Wyoming

The least populous state, Wyoming receives less attention than neighbors Montana and Colorado, with their celebrity ranch owners and high-profile ski resorts. But its rugged landscape is a remarkable meeting of the Great Plains and the Rockies. Two of the state’s largest attractions are hardly unknown: Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks are gems of the federal system, and they live up to their legendary magnificence (especially if enjoyed outside the crowded peak summer season). More than half of Wyoming’s land is federally and state-owned, and there is a plethora of national monuments, historic trails and state parks that abound with recreational opportunities. Jackson is the preferred base for many upscale travelers (and the gateway to resorts like Jackson Hole Mountain, the state’s largest ski area).

In April, May, September and October, the major parks have moderate weather and fewer crowds.