As vast as it is varied, the sheer size of the USA makes it impossible to even scratch the surface on just one trip. Whether you’re keen to unleash your inner cowboy on a working dude ranch, get your adventure fix riding over frothy rapids or down pristine ski slopes, tap into America’s famous music scene or embark on an all-American road-trip, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite USA experiences to get your started.
GO WHITE WATER RAFTING
Carving its way through no fewer than seven US states, the mighty Colorado River is the posterchild of America’s waterways – and no trip to Utah is complete without an exhilarating ride down its extensive network of white-water rapids. Suitable for all abilities, the river’s calmer waters are ideal for family-friendly scenic paddles, while some of its dicier stretches are utopia for adrenaline-junkies. For a true wilderness experience, head off on an overnight trip where your experienced guide will set up a comfortable riverside camp in the shadow of the region’s towering rust-red canyons and high desert scenery.
Over in the northwest, Oregon’s Rogue River feels achingly remote, ringed by forests, mountains, creeks and lakes – and thrilling multi-day rafting trips take visitors through a canyon deep in the rugged Siskiyou Mountains. For the ultimate all-rounder, pick the Deschutes River; geared up for both first-timers and experts, rides through Grade III rapids are punctuated with cooling dips in the crystal-clear waters while Ospreys and bald eagles swoop overhead.
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DISCOVER THE USA'S NATIONAL PARKS
With 63 national parks spread across 30 different states, the USA is renowned for its natural beauty, fascinating geology and outstanding flora and fauna. The big-hitters need no introduction: Yosemite’s thick forested interior and towering sequoia trees draw millions of visitors each year, while the beguiling lunar landscape of the Grand Canyon is best seen from the sky, and wildlife-rich Yellowstone is home to colourful hot springs and gurgling geysers. Our expert team has extensive knowledge of the country’s lesser-known gems too, and we can tailor the perfect trip to take in the very best of the best.
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ATTEND A RODEO
America’s Wild West is famed for its rodeo, but the original and arguably the best cowboy spectacle rolls into Wyoming’s Jackson Hole every summer. Steeped in local history and folklore, the Jackson Rodeo has been an integral part of the town’s heritage for over a century, and Red Savannah can arrange a behind-the-scenes VIP experience to get you right under the skin of the unique event. Get to know the cowgirls and cowboys and try your hand at some roping skills, before settling into a showcase of bull riding, barrel racing, saddle bronco riding, mini bull riding, and much more. For a more local, authentic rodeo experience, West Yellowstone’s rodeo is a fun and low key affair, or - if you are staying at a ranch - you are likely to encounter their own rodeo during your stay.
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GO ON A RIDING ADVENTURE
One of the best ways to take in the USA’s epic rural landscape is by saddling up and jumping on horseback. Montana’s swathes of wildflower-strewn meadowland appeal to riders of all levels; stay in a log cabin at Ranch at Rock Creek for the ultimate authentic cowboy experience, or head to the sophisticated country club-esque Triple Creek Ranch, set in the shadow of the mighty Rockies. Over in Wyoming, deeply traditional (and more affordable) Three Spear Ranch is surrounded by over 1,000 acres of rocky terrain and rolling hills, and riding excursions led by expert wranglers are capped off with evenings spent toasting s’mores around the campfire. A little further north, there’s endless terrain to be explored at Paintrock Canyon Ranch, boasting miles of beautiful backcountry in the foothills of the formidable Bighorn Mountains, plus luxurious safari-style tents to bed down in. Then there’s Oregon’s stunning Cascade Mountains, home to the Butte Creek Valley and family-run Wilson Ranches Retreat, where guests can learn about daily life on a working cattle ranch.
BACK TO TOPGO FISHING IN STUNNING LOCATIONS
Fly-fishing sits high on the list of Americans’ favourite outdoorsy pursuits, and the USA is home to some of the world’s best angling spots. There’s no need to scrimp on luxury when wading out for trout or salmon; set deep in rural Wyoming and unfurling along the spectacular Platte River Valley, Brush Creek Ranch offers guests everything from float fishing to ice fishing, while Colorado’s Dunton Hot Springs – a former mining town turned boutique cabin stay – has access to private waters on the Dolores River. Wonderfully remote Taylor River Lodge sits in a prime location on the banks of the fully-stocked River Taylor, which is regularly touted as the home of the best trout fishing in Colorado. And in Utah, The Lodge at Blue Sky boasts 35 miles of pristine Blue River-accredited rivers and streams, but if you’re looking for something a little more exclusive, heli-fishing allows guests to cast their line into deliciously secluded high mountain lakes.
