Wild West

Making Peace with Thanksgiving

Making Peace with Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a holiday fraught with American history. Let's get it right.

Water, Water Nowhere

Water, Water Nowhere

The historic drought has thrown the Colorado River and its water system into crisis, with federal officials warning that serious conservation is the only way out.

Santa Fe’s Indian Market

Santa Fe’s Indian Market

The Santa Fe Indian Market, started a century ago to save Native American culture and art, is the largest Native American event in North America.

The Earth’s Massive Wrinkle

The Earth’s Massive Wrinkle

Capitol Reef National Park encompasses a 100-mile-long fold in the Earth in which 270 million years of history is captured.

Let It Snow (Blizzard, Flurry, Squall)!

Let It Snow (Blizzard, Flurry, Squall)!

Snow is a deep subject. It cools our atmosphere, is a critical source of water in many regions, and creates winter travel challenges.

How Mountains Move

How Mountains Move

Mountains grow, shrink and change shape both slowly and suddenly, and human behavior is changing them in alarming ways.

Central Coast Chillin’

Central Coast Chillin’

When you need a break and relaxing activities that are relatively safe in the pandemic, try California's Central Coast.

Smoke and Haze

Smoke and Haze

Western wildfires have blanketed normally pristine landscapes with smoke. What's a photographer to do?

The Booming and Broiling Southwest

The Booming and Broiling Southwest

The American Southwest is the fastest growing region in the United States, but also the hottest and most arid.

For the Love of Arches

For the Love of Arches

Arches National Park in southeastern Utah is being loved to death, and the park service is scrambling to manage the attention.

Yellowstone Roars Back To Life

Yellowstone Roars Back To Life

As the pandemic wanes in the United States, the crowds have returned to Yellowstone National Park.

Mining Towns of the Old West

Mining Towns of the Old West

Colorful Western mining towns where the ancestors of many Americans once flocked to seek their fortunes have become upscale tourist meccas for outdoor adventure.

Saving the Great Salt Lake

Saving the Great Salt Lake

The Great Salt Lake, along with other saline lakes worldwide, is drying out. Preserving and restoring won't come cheap.

La Purisima Mission

La Purisima Mission

The history of La Purisima Mission in Lompoc, California, is a cautionary tale about the consequences of environmental damage, epidemics and racial inequality.

Apocalyptic Outing

Apocalyptic Outing

We take a (semi)-humorous look at what a Saturday afternoon outing is like in the fall of 2020.

Renovating a Western Landmark

Renovating a Western Landmark

The Salt Lake Temple and Temple Square, among America's most popular tourist destinations, are undergoing a major renovation.

Springtime in the Rockies

Springtime in the Rockies

It's springtime in Utah's Rockies. Photographer Forrest Anderson captured the stunning scenery.

Home is a Destination, Too

Home is a Destination, Too

Need a five-minute stress reliever while sheltering at home? See these photos of my beautiful mountain village of Mapleton, Utah.

Lighthouse, Tide Pools and Seals

Lighthouse, Tide Pools and Seals

Yaquina Head, Ore., has one of the Pacific Coast’s premier tide pool observation sites, a lighthouse and seal and seabird colonies.

Mountain Men and the Fur Trade

Mountain Men and the Fur Trade

The colorful annual mountain men rendezvous at Fort Bridger, Wyoming, commemorates the 19th century global fur trade.

Visit Utah’s National Parks

Visit Utah’s National Parks

Utah state and local governments and organizations are chipping in to keep national parks operating during the government shutdown.

How is Utah Changing?

How is Utah Changing?

The Utah population boom, fueled by economic growth and an image of a healthy, family-friendly state, is expected to be long-term.

Fire! Is this the new norm?

Fire! Is this the new norm?

Are record wildfires the new norm in the West? As fires threaten homes and communities, here are answers to questions about them.

The Wasatch Back

The Wasatch Back

The Wasatch Back is the chief year-round playground for residents of the booming Wasatch Front in Utah.

The Road Less Traveled

The Road Less Traveled

There's an alternative to the standard boring I-15 southern and I-80 northern routes across Nevada.

Timpanogos Cave

Timpanogos Cave

A wierd and wonderful cave system holds the heart of Mt. Timpanogos, near Provo, Utah.

Barbecue Santa Maria Style

Barbecue Santa Maria Style

Santa Maria's scrumptious grilling is California's premier barbecue style.

Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park in southwestern Utah is an adventure for all seasons.