Peak Summer: A Road Trip Across the American West

1. Start in: Jackson Hole, WY

For wildlife lovers and extreme sports enthusiasts alike, there are few destinations as thrilling as Jackson Hole, Wyoming, famed gateway to the Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. During the summer, locals of all stripes cheer ropers and rodeo clowns at the season-long Jackson Hole Rodeo (which offers a special “Behind the Chutes” VIP experience); pack the lawns at classical concerts held during the Grand Teton Music Festival (through August 23); and drink Wyoming Whiskey at the famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. 

Boasting some of the best hiking, climbing, biking, rafting, and fly-fishing spots in the country, Jackson Hole is much more than a ski town. And the opportunities are endless. After 25 years in Jackson, legendary ski mountaineer Kit DesLauriers is still finding new mountains to summit in the Teton Range, where some of the tallest peaks rise above 12,000 feet. Says DesLauriers, “I think the Tetons are the most magnificent mountains in the lower 48—and they are right outside of town.” 

EXPERIENCES

Dark Sky Heaven: Amateur astronomers will find the wide Wyoming skies an ideal way to explore the universe. Featuring some of the darkest skies in the lower 48, Teton County has become the first county in the world to be designated an International Dark Sky Community, and stargazers reap the rewards. A three-hour nighttime safari with Wyoming Stargazing in Grand Teton National Park features dinner and a show, where guests view star clusters, planets, and galaxies with the aid of powerful telescopes and learned experts. At the Snow King Observatory and Planetarium, visitors can get an even closer look at the cosmos through a state-of-the-art PlaneWave telescope. 

Safari in the U.S.A.: At Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole, which debuts its new restaurant Steadfire Chophouse this summer, guests can explore Yellowstone National Park on an all-day excursion created in partnership with Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris and Yellowstone Safari Company. The “American Serengeti” experience begins with a private flight (for up to seven guests) into northern Yellowstone that soars over natural wonders like the Grand Prismatic hot spring and the Old Faithful geyser. Visitors encounter astonishing fauna, including Yellowstone’s bison herds, all while hiking through one of America’s extraordinary landscapes. “Two weeks ago, we had a moose at our office; then we had a raccoon that was fishing by the office the next day,” says Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris owner Matt Scott. “I was in town yesterday and there were mule deer walking through. As far as wildlife goes, Jackson is in the middle of a very healthy ecosystem, and it’s just a part of life here.” 

Bring It Home: an antler chandelier. The local firm Wild West Designs creates and sells the perfect statement pieces for any rustic retreat: chandeliers produced from elk antlers that the animals shed naturally. 

2. Continue to: Vail, CO

Cool alpine breezes make summer an appealing time to explore this charming mountain enclave. Built to resemble a quaint town in the Alps, Vail Village offers an array of restaurants, such as Tavernetta Vail, at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail, and upscale stores, including Moncler for jackets, Davidor and Squash Blossom for jewelry, and Kemo Sabe for Western wear. In the warmer months, the famous ski destination beckons with horseback riding, wagon rides, and even llama hikes (they carry hikers’ packs).  

This season, Four Seasons is launching Four Seasons Vail Adventures by Sage, a daylong experience with fly-fishing, rafting, a side-by-side ATV tour, and a gourmet lunch. The property is also making the Chalet (its ski-in, ski-out pavilion) a hub for activities such as wine tastings, cocktail pop-ups, art shows, and music.  

On Sundays in the town center, the Vail Farmers’ Market and Art Show brings vendors and artisans together, while Hot Summer Nights at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater features musicians, dancers, and comedians. Even the gondolas can be a summer experience—rides give visitors a bird’s-eye view of the Rockies, with fields of wildflowers across the wide expanse. 

EXPERIENCES

Endless Biking: Vail is a mountain biker’s dream, with 58 miles of paved recreational paths in Eagle County alone. A trip up Vail’s famous gondolas with a bike haul pass takes you to some of the most exhilarating high-elevation trails in Colorado, featuring breathtaking views of Gore Range. Those looking for a challenge flock to the Grand Traverse Mountain Trail, which twists and turns through fragrant pine forests and offers spectacular views of Mount of the Holy Cross. Looking for a downhill thrill? The Radio Flyer Mountain Trail descends 900 feet in elevation. 

Reel It In: Colorado’s rushing waters teem with brown trout, rainbow trout, brookies, and cutthroat. Vail Valley Anglers, the beloved fishing store in nearby Edwards, offers lessons, along with float, wade, and specialized fly-fishing trips led by seasoned guides along the Eagle, Colorado, and Roaring Fork rivers. Colorado Angling Company also offers customized fly-fishing tours from its base-camp cabin set up on a quarter-mile stretch of private trout stream in the Vail Valley. Anthony Mazza, a fly-fishing guide with the outfitter, says the joy—and the challenge—of the sport is “the change. It’s never the same. The same float on the same stretch of the same river can be completely different from one day to the next. We don’t speak fish, so you’ve got to figure it out every day.” 

Bring It Home: a Golden Bear necklace. The Golden Bear jewelry store, open since 1975, is famous for its handcrafted necklaces with a unique bear emblem. “If you are a Vail local,” says a resident, “you have to have a Golden Bear necklace.” 

3. End in: Santa Fe, NM

Magical Santa Fe has held both creatives (like painter Georgia O’Keeffe and author George R.R. Martin) and nature lovers in its thrall for centuries. A bastion of old-world charm and rich history, the city—founded in 1610—offers a profusion of lively restaurants and Southwestern art galleries (more than 250). Visitors can get into the spirit of Santa Fe at the beloved organic chocolatier Kakawa Chocolate House, known for its regionally inspired chocolate drinks, including mezcal and prickly pear. After a day of summertime fun, many flock to the acclaimed Santa Fe Opera, where the 2025 repertoire features such classics as La Bohème and The Marriage of Figaro. There are also endless ways to tune into the peace of the high desert, among them countless trails, like the trek to Picacho Peak, part of a 25-mile network of breathtaking biking and hiking routes in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. “You’ve gotta get out there and experience the outdoors, the fresh air, and the beautiful colours. That’s your stress relief,” says Hans Loehr, adventure program supervisor at Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe, which last year completed a full revitalization of its 65 suites and rooms. “You give us a few days, and you’ll recharge.” 

“The experience is different because  the horses reflect back the exact present moment with each person.” —Kelly Wendorf, founder, The Equus Experience

EXPERIENCES 

Equine Bonding: The powerful connection between horses and humans has been recognized for centuries. The Equus Experience is an innovative approach to personal knowledge and the development of leadership skills with the aid of our equine friends. No riding is involved; instead, participants interact with the horses to learn mindfulness, boundaries, and trust. “The experience is different because the horses reflect back the exact present moment with each person,” founder and CEO Kelly Wendorf, a personal development coach, has said of the two-hour and four-hour experiences of self-discovery. 

 White Water Thrills : Wild and scenic, the majestic Rio Grande is famous for its roaring rapids. Santa Fe’s Four Seasons offers white water rafting experiences tailored to every interest and skill level. The Racecourse, a four-mile series of Class II and Class III rapids, promises an exhilarating ride. The Rio Chama, a Rio Grande tributary, provides a more serene rafting experience, with stunning views of sandstone cliffs and open blue skies. 

Bring It Home: an antique Navajo rug. Located on historic Santa Fe Plaza, Shiprock Santa Fe has Navajo rugs and blankets (top right)—some dating to the late 1800s—fine art, and vintage and antique turquoise jewelry.