Where to go in US out West in early-mid October

[Anonymous]

Help DCUM trip planners!

I'm planning a family trip out West this October with visiting relatives from overseas, they haven't seen much of US other than the East Coast. I want to plan a trip that really showcases the beauty and uniqueness of the western US. It's a group of 6 of us, age ranges 30-65.

Due to physical limits we'll need things to do other than hiking/kayaking/horse back riding, etc. Fishing would be great though. Ideally we need a place with other things to do/visit locally, which will fill up a 1 week trip. Like a little rodeo, or an old mission, botanical gardens, or a historical site, things like that, just simple day trips. Good food/restaurants with local cuisine a plus! Also, we don't want to be too far off the grid, so nothing too too remote.

Is there some place like this in Colorado? Montana? Wyoming?
Have also been thinking of Yellowstone/Jackson Hole -- but maybe too cold then?
Tucson?
Tahoe?
Arches/Canyonland?
What else?

Vegas/Grand Canyon's off the list as some in our group just vacationed there and don't want to double back.

Thanks!! Also appreciate any recommendations of specific places to stay (resorts/rental houses/etc.)

[Anonymous]

If you want to head to the southwest, Balloon Fiesta is in Albuquerque the first week of October and could be a fun part of your trip.

[Anonymous]

Santa Fe would be perfect. Or maybe Tucson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Help DCUM trip planners!

I'm planning a family trip out West this October with visiting relatives from overseas, they haven't seen much of US other than the East Coast. I want to plan a trip that really showcases the beauty and uniqueness of the western US. It's a group of 6 of us, age ranges 30-65.

Due to physical limits we'll need things to do other than hiking/kayaking/horse back riding, etc. Fishing would be great though. Ideally we need a place with other things to do/visit locally, which will fill up a 1 week trip. Like a little rodeo, or an old mission, botanical gardens, or a historical site, things like that, just simple day trips. Good food/restaurants with local cuisine a plus! Also, we don't want to be too far off the grid, so nothing too too remote.

Is there some place like this in Colorado? Montana? Wyoming?
Have also been thinking of Yellowstone/Jackson Hole -- but maybe too cold then?
Tucson?
Tahoe?
Arches/Canyonland?
What else?

Northern CA coast is amazing that time of year!!

Vegas/Grand Canyon's off the list as some in our group just vacationed there and don't want to double back.

Thanks!! Also appreciate any recommendations of specific places to stay (resorts/rental houses/etc.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Help DCUM trip planners!

I'm planning a family trip out West this October with visiting relatives from overseas, they haven't seen much of US other than the East Coast. I want to plan a trip that really showcases the beauty and uniqueness of the western US. It's a group of 6 of us, age ranges 30-65.

Due to physical limits we'll need things to do other than hiking/kayaking/horse back riding, etc. Fishing would be great though. Ideally we need a place with other things to do/visit locally, which will fill up a 1 week trip. Like a little rodeo, or an old mission, botanical gardens, or a historical site, things like that, just simple day trips. Good food/restaurants with local cuisine a plus! Also, we don't want to be too far off the grid, so nothing too too remote.

Is there some place like this in Colorado? Montana? Wyoming?
Have also been thinking of Yellowstone/Jackson Hole -- but maybe too cold then?
Tucson?
Tahoe?
Arches/Canyonland?
What else?

Northern CA coast is amazing that time of year!!

Vegas/Grand Canyon's off the list as some in our group just vacationed there and don't want to double back.

Thanks!! Also appreciate any recommendations of specific places to stay (resorts/rental houses/etc.)

Northern CA coast is amazing that time of year!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Help DCUM trip planners!

I'm planning a family trip out West this October with visiting relatives from overseas, they haven't seen much of US other than the East Coast. I want to plan a trip that really showcases the beauty and uniqueness of the western US. It's a group of 6 of us, age ranges 30-65.

