There’s nothing quite like the natural beauty of Wyoming! From the nation’s most famous national park to the state’s incredible cowboy culture, here are our favorite things to see and do in Wyoming.
Note: We may earn a small commission from the affiliate links below.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone is the nation’s first national park. Most of the park is in Wyoming (96%), but 3% of the park is in Montana and 1% is in Idaho. It was established by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1872. But long before the 19th century, indigenous people and early European explorers were enjoying the vast area full of geothermal features. The park lies at the site of a supervolcano which last erupted 631,000 years ago. Don’t worry, though. There’s less than a 1 in 730,000 chance it will erupt during your visit!
Geothermal Areas
Still, the supervolcano aspect of the park provides its most famous features located in the Upper Geyser Basin. There’s the Old Faithful geyser that erupts every 60-90 minutes. Nearby you can also see Castle Geyser, Daisy Geyser, Grand Geyser, and Riverside Geyser. Check out predicted eruption times on the GeyserTimes website!
In the Midway Geyser Basin, you will find the colorful Grand Prismatic Spring. Get the best views by hiking up the 0.6 mile Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail.
Another remarkable geothermic area is Mammoth Hot Springs. Here you will see rock formations that look like waterfalls suspended in time. After admiring the amazing rocks, spend some time learning about the history of the area at Fort Yellowstone. You are likely to see elk roaming everywhere!
Scenic Spots
If you love amazing scenery, Yellowstone is definitely for you! My favorite spot is the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. In this area, make sure to check out Artists Point for a picture-perfect postcard view of the Lower Falls. Another great way to see the Lower Falls is by hiking down 0.4 miles from the Brink of the Lower Falls parking area to get a close-up on the waterfall. If you want a more intensive hike, check out any of these amazing day hikes in the Canyon area of the park.
If you prefer to get your scenery through a car window, there are a ton of scenic drive opportunities. Combinations of these drives allow you to see all the varied terrain and features of the park!
Along the way, you are sure to see plenty of animals. Look for bison, wolves, grizzly bears, black bears, elk, bald eagles, and more. Make sure to journey to Lamar Valley, known as “America’s Serengeti.” Hayden Valley is also a great place to spot wildlife. Just make sure you are up early or stay up late to maximize your chance to see the animals, and bring binoculars!
You can camp or lodge in the park. But be prepared to book early – space opens up 13 months in advance and fills quickly. You can also find great places to stay in West Yellowstone. There are also other great things to see and do nearby.
Grand Teton National Park
If you are visiting Yellowstone, you must spend at least one day in Grand Teton National Park. There’s also a ton of great reasons to make the park the sole purpose of your visit to Wyoming!
Visit Mormon Row Historic District for a fantastic sunrise view of the Teton Mountains. Here you will find houses and barns of early Mormon settlers and the most amazing views of the mountains. Nearby you will find Schwabacher Landing featuring a serene view of the Snake River and a 1 mile round trip nature trail to a beaver pond. A little further away is the Snake River Overlook where Ansel Adams took his famous photo of the Grand Tetons.
Take a boat ride across Jenny Lake to view Hidden Falls. Then you can hike 0.5 miles to Inspiration Point for even more breathtaking views. Serious hikers can tackle the 9-mile roundtrip Cascade Canyon Trail where you can expect to see moose, marmots, and pikas as well as more glorious scenery.
If you enjoy water sports, Grand Teton National Park has you covered! You can whitewater raft or float down Snake River. And Jenny Lake and String Lake are both great places for boats, kayaks or canoes. No matter what your activity level, you will love taking the 42-mile loop scenic drive on Teton Park Road.
You can camp or lodge in the park. But be prepared to book early – space opens up six months in advance and fills quickly. You can also find great places to stay in Jackson Hole. There are also other great things to see and do nearby.
Jackson Hole
A great place to base yourself for a visit to Grand Teton National Park is Jackson Hole. But this town is a great year-round destination all on it’s own! Jackson Hole is home to one of the best ski resorts in the U.S. You can visit Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in the winter for phenomenal skiing and other sports. Return in the summer to ride the ariel tram, bike or hike the trails, try out the Via Ferrata climbing course, and many other activities.
Visit the National Elk Refuge to see thousands of elk wandering in the valley. This is best visited in winter when you take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the refuge! Another natural wonder in the area are hot springs. Astoria Hot Springs feature six man-made pools filled with thermal water. Or try Granite Hot Springs for a more secluded experience.
In the town of Jackson Hole itself, you will find plenty to do. Visit the town square for a photo with the iconic Antler Arch and to enjoy the many galleries, shops, and restaurants. Grab a saddle barstool and wet your whistle at Million Dollar Cowboy Bar where you can also enjoy live music and dancing. Art and animal lovers will enjoy the National Museum of Wildlife Art featuring 5,000 pieces.
There are plenty of great places to stay in Jackson Hole. There are also other great things to see and do nearby.
Devil’s Tower National Monument
One of my favorite sites in Wyoming is Devil’s Tower National Monument. It’s amazing to see this massive rock formation jutting 1,267 feet into the air! This striking tower was sacred to Native American tribes who each have their own stories about the site.
