Top 12 Best Things To Do In Wyoming
Wyoming is one of the best states in America to reconnect with nature. The state has some of the best skiing in the nation as well as fantastic hiking and ... read more...breathtaking mountain views. People who want to learn more about the culture and history of the Old West can visit Wyoming. Unique museums, natural hot springs, and lovely botanical gardens are some of the attractions. Here are the best things to do in Wyoming.
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The first and oldest national park in the world is Yellowstone, which was created in 1872. One of the most breathtaking wilderness places on earth can be found there. Grizzly and black bears, gray wolves, elk, antelope, trumpeter swans, and majestic bald eagles are among the plentiful wildlife that still roams freely in the valleys. There are also sizable herds of free-roaming bison. There is a geothermal wonderland in the park. Geysers that hiss, mud pots that bubble, and hot springs that steam reveals the forces that shaped this incredible environment millions of years ago. Waterfalls cascade down cliffs, and miles of glistening rivers and lakes. Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake, and Lower Falls' jaw-dropping waterfalls are a few of Yellowstone National Park's features.
Camping in Yellowstone National Park is one of the best things to do in Wyoming. Although you can drive around the park, the vast network of hiking paths offers the best opportunity to fully experience its many ecosystems. By camping at one of the picturesque campgrounds in the park, it is simple to prolong a wilderness experience. The park is among Wyoming's top tourist destinations. While the terrain is beautifully colored during each season, the best time to go sightseeing is during the summer.
Location: in the northwest corner of Wyoming.
Website: https://www.yellowstonenationalpark.com/
Google rating: 4.8/5.0
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One of Wyoming's treasures is Grand Teton National Park, which is crowned by the jagged peaks of the Teton Mountain Range. These mountains, which are located in the northwest of the state, were created millions of years ago when the earth's crust collapsed, forming 12 peaks that rise beyond 12,000 feet. The Grand Teton, the highest of these, rises 13,770 feet above sea level. There are lots of animals. The park is home to more than 300 different bird species, 60 different animal species, and a large number of freshwater fish. It should come as no surprise that the park is a haven for those who enjoy wildlife, photography, climbing, kayaking, and hiking.
Hiking the many routes and camping overnight are the best ways to discover the breathtaking scenery. That is one of the best things to do in Wyoming. The only time the high-mountain hiking trails are fully free of snow is during the summer, which is also the busiest travel season. However, spring and fall are also great times to come, with fewer tourists. During the winter, several of the entry points and roads close.
Location: in northwestern Wyoming.
Website: https://www.gtnpf.org/
TripAdvisor rating: 5.0/5.0
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Jackson, Wyoming, a wide valley at the base of the magnificent Teton Mountains, embodies the spirit of the Wild West. The charm of this colorful village is enhanced by the boardwalks, small shops, and galleries made of rustic wooden structures. The elk-horn arches that surround the town square make it difficult to miss. Jackson is a well-liked stop on the way to Yellowstone and the entrance to the lovely Grand Teton National Park. The largest herd of elk wintering in the world is protected by the National Elk Refuge, which borders the town. When in season, visitors can enter the refuge on a horse-drawn sleigh to get a closer look at these friendly animals.
The National Museum of Wildlife Art, which is hidden in a rocky hillside just south of the city, is another popular sight. It has more than 4,000 paintings and numerous changing displays. Other highlights of Jackson include the famed summer rodeo, chuck wagon cookouts, picturesque float cruises down the Snake River, and downhill skiing on Snow King Mountain. One of the best places to go fly fishing in Wyoming is Jackson Hole. The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort at Teton Village, located 20 minutes from Jackson, offers some of the best skiing in North America in addition to a variety of summer mountain activities and outdoor concerts.
Location: Teton County, Wyoming
Website: https://www.jacksonwy.gov/
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After becoming Wyoming's first state park in 1897, the Big Horn Hot Springs State Reserve immediately gained popularity among tourists and those seeking solace in the hot springs' curative minerals. The federal government originally agreed to allow free access to the mineral hot springs in exchange for the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes selling them the land. The Hot Springs State Park still upholds that agreement today. The water temperature in a free bathhouse is kept at 104 degrees throughout the year for therapeutic bathing. This day-use park has all the amenities, including restrooms, paths, fishing, and a boat ramp. The central herd for the Wyoming State Parks, the Hot Springs State Area bison herd has been in the park since 1916. The park bison receive a daily supplement during the late fall and winter months to maintain their health.
