Active Pursuits

Montana and Wyoming are among the greatest the great outdoors has to offer, in the United States or anywhere in the world. There are literally millions of acres of public spaces where you can cast for native cutthroat trout or herd cattle, go rock climbing or four-wheeling, raft, or ski. These states collectively boast a trio of spectacular national parks, four national monuments, one national recreation area, two national historic sites, five national historic trails, 14 national forests, one national grassland, more than 20 million acres administered by the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and 62 state parks. All things considered, there are many lifetimes of outdoor recreation to be experienced in these parts.

Montana and Wyoming offer a surprisingly wide range of outdoor activities, from desert hiking and rafting to fly-fishing and skiing. Among the many online outdoor recreation information sources are the very informative and user-friendly Public Lands Information Center website, www.publiclands.org, and the GORP (Great Outdoor Recreation Page) website, at www.gorp.com.

Much of the fun to be had in the Northern Rockies takes place outdoors. Throughout this guide, you'll find contact information for national and state parks, national forests, and the like. Here are some key statewide and regional resources. The U.S. Forest Service has information about national forests and wilderness areas in Montana, as well as Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming, at the Northern Region Office, Federal Building, 200 E. Broadway, Box 7669, Missoula, MT 59807 (tel. 406/329-3511; www.fs.fed.us/r1). The rest of Wyoming's forests, as well as Thunder Basin National Grassland, are covered by the Rocky Mountain Region Office, P.O. Box 25127, Lakewood, CO 80225 (tel. 303/275-5350; www.fs.fed.us/r2).

The federal Bureau of Land Management also manages millions of acres of recreational lands and can be reached at its Wyoming state office, 5353 Yellowstone Rd., Cheyenne, WY 82009 (tel. 307/775-6256), or its Montana state office, 5001 Southgate Dr., Billings, MT 59101 (tel. 406/896-5000).

For information on Montana state parks, fishing, and hunting, get in touch with Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, 1420 E. 6th Ave., P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620 (tel. 406/444-2535; http://fwp.state.mt.us). In Wyoming, contact Wyoming State Parks and Historic Sites, 2301 Central Ave., Cheyenne, WY 82001 (tel. 307/777-6323; http://wyoparks.state.wy.us). For hunting and fishing, contact Wyoming Game and Fish, 5400 Bishop, Cheyenne, WY 82003 (tel. 307/777-4600; http://gf.state.wy.us).

You'll have no trouble finding detailed topographic maps -- essential for wilderness trips -- plus whatever equipment and supplies you need. And despite the well-publicized cuts in budgets and workforces in national parks, recreation areas, and forests, every single ranger I encountered was happy to take time to help visitors plan their backcountry trips. In addition, many sporting-goods shops are staffed by area residents who know local activities and areas well, and are happy to help the would-be adventurer. In almost all cases, if you ask, there will be someone willing and able to help you make the most of your trip.

What to Pack, What to Rent -- Planning for a trip into the great outdoors may conjure images of vacationers loaded down with golf clubs, skis, cameras, tents, canoes, and bikes. If a car or light truck is your mode of transportation, try to keep the heaviest items between the axles and as close to the floor of your vehicle as possible; this helps improve handling. If you have a bike rack on the rear bumper, make sure the bike tires are far from the exhaust pipe; one bike shop owner told us he does a good business replacing exhaust-cooked mountain-bike tires. Those with roof racks will want to measure the total height of their packed vehicles before leaving home. Underground parking garages often have less than 7 feet of clearance.

One alternative to carrying all that stuff is renting it. Many sporting-goods shops in Montana and Wyoming rent camping equipment; virtually all ski areas and popular mountain-bike areas offer rentals; and major boating centers such as Flathead Lake, Jackson Lake, and Lake Flaming Gorge rent boats. You'll find many rental sources listed throughout this book.

In packing for your trip, you'll want to be prepared for all your favorite activities, of course, but you'll also want to be prepared for an unforgiving climate and terrain. Those planning to hike or bike should take more drinking water than they think they'll need -- experts recommend at least 1 gallon of water per person per day on the trail -- as well as high-SPF sunscreen, hats and other protective clothing, and sunglasses with ultraviolet protection. Summer visitors should carry rain gear for the typical afternoon thunderstorms, plus jackets or sweaters for cool evenings. Winter visitors will need not only warm parkas and hats, but also lighter clothing -- the bright sun at midday, even in the mountains, can make it feel like June.

Staying Safe & Healthy in the Outdoors -- The wide-open spaces and rugged landscape that make these states such a beautiful place to explore can also be hazardous to your health, especially if you're not accustomed to the extremes here. The isolation of many of the areas that you'll seek out means there may be no one around to help in an emergency, so you must be prepared, like any good scout. Also, be sure to carry a basic first-aid kit. Most important, check with park offices, park rangers, and other local outdoor specialists about current conditions before heading out.

Outdoor Etiquette -- Many of the wonderful outdoor areas you'll explore in Montana and Wyoming are quite isolated; although you're probably not the first human being to set foot here, you may feel like you are. Not too long ago, the rule of thumb was to "leave only footprints"; these days, we're trying to not even do that. Being a good outdoor citizen is relatively easy -- it's mostly common sense. Pack out all trash, stay on established trails, be careful not to pollute water, and, in general, do your best to have as little impact on the environment as possible. The best among us go even further, carrying a small trash bag to pick up what others have left behind.

