United States Wyoming The 18 Best Things to Do in Wyoming By Angela Brown Angela Brown Angela has been writing about life, travel, and recreation in the Northwest, where she grew up, since 2000. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 05/09/19 Grand Teton Mountains. Matt Anderson Photography / Getty Images The state of Wyoming is rich in natural wonders and Old West history. With famous National Parks, towering mountain peaks, wild rivers, and wide-open plains, this state draws visitors and recreationists from around the world. The history of the West—from the Native American and cowboy heritage to the development of the railroads and mining—can be experienced at historical sites, museums, and visitor centers, and also by wandering around preserved downtown districts. 01 of 18 Hit the Backcountry in Yellowstone National Park TripSavvy / Alisha McDarris View Map Address View Avenue, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA Get directions Phone +1 307-344-2751 Web Visit website Yellowstone National Park is truly one of the world's most natural wonders. The 2.2 million acres that make up the park—96 percent of which is located in Wyoming—boast jaw-dropping geysers, colorful hot springs, majestic mountain ranges, and vibrant rivers and waterfalls. The most popular attractions include Old Faithful Geyser, Mammoth Hot Springs, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. Adventurous folks can wander into the backcountry to avoid both the traffic and crowds and catch a glimpse of wildlife, including wolves, elk, bison, and bears. 02 of 18 Play Outdoors in Grand Teton National Park TripSavvy / Alisha McDarris View Map Address Wyoming, USA Get directions Phone +1 307-739-3399 Web Visit website Grand Teton National Park is home to postcard-perfect scenery that rivals something you'd see in Europe or Patagonia, Chile. Rugged peaks, rushing rivers, serene lakes, and wildflower-filled meadows offer much solace for a city-dwelling visitor. Similar to neighboring Yellowstone, park wildlife ranges from large bison, elk, and bears to small mammals like pika and marmots. The National Park, the nearby Bridger-Teton National Forest, and the resort town of Jackson Hole combine to make one vast outdoor playground that offers something for every season. Whitewater rafting, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, lake cruises, snowshoeing, and skiing are just some of the seemingly endless activities. 03 of 18 Ski Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Jackson Hole Mountain Resort View Map Address 25 Utah 43, Manila, UT 84046, USA Get directions Phone +1 435-784-3445 Web Visit website With a 4,139-foot vertical drop and 2500 acres of in-bounds skiing terrain, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort rivals any resort in the world for the ultimate skiing experience. However, since 50 percent of the terrain is suitable for experts only, this isn't the place to go to get your bearings. Even still, the lower mountain offers beginner terrain and the mountain school provides superior lessons, should you need to sharpen your skills. Head to the base in Teton Village for gourmet restaurants, four- and five-star accommodations, and a hopping nightlife. 04 of 18 Wander Through the Buffalo Bill Center of the West Paul Hermans / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 View Map Address 720 Sheridan Ave, Cody, WY 82414-3428, USA Get directions Phone +1 307-587-4771 Web Visit website The Buffalo Bill Center of the West consists of five terrific museums, each worth a visit on its own. Experience a slice of American history by viewing artifacts from the life of Buffalo Bill Cody at the Buffalo Bill Museum. The Cody Firearms Museum features a huge collection of firearms from around the world. If flora and fauna is your thing, don't pass up the Draper Museum of Natural History's wildlife and geology exhibits. The Plains Indian Museum offers exhibits and a multimedia show depicting the true heritage of regional Native Americans. And a world-class collection of Western art—with works by Charles Russell, Frederic Remington, and WHD Koerner—can be found at the Whitney Gallery of Western Art. Continue to 5 of 18 below. 05 of 18 Explore the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center Henry Tom / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 View Map Address 1501 N Poplar St, Casper, WY 82601, USA Get directions Phone +1 307-261-7700 Web Visit website There's a lot to learn at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper, Wyoming. During your visit, you'll find your way through galleries featuring Wyoming's first inhabitants, mountain men, and fur trappers. See the routes of the Oregon Trail, the Mormon Trail, the California Trail, and the Pony Express and discover the journey settlers took along the way. History comes alive in the center's multimedia presentation, living history demonstrations, guided hike, and special events. 06 of 18 Attend Cheyenne's Frontier Days Rodeo Richard Oriez/Flickr View Map Address 4610 Carey Avenue, 1210 W 8th Ave, Cheyenne, WY 82001, USA Get directions Phone +1 307-778-7200 Web Visit website Held annually since 1919, the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo is known as the "Daddy of 'em All" due to both the quality and the quantity of its rodeo action. The late-July festivities include 10 days of rodeo, concerts featuring national country-music acts, a carnival, a horse-filled Grand Parade, an Indian Village, complete with traditional dance and costumes, and a western art show. If you can't make to Cheyenne in July, wander into the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum to get a taste of the rodeo experience. 07 of 18 Visit Fort Laramie National Historic Site rozdemir01 / Getty Images View Map Address 965 Grey Rocks Road, Fort Laramie, WY 82212, USA Get directions Phone +1 307-837-2221 Web Visit website Fort Laramie once was a fur-trading post in 1834, then the site went on to serve folks migrating west via the Oregon and California Trails. The Fort Laramie National Historic Site includes a number of restored historic buildings that you can explore by booking a walking tour. While there, stop at the visitor center and enjoy an 18-minute history video, a bookstore, and a museum. Museum exhibits include uniforms, weapons, and artifacts from Fort Laramie's colorful history. 