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WYOMING TRAVEL GUIDE

Morning Glory Pool in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming Cody Nite Rodeo in Cody, Wyoming thermal feature in Yellowstone National Park
Welcome to the bigroads.com travel guide to Wyoming! Hopefully this page helps provide some inspiration and tips to help you plan your next trip to Wyoming.

Take note that I build and maintain this website as both a hobby and public service. I take joy in performing travel research and sharing my experiences and adventures. I currently do not make a profit from this website, and you will see no invasive or annoying ads on it. Your constructive feedback about this site and its content is encouraged. Please email me if you have any suggestions or ideas for improvement.

Author/Contributor: Greg Parsons

 OVERVIEW


Wyoming is famous for its big mountains, ranches, and geothermal features (e.g. geyers and hot springs). But there's a lot more to this large and sparesly populated state. There are a few excellent museums and two world-class ski areas in Wyoming. The soaring Devil's Tower in eastern Wyoming is one of the country's most famous landmarks. Cowboy culture is still alive and well in the state, with several locations offering rodeos and other cowboy-centered attractions.

 TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS IN WYOMING


Are you short on time or struggling to choose something to do or see in Wyoming? Here are my selections for the top 10 attractions or experiences in Wyoming, in no particular order:

Spend at least 4-5 days exploring the various regions of Yellowstone National Park, one of the premier national parks of the world
Visit the historic town of Cody and enjoy its museums and western-themed attractions
Drive the Beartooth Scenic Byway, a serious contender for the best scenic drive in the lower 48 states
Walk around Devils Tower National Monument in eastern WY; combine this with a trip to the Black Hills region of South Dakota if possible
Backpack into the stunning Wind River Mountains
Head to Jackson for at least 3-4 nights and explore the town, local area, and nearby Grand Teton National Park
Float down the Snake River near Jackson
Visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West museum in Cody
Hit the slopes at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Teton Village
Attend the nightly rodeo at the Cody Nite Rodeo in Cody

If I could select only one place to visit in Wyoming, I would choose Yellowstone National Park. I would splurge and spend the money to stay in a lodge or cabin within the park and I'd spend at least 4-5 days there. Trust me when I say that 1, 2, or 3 days is not enough for Yellowstone. If you can't find in-park accommodations, use West Yellowstone in Montana as your base camp. If you go to Yellowstone, I highly recommend picking up the latest edition of the (outstanding) Yellowstone Treasures guidebook.

For a list of 10 great attractions in each U.S. state, click here.

 5-STAR ATTRACTIONS IN WYOMING


Here is my opinionated list of 5-star attractions in Wyoming. I believe each of these attractions should be on your Wyoming bucket list since they are all noteworthy from a national perspective:

Yellowstone National Park (in northwestern WY)
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone - see world-class canyon scenery with two of the U.S.'s best waterfalls (Lower Falls & Upper Falls)
Hayden Valley - normally this is one of the very best places in the national park to see wildlife (e.g. bison, bears, etc.)
Lower Falls - the most spectacular waterfall in the national park; I would say this is one of the top 5 best waterfalls in the country, if not #1
Lower Geyser Basin - features geysers, hot springs, and a bubbling mud pool; includes the Fountain Paint Pot
Mammoth Hot Springs - huge travertine terraces; the most popular stop in the northwestern section of the park
Midway Geyser Basin - holds some of the park's most colorful hot springs, including it's largest: Grand Prismatic Spring
Norris Geyser Basin - has several geysers and hot springs, including Steamboat Geyser
Old Faithful - the world's most famous geyser; it erupts roughly 20 times per day (every 75 minutes or so)
Old Faithful Inn - this is a stunningly beautiful historic lodge; even if you don't stay here, walk into the lobby and be amazed
Upper Geyser Basin - home to 100s of hot springs and geysers, including Old Faithful; there are many amazing walks and hikes in this area
West Thumb Geyser Basin - this relatively small area on the shores of Yellowstone Lake has some of the very best hot springs in the park


