As the second longest mountain range in the world, the Rocky Mountains are quite good at covering distance. From their northern terminus in Canada to their southern end in New Mexico, the Rocky Mountains stretch for just over 3,000 miles. This allows them to grace a number of different American states and Canadian provinces.
While the Rockies are nothing short of spectacular when considered as a whole, there is a lot to be learned from examining the individual states and provinces of the Rocky Mountain region, along with what each of them contributes to the complex majesty that is the Rockies.
British Columbia
In the southeast corner of this gorgeous Canadian province, the Rocky Mountains begin in earnest (or end, depending on how you look at it). This is the home of rich boreal forests where large herds of Moose can be seen year-round. The “BC Rockies” are also home to Kootenay National Park, which offers visitors everything from bubbling natural hot springs to long-distance backpacking trails.
Alberta
With both Banff and Jasper National Parks within its borders, the Canadian Province of Alberta is one of the most anticipated destinations for outdoor adventurers of every variety. The Alberta Rockies feature some of the most stunningly shaped peaks in the entire Rocky Mountain System, no doubt due to large amount of glacial activity that carved this area into what it is.
Montana
The landscapes of Montana is the stuff of cowboy movies and adventure stories, and the Montana Rockies specifically are very much worth writing home about. Yellowstone National Park is one of America’s most highly-cherished wildlife viewing destinations. Then of course there is the skiing: Whitefish Mountain and Big Sky the most popular among them.
Idaho
The American State of Idaho features the single largest protected wilderness area in the contiguous Unites States. The Sawtooth Recreational area boasts an incredible 756,00 acres of outdoor wonderland, featuring alpine lakes, trails, and valleys that are not nearly as busy during the summer months as the National Parks of nearby Montana.
Wyoming
If you type “Rocky Mountains” into a search engine, there is a pretty good chance that you are going to see a picture of the “Tetons”, one of the most magnificent natural formations on the planet. Grand Teton National Park has some of the youngest mountains in all of the Rockies. One of the most significant features of these mountains is their sharp vertical rise, making them look bold and dramatic among their smaller neighbors.
Colorado
You can’t sing Rocky Mountain High without the word Colorado coming out of your mouth. The Centennial State has become the de facto mascot for the Rocky Mountain Range, and not only due to the lyrical prowess of John Denver. The Colorado Rockies are taller than any other point in the mountain chain, with a significant number of these mountains reaching an astounding 14,000 feet or higher (Colorado’s 54 famous “Fourteeners”).
Utah
If there is one state on our list with a bit of controversy to it, it would be Utah. While no one disagrees that the Uintah Range and the Wasatch Range have some of the best snow conditions in North America, there are some geologists who debate whether these ranges are technically a part of the Rocky Mountains proper. This is due to the fact that they were formed by different underground forces than the rest of the Rockies. Some people consider the Wasatch range to be something of a transition zone … halfway in and halfway out of the Rockies.
New Mexico
While the mountains in new Mexico aren’t as tall or dramatic as their more northern counterparts, they are apart of the same geological system that created the Rockies. The Sangre De Christo range begins in Southern Colorado, but it crosses the border into New Mexico and runs all the way down to Albuquerque.
