Culture & History

Southwestern Colorado is a living museum of layered histories and enduring traditions. From the ancient cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde to the vibrant heritage of the Ute and Navajo Nations, the region invites travelers to walk in the footsteps of generations past. Across the Southwest, pueblos and missions echo centuries of Indigenous and Spanish influence, while Arizona’s petroglyphs and New Mexico’s adobe villages preserve sacred stories etched in stone and clay. In the Western U.S., Oregon Trail landmarks, California Gold Rush towns, and Montana’s frontier forts reveal the grit and ambition of early settlers. Whether exploring trading posts, ghost towns, or railroads that stitched the West together, each stop offers a window into the cultures, conflicts, and resilience that shaped the American landscape. Discover the ceremonial dances of the Hopi, the cliffside kivas of Chaco Canyon, and the enduring ranching traditions of West Texas. From Pacific Northwest longhouses to the Blackfoot heritage of the northern plains, the West holds a mosaic of voices—each rooted in land, legacy, and survival.

Southwestern Colorado and nearby lands brim with layered histories—Mesa Verde’s cliff dwellings, Ute and Navajo traditions, ghost towns, and frontier forts.

Food & Dining

Enjoy the myriad flavors of Southwestern Culture, including Navajo tacos and traditional New Mexico posole and sopapillas. From the buffalo burgers of Wyoming to the Rocky Mountain oysters and Palisade peaches of Colorado, from Utah scones and green jello to the Sonoran hotdogs of Arizona, adventures in food and dining await your budding taste buds. Venture north to Montana for huckleberry pie and elk steaks, or explore Idaho’s famous finger steaks and trout fresh from mountain streams. In Washington and Oregon, savor wild mushroom risottos, Dungeness crab, and marionberry jams. Western Canada adds its own flair, with Alberta’s AAA beef, prairie bison, and Saskatoon berry preserves. British Columbia offers Pacific salmon, spot prawns, and fusion dishes that blend Indigenous, Asian, and European influences. Whether you're sampling fry bread at a powwow, sipping craft cider in the Okanagan Valley, or enjoying smoked trout beside a high-country lake, the West serves up a feast of flavors rooted in land, tradition, and adventure.

Savor Navajo tacos, buffalo burgers, Colorado peaches, Dungeness crab, and fusion dishes across the Southwest and Northwest.

Adventure & Expedition

Whether you're carving fresh powder on alpine slopes or ziplining through forest canopies, the West offers endless adventure across every season. From the ski resorts of Colorado to the red rock canyons of Utah, thrill-seekers and nature lovers alike will find exhilarating ways to explore. Try jet skiing across high-altitude lakes, snowmobiling through pine-covered trails, or embarking on overnight mountain hikes under starlit skies. Backcountry fishing, rock climbing, and guided wildlife expeditions offer deeper immersion into the rugged beauty of the region. Whether you're chasing adrenaline or solitude, these landscapes invite you to go beyond the trailhead and discover the untamed spirit of the American West. Saddle up for horseback rides across open range, rappel into slot canyons carved by centuries of wind and water, or paddleboard through alpine reservoirs framed by towering peaks. Explore lava tubes in Oregon, sand dunes in Idaho, or glacier-fed rivers in British Columbia. With every turn, the Western frontier delivers a fresh challenge and a deeper connection to the land.

Ski Colorado’s peaks, zipline Utah canyons, paddleboard alpine lakes, explore lava tubes, and fish glacier-fed rivers—adventure year-round.