West Elizabeth
Welcome to the crossroads of East and West, Civilization and Wilderness, Law and Lawlessness. West Elizabeth consists of three regions: to the north, Big Valley continues the Cumberland Forest of New Hanover and the Grizzlies West of Ambarino for one large wilderness. The Spa Town of Strawberry can be found here. Further south, we come along the Great Plains, where farms and ranches dot the landscape. The Great Plains is home to Blackwater, the port city all guests enter through when first coming to the park. Though not as vast as Saint Denis, Blackwater is on it's way, rapidly developing in preparation for the coming 20th century. Finally, there is Tall Trees, a Redwoods-inspired area on the far western side of the map.
Big Valley
Big Valley is centered around the vast Mount Shawn. This mountain is so integral to the park, in fact, the park site was specifically built around it. No other site is as looming as the mountain. Specific passes have built to cross it from numerous sides, and guests are encourage to "hike" up it.
Pine forests, purple flowers, and small streams surround the rest of the Valley. A few treasures maps, like those found in New Austin, are present in this region alone. Also present is Hanging Dog Ranch, a great place to grab a bite before setting out the Mount Shawn Trails.
Strawberry
Big Valley, West Elizabeth
Strawberry is meant to be relaxing. As a rustic old spa town, it lacks most of the typical frontier town check-marks: there is no Saloon, nor is there are Train Station in or out. This keeps the town in a perpetual state. There is no late-night drunk parties happening nor is there are loud train whistling in new guests constantly. Strawberry is a place that, when you enter, you seem to enter a whole new park entirely. It's timeless here, without any of the hustle and bustle typical of the Western Frontier.
Aside from the spas, guests can board the Strawberry Wagon Hayride, a thirty minute hay-wagon tour occurring once every two hours. This is a relaxing real wagon trip through easily-accessible paths of the Big Valley (the narrower ones up the peak of the mountain can only be accessed by hike).
Great Plains
The Great Plains consist of rolling dry-grass hills and the occasional oak tree. Nearer Blackwater, fancy homesteads serve as high-quality hotels for guests, but further west, the region quickly becomes an isolated expanse. On your journey, you might just run into the Bison Encounter. This random animatronic show sees a wildlife conservationist arrive and warn the dangers of hunting the bison to extinction. For emphasis the conservationist invites guests to meet the Bison face to face, though they warn this is a Bison that has come to trust humans, and a real Bison wilderness encounter would not go so smoothly. But take a photo anyway!
The main event in the Great Plains is the Great Plains Horse Race. A temporary track has been set-up for the Fourth of July Celebrations, with frequent races occurring throughout the week. Adult guests are encouraged to make bets on who they think will win. Note: the races are all pre-planned and purely for show. But guests don't know that.
Blackwater
Great Plains, West Elizabeth
The capital of West Elizabeth, Blackwater is rapidly-developing. All guests pass through the "Gate to the West" Port upon entry into the Park, and are then welcome to explore the surroundings or head straight to their respective Hotels by the many stagecoaches and trains awaiting their arrival.
Two Electric Theaters are along the cobblestone path. The first, the Blackwater Grand, hosts a live show similar to Saint Denis, although unlike the former, which continuously shows random variety sketches, the Grand is home to a series of Patriotic Songs and Dance. The second is the Imperial Theater, which hosts early cinema (really just a slideshow of silly, dated pictures).
Also in Blackwater is a Bank (ATM), Clothing Store, Grocer, Stable, Barbershop, Photography Studio, and of course the popular Blackwater Saloon. At night, watch how the city brightens with multicolored electric lights, as nightlife continues to party on.
This time of year, Blackwater is home a small carnival: dedicated to the Fourth of July. Along the port is an old-looking Carousel and a shoddily-put-together Ferris Wheel. Just outside the town in an old tent is America the Beautiful, a classic-looking dark ride that is intentionally made to look low budget (cut-out props, you can obviously see the exterior tent) that tells the "Story of America, God's Sacred Nation". The idea is this is what the Blackwater Carnival of 1890 is presenting to the people: therefore, it is filled with rampant patriotism, misinformation, and overall just propaganda for American Imperialism (which was rising during this time). For instance, the narrator, in a old telegraph-esque voice, proudly remarks on how "God wanted the American People in the West, and of course they treated the Natives very humanely"... while the ride is showing the Trail of Tears and very obviously not backing up the narration. Overall, this ride is meant to be both funny but also intellectual, calling to the attention the hypocrisy of "American Progress" that Red Dead Redemption is so known for.
Tall Trees
Inspired by the Great Redwoods of California, "Tall Trees" certainly lives up to its name. Hike along the forest paths or take part in the Tall Trees Challenge Trail, with courses for children, adults, and the adventurous adult. Climb, swing, zipline through the trees! And when you're done, head over to Manzanita Post for a proper Frontier Dinner.