Cody, Wyoming and surrounding area (in northwestern WY)
Beartooth National Scenic Byway (US-212) - many consider this seasonal paved road to be the most beautiful scenic drive in the U.S.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Cody - an outstanding western history museum (one of the finest history museums in the U.S.)
Cody - a historic town with several excellent museums and other tourist attractions; the eastern gateway to Yellowstone National Park
Cody Dug Up Gun Museum, Cody - one of two good firearms-focused museums in Cody
Cody Firearms Museum, Cody - one of two good firearms-focused museums in Cody
Cody Nite Rodeo / Buffalo Bill Cody Stampede, Cody - a nightly family-friendly rodeo event (in season); tons of fun for the whole family
Old Trail Town, Cody - visit a collection of authentic 1890s-era buildings


Grand Teton National Park and surrounding area (in northwestern WY; includes Jackson)
Bridger Teton National Forest - one of the premier national forests in the U.S.; offers excellent outdoor activities and camping
Fly-fishing in/near Jackson - there is some legendary fly-fishing in and around Jackson; several guide companies offer services
Grand Targhee Resort, Alta - this is generally considered Wyoming's second best ski/snowboard resort
Grand Teton National Park - amazing hiking, backpacking, cycling, and scenic views; arguably the prettiest mountain range in the lower 48
Granite Hot Springs, Jackson - relax in these remote hot springs
Jackson - visit Town Square for dozens of tourist shops and restaurants; there's an amazing assortment of outdoor activities nearby
Jackson Hole Aerial Tram, Teton Village - ride up to scenic views on one of the top 3 aerial trams in the U.S.
Jackson Hole Community Pathway System - a 27-mile network of cycling trails; you can ride all the way from Jackson to Teton Village
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Teton Village - offers the finest skiing in Wyoming; one of the premier ski/snowboard resorts in the U.S.
Jackson Hole Rodeo, Jackson - catch a regular rodeo event in season (currently 2x per week)
Jackson Hole Shooting Experience, Jackson - a premier outdoor luxury shooting destination
Mormon Row, Grand Teton National Park - a famous spot to photograph historic buildings that help frame the Grand Tetons
Mountain biking at the Grand Targhee Bike Park, Alta - downhill mountain biking at the Grand Targhee Resort
Mountain biking at the Jackson Hole Bike Park, Teton Village - downhill mountain biking at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
National Elk Refuge, Jackson - home of thousands of elk in winter
National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson - the best museum of its kind in the U.S.
North Pathway - a highly scenic, paved, 20-mile cycling path that connects Jackson with the Jenny Lake Visitor Center in Grand Teton NP
Teton Raptor Center, Wilson - offers up-close-and-personal experiences with various raptors/birds of prey
Schwabacher Landing, Grand Teton National Park - one of the very best locations to photograph the Grand Tetons
Whitewater rafting the Snake River near Jackson - the Snake offers the best whitewater rafting in Wyoming


Northcentral Wyoming (including Buffalo and Sheridan)
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area - a huge reservoir with many boating, camping, and hiking opportunities
Bighorn National Forest - an excellent and varied nature park with outstanding scenery (e.g. grasslands, alpine meadows, lakes, cliffs, etc.)
King's Saddlery & Museum, Sheridan - a museum with exhibits focusing on western and cowboy memorabilia
Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark, Lovell - see a famous Native American archaeological site
Shell Falls, Bighorn National Forest - take a quick stop off highway WY-14 to see an impressive 120-foot waterfall


Central Wyoming (including Casper, Douglas, Lander, and Thermopolis)
Ayres Natural Bridge, Douglas - see a 30-foot tall, 50-foot wide natural bridge that sits above LaPrele Creek
Castle Gardens Scenic Area, Riverton - includes "sandcastle-like eroded towers & ribs of sandstone"; several petroglyphs
Dubois Badlands WSA - excellent badlands-type scenery in a remote location
Fort Laramie National Historic Site, Fort Laramie - visit a 19th-century trading-post and military base
Hot Springs State Park, Thermopolis - the world's largest single mineral hot spring
Independence Rock State Historic Site, Alcova - an impressive granite rock with pioneer inscriptions/signatures
Legend Rock Petroglyph Site, Thermopolis - hundreds of petroglyphs scattered across the face of a rock
National Historic Trails Interpretive Center, Casper - a western history museum focusing on several National Historic Trails (e.g. Oregon Trail)
Oregon Trail Ruts, Guernsey - one of the best preserved ruts created by carriages traveling the famed Oregon Trail
Sinks Canyon State Park, Lander - features interesting geology (e.g. watch as a a river vanishes underground near the mouth of a canyon)
Star Plunge, The, Thermopolis - relax in these excellent commercially-developed hot springs
Wind River Mountain Range - offers some of the most outstanding backpacking and horseback riding in the U.S.; world-class scenery
World's Largest Elkhorn Arch, Afton - a giant town sign made of real elk antlers
Wyoming Dinosaur Center, Thermopolis - a good dinosaur museum with great fossils; offers trips to a dig site and has dig programs for kids
Wyoming Frontier Prison, Rawlins - take a tour of a historic prison


