Hoogtepunten van de Rockies

About the destination: What Mecca is to the Muslims and Rome is to the Catholics, is what Salt Lake City is to the Mormons. Salt Lake City is the capital of the U.S. state of Utah. Four mighty walls surround the 4 hectare area in the middle of the old town, the centre of the Mormon Church that is Temple Square. It is decorated with flowers and contains the most important sacred buildings of the Mormon community, such as the Salt Lake Temple, The Tabernacle and the Conference Centre. The largest sanctuary and centre of the Mormon faith is the Salt Lake Temple. Constructed of stone, its use is restricted to the Mormon religion. It was built between 1853 and 1893 in grey granite and New Gothic style with six towers, its main one being 68 metres high. Construction of the Cathedral of the Madeleine began in 1900 and was completed in 1909, a Christian building whose exterior is of Romantic design and with a Gothic interior. Salt Lake City has become the centre of a hugely successful religious empire. The prosperous city also contains many of those of other faiths but the highly influential Mormon Church makes most of the region’s political decisions. But less than half the town's population are church members, the university and spectacular setting have attracted a wide range of residents that has filled the city with a diverse array of restaurants, nightlife, art and culture. Nonetheless, if one gets bored with the city, there is amazing natural spaces just a short drive away. The Bonneville Salt Flats are located next to Great Salt Lake, a huge area covered by salt that is one of the flattest areas in the world. Zion National Park contains several archaeological sites of great importance and offers an opportunity for exceptional hiking. Endless horizons, deep canyons and vast open spaces surround this truly blessed city.

About the destination: Moab is a city on the southern edge of Grand County in eastern Utah in the western United States. The population was 5,046 at the 2010 census, and in 2015 the population was estimated to be 5,235. It is the county seat and largest city in Grand County. Moab attracts a large number of tourists every year, mostly visitors to the nearby Arches and Canyonlands national parks. The town is a popular base for mountain bikers who ride the extensive network of trails including the Slickrock Trail, and for off-roaders who come for the annual Moab Jeep Safari.

About the destination: Mesa Verde National Park, in southwestern Colorado, is one of the most fascinating archaeological destinations in the United States. This UNESCO World Heritage Site preserves the remarkable cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Pueblo people, who lived here from about AD 600 to 1300. Sheer sandstone canyons, pine-covered mesas, and dramatic overlooks create a landscape that feels both rugged and sacred, especially at sunrise and sunset when the rocks glow with deep reds and golds. The park’s most famous sites are its cliff dwellings, such as Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Long House. These multi-story stone communities are tucked into natural alcoves high in the canyon walls and can be visited on ranger-led tours that often require climbing ladders and navigating narrow pathways. Above the cliffs, you can explore older “mesa-top” sites like pit houses and kivas that reveal how the Ancestral Pueblo people adapted to their environment over centuries. Mesa Verde also offers excellent hiking, scenic drives, and opportunities for wildlife viewing. Trails range from short, paved walks to overlooks—ideal if you’re short on time—to moderate hikes that lead to viewpoints and lesser-known ruins. The Mesa Top Loop Road and Cliff Palace Loop provide easy access to overlooks and interpretive signs that help you understand the history and culture behind the stone walls. Practical considerations: the closest base is the town of Cortez, with additional services in nearby Durango. The park sits at high elevation, so drink plenty of water and be prepared for strong sun and rapidly changing weather. Summer is the busiest season and requires advance reservations for tours and lodging, while spring and fall offer cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, making them ideal times to experience Mesa Verde’s quiet, timeless atmosphere.

About the destination: Gunnison is rather like a home on the range surrounded by ski areas, a national recreation area, national park, lakes, rivers and mesas and high-mountain sage that looks like it’s right out of a John Wayne Western movie. The city, which feels like a cattleman's town, is the kind of place where you don't feel like a tourist as much as somebody visiting the folks.

About the destination: Denver is the largest city and the capital of the state of Colorado. Denver is a young and vibrant city located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. A highlight of the Denver skyline is the Colorado State Capitol Building that looks like the US Capitol Building. Its shining gold dome commemorates the Colorado gold rush. Built in 1932, the Denver City Hall is an elegant and beautiful building, specially known for its grand display of lights during the Christmas season. Denver downtown, called the mile high city because of its closeness to Rocky Mountains, is a bustling commerce and cultural metropolis. Towering skyscrapers surround you and excellent restaurants abound. Step outside the city and soak in the fascinating Garden of the Gods. Massive rocks and unusual formations are sure to mesmerize you. Located close to Denver, the Rocky Mountains are one of the great mountain ranges of this planet offering an immersive experience with nature. This combination of urban sprawl and proximity to nature is what gives Denver its unique character and sets it apart as a destination.

