What Wyoming lacks in population, it makes up for in its beautiful outdoors. Replete with sprawling, wide-open spaces, Wyoming is home to the Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone National Park and many other natural wonders that will wow visitors from all over. This legendary highway connects the state’s most famous national treasures.

1. Cheyenne

Starting point • Entertainment, History, Sports

The state’s capital is the true West. This is where you come to get a taste of cowboy culture. And July is when the cowpokes come to town. During the Frontier Days Festival, locals and visitors enjoy a rodeo, concert, food and exhibits. While you’re in town, check out the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens to see the solar-heated conservatory and other beautiful western plants.

2. Casper

Drive 178 miles, 2 hours, 27 minutes • History, Outdoor Recreation

Nicknamed “The Oil City,” Casper is rich in history. As a boomtown bursting with cowboy culture, Casper was at one point a vital regional transportation hub. Though not a bustling metropolis, modern-day Casper has much to offer. The city pays homage to its roots, while also providing locals and travelers with some fabulous outdoor adventures. Here, you can explore nature via historic trails, skiing, hiking, waterfalls, gardens and more.

3. Cody

Drive 215 miles, 4 hours, 28 minutes • History, Nature

Colonel William Frederick Cody, a.k.a. Buffalo Bill, founded this fine city in Wyoming and ever since then, the Wild West image has remained. Many visitors stop here en route to Yellowstone National Park, but there are some sights worth spending some time enjoying. The city’s most notable sight is the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, where all things American West are explored. In fact, this institution has been called the “Smithsonian of the West.” A complex of five museums, this space has everything you could ever want to know about the Wild West.

4. Yellowstone National Park

Drive 97 miles, 1 hour, 1 minute • Nature, History, Outdoor Recreation

This park is a must-see for all travelers, as it’s not just any old park — it is the nation’s first national park, and it never fails to astound. From wildlife that includes grizzlies, bison and wolves, to its water features that include half of the world’s geysers, as well as the country’s largest high-altitude lakes, rivers, waterfalls and beyond, Yellowstone is just amazing. Spanning nearly 3,500 square miles, Yellowstone National Park is an unforgettable experience.