Hot Springs State Park is a terrific place to stop for a soothing soak because it is built around the largest single mineral hot spring in the entire globe. At the State Bath House or in the two outdoor pools, you can relax in the warm water. Along with hiking paths, petroglyphs, summer flower beds, and the Rainbow Terrace, which is where another stream empties into the Bighorn River, the area is also home to these attractions. Find the bison herd that is feeding in the hills
Location: Thermopolis, WyomingWebsite: https://thermopolis.com/
Google rating: 4.7/5.0
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The Buffalo Bill Center of the West, originally the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, is a collection of five museums and a library in Cody, Wyoming, that house artwork and relics from the American West. The Plains Indians Museum, the Whitney Western Art Museum, the Draper Natural History Museum, and the Cody Firearms Museum are among the five museums. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which was established in 1917 to preserve the heritage and vision of Col. William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, is the oldest and largest museum complex in the American West. The New York Times referred to it as "among the country's most extraordinary museums."
It is the biggest and most well-known museum in the area of Yellowstone. Everyone can find something to enjoy, from unique exhibits to family-friendly activities, after-hours cowboy dining, live raptors, and more. The majority of visitors will need to spend at least one night away from Yellowstone before or after their visit. Take advantage of the museums and other attractions in Cody by staying the night. There is a lot to do at the center for kids of all ages. There are many inspiring videos, interactives, and interesting exhibits in our five museum galleries. Another fantastic activity for kids is our live raptor program, where they can get up and personal with live raptors like vultures, hawks, and owls.
Address: 720 Sheridan Ave, Cody, Wyoming
Website: https://centerofthewest.org/
Google rating: 4.8/5.0 -
Even in the height of summer, the surface water of the reservoir is chilly. It follows that the reservoir offers excellent trout habitat and is refreshingly chilly for water skiers. For its trophy lake trout, Flaming Gorge is well-known. Many fish weighing over 30 pounds are caught annually. There might yet be a larger fish swimming in the reservoir that is heavier than the 51 lb 8 oz Utah record. Additionally, fishing for rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee salmon, and smallmouth bass is excellent.
The Flaming Gorge Reservoir, which spans the states of Wyoming and Utah and is 91 miles long, is the most well-known location. Not to be outdone, the Green River may also be found here, with the Flaming Gorge Dam's imposing wall separating it from the reservoir. There are many different water sports available at the reservoir and on the river, including fishing from the shore or a boat. By bringing your own boat or renting one from the Buckboard Marina, you may access a limitless array of water sports options. You can have fun on the water by tubing, water skiing, or wakeboarding, to name a few activities. Alternatively, choose a different mode of water travel like a jet ski, kayak, or raft on a river or lake. There are numerous hiking and mountain biking paths near Flaming Gorge.
Location: Sweetwater County, Wyoming / Daggett County, Utah, USA
Website: https://www.flaminggorgecountry.com/
Google rating: 4.8/5.0
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Are you looking for Grand Teton National Park's or Yellowstone National Park's breathtaking alpine landscape but without the crowds? Go to Western Wyoming's Wind River Range. Its 2.25 million acres are home to thousands of sparkling trout-filled waterways, including the headwaters of the Green River, seven of the largest glaciers in the Lower 48 states, lush meadows dappled with wildflowers, glacier-carved valleys, snow-capped peaks, and seven of the largest glaciers in the Lower 48 states. It makes sense that it is a paradise for hiking, fishing, camping, and climbing.
In particular, hikers will love this place. The area has more than 600 miles of trails, including a portion of the Continental Divide Scenic National Trail, which connects Canada and Mexico. It is ideal to hike the 80-mile section through this area in August and September, when there is the greatest likelihood that the trails won't be covered in snow, as it rises to a height of 11,000 feet. Be on the lookout for wildlife. Although grizzly bears are the main attraction in this region, you can also observe moose, mountain lions, deer, elk, wolves, and hundreds of other bird species.
One of Wyoming's top spots for fly fishing is the Wind River Range. In the crystal-clear streams and rivers, anglers can catch a variety of trout species as well as grayling and mackinaw. You can attend a powwow, visit museums, or take a 70-kilometer scenic drive along the Wind River Indian Reservation Trail to learn more about the area at the Wind River Indian Reservation. Visit your local chambers of commerce to pick out a self-guided Wyoming tourism map.
The Bridger Wilderness's remotest region is accessible through the sleepy village of Pinedale, which also serves as a fantastic supply depot. If you want to avoid the crowds, you can leave from here with your bag, boots, and fly fishing gear packed and enter one of the nation's most breathtakingly gorgeous wilderness areas.
Location: western WyomingWebsite: https://windriver.org/experience/wind-river-range/
Google rating: 4.9/5.0
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Grand Targhee Ski Resort is a top choice for your upcoming Wyoming ski vacation if you detest waiting in lines and spending outrageous amounts on lift tickets. This family-friendly resort on the western slopes of the Tetons is about a 90-minute drive from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. It is significantly less expensive than its well-known sister resort and has a lot fewer guests.