Hike the 1.3 easy loop Tower Trail encircling the landmark. Here you will have close-up views of the tower’s parallel cracks, rock climbers scaling the tower’s side, and Native American prayer bundles tied to trees. If you are into rock climbing, Devil’s Tower is one of the best places to try crack-climbing with beginner to expert routes.
If you love wildlife, keep your eyes peeled for bison, deer, bald eagles, and wild turkeys. Hike the easy South Side Trail or the Valley View Trail to walk through prairie dog town to see the little creatures pop in and out of their burrows. Learn more about the tower’s geology and local history at the historic Visitor’s Center. Built during the Great Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the building is on the National Register of Historic Places. And stay after dark for stargazing and night sky programs.
You can camp in the park. There are also other places to stay nearby, as well as plenty of things to do.
Cody
Another fantastic town in Wyoming to visit is Cody. Founded by Buffalo Bill Cody himself, the town is renowned for its cowboy culture, rodeos, and gorgeous scenery. It’s a gateway to Yellowstone National Park via the 27 mile Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway.
One must-visit place is the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. This complex holds five different museums: Buffalo Bill Museum with exhibits on the famous showman, Plains Indian Museum with artifacts and history of local tribes, Whitney Western Art Museum showcasing painting and sculptures of the Old West, Cody Firearms Museum featuring one of the nation’s largest gun collections, and the Draper Natural History Museum where you can learn about the wildlife and ecology of the region. The center also offers a bird of prey experience as well as the chance to enjoy an old-fashioned chuckwagon dinner.
In the summer, experience Cody Stampede Rodeo that runs nightly. See amazing feats such as bull and bronc riding, calf-roping, and barrel racing. And make sure to attend the free gunfight show in front of Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel nightly in the summer. Another way to embrace your inner cowboy is by visiting one of Cody’s many Dude Ranches. You can book a simple one-hour scenic horse ride or multi-day cowboy experiences.
Step back in time with a visit to Old Trail Town, a collection of homes and buildings from the 1800s. You should also attend Dan Miller’s Cowboy Music Review, an award winning music and comedy show. And if you enjoy boating, water sports, or fishing, spend some time at Buffalo Bill Reservoir.
There are plenty of great places to stay and things to see and do in Cody.
Cheyenne
If you are looking for a city life in Wyoming, head to the capital city of Cheyenne. Bustling with more than 65,000 residents, here’s where you will find museums, shopping, and plenty of other things to keep you busy!
If you enjoy history, there’s a lot to love about Cheyenne. Visit the Old West Museum for exhibits on rodeo history, Western art, and Native American culture. The Cheyenne Depot Museum is located in a restored 1887 Union Pacific Depot and has a Big Boy #4004 steam locomotive on display. The circa 1908 Atlas Theater hosts plays, live music, and other entertainment. And you can take a self-guided tour of the State Capitol building as well as the Governor’s Mansion built in 1904.
If you can visit during late July, you will enjoy a host of events and activities at Cheyenne Frontier Days. This 10-day festival dates from 1897 and includes a PRCA Rodeo, country music star concerts, grand parades, chuckwagon cookoffs, frontier town and Native America village recreations, and a carnival midway.
The downtown area of Cheyenne is charming. It features Western boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and plenty of murals and statues of cowboy life. Look for the 8 foot tall painted cowboy boots scattered around town! Take time to visit Lion’s Park where you will find the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens and Paul Smith Children’s Village with water features and interactive exhibits. End your day with a visit to the Outlaw Saloon, one of the biggest country music bars in the U.S.
There are plenty of great places to stay and things to see and do in Cody.
South Pass City Historic Site
Last on our list of great sites to see in Wyoming is South Pass City Historic Site. This is one of Wyoming’s best-preserved ghost towns that once was a major stop on the Oregon Trail and Mormon Trail. During the 1860s it boomed as a gold rush town before experiencing decline in the 1870s. Today it features more than 30 restored buidlings.
Walk back in time as you wander through historic saloons, cabins, and community buildings. Then go underground to explore the Carissa Gold Mine. On this tour you will learn about 19th century mining techniques, see how gold is processed, and see mining artifacts.
There are several hiking trails onsite. The Miner’s Delight Trail is 1.5 miles roundtrip leading to an abandoned mining camp complete with log cabins. Willie’s Handcart Trail covers a section of the Oregon Trail where pioneers passed through in the 1850s. And the Continental Divide Trail takes you a section of the 3,100 mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.
Nearby, visit the South Pass Overlook to get a view of where the Oregon Trail Pioneers crossed the Rocky Mountains. Signs there tell the stories of these brave pioneers and their impact on the history of the nation.
Despite being a ghost town, there’s still great places to stay in South Pass City!
What’s on your Wyoming trip itinerary?
These are just 7 of the sensational sites to see in Wyoming. But the state is full of many more incredible destinations that are worth exploring. Tell us below where you plan to visit!
We hope you have enjoyed this installment on our 7 Sensational Sites in Each State of the USA series. Tell us what you think in the comments below. You can also contact us and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest so you never miss a post.
