Rocky Mountain hiking provides an exhilarating adventure and great exercise all in one trip. This mountain chain is the backbone of North America, extending from Canada and running for more than 3,000-miles into southwestern New Mexico offering numerous hikes from moderate day walks to strenuous overnight mountain scrambles. Though hiking in the Rockies can be done solo, a variety of hiking tours are available for hikers of all experience levels. Tours create a fun and safe way to explore the Rockies with experienced guides and groups of outdoor enthusiasts.
Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Rockies create the southern border of Alberta and British Columbia, and extend into the northern region of British Columbia up through the Yukon Territory. Experienced guides, mountaineers and hunters typically conduct tours of this remote region because of expanses of roadless territory and glacial peaks. Numerous groups conduct popular tours near the Waterton Lakes National Park--the Canadian counterpart to Glacier National Park located on the border region of Montana and Canada. This area is also referred to as the Waterton/Glacier International Peace Park. Other toured areas of the Canadian Rockies include regions near Yoho, Banff, Jasper and Kootenay National Parks.
Montana Rockies
The Rocky Mountains run right through western Montana, creating a wilderness paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, backpackers and rock climbers. Glacier National Park and the region surrounding Flathead Lake are the most popular for hiking tours with numerous tour services located within the park and outside the park boundaries. Situated just below Glacier National Park, the Lewis and Clark National Forest hosts the Great Bear, Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wilderness Areas, which you should only tour with experienced guide services because of the rugged terrain, and the presence of many bears and mountain lions. Campgrounds dot the picturesque landscape on both sides of the continental divide as it runs through Montana with plenty of hiking and camping opportunities at every turn.
Wyoming Rockies
Wyoming is the least populated of all the 50 U.S. states, but hosts one of the most popular national parks in the country. Yellowstone National Park is in the northwest corner of the state and offers the most touring opportunities. Park Ranger guided hiking tours as well as self-guided nature tours are available within the park where you can visit the region's famous geothermal features such as Old Faithful and Mud Volcano. Yellowstone Lake, which encompasses the caldera of the ancient supervolcano that created Yellowstone, has hiking tours available as well. Just south of Yellowstone is the Grand Teton National Park. This region is much less populated with tourists compared to Yellowstone, and offers more of a secluded feel for those wanting a bit more solitude. Hiking tours are available here as well that will allow you to see popular sites such as Jackson and Jenny Lake, and hiking trails that wind through the Jedediah Smith Wilderness Area.
Colorado Rockies
Touring the Colorado Rockies can be done in many locations, and tour guides or outfitters with provided guide services are available all over the state. Popular day and weekend hiking tours and services are within and around Rocky Mountain National Park, situated northwest of Boulder. The park service offers guided tours and hikes as well as many independent touring businesses located outside the park boundaries. The Colorado River headwaters region is here, with numerous trails and campgrounds winding throughout the park for visitors to enjoy. Extending down along the continental divide, tours are available throughout the state's numerous ski resorts, and on Pikes Peak just outside of Colorado Springs.
New Mexico Rockies
In New Mexico, the Rocky Mountains take on a more dry, desert-like appearance. Though snow cover can still be seen for the better part of the year on the state's highest peaks located near Taos. This region is home to many peaks standing more than 10,000-feet, including Mt. Wheeler standing 13,161-feet, the highest point in New Mexico. As in Colorado, numerous hiking tours and tour services are available, especially throughout the north central region. In and around the region of Albuquerque extending north to Santa Fe and on through Taos you'll find many points of interests perfect for hiking such as the Petroglyph National Monument, Bandera Volcano Ice Caves, Painted Caves, along with many ski resorts, rivers, National Forests and campgrounds.