Northeastern Wyoming
Devils Tower National Monument - an impressive 1,267ft-tall mass of igneous rock; make sure to hike the trail that encircles it


Southern Wyoming (including Cheyenne and Laramie)
Cheyenne Big Boots, Cheyenne - see 30 hand-painted, customized 8-foot tall cowboy boots scattered through town
Cheyenne Frontier Days (event), Cheyenne - a famous annual outdoor rodeo and western celebration that is typically held in late July
Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, Cheyenne - a good western history museum with exhibits pertaining to the famous Cheyenne event
Curt Gowdy State Park, Cheyenne - scenic foothills of the Laramie Mountains; boating and fishing on several reservoirs; excellent mtn biking
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area - a attractive reservoir that is among the finest places to go boating in the U.S.
Fossil Butte National Monument, Kemmerer - a museum with 100s of fossils, plus a scenic drive and several hiking trails
Hobo Hot Pool, Saratoga - one of Wyoming's best hot springs
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest - a huge national forest in Colorado & Wyoming that offers endless outdoor adventures
University of Wyoming Geological Museum, Laramie - see several impressive dinosaur fossils/skeletons
Vedauwoo Recreation Area, Buford - features odd and interesting rock formations
Wyoming State Museum, Cheyenne - a small but highly rated museum focusing on Wyoming's history and cultural heritage
Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, Laramie - take a self-guided or guided tour of a historic prison


Are you aware of any other 5-star attractions in Wyoming? If so, please email me at gparsons66@hotmail.com.

For a list of 5-star attractions in neighboring states, click on any of these links:  CO  |  ID  |  MT  |  NE  |  SD  |  UT

 BEST TOWNS & CITIES TO VISIT IN WYOMING


These towns and cities in Wyoming are generally regarded as the most interesting to travelers:

Cheyenne - a medium-sized city with several good history museums, green spaces, and the excellent Cheyenne Fronter Days annual event
Cody - a small western town with excellent history museums and nightly rodeos (in season); eastern gateway to Yellowstone National Park
Jackson - a famous small mountain town with excellent skiing, hiking, whitewater rafting, and fishing; gateway to Grand Teton National Park
Lander - a small town with excellent outdoor activities; gateway to the Wind River Range (which is famous for backpacking and rock-climbing)
Sheridan - a charming Old West small town close to many outdoor recreation opportunities; has a nice historic downtown area

My favorite city in Wyoming is Cheyenne - I recommend that first-time visitors spend at least 1-2 nights there
My favorite small town in Wyoming is Jackson - I recommend that first-time visitors spend at least 3-4 nights there
My second favorite small town in Wyoming is Cody - I recommend that first-time visitors spend at least 1-2 nights there

If you want to visit Grand Teton National Park, stay inside the actual national park or in nearby Jackson, Wyoming.
If you want to visit Yellowstone National Park, stay inside the actual national park or in nearby West Yellowstone, Montana.
If you want to visit Devils Tower National Monument, I recommend staying at the Devils Tower Lodge or lodging in nearby Hulett.

Here is a list of the major gateway towns of Yellowstone National Park. I prefer West Yellowstone the most because there's a lot of services there and it is by far the closest to most of the finest features of the national park.
Cody, Wyoming (eastern entrance) - a great historic town with lots of attractions, but it's a 2-hour drive to some of Yellowstone's attractions
Cooke City, Montana (northeastern entrance) - a small and attractive town, but it's too far from the best features of Yellowstone
Jackson, Wyoming (southern entrance) - too far for day trips to Yellowstone, but you should spend a few days here before or after Yellowstone
Gardiner, Montana (northwestern entrance) - a good alternative to West Yellowstone; if you want to go whitewater rafting this is a good choice
West Yellowstone, Montana (western entrance) - if you can't stay within the national park, this is your best Yellowstone gateway town option

Click here if you'd like to see a complete list of towns and cities that I find interesting across the entire U.S.

