take a road trip through the states of Utah, Montana, Wyoming and Idaho that showcases Yellowstone and offers the opportunity to explore much more of what the West has to offer. The gateway to your journey: Utah’s easily accessible capital, Salt Lake City.
First stop: Salt Lake City, Utah
Take note of two things when you arrive in Salt Lake City: First, it’s a big and busy city of nearly 200,000, but it’s nestled next to the stunning scenery of the Wasatch Mountains and its world-class ski and snowboard resorts; Second, the Salt Lake City International Airport is only 12 kilometers from the city center. Begin your journey in the historic and spiritual heart of Salt Lake City, Temple Square. It is where the city was founded in 1847. Nearby you will find a variety of restaurants and bars, and you can shop at City Creek Center, which has more than 100 stores and restaurants.
Spend a few days exploring the city or start your trip to Yellowstone early. To do so, head north on Interstate 15 to your next stop.
Two: Ogden, Utah
In 1869, workers completed the transcontinental railroad, making Ogden a transportation hub. To get an idea of Ogden’s importance during that time, make 25th Street your first stop. The historic area features shops, galleries, local restaurants, and Union Station, home of the Utah State Railroad Museum.
Other attractions in and around the city cater to the adventurous. Take a scenic drive to the Upper Ogden Valley for a hike, or head to the Salomon Center where you can skydive, rock climb, and even surf, all indoors.
When you’re done exploring Ogden, head back to Interstate 15 and drive further north.
Stop Three: Brigham City, Utah
Where the Bear River empties into the Great Salt Lake is the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, a 80,000-acre stretch of marsh, open water, upland, and alkaline marsh just 17 miles from Brigham City. The refuge is home to the largest colony of white-faced ibis in North America and many other birds that migrate along the continent’s Central and Pacific flyways. For a comfortable view of wildlife, take the self-guided mile-long tour.
On your way back to Brigham City, visit the Golden Spike National Historic Site, where the Transcontinental Railroad was completed, before continuing northeast around Box Elder Peak along US Highway 89/91.
Stop Four: Logan, Utah
If you’re a 12-mile runner, make Logan Canyon the focus of your time in Logan. Camp here or just take a day trip to hike, mountain bike, or horseback ride. The canyon terrain is varied, so both beginners and experts can find challenges to match their skill levels. Or try fly fishing on the Logan River. During the winter months, ski the 850-acre Beaver Mountain Ski Resort or snowmobile on the nearby trails.
If you’re not into the outdoors, visit during July or August for the Utah Musical Theater and Opera Festival season. When you’ve experienced all you can of Logan, continue north on Highway 89.
Stop Five: Bear Lake, Utah
Bear Lake straddles the Utah border and into southern Idaho, offering plenty of opportunities to explore and play in its majestic blue waters. Stand-up paddle boarding and jet skiing are popular pastimes here, as is fishing. The lake is known for having four species of fish: Bonneville cisco, Bonneville whitefish, Bear Lake whitefish, and Bear Lake sculpin, which are found nowhere else in the world. If you’re not looking for trophy fishing here, hike the trails in the local mountains. From the top, you’ll find spectacular views of the lake.
To get a better idea of how pioneers in the Western and Pacific regions of the United States paddle the area’s trails, visit the Oregon/California National Trail Center in nearby Montpelier, Idaho. Take a simulated wagon ride, then thank modern technology for your car as you continue driving north on Highway 89.