Adventure Travel

There are plenty of opportunities for adventure in Montana and Wyoming -- and some terrific outfitters to help you plan and execute your trip. You can take part in a cattle drive; thrill to the excitement of white-water rafting on the Snake or Flathead rivers; scale a mountain in Grand Teton National Park; or head out into some of the most spectacular scenery in the country on foot or on bicycle, or in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. The variety of tours available seems almost endless, but the tour operators can help you find the one for you. In many cases, you can work with an operator to plan your own customized trip -- all it takes is money.

Below are some of the most respected national companies operating in Montana and Wyoming. Most specialize in small groups and have trips geared to various levels of ability and physical condition. They also offer trips in a range of price categories, from basic to luxurious, and of varying length. Numerous local outfitters, guides, and adventure travel companies are discussed throughout this book. For a complete list of outfitters in Montana or Wyoming, as well as a lot of other useful information and Web links, contact Travel Montana, P.O. Box 200533, 301 S. Park St., Helena, MT 59620 (tel. 800/VISIT-MT [800/847-4868] or 406/841-2870; www.visitmt.com), or the Wyoming Business Council Travel & Tourism Division, I-25 at College Drive, Cheyenne, WY 82002 (tel. 800/225-5996 or 307/777-7777; www.wyomingtourism.org).

• AdventureBus, 375 S. Main St., #240, Moab, UT 84532 (tel. 888/737-5263 or 909/633-7225; www.adventurebus.com), offers trips on its customized buses with an emphasis on outdoor adventures, including multisport and mountain biking tours in the Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks areas.
• Austin-Lehman Adventures, P.O. Box 81025, Billings, MT 59108 (tel. 800/575-1540 or 406/655-4591; www.austinlehman.com), offers guided multiday mountain biking, hiking, and combination tours in the Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks areas.
• Backroads, 801 Cedar St., Berkeley, CA 94710-1800 (tel. 800/462-2848 or 510/527-1555; www.backroads.com), offers a variety of guided multiday road biking, mountain biking, and hiking tours in the Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton national parks areas.
• Moguls Mountain Travel, 6707 Winchester Circle, Suite 100, Boulder, CO 80301 (tel. 888/604-5848; www.skimoguls.com), provides customized skiing and snowboarding packages at Big Sky, Whitefish Mountain, and Jackson Hole.
• The World Outdoors, 2840 Wilderness Place, Suite D, Boulder, CO 80301 (tel. 800/488-8483 or 303/413-0938; www.theworldoutdoors.com), offers a variety of trips, including multisport adventures that include hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and rafting in the Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks areas.

Visiting Montana & Wyoming's National Parks

For many people, including me, the best part of a vacation to Montana and Wyoming is exploring the state's three national parks: Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton (www.nps.gov). Unfortunately, these beautiful national treasures have become so popular that they're being overrun by visitors when the federal government is cutting budgets, making it difficult for the parks to cope with their own success.

To get the most out of your national park visit, try to go in the off season. The parks are busiest in summer, when most children are out of school, so try to visit at almost any other time. Fall is usually best. Spring is okay, but it can be windy and there may be snow at higher elevations. Winter can be delightful if you don't mind snow and cold. If you have to travel in summer, be patient. Allow extra time for traffic jams and lines, and try to hike some of the longer and lesser-used trails. Rangers will be able to tell you which trails are best for getting away from the crowds.

If you plan to visit a number of national parks and monuments within the time frame of a year, America the Beautiful -- National Park and Federal Recreational Lands Passes, which cost you $80 (good for 365 days from the date of purchase), will save you money. The passes are good at all properties under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service, as well as fee areas administered by the Bureau of Land Management, National Forest Service, and other federal agencies. The Interagency Annual Passes provide free entrance for the pass holder and all vehicle occupants to National Park Service and other properties that charge vehicle entrance fees; and the pass holder and three additional adults for sites that charge per-person fees. The passes can be purchased at park entrance stations and visitor centers, or online at www.store.usgs.gov/pass.

Your Pass to Free Admission -- Those who enjoy vacationing at national parks, national forests, and other federal lands have a new annual pass, but for most travelers, it will cost more than the old passes that have now been phased out. The America the Beautiful -- National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, which went on sale in 2007, costs $80 for the general public. It provides free admission for the pass holder (and those in his or her vehicle) to recreation sites that charge vehicle entrance fees on lands administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation. At areas that charge per person fees, the passes are good for the pass holder plus three additional adults. Children under 16 are admitted free.

The pass, which is good for 1 year from the date of purchase, replaces the National Parks Pass, which was limited to only properties administered by the National Park Service, and the Golden Eagle Passport, which provided free entry to all the federal lands covered by the new pass. The new passes are also available for U.S. citizens and permanent residents 62 and older for a lifetime fee of $10 (same as the former Golden Age passports), and are free for U.S. residents and permanent residents with permanent disabilities (also the same as the former Golden Access passports).