About the destination: "Cheyenne is the capital and most populous city of the US state of Wyoming and the county seat of Laramie County. It is the principal city of the Cheyenne, Wyoming, Metropolitan Area which encompasses all of Laramie County. MAIN ATTRACTION TOURIST • State Capitol Building, is a National Historic Landmark and the dominant structure on the Cheyenne skyline. • Wyoming State Museum. • Union Pacific Railroad Depot. Recently renovated National Historic Landmark, home to the Cheyenne Depot Museum, a visitor center, and Shadow's Pub & Grill. • Old West Museum & Store. Located in Frontier Park on the grounds of Cheyenne Frontier Days, the historic rodeo called the “Daddy of ‘em All”. Includes a large display of horse-drawn carriages and exhibits on the history of the CFD rodeo which was established in 1897. • Nelson Museum of the West Western museum with 11,000 square feet of exhibits, including Indian artifacts, cowboy trappings, 19th century weapons. • Historic Governors' Mansion. Home to Wyoming governors from 1905 to 1976. • Big Boy Steam Engine. This powerful coal-fired engine was designed to pull a 3600-ton train over steep grades between Cheyenne and Ogden, Utah. • Cheyenne Botanic Gardens. Includes diverse flora and a greenhouse conservatory. "

About the destination: Custer, city, seat (1875) of Custer county, southwestern South Dakota, U.S. It lies in the southern Black Hills on French Creek, 5,318 feet (1,621 metres) above sea level. Custer is about 40 miles (65 km) southwest of Rapid City. Nearby are Custer State Park (headquartered in the city), Norbeck Wildlife Preserve, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Jewel Cave National Monument, Wind Cave National Park, and Black Elk Peak, the state’s highest point (7,242 feet [2,207 metres]). Badlands National Park is to the east, and Buffalo Gap National Grassland is east and south.

About the destination: Badlands National Park in South Dakota is a striking landscape of eroded buttes, jagged pinnacles, and layered rock formations that glow in shades of red, gold, and gray. Located about an hour and a half east of Rapid City, the park encompasses more than 240,000 acres of mixed-grass prairie and rugged badlands, offering a dramatic contrast between harsh geology and surprisingly rich wildlife. Once an ancient seabed, the area is now one of the richest fossil beds in the world, with remains of prehistoric mammals like the saber-toothed cat and three-toed horse. Visitors can explore the park via the Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240), a scenic byway with numerous overlooks, short trails, and pullouts for photos. Highlights include Panorama Point, Big Badlands Overlook, and the Yellow Mounds, each providing sweeping views of the layered rock and wide-open prairie. Popular hikes such as Notch Trail, Door Trail, and Castle Trail range from easy boardwalks to slightly more challenging routes that take you deeper into the formations. Sunrise and sunset are especially rewarding times, when the rocks shift color and the landscape takes on a surreal glow. Beyond the scenery, Badlands is a living prairie ecosystem where you can spot bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and prairie dogs. The park also lies within the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, and the nearby White River Visitor Center offers insight into Oglala Lakota history and culture. Camping is available at Cedar Pass Campground and the more primitive Sage Creek Campground, and there are basic services in the small community of Interior and at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. Whether you’re driving through on a western road trip or planning a few days of hiking and stargazing, Badlands National Park provides a powerful sense of remoteness and an unforgettable window into the natural and cultural history of the American Great Plains.

About the destination: Deadwood is a city from the state of South Dakota and which is located in Lawrence’s county. It is a city that combines history with the daily world. Deadwood has a lot of history behind it due to it was colonized by several Amerindian tribes, which had several disputes with the government, all that due to the fact that everyone thought there was gold in these lands. It is a very active city in the tourist branch, since it combines this two aspects and thanks to that it has a great variety of activities. The city shelters concerts, you can go to see rodeos, historical performances, An infinity of museums such as Days of ' 76 Museum where you will be able to learn a lot about his history or the Adams House, one of the most ancient houses in the city where you will be able to enjoy a guided tour. As for the leisure the city is replete with casinos mas the Mineral Palace Casino or the Deadwood Mountain Grand, there is a total of seven casinos in the city. Finally you will be able to visit the Black Hills a mountainous chain that has a few spectacular sights.