Due to physical limits we'll need things to do other than hiking/kayaking/horse back riding, etc. Fishing would be great though. Ideally we need a place with other things to do/visit locally, which will fill up a 1 week trip. Like a little rodeo, or an old mission, botanical gardens, or a historical site, things like that, just simple day trips. Good food/restaurants with local cuisine a plus! Also, we don't want to be too far off the grid, so nothing too too remote.

Is there some place like this in Colorado? Montana? Wyoming?
Have also been thinking of Yellowstone/Jackson Hole -- but maybe too cold then?
Tucson?
Tahoe?
Arches/Canyonland?
What else?

Northern CA coast is amazing that time of year!!

Vegas/Grand Canyon's off the list as some in our group just vacationed there and don't want to double back.

Thanks!! Also appreciate any recommendations of specific places to stay (resorts/rental houses/etc.)

Northern CA coast is amazing that time of year!!

And yes TAHOE!!!!

[Anonymous]

If you do balloon fiesta decide now as everything gets booked. But there’s nothing better than New Mexico in October - and the balloon thing is just a small piece. Amazing weather then too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Help DCUM trip planners!

I'm planning a family trip out West this October with visiting relatives from overseas, they haven't seen much of US other than the East Coast. I want to plan a trip that really showcases the beauty and uniqueness of the western US. It's a group of 6 of us, age ranges 30-65.

Due to physical limits we'll need things to do other than hiking/kayaking/horse back riding, etc. Fishing would be great though. Ideally we need a place with other things to do/visit locally, which will fill up a 1 week trip. Like a little rodeo, or an old mission, botanical gardens, or a historical site, things like that, just simple day trips. Good food/restaurants with local cuisine a plus! Also, we don't want to be too far off the grid, so nothing too too remote.

Is there some place like this in Colorado? Montana? Wyoming?
Have also been thinking of Yellowstone/Jackson Hole -- but maybe too cold then?
Tucson?
Tahoe?
Arches/Canyonland?
What else?

Northern CA coast is amazing that time of year!!

Vegas/Grand Canyon's off the list as some in our group just vacationed there and don't want to double back.

Thanks!! Also appreciate any recommendations of specific places to stay (resorts/rental houses/etc.)

Northern CA coast is amazing that time of year!!

And yes TAHOE!!!!

I live in CA (moved from DC 7 years ago). Some years CA is amazing weather in October but at least 3 of the years we’ve moved we’ve had school canceled some days in October because of smoke from wild fires. So Tahoe could be really hit or miss.

Years ago I went to Yellowstone in late September and it was amazing! No crowds and cool but not cold weather. A dusting of snow on some mountains and frost some mornings. A few weeks later I suspect there’s a higher chance of snow but I doubt it would be super snowy in October. My sister lives in Ketchum / Sun Valley Idaho and I think October is still really nice when I’ve visited that time of year.

[Anonymous]

My first thought was Yellowstone and Cody, Wyoming. The crowds will be not as intense and it shouldn’t be too cold. The western museums at the Buffalo Bill Center in Cody are wonderful. Unfortunately, the rodeo and Cody gunfight they have in the summer will be done for the season.

The Santa Fe area is very unique and has a lot to see in the city and many day trips that aren’t arduous. Bandelier National Monument has Cliff dwellings that don’t require a long walk to see, for example.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you do balloon fiesta decide now as everything gets booked. But there’s nothing better than New Mexico in October - and the balloon thing is just a small piece. Amazing weather then too!

You don't have to be inside the park to enjoy a sky filled with a few hundred hot air balloons.

Look at Tamaya Resort in Albuquerque, OP.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks all. We'd be going the first week of October and doing some research, it looks like Yellowstone/Jackson Hole would be at risk of snow that week.

We're leaning toward San Fran - Carmel/Big Sur - Yosemite - LA, nice mix of city/nature over 9 nights. A bit of a dice roll with fires, but we can pivot and stay near the coast if needed, I guess. Anything we should add/subtract from that basic itinerary?