10 Places to Visit in Wyoming USA The Cowboy State, which has nearly half of Wyoming as public land is the perfect destination for anyone looking to experience the stunning natural beauty of the American West. Wyoming is the least populated state in the Union. Its top places to visit in Wyoming include stunning landscapes that range from Yellowstone’s thermal geysers to Grand Teton’s jagged mountain peaks.
Mountainous Wyoming is proud of its Wild West heritage. Wyoming’s cowboy culture is evident whether you are watching a rodeo, eating a chuckwagon meal, or dancing the night away in a country-music hall.
10. Fossil butte National Monument
Three great lakes once covered a large portion of the area that is now Wyoming’s southwest corner. Fossil Lake, the smallest known body of water today, has been a treasure trove for fossilized fishes, animals and plants. The Fossil Butte National Monument is located approximately 15 miles (24km) west of Kemmerer. It features a butte rising 1,000 feet (300m) above the ancient lakebed.
Fossils can be found throughout the butte. During the summer, you can join paleontologists and dig for prehistoric remains. More than 300 fossils were found in the Monument’s visitor centre.
9. Hot Springs State Park
Hot Springs State Park is home to the largest hot springs anywhere in North America. The steaming hot water of the Big Spring, located near Thermopolis is used to supply many spa resorts as well as water parks.
The State Bath House, which is run by the state and open to the public, is available for use. For 20 minutes, visitors can take a dip in either an indoor or outdoor swimming pool for free. Star Plunge is a favorite among families due to its indoor and outdoor twisting water slides as well as the bubbling hot tubs and indoor pools. A herd of approximately 25 bison lives in the park.
8. Cheyenne
Cheyenne, the Cowboy State’s capital is located in the southeast corner. It was founded in 1867 and is known for its many museums and historic buildings. The Capitol Building, a Renaissance rival-style building, was built in 1887. It has a gold leaf dome visible from nearly any part of the city. It also features a grand staircase, stained glass interior and checkerboard marble floors.
The Nelson Museum of the West displays Native American art as well as artifacts of the United States Cavalry. Cheyenne hosts the Cheyenne Frontier Days in July, which is the largest outdoor rodeo held in the United States. It was established in 1897 and includes many rodeo events as well as free pancake breakfasts, night-time concert performances, and parades.
7. Bighorn Canyon
The Yellowtail Dam, built in Montana on the Bighorn River during the 1960s, is the reason that Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area exists. Crow Indian Reservation is home to a large portion of the dam’s reservoir that stretches 71 miles (114km) upstream into Wyoming.
The reservoir is surrounded by steep canyon walls that rise high above Bighorn Lake. This makes it a beautiful spot for boating and other water sports. The Wyoming side of this park is adjacent to the Pryor Mountains National Wild Horse Range. This range offers visitors the opportunity to view wild horses riding along the canyon’s summit.
6. Devils Tower
Devils Tower rises 1,267 feet (386m) above the terrain. It is the remnants of an old volcano that was exposed to erosion. It is located in northeastern Wyoming’s Black Hills, Crook County. President Theodore Roosevelt declared it a United States National Monument in 2006.
In 1977, the mountain was made famous by Steven Spielberg’s science fiction film Close Encounters of the Third Kind. It was used as the rendezvous point for alien-humans. It’s still one of Wyoming’s most visited places.
5. Flaming Gorge Recreational Area
Flaming Gorge Reservoir, which was formed by a dam on the Green River in 1958 is the main attraction of this National Recreation Area. It lies at the border of Utah and Wyoming. The manmade lake, which includes five marinas that offer full-service, is the ideal vacation spot for fishing, water sports, and boating.
There are more than 100 miles (163 km) of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Flaming Gorge, named after the flame-colored cliffs rising from the Green River is spectacular at sunset and sunrise when the canyon glows in brilliant colors.
4. Cody
Wyoming’s cowboy heritage is something that should not be missed on a visit to Wyoming. Cody is an excellent place to explore the Cowboy State’s history. The city is located near Yellowstone and was founded by Buffalo Bill Cody in 1887. The Buffalo Bill Center is located in Cody and houses five museums that are Western-themed.
The Old Trail Town is another must see attraction . It features over 25 restored Western buildings. Cody is known as the Rodeo Capital of the World. Rodeos are held almost every night in the summer.
3. Jackson Hole
The upscale Jackson Hole resort was established in Wyoming near the border with Idaho. It began as an outpost for trappers who were attracted to the area’s fur-bearing animals. Jackson Hole is a river basin located at the base the Teton Range. It attracts tourists in all seasons. The Snake River is a popular summer pastime. With more than 500 inches of winter snow, this region is also a favorite ski destination.
Although Jackson is the only town that is incorporated in the valley there are many resorts, homes, and communities all around the valley. Jackson offers a variety of dining options, including campfire barbecues and cuisines like wild salmon, buffalo hamburgers and elk chops.
2. Grand Teton National Park
The Grand Teton National Park was established in 1929. It is known for its breathtaking mountain views, shimmering alpine lakes, and abundant wildlife. The rugged spine of Teton Mountains rises over the Snake River valley, extending from Yellowstone National Park to Jackson.
Sparkling lakes are nestled against the mountain foot, where bison, elk, and moose make their home. Visitors can choose from a variety of accommodation options, including hundreds of motels, lodges and campgrounds that cover more than 250 miles (400km).
1. Yellowstone
The nation’s first national parks were formed by glacial ice and volcanic fire. Underground thermal waters rise to the surface, exploding into geysers. The water that drains from Yellowstone’s high plateau becomes rivers and falls down waterfalls.
Yellowstone is home to the largest bison herd in America. Elk, bighorn sheep and grizzly bears also roam freely within the park. Yellowstone National Park is so popular, visitors need to make reservations well in advance to ensure that they have accommodation or campsites. Yellowstone attracts more than three million people each year. It is a national treasure.
