Discover the top wild west-inspired escapes in the U.S.

Western-style Getaways

Ready to saddle up and hit the open country road? Whether you’re dreaming of sunset horseback rides or cosy campfire escapes, there’s no denying that the USA has something for everyone when it comes to its wild west-inspired adventures.

The American West has long captured the spirit of freedom and adventure, and is having a resurgence in the media with the widespread popularity of country and western music and culture. There’s more to the Wild West than just Texas, the Cowboy Capital, and while cowboy tours passing through the Lone Star State are a good place to start, there is so much more to see. But where exactly should you go to experience the best of that Western-style charm?

From ranch retreats to exploring the backcountry, we analysed several factors, such as horse riding trails, ranches, campsites, country music venues, and more, to uncover the top destinations that capture the essence of the Wild West’s style.

The best U.S. Western-style getaways revealed: Montana grabs top spot!

Montana

Western-style score: 8.44/10

Considered one of the quintessential Wild West states, Montana tops the list as the ultimate Western-style getaway, earning a score of 8.44 out of 10, thanks to its iconic rugged mountains and wide-open plains that create the perfect Western backdrop. Its Western roots have even inspired shows like Yellowstone, making this the perfect destination for anyone interested in Wild West culture.

Montana is home to some of the largest working cattle ranches in the country, so it’s no surprise the state ranks second overall with more ranches per 100,000 people than any other state except Wyoming. It’s also a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Known for its camping culture, Montana has an estimated 39.83 campsites per 100,000 people, again placing it just behind Wyoming.

Colorado

Western-style score: 7.63/10

Colorado ranks second with a score of 7.63 out of 10. Known for its deep American West roots, it ranks among the top ten states for horse-riding trails per 100 square miles and has an average trail rating of 4.5 out of 5. Popular spots like the Herman Gulch Trail and Ouzel Falls via Wild Basin Trail are among the highest-rated for camping and horseback riding.

Colorado also offers many authentic ranch experiences, placing it among the top five states with the most ranches per 100,000 people. Piney River Ranch is a top mountain ranch offering plenty of hiking and canoeing activities.

Idaho

Western-style score: 7.38/10

Idaho is a Rocky Mountain state with a Western-style spirit and an ingrained cowboy culture.

The state also has more country dance venues than most other areas of the U.S., including The 127 Saloon, where dance nights are hosted four times a week. Starting at 7 p.m., country dance enthusiasts can enjoy line dancing and swing dancing lessons while enjoying signature cocktails like the Cowboy Colada.

The best U.S. Western-style gateways for:

Ranches per 100,000 people

Wyoming

2.04 ranches per 100,000 people

Embodying the classic Western aesthetic, Wyoming is one of the most popular states for Western-style escapes. From its Wild West history to its enduring cowboy culture, the state tops the list for the most ranches per 100,000 people, averaging 2.04, more than any other state. 

You can also explore historic frontier towns like Cody, among many authentic western-style experiences. Blackwater Creek Ranch is a popular ranch in Shoshone National Forest, just outside Cody and minutes away from Yellowstone National Park, making it a top choice for visitors. It features historic log cabin lodging, horseback riding, archery and more.

Country dance venues per 100,000 people

Alaska

0.68 country dance venues per 100,000 people

Though not widely known for its country dancing scene like Texas, Tennessee, or Wyoming, Alaska still has much to offer, with approximately 0.68 country dance venues per 100,000 people. Country dancing is popular in Alaska partly because it gives people a sense of community, it can create the perfect environment for people to connect. The state also shares a pioneer spirit with the American West as many early settlers came from rural areas and brought their traditions with them. 

If you enjoy line dancing, two-stepping, or country-themed nights, larger cities such as Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Wasilla offer plenty of opportunities within their vibrant local communities. The Pink Cadillac Country Bar & Dance Hall, located in Anchorage, is a popular venue for country dancing, with events like cornhole tournaments and live music. Additionally, Koots hosts a weekly country night with free line dance lessons.

