This curated Mountain States Road Trip takes you through some of our country’s most iconic Western landscapes.
Starting in Salt Lake, you’ll wind your way up to the border of Idaho and take in the state’s largest pinyon pine forest. Then your route takes you northeast to the celebrated limestone caverns in Montana. Winding your way southeast, you’ll come to the western edge of the Black Hills National Park. Heading further south, you’ll travel through Wyoming grasslands and into Colorado’s high country. Turning west, you will pass through the Colorado Rockies and into Utah for a stop in the Wasatch Mountains.
Each of the camping spots along the route also make for fantastic jumping-off points to see nearby attractions and National Parks.
First Stop: Castle Rocks State Park, Idaho
- 3-hour drive from Salt Lake City
Close to the Utah border in the south-central portion of Idaho is Castle Rocks State Park, an often overlooked gem of a park. Campsites are nestled among Idaho’s largest pinyon pine forest on the east slope of 7,560-foot Smoky Mountain. Restrooms and showers are centrally located. There are two cabins and a yurt for rent. Campsites are first-come-first-served.
Second Stop: Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park, Montana
- 5.5-hour drive from Castle Rocks
The showstoppers at Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park are the spectacular caves that are lined with stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and helictites. The park offers tours of the caves and has above-ground hiking trails and rental cabins. The park also provides multi-use trails, a brand new visitor center, amphitheater, picnic areas, large campground, showers, RV dump facilities, tipi, and three cabins.
Third Stop: Keyhole State Park, Wyoming
- 7-hour drive from Lewis and Clark Caverns
Located on the western edge of Black Hills National Park, Keyhole State Park is a great launching point to famous sites in the region, like Mount Rushmore and the Badlands. The park itself is also an outstanding recreation area. The park offers swimming, hiking, boating, water skiing, bird-watching, and fishing. Campers can reserve one of four cabins – other campsites are walk-ups only.
Fourth Stop: Glendo State Park, Wyoming
- 3-hour drive from Keyhole State Park
Situated in the south-eastern portion of Wyoming, about 100 miles north of Cheyenne, is Glendo State Park. The park has become a popular destination for boaters, anglers, hikers, and mountain bikers, with 45 miles of non-motorized trails. There are three reservable yurts, with the other campsites being first-come-first-served.
Fifth Stop: Jackson Lake State Park, Colorado
- 3.5-hour drive from Glendo
The high plains reservoir and campgrounds that comprise Jackson Lake are a favorite among watercraft enthusiasts and campers in the region. There’s plenty of room for everyone on this large reservoir – with sailboats and motorboats frequenting the waters – and boaters will see plenty of waterfowl and wildlife that flock to the reservoir’s shores. The park has 260 campsites, most of which are shaded by trees or man-made shelters.
Sixth Stop: James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park (Island Acres Section), Colorado
- 5.5-hour drive from Jackson Lake State Park
James M. Robb Colorado River State Park consists of five diverse sections along the Colorado River as it cuts through the Grand Junction area. The Island Acres section is nestled along the Colorado River in De Beque Canyon and offers abundant opportunities for walking, biking, fishing, and swimming. The canyon walls surrounding the area are a stunning backdrop and are home to wild horses and Bighorn Sheep. Anglers can cast their lines into three fishing lakes. Swimmers can take to the designated as the Swimming Hole with its peaceful waters and sandy beach. There are 38 reservable campsites.
Seventh Stop: Wasatch Mountain State Park, Utah
- 4-hour drive from James M. Robb Colorado River State Park
Wasatch Mountain State Park, nestled in beautiful Heber Valley, is a popular summer and winter destination and one of the state’s most developed and frequented parks. Soldier Hollow, the 2002 Olympic winter venue, encompasses the south end of the park and is open all year long for warm and cold weather activities, including mountain biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, and tubing. There are two cabins for rent, with the rest of the campsites available on a walkup basis.
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Are you ready for your adventure? Plan your camping trip!
Check with your Local Government Organization
Many policies have been established to counter and control the coronavirus outbreak. State and local officials have been taking decisive action to stop the spread. The policies vary by state, sometimes to a great degree. When you book a reservation, make sure to review the park and state’s latest rules and regulations prior to your visit.
For COVID-19 updates, please visit our Impacted Park List and Reservation Guide for the latest information.