Here, snowfall averages over 500 inches of light, fluffy powder, and five lifts provide access to 2,270 feet of vertical. All levels of skiers can find tracks here, but with more than 70% of the terrain designated as appropriate for them, intermediate skiers are particularly well catered for. Two terrain parks, Nordic paths, and snowshoeing are additional amenities. The only cat skiing in Wyoming is open to backcountry skiers and snowboarders, and private snowcat skiing is also an option. Another benefit of visiting this area is the reasonably priced lodging on the slopes. The summer is likewise jam-packed with events. Experience this quaint little town's restaurants and shops, take a picturesque chairlift ride, go to a concert, bike the trails. Grand Targhee is a fantastic mountain escape for the entire family, regardless of the season.
Location: western Wyoming in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest
Website: https://www.grandtarghee.com/
Google rating: 4.4/5.0
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A more engaging experience than a museum, the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center recreates the early pioneer trails and highlights their significance to American history. The museum is one of the best things to do in Casper, Wyoming, and it's worth spending a couple of hours there. The history of Wyoming's first inhabitants, mountain men and fur trappers, and the Oregon, Mormon, California, and Pony Express trails are all shown in full-scale dioramas and multimedia exhibits. Since the exhibits are all arranged chronologically, visiting this museum is like taking a trip through history. That is one of the best things to do in Wyoming.
For families interested in learning about the history of the nation, this is among the top attractions in Wyoming. Children can board a covered wagon, walk through a mock river crossing, and watch documentaries that focus on the lives of early settlers. And the best part: free entrance! Take some time to savor the expansive views of Casper from the overlook before you depart.
Address: 1501 North Poplar Street, Casper, Wyoming
Website: https://nhtcf.org/
Google rating: 4.9/5.0
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Southern Wyoming's Cheyenne, the state's capital, has a ton of fun things to do. It was once the greatest station of the United States Cavalry and was given the Cheyenne Indians' name. The story of Cheyenne's beginnings as a stop on the Union Pacific Railroad in 1867 is still told in the town's museums and historic locations today. The Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo is one of the town's most popular attractions. The late-July rodeo, which has been held every year since 1919 and features 10 days of exciting events, is one of the best in the nation. Visit the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum for a taste of the Wild West during other times of the year. It has rodeo displays and vintage horse-drawn wagons.
The Wyoming State Capitol Building, a National Historic Landmark, the interactive children's exhibits at the Wyoming State Museum, and the historical railroad exhibits at the Cheyenne Depot Museum are some of the other top sights and activities in Cheyenne. Look out for the Big Boy locomotive at Holliday Park, which is close to the depot and one of the biggest steam engines ever constructed.
Location: the capital of Wyoming.
Website: https://www.cheyenne.org/
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Devils Tower National Monument is a gem of a geological formation that towers over the Belle Fourche River and the eastern plains of Wyoming by more than 1,200 feet. This is the main draw if you're seeking northeast Wyoming attractions. Through photographs and exhibits, the Devils Tower Visitor Center describes the geology of this marvel of a volcanic flattop and presents the history and culture of the region.
Following your visit to the monument, you can stroll along the eight kilometers of nature trails that encircle the rock and wind through the nearby meadows and forest. The abundance of wildflowers in the spring and early summer makes for an amazing photo opportunity. As you enter the area, keep an eye out for the prairie dog colonies. Rock climbing is another favorite activity here, and the Belle Fourche River offers excellent walleye, catfish, and black bullhead fishing during certain months. There are also accessible local area tours given by rangers.
Location: WY-110, Devils Tower, WY 82714
Google rating: 4.8/5.0
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Fort Laramie, the first garrisoned post in Wyoming, was first a private fur-trading outpost but later developed into a significant station serving settlers traveling west on the Mormon, Oregon, and California Trails. In the course of the Plains Indian Wars, the region served as a significant military outpost. The 214 acres of military reservation property were declared a national monument in 1938 by President Roosevelt. The National Park Service now oversees the site's management. The tourist center, where a quick audio-visual display describes the history of the fort, should be your first stop. Weapons and uniforms are among the artifacts on show here.
A walking tour of the renovated structures after the visitor center brings the fort's intriguing history to life. You may explore the barracks to see how the soldiers lived and ate, as well as the officers' quarters, post office, general store, and medical quarters, among other restored structures. Friendly volunteers dressed in period garb assist in reenacting the scene as you explore the location. The majority of tourists take a self-guided tour, but during the summer months, interpretive talks are provided. The kids can sign up for an informative scavenger hunt if you're looking for a method to keep them occupied.
Address: 965 Grey Rocks Road, Fort Laramie, Wyoming
Google rating: 4.7/5.0