 WHAT IS WYOMING FAMOUS FOR?


Here are some things that Wyoming is famous or well-known for:

alpine lakes
backpacking
canyons
cowboys / cowboy culture
dinosaur fossils
elk
fly-fishing
geysers
grizzly bears
hiking
historic forts
historical museums
horseback riding
hot springs / geothermal features
mountaineering
national forests
national parks
Native American history and culture
petroglyphs
ranches / dude ranches
rock climbing
rodeos / bull-riding
scenic drives / scenic byways
skiing/snowboarding
waterfalls
whitewater rafting

Click here if you'd like to learn what other U.S. states are famous for.

 NATIONAL PARKS IN WYOMING


There are two national parks in Wyoming, plus many other federally-managed parks and properties in the state, including:

National Parks
Grand Teton National Park - amazing hiking, backpacking, cycling, and scenic views; arguably the prettiest mountain range in the lower 48
Yellowstone National Park - world-famous geothermal attractions; in my opinion, this the #1 national park in the U.S.

National Monuments
Devils Tower National Monument, Devils Tower - impressive 1,267ft-tall mass of igneous rock; make sure to hike the trail that encircles it
Fossil Butte National Monument, Kemmerer - museum with 100s of fossils plus a scenic drive and several hiking trails

National Recreation Areas
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area

National Forests
Ashley National Forest
Bighorn National Forest
Black Hills National Forest - most of this national forest lies in South Dakota
Bridger-Teton National Forest
Caribou-Targhee National Forest
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest
Shoshone National Forest
Uinta–Wasatch–Cache - most of this national forest lies in Utah

National Historical Parks / Other National Parks & Properties
California National Historic Trail
Fort Laramie National Historic Site
Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail
Oregon National Historic Trail
Pony Express National Historic Trail

If it is your first time visiting Grand Teton National Park, I recommend 2-3 days.
If it is your first time visiting Yellowstone National Park, I recommend 4-5 days.

Here is a suggested itinerary for spending five days exploring Yellowstone National Park:
Day 1: Explore the Mammoth Hot Springs / Tower-Roosevelt areas
Day 2: Explore the Norris Geyser Basin / Canyon Village areas (including the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River)
Day 3: Explore the Lower Geyser Basin / Midway Geyser Basin areas
Day 4: Explore the Old Faithful / Upper Geyser Basin area
Day 5: Explore the West Thumb Geyser Basin area on Yellowstone Lake, plus anything else in the park that you missed on the first 4 days

There are currently 9 overnight accommodations within Yellowstone National Park, all of which are in high demand and fairly expensive. Like most national park accommodations in the U.S., I find them generally basic and sometimes in need of minor maintenance. However, you obviously can't beat their locations. You should try to book these accommodations as soon as they go on sale (historically 12-18 months in advance). Here is a list of all in-park accommodations in Yellowstone National Park:
Yellowstone NP lodging: Canyon Lodge & Cabins
Yellowstone NP lodging: Grant Village
Yellowstone NP lodging: Lake Lodge Cabins
Yellowstone NP lodging: Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins
Yellowstone NP lodging: Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins
Yellowstone NP lodging: Old Faithful Inn
Yellowstone NP lodging: Old Faithful Lodge Cabins
Yellowstone NP lodging: Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Cabins
Yellowstone NP lodging: Roosevelt Lodge Cabins

There are currently 6 overnight accommodations in Grand Teton National Park as well. They are also in high demand, and you should try to book these accommodations as soon as they go on sale. Here is a list of the in-park accommodations in Grand Teton National Park:
Grand Teton NP lodging: Colter Bay Village
Grand Teton NP lodging: Jackson Lake Lodge
Grand Teton NP lodging: Jenny Lake Lodge
Grand Teton NP lodging: Signal Mountain Lodge
Grand Teton NP lodging: Spur Ranch Log Cabins
Grand Teton NP lodging: Triangle X Guest Ranch

If you want to visit both Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park, I recommend a 7-8 day trip. I would allocated 4-5 days for Yellowstone National Park and 3-4 days for Grand Teton National Park. If you can't find or don't want any of the in-park accommodations in Yellowstone National Park, use West Yellowstone in Montana as a base camp. If you can't find or don't want any of the in-park accommodations in Grand Teton National Park, use Jackson, Wyoming as a base camp. If you want to stay inside the National Parks, book well in advance (as far as 12-13 months in advance may be required).

