10 Best Things to Do in Wyoming
Discover the Top Activities in Wyoming
Wyoming boasts the appeal of Old West history and numerous parks and natural areas for outdoor adventure, such as Hot Springs State Park. You can experience a little bit of everything in Wyoming, from seeing a symbol of American resilience and fortitude to climbing a massive and mysterious natural rock formation. Whether you’re a history buff who wants to learn about the Wild West or a thrill-seeker looking to explore remote parts of the dense wilderness, here are the 10 best things to do in Wyoming for the trip of a lifetime.
1. Fort Laramie National Historic Site
Discover the history of the West
Good for: History
Fort Laramie National Historic Site is the location of an important 19th-century trading post and military installation. Over the years, the site has seen fur trading, the country’s westward expansion, the Indian Wars and native resistance, and the Wild West at its most untamed. When you visit the site, you can explore the historic preserved buildings and take a tour to learn more about the detailed history of Fort Laramie. Run by the National Park Service, the Fort Laramie National Historic Site also hosts ranger programs for children and outdoor activities.
Location: 965 Grey Rocks Road, Fort Laramie, WY 82212, USA
Open: Daily from 8 am to 4.30 pm
Phone: +1 307-837-2221
Fort Laramie National Historic Site
2. Grand Teton National Park
Enjoy adventure in all seasons
Good for: Adventure
Grand Teton National Park is an expansive national park with towering peaks, verdant valleys, and pristine lakes for all kinds of outdoor fun. Some of the most popular outdoor adventures in Grand Teton National Park include mountaineering, fishing, hiking, backcountry camping, and mountain biking. In winter, visitors flock to the park for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The park is also world-renowned for its trout fishing, especially with unique species like the Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat trout. Lots of wildlife can be found in the area, including grizzly bears, bison, and coyotes.
Location: 103 Headquarters Loop, Moose, WY 83012, USA
Open: 24/7
Phone: +1 307-739-3300
3. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
See the wildlife of Wyoming and Montana
Good for: Adventure
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is a vast national park on the border of Wyoming and Montana. The park is home to many natural features, including a portion of the Pryor Mountains Wild Horse Range, Bighorn Lake, and Afterbay Lake, which is a popular spot for trout fishing and bird-watching. You’ll also find many ranches for historic experiences and horseback riding adventures. An unusual highlight of the park is a spot on Sullivan Knob’s Trail along the canyon rim where visitors can hear a triple echo across the canyon.
Location: Fort Smith, MT 59035, USA
Open: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm
Phone: +1 406-666-2412
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
4. Hot Springs State Park
Have a rejuvenating vacation experience
Good for: Adventure
Hot Springs State Park is a large recreation area in Thermopolis that’s known for its reliable and rejuvenating hot springs. Along with enjoying a soak in the natural mineral waters at the bathhouses, you can learn about the history and value that the hot springs had for native people and early settlers. One of the biggest highlights of Hot Springs State Park is bison viewing. The free-roaming herd travels within the boundaries of the park, so you can park on the trail and watch the majestic creatures go by.
Location: 220 N Park St, Thermopolis, WY 82443, USA
Open: Daily from 6 am to 10 pm
Phone: +1 307-864-2176
Hot Springs State Park
5. Bridger-Teton National Forest
Explore one of the largest national forests
Good for: Adventure
Bridger-Teton National Forest is a massive forest in western Wyoming with numerous opportunities for outdoor adventure. As one of the largest national forests in the country, Bridger-Teton National Forest borders both Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. You’ll find many towering peaks that receive plenty of snowfall; hundreds of lakes, rivers, and streams for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing; and an extensive network of hiking trails, some of which link to trails in Yellowstone National Park. The forest is home to an abundance of wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, falcons, elk, and bighorn sheep.
Open: 24/7
Bridger-Teton National Forest
6. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West
Learn about the Wild West
Good for: History
The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is a collection of 5 museums and a research library dedicated to the history of the American West. Located in Cody, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West includes the Buffalo Bill Museum, the Draper National History Museum, the Plains Indians Museum, the Cody Firearms Museum, and the Whitney Western Art Museum. Throughout the museums’ collections, you can see art and artifacts like star quilts, western artists’ studio replicas, period firearms, natural history dioramas, and animal specimens.
Location: 720 Sheridan Ave, Cody, WY 82414, USA
Open: Daily from 8 am to 5 pm
Phone: +1 307-587-4771
The Buffalo Bill Center of the West
7. Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area
Tour a historic dam
Good for: Adventure
The Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area spans part of Wyoming and Utah, covering hundreds of thousands of acres of wilderness. The highlight of the park is the Flaming Gorge Reservoir, a massive reservoir of the Green River that’s surrounded by stunning red-sandstone cliffs. A haven for outdoor adventurers, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area offers an array of activities, including rock climbing, boating, fishing, rafting, biking, and hiking. Another popular activity is touring the Flaming Gorge Dam, a hydroelectric power source south of the Wyoming border.
Location: 25 Utah 43, Manila, UT 84046, USA
Open: 24/7
Phone: +1 307-587-4771
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area
8. The Wind River Range
Find thrills in the mountains
Good for: Adventure
The Wind River Range is a mountain range in the Rocky Mountains that contains some of the highest peaks in the country, along with several national forests and wilderness areas. Shoshone National Forest and Bridger-Teton National Forest are found on opposite sides of the range. With its extensive network of trails, the Wind River Range is a popular recreation site with incredible scenic hikes and a varied landscape. You’ll find several lakes in the area, such as Boulder Lake and Burnt Lake, which are popular for watersports and fishing.
The Wind River Range
9. Devils Tower National Monument
Experience the mystery of the tower
Good for: Adventure
Devils Tower National Monument is an igneous rock butte in the Black Hills of Wyoming. As one of the first national monuments in the country, Devils Tower National Monument has seen hundreds of thousands of visitors. Many adventurers travel to the butte to climb to its summit. The monument provides protection and habitat for many wildlife species, such as prairie dogs, bald eagles, white-tailed deer, and bears, which are a source of cultural significance for plains tribes like the Kiowa and Lakota.
Location: WY-110, Devils Tower, WY 82714, USA
Open: 24/7
Phone: +1 307-467-5283
Devils Tower National Monument
10. National Historic Trails Interpretive Center
Immerse yourself in Old West culture
Good for: History
The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center features exhibits and information about several national historic trails. The center offers numerous interpretive programs, presentations, exhibits, and events relating to the legendary West and historic trails such as the Oregon Trail, the California Trail, and the Pony Express Trail. Through the exhibits, you can learn all about the history of the area and the West’s early pioneers. You’ll also learn about the history of Native Americans in the area, the start of the Pony Express, the Gold Rush, and other fascinating history.
Location: 1501 N Poplar St, Casper, WY 82601, USA
Open: Tuesday–Saturday from 9 am to 4.30 pm (closed Sunday and Monday)
Phone: +1 307-261-7700
National Historic Trails Interpretive Center
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