Yellowstone & Cowboy Country
Planning a holiday to Yellowstone & Cowboy Country? From holidays to Montana and Wyoming to exploring the Dakotas and Great Plains or driving Route 66, this region is full of adventure, wildlife and iconic western landscapes.
What states are included in Yellowstone and Cowboy Country?
This fantastic region covers some of America’s most iconic western states: Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma. It’s a region known for its captivating national parks, its abundance of ranches, and its authentic cowboy towns. The wildlife of Yellowstone and Cowboy Country is similarly iconic, with the chance to encounter bison, bears and bald eagles, to name a few.
What airports are the best to fly into?
For Yellowstone and the Rockies:
- Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, Montana – The main gateway to Montana and northern Yellowstone, with good connections via US hubs.
- Jackson Hole Airport, Wyoming – Situated right in Grand Teton National Park, it is the perfect place to start your holiday to Wyoming and get outdoors right away.
- Salt Lake City International Airport, Utah – There are direct flights from the UK, and you’re less than two hours drive away from Idaho and Wyoming.
For the Dakotas and the Great Plains:
- Rapid City Regional Airport, South Dakota – Just a stone’s throw away from Mount Rushmore, the Badlands and Custer State Park.
- Fargo Hector International Airport, North Dakota – Easy access to Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the northern plains.
For Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma:
- Kansas City International Airport, Missouri – A great gateway to Kansas and Nebraska’s ranches.
- Will Rogers International Airport, Oklahoma – Arrive right in the heart of America, where epic road trips and cowboy country await.
What is the best time of year to visit?
There isn’t really a bad time to visit Yellowstone and Cowboy Country, although the experience you’ll have does vary dramatically.
- Spring (April to June) – This is the ideal time for wildlife spotting, as it is calving season for bison and you can still catch sight of migrating birds. The temperature is mild, but there is often snow on the mountain tops.
- Summer (July and August) – Perfect for ranch stays, horse riding and experiencing cowboy towns. All the national parks are fully accessible, rodeos, festivals and ranch activities are in full swing and the weather is warm.
- Autumn (September and October) – You can expect stunning ‘fall’ foliage across Montana, Wyoming and the Great Plains at this time of year, and you can get great deals on ranches.
- Winter (November to March) – The mountainous landscapes are a snowy wonderland at this time of year. Enjoy a plethora of winter sports, with many ranches hosting snow-sports too. Some roads and entrances to the national parks are closed, but Yellowstone’s geysers are spectacular over the winter.
Where to go for a ranch holiday?
Although there are ranches across much of the US, Montana and Wyoming offer a quintessential ranch experience. With a range of properties, including authentic working ranches, rustic dude ranches and luxurious resort ranches, there is something for everyone. Nestled within vast open plains, and framed by majestic mountains, you can explore these states’ spectacular scenery on horseback.
What to expect on a ranch holiday?
Although your experience is determined by the type of ranch you go for, but across working, dude and resort ranches you can expect to get stuck into outdoor activities. Horse riding is often the main draw for visitors, with rides for all abilities led by expert wranglers. Many ranches also offer activities like hiking, fishing, biking and more. You can often learn skills like roping, or watch rodeos too. Ranches typically offer rustic cabins or cosy guest rooms, serving family style, home-cooked meals. It’s an opportunity to try something out-of-the-ordinary and get into nature.
What wildlife can I see?
Montana, Wyoming, and Yellowstone in particular, are famous for their wildlife. Home to grizzly and black bears, wolves, elk, bison and moose, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter lots of animals on a self drive, or you can take a guided wildlife tour.
In the rugged Rocky Mountains, particularly across Idaho, you’ll find deer, elk, eagles and mountain goats. The Great Plains and Badlands of the Dakotas bring slightly different species, with plenty of bison, alongside pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, coyotes and prairie dogs.
In Kansas, and in the Sandhills of Nebraska, you’ll find coyotes, foxes and large flocks of migrating sandhill cranes, whilst Oklahoma’s prairie and woodland areas house bobcats and wild turkeys as well as a large bison population.
Plan your holiday
