Rocky Mountains vacation rentals

Stretching more than 3,000 miles from northern Canada to the southwestern United States, the majestic Rocky Mountains are one of the defining landscapes of North America. Formed millions of years ago, these picturesque peaks — which wend across some of the most scenic Western states, are home to alpine tundras, sprawling pine forests, dune-filled desert, lakes, rivers, and ten national parks between Canada and the United States. These ranges are populated by a cavalcade of megafauna, including wolves, grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, and moose.

Humans flock here to revel in the natural beauty and to hike, rock climb, fish, mountain bike, ski, and snowboard. Hike out of the wilderness and you’ll find yourself in striking distance of such vibrant mountain cities as Denver, Jackson, and Bozeman. You can see the Rockies from the vantage point of a pair of skis, a jeep navigating a scenic byway, or the steamy waters of a natural hot spring. If you have the time, why not try them all?

Winter is for snow sports like skiing, while hiking and river rafting call for spring and summer. The national parks attract large crowds during the summer, so consider visiting them in the shoulder seasons for a more laid-back experience. Temperatures tend to cool off in alpine environments, so pack layers. There are plenty of events set against the dramatic backdrop of the Rockies, especially music festivals like Jazz Aspen Snowmass, every June in Aspen, Colorado, which brings major music acts to the ski mecca, and the Grand Teton Music Festival, held every summer in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, which celebrates classical music.

Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings

Few feats of architecture astound quite like these cliffside masterpieces built more than 700 years ago by the Ancestral Puebloans, an ancient Native American people. Located in Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado, you can explore these complex homes — some comprising more than 150 rooms — on ranger guided tours that highlight the archeological wonder of the place.

Yellowstone National Park

In terms of sheer volume of attractions, Yellowstone is tough to beat. This two-million-acre wilderness that straddles Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho includes sights such as the Old Faithful geyser, which rockets a 184-foot plume of hot water into the air about 20 times a day, and the Grand Prismatic Spring, a rainbow-colored thermal pool that owes its hue to naturally occurring bacteria.

Taos, New Mexico

This laid-back town is known for art and wellness. Explore classic adobe architecture here, especially at the Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Native American community that has been continuously inhabited for more than 1,000 years. Visit artists’ homes turned galleries at sites like the Millicent Rogers Museum and the Blumenschein Home and Museum. During the winter, Taos is a relaxing base for ski trips into the local stretch of the Rockies, the Sangre de Cristo Range.