Wyoming

Despite being one of the ten largest in geographical size, the state of Wyoming has the smallest population in the country. Accordingly, visitors shouldn't expect much by way of exciting urban centers or thrilling nightlife. Nevertheless, Wyoming does offer some of the largest and best national parks in the country. And the cowboy spirit lives on in Wyoming, in the rodeos, dancehalls and livestock that fill the state. For anyone interested in seeing America's wild west, Wyoming is a vital destination.

Yellowstone National Park is the major destination in the state, and the most popular, drawing over 3 million visitors each year. Created by intense volcanic activity over 600,000 years ago, the area is filled with spewing geysers, boiling sulfuric pits and spectacularly rugged terrain. The most famous geyser, Old Faithful, sends forth about 6000 gallons of water and steam about every 80 minutes. Other well-known sites within the park are the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River and the Mammoth Hot Springs Area.

The other popular site in the state is Grand Teton National Park, which boasts the jagged granite peaks of the Teton Mountains. These glacier-created formations tower over the region, which boasts over 200 miles of hiking trails. The Tetons are also an ideal destination for rock climbing, mountain biking and fishing.

Close by the Tetons is the city of Jackson. A popular ski resort, the town and the surrounding area offer a wealth of recreational possibilities during warmer weather as well. Visitors can hike, bike and ride horses in the hills, and there are rafting and canoeing sites too. While the city itself has become a bit too commercial for some purists, with loads of shopping malls and celebrity visitors, outdoor adventurers will love the surrounding terrain.