Find ideas below for the states of Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming. (For AZ, NM, NV, see "Southwest US".) Both mountain and non-mountain vacation ideas are included!
Just so you know... The Rockies span 3000 miles from Canada to New Mexico, with dozens of ranges, some higher, some lower, and known by names like The Tetons in WY, The Sawtooths (ID) the Wasatch Range in Utah. You might've been in the Rockies without knowing it!
1. Colorado Ski Resorts
Colorado has some of the biggest names in ski resorts, such as Aspen (actually "Aspen Snowmass", with four mountain areas, and celebrity status for decades). Steamboat Springs, Crested Butte, Breckenridge... Colorado has many ski resorts, and often you'll find a quaint former mining town. All ski resorts these days have kids programs and plenty for families; look for teen programs, kids' centers, and baby care, too.
2. Top Things to Do in Colorado in Summer
Photo © Teresa Plowright.
There's good reason Denver residents flock to Colorado's rivers and mountains during summer months. Families can try whitewater rafting and river kayaking, zipline across a rushing river, swim in a giant hot springs pool, explore a huge underground cave system, ride an alpine coaster, go on a seriously scary Giant Canyon Swing...
3. Ski Resorts in Summer
Photo courtesy of Winter Park ski resort.
Winter Park Colorado is one of many ski destinations that are getting creative about providing family fun in summer-time.
4. Colorado Dude Ranches
Vista Verde Ranch, photo courtesy of Tony Conboy III.
Family farms, guest ranches, and dude ranches make great getaways, with horseback riding and other fun activities, kids programs at many places, and pricing that includes meals. Kids love to imagine the cowboy way of life, and Colorado provides a great mountain setting. Some dude ranches are open year-round, with different activities. Horseback riding season starts in May or June, but some ranches offer opportunities throughout the year.
5. YMCA of the Rockies
Book early for this top spot for family vacations! YMCA of the Rockies has two centers in Colorado-- Snow Mountain Ranch (5100 acres) and Estes Park Center (860 acres); guests stay in lodges or cabins and can enjoy a bonanza of recreational activities, from indoor sports to family zip line, High Challenge Course, archery horse-riding, and lots more. Affordable pricing; seasonal events such as Fall Fest.
6. Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park (in Wyoming and Montana) is one of those famously popular destinations that exceeds expectations; no wonder so many people flock to it. Unique in the world, The Park contains the Yellowstone "caldera", or "Yellowstone supervolcano", which causes its amazing geothermal features (hot springs, geysers, other-worldly "terraces"). Yellowstone also has wildlife viewing, including wolves, moose, and grizzly bear, and wonderful historic inns.
7. Yellowstone Family Adventure Tour
"Family Adventures" are escorted tours with all-details-handled and tip-top itineraries. Read a review of a Yellowstone Family Adventure (by Austin-Lehman Tours) that included wildlife viewing with a naturalist, hiking the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and (outside the Park) horse-riding and white-water rafting.
8. Utah Ski Resorts
Utah has some choice spots for snow vacations, including seven different mountains right by Salt Lake City, and two more resorts under an hour from the SLC airport. Key points include Great Snow (motto is "The Greatest Snow on Earth" is the motto), and Fast Track to the Slopes: dozens of cities have direct flights to SLC, and from the airport you can reach nine different mountains in under an hour.
9. Cody, Wyoming
Photo courtesy of Cody, Wyoming.
Here's an affordable summer vacation idea: the town of Cody offers many fun free and low-budget things to do, and is located just 52 miles from the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park. The Big name in town is Buffalo Bill Cody, and visitors will find Old West attractions and a huge Buffalo Bill Historical Center with diverse sections (for Western art, the Plains Indians, and more.)
10. White-Water Rafting
Whitewater rafting is a thrilling experience that crosses age barriers: it's great fun for parents, teens, preteens; and if you're on the right Class of river -- all rivers are classified by the same system-- even young kids can enjoy the ride. Keep in mind that your experience varies with the season: rivers are highest when the mountain snow is melting; late in the summer, you'll get less white-water.
11. CO: Dude Ranch for the Holidays
Photo courtesy of Vista Verde Ranch.
Vista Verde is a dude ranch near Steamboat Springs ski resort that puts out the welcome mat during the holidays. Winter fun include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, horseriding, sleigh-rides; programs for kids and teens; off-ranch activities such as dog-sledding. Special holiday activities include going out on cross country skis to cut a Christmas tree, making homemade decorations, go caroling, Christmas Day Feast.