last edited Aug 15, 2020
States of the American West
Contributionsversion #2created Aug 15, 2020Latest contributions in this guideContributors to this guide
Southwest
Arizona
Just by its nickname, "Grand Canyon State", Arizona sets the tone! The state is home to, in addition to the famous Grand Canyon and Monument Valley, several other must-see sites for any trip to the West. You can discover Antelope Canyon, the Petrified Forest National Park, the Canyon de Chelly, or even the Superstition Mountains. Beyond nature and the stunning landscapes, Arizona is also a land of cowboys (Tombstone) and Native Americans (Navajo National Monument, Wupatki, the Hopi mesas...).
Nevada
World-famous thanks to Las Vegas, Nevada remains above all an arid, desert state that is ultimately not very touristy once you exclude, of course, Vegas and its casinos. Even though sites like lakes Tahoe and Mead or the unmissable Death Valley attract visitors, these are only partially located in Nevada and are more broadly associated with neighboring states.
New Mexico
While New Mexico has some remarkable natural sites like the White Sands National Monument, the world’s largest white sand desert, it is less impressive in terms of landscapes than other states in the American West. In fact, here, it’s primarily historical and cultural landmarks that draw most visitors. Starting with those of Native American populations, which you can explore in the Pueblos, and particularly the UNESCO-listed Taos, or places like Chaco Canyon, a collection of 3,600 sites belonging to the Ancestral Pueblo culture. Alongside its beautiful Spanish adobe architecture, a city like Santa Fe is also recognized for its arts and culture.
Utah
Bryce Canyon, Arches, Capitol Reef, Zion, and above all the world-famous Monument Valley, Utah is home to some of the most well-known natural sites in the United States. Despite its arid environment, the landscapes are so stunning that the region is a must-visit for any trip to the American West. In another domain, Utah is also known as the state of the Mormons, with their capital Salt Lake City.
Rockies
Colorado
With a minimum altitude exceeding 1,000 m, Colorado is the highest state in the country. It’s also a place with extraordinary landscapes, featuring peaks over 4,000 m high, impressive canyons (Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado National Monument), countless lakes, forests, and rivers like the Arkansas River, which is top-tier for rafting. Naturally, Colorado has built a strong reputation for outdoor activities, including hiking and especially skiing, with famous resorts like Aspen or Vail. In another domain, the state has also been Native American land for centuries, as shown by the impressive archaeological sites of the Mesa Verde National Park or the Canyons of the Ancients.
Montana
This vast state of barely a million inhabitants, on the Canadian border, is home to some sites from the Gold Rush and Native American epics, like the Little Bighorn Battlefield. But it’s above all a "nature state," with its wide-open spaces where, between the eastern plains and the Rockies in the west, you’ll find several stunning locations. The best-known are the Glacier National Park and the famous Yellowstone National Park, which spans three states.
Wyoming
It’s the least populated state in the U.S. and the land of cowboys, Native Americans, rodeos, and bison. In short, a certain image of America from the time of the Frontier, traces of which can still be found in many places. But as always in this part of the American territory, it’s primarily nature that captures attention first. Even though a third of Wyoming consists of plains, the rest is all mountains, lakes, and forests, with spaces popular among visitors like the Grand Teton National Park, the Medicine Bow Mountains, or those of the Wind River, not to mention the Yellowstone National Park and its 3 to 4 million visitors per year.