Rocky Mountains (United States of America)

Amtrak has two daily routes that run through the Rocky Mountains. While trains can be more expensive than flying and only marginally faster than buses and these routes offer breathtaking views that you are unlikely to get elsewhere as well as perks such as more legroom or a couchette to sleep in. The trains also serve as an important link to the outside world for communities that have no or few other transport options.

• California Zephyr: Linking the Bay Area|San Francisco Bay Area to Chicago this is perhaps Amtrak's most scenic route, showcasing a wide range of American landscapes. It stops in Denver and the ski resort of Glenwood Springs (near Aspen) among other smaller communities.
• Empire Builder: Running between Chicago and Seattle/Portland (Oregon)|Portland, this train runs along the northernmost parts of Montana, stopping in several small communities. Most notable, Whitefish, a popular ski and outdoor destination and at the Glacier National Park.

By car

Route 25 is the major north-south highway, leading up from New Mexico, while I-70, I-80, and I-90/94 are the major east-west highways. Be aware that passes do get closed due to inclement weather (snow) in winter months, in particular I-70 is prone to this. Bus routes exist, mostly through Greyhound, but given the long distances, flying is often cheaper than paying for gas and bus fares on the road.

How to get around in Rocky Mountains (United States of America)

Getting around the Rocky Mountains can be tough. Mountain passes freeze in the winter, as you might expect, and many roads are risky, if not impassable under heavy snow. Moreover, you'll run through more gas per mile in the high altitudes. Flying is often a very good alternative in the winter, since Denver airport offers flights straight to ski slopes off in the mountains, as well as to virtually all the cities in the region.

During the warmer months, however, driving becomes a great way to explore the region. Some of the most spectacular drives in the nation are located here among the high mountains and endless wilderness. It can also be the only way to get to destinations off the beaten path, since, as you might expect and there's not a lot of public transportation in this vast and lightly populated section of the nation.

While the region very much grew around the railroad, today rail travel is even sparser than in the rest of the US. That said and the Denver area has a decent commuter rail / light rail system and there is the /winterparkexpress Winter Park Express during the skiing season right to the slopes of Winter Park (Colorado).

What to see in Rocky Mountains (United States of America)

Bald Eagle over Yellowstone - A bald eagle soaring above Yellowstone

The sights here are not urban in the slightest. With the exception of Denver and there are no large cities. Wyoming has fewer people than Alaska and is proud to be America's least populated state. Colorado boasts the highest overall elevation in the USA. Come here to admire the wildlife and spectacular vistas in the United States National Parks|National Parks. Many of North America's most renowned parks are here, from the geysers of Yellowstone, to the Glacier National Park|glaciers in Montana, to elk and bighorn sheep wandering among the high peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park. Black and Grizzly bears, wild cats, and buffalo are also found in the region.

Also of interest are the old mining and cowboy frontier towns that once contained most of the region's population. Many old Gold mine towns have transformed themselves into a tourist economy destination, with tours leading right down into old Gold mines. The cowboy towns remain, however, and that way of life has not yet died out. A good example is Leadville, Colorado. In addition, regional cultures including the indigenous Hispanic and American Indian populations, add long and proud legacys to the mix.

Best things to do in Rocky Mountains (United States of America)

Outdoor adventure is the entree on the Rocky Mountain platter. There's wonderful hiking just about everywhere, from the ravines in the plains in the east, to canyons in the west, to the high mountain trails along the Rocky Mountains spine. Trails are managed by the National Park service, State Park services, and National Forest and Grasslands services. Camping is widely available throughout all the wilderness regions of the Rocky Mountain states. Outside of the National Parks, it's not even regulated—you can just drive into any national forest and pitch a tent wherever your fancy. Hunting and fishing is regulated heavily by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, to protect local fauna from overhunting, but the activities are widely trainingd, and you'll have some beautiful areas in which to enjoy them.

The biggest draws to the region is the fantastic downhill winter sports. Ski resorts like Aspen and Vail rank among the world's finest, and are priced accordingly. But there's a wealth of other more affordable, and still fantastic options. The ski season in the Rockies starts early in the late Fall, and lasts long until the late Spring. The snow quality is magnificent, and the weather usually surprises with how warm it can be.

Sporting events are not quite so widely available as you would find in other parts of the nation (simply because there are fewer big cities here), but Denver makes up for that, with a lively sports culture, and one great American Football|football team and the Denver Broncos. If you're interested in the cowboy culture of the Rockies, look for a rodeo—especially away from the ski resorts and the biggest national parks and they're not half as tourist as you might suspect.

Halal Restaurants in Rocky Mountains (United States of America)

Jackson Lake - Jackson Lake at the Grand Teton National Park|Grand Tetons

You can find great food in the Rocky Mountains if you know where to look for it. Given the vastness of the region, fine dining is generally concentrated in urban areas like Denver, college towns like Laramie or Boulder and the fine old lodges in the most popular National Parks like Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, as well as the end-destination ski resorts like Jackson Hole, Aspen, Telluride and Vail. Fast food, chain restaurants, diners and bars and grills are the norm for the majority of the Rockies. Throughout the nationside, you'll be pretty much limited to small places with plenty of character, but also the same old dishes — hamburgers and Steaks are staples here. It is, however, a very good place to add elk and bison to the list of animals you have consumed.

Drinking, on the other hand, is a time honored activity in the Rockies, and it is done well. Colorado in particular is home to an enormous quantity of microbreweries, and you'll never be in want of good local organic juice throughout the region. Liquor laws are very lax compared to the rest of the nation (in general and there are fewer laws out here), and you can often pick up some soft drinks at a drive thru window!

Stay Safe

You're very unlikely to be the victim of crime in the Rockies, but you do need to be vigilant about safety in the wilderness. Don't get too close to buffalo, who will charge your vehicle if provoked (and the bulls could smash a vehicle in two if they wanted). Don't leave any food in non-scent proof or reachable containers, and hang your food in a bear bag far enough from your tent where a nosy bear wouldn't check both out in the same outing.

The cold weather|cold in the winter is the deadliest force around—-make certain that someone else knows where you are when you venture out, and when you plan to return. Always research the conditions in advance, and prepare for them adequately. Many people die in avalanches, or even freeze to death in their vehicles every year. Lightning is the number one killer at high altitudes, and high country weather can change in less than 10 minutes.

Make a point of registering with the local park service when embarking on a multi-day hike, so they know you're out there, and have an idea of how to rescue you should that becomes necessary.

Respect private property. If the sign reads no trespassing, it means no trespassing. Many rural residents, while usually friendly to outsiders, own firearms and don't take kindly to unwelcome people venturing onto their land.

Travel Next

The Rockies don't stop here, and there's an extraordinary wealth of high mountain trekking opportunities just west in Utah. And to the north are the beautiful Canadian Rockies.

If you're looking for more National Parks, but with a change of pace, head south into the Southwest (United States of America)|Southwest for iconic red rock and desert parks.

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