Best Road Trip: Rocky Mountain Region, USA

Summer 2017

Phoenix, Arizona to Rapid City, South Dakota: first north, then east—that was our route. Our mom, Timmy, and I embarked on a pilgrimage of sorts to visit the Wyoming ranch where my brother worked one summer. He was a “ranch hand” on a farm that mined bentonite (kitty litter stuff), with an 18-mile-long driveway. Neighbors occasionally popped over via private planes—this is the kind of rural you only read about in Little House on the Prairie.

We flew into Phoenix, picked up our rental car, and explored the hot, dry city for a couple of days, even catching a Diamondbacks game, before heading north to the red rocks of Sedona. We promised ourselves we’d pull over at anything eye-catching—but that turned out to be everywhere.

Next, we arrived at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, staying in a cozy northern Arizona motel before a full day of hiking. My mom’s fear of heights kept us off the mule tours, so we tackled the trail on foot.

The Canyon’s sheer scale was humbling—it’s impossible not to feel small in the face of such grandeur. That night, we “glamped” via Airbnb…which was more “camping” than “glamour.” After nearly getting lost on a dirt road, dodging farm dogs, and enduring freezing temperatures, we settled into tents with layers upon layers of clothing, beanies, and boots, huddling by the fire with other campers for warmth.

From there, we headed north to Bryce Canyon. Its hoodoos—red-clay rock spires—look like giant sandcastles from childhood. While hiking, we met a biker gang whose leader had a velcro Chihuahua that accompanied them everywhere. From Bryce, it was a short drive to Zion National Park, where road closures made us navigate alternate entrances. We only had time for the Emerald Pools Trail, but it was jaw-dropping: jagged rock formations, cascading waterfalls, and frogs croaking like a street band left us speechless.

Next, Salt Lake City: we stayed in a retro camper, did trivia night, zip-lined at Deer Creek, explored the state park, and visited the 2002 Olympic Games complex in Park City.

From there, we made our way to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, with a scenic pit stop at Bear Lake. In Jackson, we visited a local artisan market, tried axe-throwing, and went white-water rafting on the Snake River.

Then came Grand Teton National Park—my favorite stop. Staying in the in-park lodge with a balcony view of snowcapped peaks, we sipped champagne as the sun set. The next day, we hiked to Lake Jenny, encountering only Ranger Rick (thankfully, no bears).

Yellowstone was next—a wild, surreal mix of grizzlies, geysers, and snowbanks. The park’s Figure 8 route exposed us to wildlife and landscapes at every turn: bison herds, black and grizzly bears, and even a lone wolf at dusk. Exhausted, we drove to Gardiner, Montana, for the night before continuing eastward to Wyoming.

At the ranch, we were greeted by farm dogs and a welcoming family skeptical of our urban appearance—but we thrived. Over several days, we toured the property, climbed mining machines, swung into mud pits, observed newborn calves, and even participated in cattle herding and castration. Timmy was teased for refusing a rocky mountain oyster, so I stepped up—choked it down, and earned bragging rights for the rest of the trip. The ranch was a treasure trove of life lessons: kids barefoot and covered in dirt, laughing endlessly, happy with so little—proof that joy isn’t tied to material wealth.

The final leg of our journey took us through South Dakota: Mount Rushmore, Devil’s Tower, and the serendipitously discovered Wind Cave National Park with its dark, damp stalagmites and stalactites. At Badlands National Park, we roamed nearly alone over gray mounds as the sunset painted the sky pink, orange, and lavender. Mountain goats guided their young over rocky terrain, a quiet scene that left us speechless and full of gratitude.

We spent our final night in Rapid City before flying out. Looking back, this road trip reminded me that incredible travel experiences don’t always require international destinations—sometimes the most breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable adventures are right in our own backyard.

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To Do or Not To Do?

Absolutely. 1000% yes. ASAP. Pack your hiking boots, water bottle, comfy clothes, sunscreen, and an unquenchable sense of adventure—because you’re going to need them. This corner of Earth is Mother Nature’s ultimate showcase: dramatic landscapes, wildlife straight out of a storybook, and skies so vast you’ll feel tiny (in the best way).

Move slow and soak it all in—there are jaw-dropping vistas around every bend. Stay hydrated and protect your skin, because the sun is stronger than you think. Layer up with comfy clothes for fluctuating temperatures, and bring sneakers for lighter strolls.

Most importantly, pack humor and curiosity. Expect wildlife, quirky locals, and scenery that will make your jaw drop. Take photos, but also take time to just look. Leave your phone tucked away for stretches—you’ll feel like a tiny, glorious human in a spectacular, enormous world.

This trip will leave you exhilarated, inspired, and a little addicted—you’ll start planning the next adventure before you even unpack. Boots on. Water bottle full. Adventure mode: activated.

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