Nestled between the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains lies Montana's largest city, Billings.  Billings began as a town of shacks and tents scattered along the alkali flats of the Yellowstone River. By 1882, Billings was linked with the rest of civilization when the Northern Pacific Railroad arrived. Fertile soil, plenty of land and transportation attracted thousands of settlers seeking freedom and fortune. Billings grew so fast, it became known as the "Magic City."

The state capital is Helena, a city rich in mining history, surrounded by the Rocky Mountains.

Popular recreational activities among Montanans include fishing, wildlife viewing, winter sports, hunting, hiking, backpacking and camping.  Three of Yellowstone's five entrances are in Montana.

Wyoming

Wyoming is the least populous of the United States, it ranks among the 10 largest in area.  Most of Yellowstone is within the state's boundaries. 

Wyoming is known as "the Equality State" and its state motto is "Equal Rights." In 1869, Wyoming, then still a territory, became first in the United States to give women the right to vote. It would be another half a century before the same right was extended to women nationwide via ratification of the 19th Amendment. In addition, Wyoming also was the first state to have a woman governor: Nellie Taylor Ross, elected to complete her deceased husband's term in 1925.

Wyoming's history owes a great debt to Native Americans. The mountains and plains have long been home to Arapaho, Cheyenne, Crow, and Shoshone people. The first white man known to have entered what is now Wyoming was John Colter, who trapped in the area starting in 1807. Colter, earlier a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, also became known for his descriptions of the fantastic natural wonders in what would eventually be designated Yellowstone National Park.

Wyoming has long been one of the nation's top mining and energy-producing states, with great wealth in coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Mining accounts for about a quarter of the state's annual gross state product.

Jackson, located near Grand Teton National Park and south of Yellowstone, is the state's most well-known town.  Jackson, set against the backdrop of stunning mountains, is a premier ski resort town and a mecca for millionaires.  Cody, 50 miles east of Yellowstone, is famous as Buffalo Bill's hometown.  Cheyenne, the state capital, is located in the southeast portion of the state and is home to the famous Frontier Rodeo Days.

Idaho

Idaho cities and towns frequently show up on lists of "Best places to live." With just 1.2 million people in its 82,751 square miles, Idaho has plenty of room for residents and visitors to stretch out. And there's plenty to see and do, from skiing and hiking in the mountains to whitewater action, pleasure cruises, and fly-fishing on the rivers and lakes. 

Hearing of Lewis and Clark's findings, fur trappers and mountain men slowly came west to try their luck in this rugged country. David Thompson built Kullyspell House near the shores of Lake Pend Oreille in 1809, the first of several major trading posts in what would become Idaho. The trappers and traders were followed by missionaries and pioneers who traveled via the overland trails, then by prospectors who discovered mineral wealth in the Boise Basin, the Wood River Valley, Silver City, Pierce, and the Coeur d'Alene Mountains.  Idaho became known as "the Gem state."

Boise is the capital and largest city in the State of  Idaho, is the hub of commerce, banking and government for the state. Located along the Boise River and nestled against foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the city offers many outdoor activities to local residents, from skiing at Bogus Basin Ski Resort to biking on the Boise River Greenbelt to boating at nearby reservoirs.   The Boise area has it all - desert, rivers, mountains and lakes for hiking, camping, kayaking, river rafting, hunting and fishing.