NATIONAL PARKS FROM LEFT: DEVILS TOWER NATIONAL MONUMENT, ERIC LINDBERG; GRAND TETON FROM SNAKE RIVER, ISTOCK. Grand Teton National Park Located just south of Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park is rich with postcard-worthy sights of the snow-marbled Teton Range — which towers 2,134 metres above Jackson Hole. Crystalline alpine lakes mirror images of the dreamy mountains, and delightful wildflowers carpet the meadows during the summertime. There are endless ways to explore the park, including hiking, horseback riding, boating and fishing. SPECIAL MOMENTS • Observe the park’s fascinating ecosystems from the water on a guided Snake River float trip, which often include interpreta-tions of the area’s flora and fauna and give riders the chance to see moose, bison, bald eagles, beavers and other creatures. • Grand Teton’s more than 370 kilometres of hiking trails range from easy to strenuous and lead to spectacular sights. Hike to cascading Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point for aerial views of sapphire-blue Jenny Lake from several routes starting at Jenny Lake Trailhead. • One of the best ways to soak in sweeping vistas of the Tetons is on horseback. Book a horse-back-riding excursion with a local outfitter, who will pair you with the perfect horse for your riding abilities (no experience required) and a knowledgeable wrangler. • The deep and clear waters of Jack-son Lake are perfect for kayaking, canoeing, boating and sailing. Try your luck at angling salmon or cutthroat trout — fishing is best at sunset and twilight between June and September. Devils Tower National Monument Nestled in Wyoming’s sacred Black Hills near the town of Sundance, Devils Tower attracts avid climbers, adventure seekers and curious spectators. The otherworldly rock tower — established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 as the nation’s first National Monument — looms more than 350 metres above the surrounding plains and pine forests. SPECIAL MOMENTS • Geologists predict that Devils Tower’s characteristic delineated columns were formed more than 50 million years ago as a result of cooling magma. Ramble along the 2-kilometre Tower Trail, where interpretive signs highlight the attraction’s geology and ecology. • More than 20 Native American tribes have a cultural affiliation with the monument, includ-ing the Arapaho, Cheyenne and Shoshone, and many still consider the monument a sacred site. Learn more at Devils Tower Visitor Center, where exhibits illuminate the geologic, natural and cultural history of the area. • A paradise for rock climbers, hundreds of parallel cracks divide Devils Tower into hex-agonal columns. If you’d like to climb, register for free with park authorities. Many climbers opt not to summit the tower in June to respect Native American cultural events. • Camp or stay in a cabin near Devils Tower, many of which offer great amenities and incredible panoramas of the monument. TravelWyoming.com/uk 3
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