‘Country dancing’ and ‘country music’ searches per 100,000 users

West Virginia 

911 annual Google searches per 100,000 users

West Virginia tops the list with 911 annual Google searches for the terms ‘country dancing’ and ‘country music’ per 100,000 users. Thanks to its strong Appalachian roots, the state has a rich musical heritage featuring old-time instruments like the fiddle and banjo, which have helped shape the country music genre.

Although it isn’t considered a traditional cowboy state, there have been cowboys in West Virginia since the early days of settlement. Virginia was especially important in cattle production in the 1800s, becoming one of the largest cow-producing states! 

West Virginia also has a long-standing tradition of square dancing, flatfooting, and clogging, which are celebrated in community events and festivals.

Country music concerts

Montana

The most country music concerts per population

Montana ranks as the top state for country music concerts compared to its population, thanks to its strong country music scene and deep roots in Western and ranching culture. Beyond the well-known Montana Fair, the state regularly hosts country music concerts and festivals, such as the Under the Big Sky festival, held annually in July and taking place at Big Mountain Ranch in Whitefish. The festival features folk and country artists. 

Additionally, Montana has the second-highest annual Google searches per 100,000 users for ‘country music’ and ‘country dancing,’ highlighting the widespread Western influence throughout the state.

Horse-riding trails

Massachusetts

0.87 Horse-riding trails per 100 square miles

Horse-riding is almost synonymous with Western culture – when most people picture cowboys, they see them on top of a horse – but it is now enjoyed throughout America. So, if you want a taste of the lifestyle but you’re outside the traditional cowboy states, where should you head to? 

Massachusetts offers visitors ample opportunities for equestrian adventures, with approximately 0.87 horse-riding trails per 100 square miles. From Fairhaven Trail Loop to Keystone Arch Bridges ​​Trail, riders can enjoy trail rides through open fields, wooded paths, and rural countryside, offering a rustic experience that captures the charm of classic Western-style getaways.

Campsites per 100,000 people

Wyoming

43.57 campsites per 100,000 people

Home to iconic national parks like Yellowstone and Grand Teton, Wyoming ranks as the top state for camping, with approximately 43.57 campsites per 100,000 people. It’s a go-to destination for outdoor enthusiasts craving adventure. Whether it’s dramatic mountain ranges, sweeping plains, or vast open skies, Wyoming delivers the perfect Western backdrop for a true Wild West getaway.

Methodology

To determine the best US states for a Western-style getaway, we considered several factors that reflect activities and attractions associated with the country and Western lifestyle. Each factor was normalised using appropriate population or land area data to ensure a fair comparison across states.

Using AllTrails, we sourced the overall horse-riding trail rating for each state out of five and the number of trails. Trails were divided by each state’s land area (in square miles) sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau—State Land Area, then calculated per 100 square miles.

For the number of ranches per state, we used TripAdvisor to source ranches listed as tourist attractions. This data was collected on 04/07/2025 and normalised per 100,000 people using 2024 state population data.

The number of campsites per state was sourced from Camping-USA and normalised per 100,000 people.

Using the Country Dance Map, we sourced the number of country dance venues per state, looking at dance venues that are country-themed or offer country dancing. This data was sourced on 04/07/2025 and normalised per 100,000 people.

To reveal the states that search for ‘country dancing’ and ‘country music’ the most. We sourced the total number of searches made from each state between July 2024 and June 2025 using Google Keyword Planner. We then used each state’s user reach to normalise the data per 100,000 online users.

Using the Vivid Seats interactive map, we sourced the US states with the most country music concerts per population.

The status of each state as a ‘wild west’ or ‘cowboy state’ was sourced from World Population Review and Wild Open Country.

Each state received a normalised score out of 10 for all factors. These individual scores were averaged using equal weighting to produce an overall score out of 10, which was then used to rank the states.

Please note: Not all data in the ranch and country dance venue categories were available for some states. States with missing data in these areas are marked with a ‘-’ to indicate unavailability.

All information was compiled by Journeyscape.