The most popular times to visit Yellowstone are June through October. Good planning is needed if you want to visit outside of that window since there is likely to be snow/ice conditions. Take note that it can snow in some areas of Yellowstone any time of the year.

While there are some medium-sized and regional airports near Yellowstone (e.g. Bozeman, Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, Idaho Falls), the closest major airport is Salt Lake City in Utah. You should check prices for at least the Bozeman airport before you book Salt Lake City though, as sometimes you can get good prices and preferred airlines/flight times out of Bozeman.

Visiting Yellowstone National Park in winter on snowmobile is a magical experience. If you don't mind the cold, this is a bucket list type of experience. At least one lodge is typically kept open in winter. For more information about visiting Yellowstone in winter, visit here.

When visiting Devils Tower, I highly recommend hiking to see the view from Joyner Ridge.

For more information on Wyoming's national parks, visit the Wyoming page of the National Park Service. For an overview of all U.S. national parks, click here.

 STATE PARKS IN WYOMING


Wyoming has more than 10 state parks. Many would agree that these represent Wyoming's finest state parks:

Curt Gowdy State Park, Cheyenne - scenic foothills of the Laramie Mountains; boating and fishing on several reservoirs; excellent mtn biking
Guernsey State Park, Guernsey - scenic views, hiking trails, and Oregon Trail history
Hot Springs State Park, Thermopolis - world's largest single mineral hot spring
Sinks Canyon State Park, Lander - interesting geology (watch as a a river vanishes underground near the mouth of a canyon)
Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, Laramie - self-guided and guided tours of a historic prison

To see my list of the top 100 state parks in the country, click here.

 BEST WATERFALLS IN WYOMING


Wyoming has hundreds of natural waterfalls, and Yellowstone National Park is where you'll find most of them. Here are many of the best waterfalls in the state:

Yellowstone National Park
Dunanda Falls - you must obtain a permit to backpack in to these falls; a hot spring can be enjoyed below the falls
Fairy Falls
Gibbon Falls
Kepler Cascades
Lewis Falls
Lower Falls (of the Yellowstone River) - the finest waterfall in Yellowstone and a top 5 waterfall in the U.S.
Moose Falls
Mystic Falls
Osprey Falls
Tower Fall
Undine Falls
Union Falls
Upper Falls (of the Yellowstone River) - great hiking trails connect Lower Falls and Upper Falls

Grand Teton National Park
Hidden Falls

The rest of Wyoming
Garden Creek Falls in Casper
Hidden Falls in Curt Gowdy State Park
Popo Agie Falls in Shoshone National Forest - some people slide down this waterfall into a pool!
Porcupine Falls in Bighorn National Forest
Shell Falls in Bighorn National Forest

For a listing of all known waterfalls in Wyoming, visit the World Waterfall Database.

 BEST SCENIC DRIVES IN WYOMING


Here is a list of the best scenic drives in Wyoming:

Beartooth National Scenic Byway (US-212) - an exceptional 68-mile seasonal paved route from Red Lodge to Cooke City near Yellowstone
Big Horn Scenic Byway (US-14) - a 57-mile paved route from Dayton to Shell that travels through Bighorn National Forest
Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway (US-14/16/20) - a seasonal 27-mile paved route from Cody to the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park
Chief Joseph Scenic Highway (WY 296) - a 47-mile paved route from Cody to the Beartooth National Scenic Byway through Shoshone NF
Grand Teton National Park park roads - there are several roads within this national park that offer outstanding views (e.g. Teton Park Rd)
Yellowstone National Park park roads - the primarily Yellowstone park roads form a scenic double-loop (an "8" figure)


For a list of great scenic drives in each U.S. state, click here.

 BEST RAIL TRAILS IN WYOMING


There are only a few notable rail trails (or similar cycling paths) in Wyoming. These two cycling paths are the best you'll currently find in Wyoming:

Jackson Hole Community Pathway System - a 27-mile network of cycling trails; you can ride all the way from Jackson to Teton Village
North Pathway - a highly scenic paved 20-mile cycling path that connects Jackson with the Jenny Lake Visitor Center in Grand Teton NP

For detailed information on all known rail trails in Wyoming, visit the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy website.

