Welcome to the Bigroads ultimate travel guide to Wyoming! Hopefully this page helps provide some inspiration and tips to help you plan your next trip to Wyoming.
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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.
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TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS IN WYOMING
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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.
Interested in discovering great attractions in other U.S. states? My 10 Great Attractions in Each U.S. State guide covers the best attractions from coast-to-coast. And here is a guide to the best One-Week Vacations in the U.S..
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5-STAR ATTRACTIONS IN WYOMING
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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.
Discover 5-star attractions in neighboring states using these state guides:
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BEST TOWNS & CITIES TO VISIT IN WYOMING
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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
Read my Favorite Places in the U.S. Guide to find new and interesting towns and cities across the country.
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WHAT IS WYOMING FAMOUS FOR?
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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
Visit my What is Each U.S. State Famous For? guide to explore the unique characteristics of other states.
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NATIONAL PARKS IN WYOMING
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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 of America's national parks, explore my U.S. National Parks Guide.
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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
Find the best state parks across the country using my Top 100 State Parks in the U.S. guide.
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BEST WATERFALLS IN WYOMING
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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.
Chase more waterfalls across the country with my Best Waterfalls in the U.S. guide.
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BEST SCENIC DRIVES IN WYOMING
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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)
Discover great scenic drives across the country with my Best Scenic Drives in the U.S. guide.
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BEST RAIL TRAILS IN WYOMING
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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.
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BEST AMUSEMENT PARKS IN WYOMING
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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.
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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
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BEST DAY HIKES IN WYOMING
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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).
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BEST BACKPACKING TRIPS IN WYOMING
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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
✮ Specimen 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).
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CLASSIC OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN WYOMING
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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
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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.
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UNIQUE / SPECIALTY FOODS TO TRY IN WYOMING
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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 U.S. state, explore my Road Trip Food guide.
For a list of the top-rated beers to try in Wyoming (or any other U.S. state), visit the Beer Advocate website.
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OTHER KEY WYOMING INFORMATION
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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.
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views of the Grand Tetons in Wyoming
Midway Geyser Basin area in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Upper Geyser Basin in 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
Morning Glory Pool in the Upper Geyser Basin area of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Lower Falls in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
just another day on a Wyoming state highway...
the famous Cody Nite Rodeo in Cody, Wyoming
historic Mormon Row in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Lower Falls in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
summer wildflowers on Mt. Washburn in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Devils Tower National Monument in eastern Wyoming
MORE U.S. STATE TRAVEL GUIDES
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Did you enjoy this state travel guide? If so, here are links to more of my comprehensive U.S. state travel guides:
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