(Index Stock/David Frazier)

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Wyoming is the "Cowboy State" for good reason. Over 150 million years ago, volcanic and glacial activity created a vast prairie just east of the Rockies, ideal for pioneer migration, cattle raising, and ranch settlements. Today the arid, sage-covered landscape is animated by herds of pronghorn antelope and white-tailed deer, while working ranches promise the intrepid explorer a taste of the real Wild West. The only question: How real are you willing to get?
For the more casual cowboy, arrange for a day trip—choice spots include Yellowstone, the Tetons, and the Bearlodge Mountains. More ambitious? Consider one of Wyoming's many dude ranches—spend a week in a cabin nestled in the Absaroka Mountains near the trout-rich headwaters of the Wind River, or take the kids along on a covered wagon tour through the Bridget-Teton National Forest. For a bit more saddle time, explore the Cloud Peak Wilderness Area on a trek through the Big Horn National Forest. And, for truly hardcore, enroll in a no-compromises working ranch. Mend fences, drive cattle, round up strays, and reap the sore-saddle rewards of pushing yourself to the limits of your cowboy ways.