 BEST AMUSEMENT PARKS IN WYOMING


Wyoming currently doesn't have any notable amusement parks. The state simply doesn't have a big enough population, and tourists are generally more focused on enjoying the great outdoors.

 BEST MUSEUMS IN WYOMING


Wyoming has many outstanding museums, most of which are focused on Western history. The best museums in Wyoming include:

Northwestern Wyoming (including Cody and Jackson)
Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Cody - one of the top museums in the U.S; an outstanding western history museum
Cody Dug Up Gun Museum, Cody - one of two good firearms museums in Cody
Cody Firearms Museum, Cody - one of two good firearms museums in Cody
Museum of the Plains Indian, Cody
National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson - the best museum of its kind in the U.S.

Northcentral Wyoming (including Buffalo and Sheridan)
King's Saddlery & Museum, Sheridan - exhibits w/focus on western & cowboy memorabilia

Central Wyoming (including Casper, Douglas, Lander, and Thermopolis)
Museum of the Mountain Man, Pinedale
National Historic Trails Interpretive Center, Casper
National Museum of Military Vehicles, Dubois
Wyoming Dinosaur Center, Thermopolis

Southern Wyoming (including Cheyenne and Laramie)
Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, Cheyenne
Fort Laramie National Historic Site, Fort Laramie
University of Wyoming Geological Museum, Laramie
Wyoming Frontier Prison, Rawlins - tours of a historic prison
Wyoming State Museum, Cheyenne
Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, Laramie - self-guided and guided tours of a historic prison

 BEST DAY HIKES IN WYOMING


Wyoming has thousands of miles of hiking trails. And many of its hiking trails are considered world-class. Here are some of the best day hikes in Wyoming:

Yellowstone National Park
Avalanche Peak - a challenging 5.0 mile round-trip hike to an open summit with excellent views; not recommended in Sept/Oct due to bears
Bunsen Peak - a moderately challenging 4.5 mile round-trip hike to scenic views
Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook - hike to an elevated view of the largest hot spring in the U.S. (3rd largest in the world); awesome colors!
Fairy Falls - a 5.0 mile round-trip hike to a towering scenic waterfall
Heart Lake - a 16 mile round-trip challenging day hike to a remote lake; lots of geothermal features are seen en route
Hellroaring Creek Trail - a 2.0 mile round trip hike to canyon views and a suspension bridge
Lone Star Geyser - a relatively easy 4.8 mile round-trip hike to a geyser that erupts roughly every 3 hours
Lower Falls area trails - use connecting trails to visit both Lower and Upper Falls; there are many different viewpoints of Yellowstone Canyon
Mammoth Terraces - short walks to see travertine terraces with colorful algae; there are several sections you can explore
Midway Geyser Basin Trail - an easy and short hiking loop to some of Yellowstone's best hot springs
Morning Glory Pool - an easy and flat 3.0 mile round-trip walk to one of the most amazing (and colorful) geothermal features in the world
Mount Washburn - one of the tallest mountains in Yellowstone (10,219'); great scenic views and wildflowers in season; goat sightings common
Norris Geyser Basin - easy walks to the "hottest, oldest, and most dynamic of Yellowstone's thermal areas"
Observation Point - a moderate hike to elevated views of the famous Old Faithful Geyser and surrounding area
Point Sublime via Artist Point - a 3.0 mile round-trip hike to fantastic views of Yellowstone Canyon (with Lower Falls in the distance)
Sky Rim Trail Loop - a challenging 20-mile alpine loop hike in the northwestern corner of the park
Upper Geyser Basin - some of the most amazing (and colorful) geothermal features in the world; hike as long as you want (up to 8-10 miles)
West Thumb Geyser Basin - an easy 0.75 mile loop brings you past some of the best geothermal features in the park

Grand Teton National Park
Bearpaw & Trapper Lake
Cascade Canyon to Lake Solitude
Delta Lake
Inspiration Point & Hidden Falls
Jenny Lake Loop
Lake Solitude
Leigh Lake Trail
Paintbrush Canyon and Paintbrush Divide
Surprise & Amphitheater Lakes - you can also take an optional detour to hike to Delta Lake
Taggart Lake Loop

The rest of Wyoming
Black Mountain Lookout Trail, Bighorn National Forest
Devils Tower National Monument trails (e.g. Red Beds Trail)
Hidden Falls, Curt Gowdy State Park
Lost Twin Lakes, Cloud Peak Wilderness Area
Medicine Bow Peak via Lakes Trail Loop, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest
Mirror Lake and Lost Twin Lakes Trail, Bighorn National Forest
Porcupine Falls, Bighorn National Forest
Table Mountain, Jedediah Smith Wilderness

The highpoint of Wyoming is Gannett Peak (13,810'). A challenging mountaineering adventure is required to reach the summit, which sits at the border of two national forests (Bridger-Teton and Shoshone) and two wilderness areas (Bridger and Fitzpatrick).