08 of 18 Soak the Pools at Hot Springs State Park Charles Willgren / Wikimedia Commons / CC By 2.0 View Map Address 220 Park St, Thermopolis, WY 82443, USA Get directions Phone +1 307-864-2176 Web Visit website Wyoming's most popular state park offers a year-round treat for visitors. The site of the world's largest mineral hot spring, the area draws not only human tourists but is also home to Wyoming's central bison herd. Visitors can enjoy a soak in the 104-degree mineral waters indoors at the State Bath House, or in two outdoor pools. If you're there in the summer, take in the interesting rock formations created by mineral waters by hiking their extensive trail system. The park's famous flower garden is a site to see, as well. Continue to 9 of 18 below. 09 of 18 Rock Climb at Devils Tower National Monument dconvertini / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0 View Map Address 340 WY-110, Devils Tower, WY 82714, USA Get directions Phone +1 307-467-5283 Web Visit website Off the beaten track in northeast Wyoming lies a stately rock formation made famous by the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." Today, this tower is the focal point of Devils Tower National Monument and worshiped by nationwide rock climbers. Tower Trail, a 1.3-mile paved trail, circles the tower and can be enjoyed via a guided hike. Before you leave, check out the visitor center to learn about the natural history of Devils Tower and its surroundings. Then, take your turn at rock climbing the tower (if it's within your skill level) or marvel at the climbers who flock to this rock. 10 of 18 Drive Your Car Along the Bridger Valley Historic Byway Napa/WikiCommons/CC This 20-mile loop offers you a remarkable glimpse of Wyoming's history. Follow the path of those who traveled cross-country via the Oregon Trail, the California Trail, the Pony Express, the transcontinental railroad, and the Lincoln Highway. Stop along the way at the Fort Bridger State Historic Site, complete with a museum and a walking tour of the old fort and restored historic buildings. This original trading post, founded by Jim Bridger, was taken over in 1853 by the Mormons when they sent militia to arrest Bridger for selling alcohol to the Indians. 11 of 18 Take a Sleigh Ride in the Elk Refuge sboice/Getty Images No winter trip to Jackson Hole is complete without a sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge. Located just north of town, this sanctuary houses up to 7,000 elk seasonally, while supplementing their feed so they can survive the long winters. The elk here are free to come and go, yet most of them congregate in the winter and leave in the summer, making a winter sleigh ride prime for sightings. In fact, a horse-drawn sleigh ride puts you up close and personal with the herds. Sleighs run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day and tickets can be purchased at the Jackson Hole and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center. 12 of 18 Ski Grand Targhee Resort KevinCass/Getty Images On the western slope of the Tetons lies a mom and pop resort with some of the best snow in the Lower 48. Grand Targhee Resort is actually accessed by driving through Idaho and into the "town" of Alta, Wyoming. "Targhee" is known as a family resort with terrain that can accommodate all skill levels. So if you're wary about skiing Jackson Hole's expert terrain, pop over the hill to Targhee for easier trails and a ridiculous amount of powder snow. So much so, that the resort urges you to bring your snorkel. Continue to 13 of 18 below. 13 of 18 Ride the Coaster at Snow King Mountain Snow King Mountain Adrenaline junkies will love Snow King Mountain's Cowboy Coaster where individual, hand-operated coaster cars take you along miles of loops, curves, and drops. Check out the view of Jackson Hole and the surrounding Teton mountain range as you climb 456 vertical feet up Snow King Mountain, and then descend on a thrill ride. The coaster is only open in the summer and an all-day Big King Pass gives you access to Snow King's coaster, Treetop Adventure Park, mini-golf, alpine slide, and more. 14 of 18 Hike the Thunder Basin National Grassland mtcurado/Getty Images Located in Northeastern Wyoming between the Big Horn Mountains and the Black Hills, Thunder Basin National Grassland is ripe for exploring. Hike the many trails that meander through rolling grasslands and native shrubbery. Pack your field guide so you can easily identify grasses, plants, birds, and any small mammals you may meet. You might even run into a grazing cow, as the grasslands provide forage for local livestock. 15 of 18 Boat and Fish the Flaming Gorge Ottilia/Getty Images The dramatic landscape of the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area provides ample opportunity for fishing, swimming, boating, and lakeside relaxing. In fact, the Flaming Gorge Reservoir is prized by local trout fisherman. To access this amazing fishery, drive south of Rock Springs, Wyoming, to Buckboard Marina where you can rent a boat and get the latest fishing report before you head out on the reservoir. 16 of 18 Visit the State Capitol Complex jmoor17/Getty Images The Wyoming State Capitol Complex consists of the Wyoming State Museum, the Wyoming Supreme Court, the Governor's Mansion, the Wyoming State Capitol, and the Wyoming State Legislature. Visit each site to gain an inside look at the state's government facilities and processes. A tour of the entire complex makes a perfect outing for students and teachers (with advance reservations). Note: The capitol building is currently closed for renovation, however, a capital building exhibit is offered at the Wyoming State Museum until the site reopens. Continue to 17 of 18 below. 17 of 18 Backpack the Wind River Range Don Mason/Getty Images This mountain range (which falls under the radar due to its majestic Teton neighbors) offers hikers and backpackers a way to escape crowds and truly experience isolation. Glacier-carved granite spires pepper this range, complete with high mountain lakes and meadows that offer perfect opportunities for camping. The three-day, 23-mile Cirque of the Towers Loop makes a great journey for experienced backpackers. Embark in late summer so you can avoid bugs, high stream crossings, and fickle weather. 18 of 18 Experience Nature at the Laurance Rockefeller Preserve Eoghanacht/WikiCommons Just south of Moose, Wyoming, and east of Jackson Hole, the Laurance Rockefeller Preserve offers an area to experience solitude. And, this can be a great reprieve from the national park crowds and tourists that frequent the Jackson Hole area in the summer. Here you can learn about Rockefeller's vision to preserve the wildlands in the region. Explore sensory exhibits, sit and journal, or just relax as you pay tribute to those who have come before us. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Tell us why! Submit