In this Section

Issues: Wildlands

Click on the states (above) to learn about some memorable western outdoor adventures -- and why you may need to act fast to experience them before they're gone forever.

The Bush administration's days are numbered, but these special wild places are still at risk of being turned into oil and gas fields. Visit them now.

Colorado | Montana | New Mexico | Utah | Wyoming

This modest outdoor vacation-planner is all about finding a road less traveled -- or leaving roads behind altogether. With the help of friends who live in or are otherwise deeply involved with the West's wildlands, we've zeroed in on some of the rawest, roughest spots in the West to go backpacking, mountain biking, climbing, whitewater rafting and fly fishing. These spectacular landscapes come without the crowded campgrounds and RV caravans -- and with no noise but the music of wind, water, coyote's yip and elk's bugling call.

But there's just one problem: Since its inception, the Bush administration has been pulling out all the stops to give the oil and gas industry maximum access to America's public lands -- and they are already on the way to putting an end to the once-in-a-lifetime adventures described on these pages. So make your travel plans fast.

Colorado | Montana | New Mexico | Utah | Wyoming