About the destination: Sheridan is a city in the U.S. state of Wyoming and the county seat of Sheridan County. The city is located halfway between Yellowstone Park and Mount Rushmore. It is the principal city of the Sheridan, Wyoming, Micropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Sheridan County. The 2010 census put the city's population at 17,444 and the Sheridan, Wyoming, Micropolitan Statistical Area at 29,116, making it the 424th-most populous micropolitan area in the United States.

About the destination: Incorporated in 1901, Cody, Wyoming is located 52 miles from the east entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Cody was founded in 1896 by Colonel William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, who passed through the region in the 1870s. He was so impressed by the development possibilities of irrigation, rich soil, grand scenery, hunting, and proximity to Yellowstone National Park that he returned in the mid-1890s to start a town. He brought with him men whose names still adorn street signs in Cody's downtown area: Beck, Alger, Rumsey, Bleistein, and Salsbury.

About the destination: Yellowstone National Park, straddling the states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, is one of the world’s greatest showcases of geothermal wonders and wild landscapes. Established in 1872 as the first national park in the United States—and widely considered the first in the world—Yellowstone protects nearly 3,500 square miles of mountains, forests, rivers, and high plateau. Visitors come for its iconic geysers, colorful hot springs, abundant wildlife, and sweeping vistas that change dramatically with the seasons. The park’s most famous attraction is Old Faithful, a remarkably predictable geyser that erupts roughly every 60–90 minutes, shooting boiling water high into the air. Nearby, the Upper Geyser Basin holds the highest concentration of geysers on Earth. Don’t miss Grand Prismatic Spring, a vast hot spring whose rainbow-colored rings are caused by heat-loving microorganisms. Boardwalks and well-marked trails make it easy to explore these fragile geothermal areas safely. Beyond the steam and sulfur, Yellowstone offers classic Rocky Mountain scenery. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, carved by the Yellowstone River, is a highlight, with viewpoints like Artist Point offering unforgettable panoramas of waterfalls plunging into a pastel-colored gorge. Yellowstone Lake, one of North America’s largest high-altitude lakes, invites scenic drives, lakeside walks, boating in summer, and tranquil views year-round. Hikers will find hundreds of miles of trails, ranging from short walks to backcountry treks into quiet valleys and alpine meadows. Wildlife is another major draw. The park is home to bison, elk, pronghorn, black bears, grizzly bears, and gray wolves, among many other species. Dawn and dusk in places like Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley often provide the best chances for sightings. Visitors should always observe animals from a safe distance and follow park regulations. Given Yellowstone’s popularity, plan ahead: summer brings crowds and limited parking at key sites, while spring and fall offer fewer visitors but more unpredictable weather. Regardless of when you go, come prepared for changing conditions, and you’ll discover why Yellowstone is considered a must-see destination in the American West.

About the destination: Jackson is a town in Teton County, Wyoming. It is home to Teton County. In 2010 it had a population of 9577 inhabitants and a population density of 1294 people per km2.

About the destination: What Mecca is to the Muslims and Rome is to the Catholics, is what Salt Lake City is to the Mormons. Salt Lake City is the capital of the U.S. state of Utah. Four mighty walls surround the 4 hectare area in the middle of the old town, the centre of the Mormon Church that is Temple Square. It is decorated with flowers and contains the most important sacred buildings of the Mormon community, such as the Salt Lake Temple, The Tabernacle and the Conference Centre. The largest sanctuary and centre of the Mormon faith is the Salt Lake Temple. Constructed of stone, its use is restricted to the Mormon religion. It was built between 1853 and 1893 in grey granite and New Gothic style with six towers, its main one being 68 metres high. Construction of the Cathedral of the Madeleine began in 1900 and was completed in 1909, a Christian building whose exterior is of Romantic design and with a Gothic interior. Salt Lake City has become the centre of a hugely successful religious empire. The prosperous city also contains many of those of other faiths but the highly influential Mormon Church makes most of the region’s political decisions. But less than half the town's population are church members, the university and spectacular setting have attracted a wide range of residents that has filled the city with a diverse array of restaurants, nightlife, art and culture. Nonetheless, if one gets bored with the city, there is amazing natural spaces just a short drive away. The Bonneville Salt Flats are located next to Great Salt Lake, a huge area covered by salt that is one of the flattest areas in the world. Zion National Park contains several archaeological sites of great importance and offers an opportunity for exceptional hiking. Endless horizons, deep canyons and vast open spaces surround this truly blessed city.