 BEST BACKPACKING TRIPS IN WYOMING


Wyoming offers world-class backpacking opportunities. Some would say Wyoming has the best backpacking in the U.S. outside of Alaska. Some of the premier backpacking routes and areas in Wyoming include:

Yellowstone National Park
Bechler River Trail
Bighorn Pass & Sportsman Lake Loop
Black Canyon of the Yellowstone River
Dunanda Falls / Mr. Bubbles
Heart Lake
Shoshone Lake
Speciman Ridge
High Lake Loop

Yellowstone National Park has nearly 300 designated backcountry campsites, and the areas mentioned above represent only a few that the park offers.

Grand Teton National Park
Cascade Canyon/Paintbrush Canyon Loop
Teton Crest Trail

The rest of Wyoming
Alaska Basin, Caribou-Targhee National Forest
Big Sandy Lake / North Lake / Arrowhead Lake, Bridger Wilderness
Lost Twin Lakes, Cloud Peak Wilderness Area
Wind River Mountains

The Wind River Mountains has some of the most extraordinary backpacking opportunities in the continental U.S. that does NOT require a reservation or permit (at least for now - eventually they may due to ever-rising popularity).

 CLASSIC OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN WYOMING


Wyoming offers a near-endless amount of outdoor adventures. Here are some classic adventures in Wyoming:

Backcountry skiing in/near Jackson Hole
Backpacking in Grand Teton National Park
Backpacking in the Wind River Mountains
Backpacking in Yellowstone National Park
Bouldering the Galaxy near Pinedale
Canoeing/kayaking the North Platte River
Cycling the Jackson Hole Community Pathway - a 27-mile network of cycling trails; you can ride all the way from Jackson to Teton Villa
Cycling the North Pathway - a scenic, paved 20-mile cycling path connecting Jackson with the Jenny Lake Visitor Center in Grand Teton NP
Day hiking Cascade Canyon in Grand Teton National Park
Day hiking Heart Lake in Yellowstone National Park
Day hiking Lake Solitude in Grand Teton National Park
Day hiking Paintbrush Canyon in Grand Teton National Park
Day hiking Surprise, Amphitheater, and Delta Lakes in Grand Teton National Park
Day hiking Upper Geyser Basin area in Yellowstone National Park
Floating the Bighorn River
Fly-fishing in/near Jackson
Ice climbing in South Fork, Cody
Kayaking on Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park
Mountaineering Gannett Peak
Mountaineering in Grand Teton National Park
Mountain biking in Bighorn National Forest
Mountain biking in Curt Gowdy State Park near Cheyenne
Mountain biking in Glendo State Park
Mountain biking the Grand Targhee Bike Park
Mountain biking the Wilkins Peak Trails of Green River
Rock climbing in the Bighorn Mountains
Rock climbing in Devils Tower National Monument (e.g. Durrance route)
Rock climbing in Fremont Canyon
Rock climbing in Grand Teton National Park
Rock climbing in/near Lander
Rock climbing in/near Laramie
Rock climbing in Sinks Canyon State Park
Rock climbing in Ten Sleep
Rock climbing in Vedauwoo
Rock climbing in the Wind River Mountains
Snowmobiling in Yellowstone National Park
Tubing the Bighorn River
Waterfall hunting in Yellowstone National Park - there are hundreds of waterfalls in this national park, including many that are off-trail
Whitewater rafting the Snake River in/near Jackson
Whitewater rafting the Wind River

 SKI RESORTS IN WYOMING


There are only a few notable ski/snowboard resorts in Wyoming, but they are spectacular. The two best ski resorts in the state are the following:

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort - 130 trails; 4,139ft vertical; 10,450ft summit
Grand Targhee Resort - 90 trails; 2,454ft vertical; 9,862ft summit

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is a world-famous ski resort. Grand Targhee Resort is also excellent, and it tends to be far less crowded than Jackson Hole.