Alaska, meanwhile, offers some of the very best fishing in the world between June and September. For a real adrenaline hit, head to Tordrillo Mountain Lodge. Accessible only by private plane, guests at the jaw-dropping lakeside retreat can heli-ski in the morning before fishing for suppers of Alaskan King salmon in the afternoon.
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WINE TASTING
Any oenophile would be mad to miss out on a pitstop in California’s world-renowned wine country, and there’s no better place to begin than Napa Valley. Home to over 400 different wineries producing a dizzying array of grape varieties, the picturesque region is packed with Michelin-starred farm-to-table restaurants and splashy hotels including Solage Resort & Spa. Thanks to Napa’s relatively compact footprint, it’s entirely possible to explore even with just a day or two to spare. A little further towards the Pacific coast, Napa’s go-slow little sister, Sonoma – where Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grape varieties take centre stage – feels reassuringly laid-back and is well worth a visit.
For somewhere more under-the-radar, the Santa Ynez Valley offers a compelling alternative. Just a 45-minute drive inland from Santa Barbara’s breezy beach scene, the region hosts an array of small, family-run wineries focusing on organic, biodynamic wines – and many offer tastings and tours. It’s worth lingering for the fantastically locavore food served up in the area’s sophisticated restaurants too.
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WILDLIFE WATCHING
The raw, untrammelled wilderness of Alaska is a veritable sanctuary for wildlife, and the state’s abundance of epic national parks means sightings of majestic seabirds, bald eagles, grizzly bears snatching salmon from the icy-cool waters and Alaska’s very own Big Five (bears, moose, wolves, caribou and Dall sheep) are never far away. America’s Wild West is another top wildlife watching spot, and visitors to Yellowstone National Park might be lucky enough to spy coyotes, bison, bears, wolves and elk as well as over 300 species of birds. Over in Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park’s craggy mountains harbour vast herds of bison, antelope and pronghorn. If you’re embarking on a Californian road trip, Monterey Bay is teeming with marine life; whale-watching here is about as good as it gets, with thousands of humpback whales, orcas and dolphins calling the waters their home.
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FEEL THE RHYTHM ON A MUSIC TOUR
America’s Deep South is synonymous with the sounds of the blues, soul, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll and country music – and a trip through the country’s musical heartland is a must-do for any music-lover. Kick off in Nashville and enjoy a whistlestop tour of the city’s legendary music venues where the likes of Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash cut their teeth, before snooping around the museums dedicated to Tennessee’s country music heritage. From here, it’s onto Memphis – and while no trip is complete without a visit to the home of the original King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Graceland, there’s plenty more to the city than just Elvis. Tour the recording studios where the careers of some of America’s best-known musical stars were launched, visit the infamous hotel where Martin Luther King was assassinated and spend your evenings diving into neon-lit music bars on the legendary Memphis strip. Finish up in New Orleans, where the city’s colourful architecture, foodie credentials and beguiling jazz scene in the iconic French Quarter are a real assault on the senses.
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HIT THE SLOPES
Aspen may be one of the USA’s best-known ski resorts, but with its popularity comes a high price tag. If you know where to look, there are plenty more spots worth heading to for a powder fix. Utah’s family-friendly Park City proudly hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics giant slalom and snowboarding events, and promises more groomed runs than any other North American resort. Stay at The Lodge at Blue Sky, ideally situated just 20-minutes from the lifts with chauffeurs and ski butlers on hand to guarantee hassle-free skiing. The Colorado Rockies are another popular winter playground, and both Scarp Ridge Lodge and Sopris House in the pretty mountain town of Crested Butte are the perfect jumping-off point for cat skiing through untracked backcountry. But if you’re looking for something a little more hardcore, head to Jackson Hole; home to one of the steepest runs in North America and miles of gnarly off-piste, it’s a daredevil’s paradise – with plenty of luxury ski-in, ski-out accommodation to boot.
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