Stunning Natural Destinations to Explore in the Mountain West This Summer

Glacier National Park | Andrew S

Several places in the Mountain West are incredibly scenic getaway destinations. Let’s explore some of these amazing summer vacation locales. 

Yellowstone National Park, WY

Yellowstone National Park stretches across a massive area of the Mountain West, although it is primarily concentrated in Wyoming. Yellowstone National Park is one of the most famous parks in the U.S., with gorgeous forests, massive waterfalls, and deep canyons. This diverse landscape is home to a vast range of native wildlife, including bears, wolves, and more. Visiting Yellowstone National Park in the summer is ideal, as the warm temperatures provide optimal comfort for exploring the expansive park. 

Yellowstone National Park | Meina Yin

Grand Teton National Park, WY

Grand Teton National Park is one of the Mountain West’s most beautiful outdoor settings. The park encompasses Wyoming’s famous Teton mountain range, comprising jagged snow-capped peaks that rise thousands of meters above the ground. Although winters there are cold and frosty, summers are warm and inviting. Many visitors climb steep mountains, fish at Teton’s rivers and streams, or go horseback riding along picturesque trails.

Grand Teton National Park | Tyler Mower

Zion National Park, UT

Zion National Park is a world-famous destination in Utah that sees over three million visitors annually. Housing the renowned Zion Canyon, a 2,000-foot-deep canyon with red rocks framing its edges, the park is a mecca for hikers seeking to explore the trails throughout. Zion National Park covers 229 square miles of spectacular natural beauty, including incredible waterfalls, rushing rivers, and breathtaking vistas from its many cliffs and canyons. 

Zion National Park | Jeremy Bishop

Bryce Canyon National Park, UT

Utah is known for its rust-colored rock formations that give it an otherworldly look, and Bryce Canyon National Park, known for its red rock spires jutting from the ground, is one incredible example. Bryce Canyon National Park’s one-of-a-kind geology creates a fascinating atmosphere, with unique formations such as the U-shaped amphitheaters of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Visiting this park in the summer is best because the temperature stays warm but mild, contrasting with its frosty lows during winter. 

Bryce Canyon National Park | Ellis Dieperink

Glacier National Park, MT

Glacier National Park is a world-famous park in Montana’s gorgeous Rocky Mountains. With more than 700 miles of trails that wind through thick forests and mountainous terrain, it is the perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Hidden Lake, one of the most popular hikes in the park, leads through the mountains to a scenic glacial lake that is the perfect place to cool off on a summer day. The park is home to moose, grizzly bears, bobcats, and more.

Glacier National Park | Christopher Zarriello

Thousand Springs State Park, ID

Thousand Springs State Park is a natural paradise in southern Idaho divided into six distinct park units, each a short drive from one another: Malad Gorge, Kelton Trail, Earl M. Hardy Box Canyon Springs Nature Preserve, Billingsley Creek, Ritter Island, and Niagara Springs. It is a diverse landscape composed of thick forests, tranquil rivers, and incredible waterfalls. Thousand Springs State Park encompasses over 2,000 acres and offers jaw-dropping views from high gorges, expansive canyons with calm waters great for swimming, and historic sites, including routes along the Oregon Trail.