 WYOMING TRAVEL TIPS


For offbeat and unique Wyoming attractions, visit one or both of these amazing websites: Atlas Obscura and Roadside America

 UNIQUE / SPECIALTY FOODS TO TRY IN WYOMING


Here are some unique / specialty foods to try while you are in Wyoming:

bison
chicken fried steak
elk (e.g. elk steak, elk burgers, elk sausage)
fry bread
trout

For a list of unique foods and mom-and-pop type eateries and restaurants in Wyoming (or any other U.S. state), visit the Roadfood.com website.
For a list of unique foods to try in each of the 50 U.S. states, click here.
For a list of the top-rated beers to try in Wyoming (or any other U.S. state), visit the Beer Advocate website.

 OTHER KEY WYOMING INFORMATION


Here is some helpful key information about Wyoming:

State Capital:
Cheyenne

Major Airports:
Jackson Hole Airport (JAC); you can also fly into Salt Lake City, UT, Bozeman, MT, or Denver, CO and then drive into Wyoming

Largest Cities:
Cheyenne (66,266), Casper (59,782), Gillette (34,267), Laramie (31,525), Rock Springs (23,624), Sheridan (18,995), Green River (11,687)

Primary U.S. Interstates:
I-25, I-80, I-90

State Highpoint:
Gannett Peak (13,810') on the border of Bridgeton-Teton National Forest and Shoshone National Forests; a challenging mountaineering trip is required to reach the summit

Professional Sports Teams:
None

Funny or Unique Town/City Names:
Chugwater, Dead Woman Crossing, and West Thumb

Take note that in general this travel guide intentionally excluded restaurants, lodging/hotels, breweries, wineries/vineyards, and certain other types of attractions (like arcades, ax-throwing, bowling alleys, and escape rooms). These types of places tend to come and go, and keeping up with that would be too challenging. I encourage you to use Google Maps, Tripadvisor, Yelp, and other travel sites that have reader reviews to find the latest and greatest places that I haven't covered here.

views of the Grand Tetons in Wyoming
views of the Grand Tetons in Wyoming

Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Midway Geyser Basin area in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Upper Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
hot springs pool in the Upper Geyser Basin area in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Midway Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Midway Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Morning Glory Pool, Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Morning Glory Pool in the Upper Geyser Basin area of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Lower Falls, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Lower Falls in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

just another day on a Wyoming state highway...
just another day on a Wyoming state highway...

the famous Cody Nite Rodeo in Cody, Wyoming
the famous Cody Nite Rodeo in Cody, Wyoming

Mormon Row, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
historic Mormon Row in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Lower Falls, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Lower Falls in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

wildflowers on Mt. Washburn, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
summer wildflowers on Mt. Washburn in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Devils Tower National Monument in eastern Wyoming
Devils Tower National Monument in eastern Wyoming

 ROAD TRIP GUIDEBOOKS


In addition to the information found on my website, I personally recommend purchasing these road trip/travel-related guidebooks. Click on any link to read reviews and/or purchase these books on Amazon.com (affiliate).

Fodor's Bucket List USA (1st edition; 2021)
Moon USA State by State (1st edition; 2021)
Your Guide to the National Parks (3rd edition; 2022)
Road Trip USA (9th edition; 2021)

 MORE U.S. STATE TRAVEL GUIDES


Did you enjoy this state travel guide? If so, here are links to more of my comprehensive U.S. state travel guides:

Alabama Maryland Oregon
Arizona Massachusetts Pennsylvania
Arkansas Michigan Rhode Island
California Minnesota South Carolina
Colorado Mississippi South Dakota
Connecticut Missouri Tennessee
Delaware Montana Texas
Florida Nebraska Utah
Georgia Nevada Vermont
Idaho New Hampshire Virginia
Illinois New Jersey Washington
Indiana New Mexico Washington DC
Iowa New York West Virginia
Kansas North Carolina Wisconsin
Kentucky North Dakota Wyoming
Louisiana Ohio  
Maine Oklahoma  

As an Amazon Associates affiliate, this website contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase any products after clicking any Amazon.com link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. I only endorse products that I have personally used or those that come highly recommended by trusted peers.

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