Welcome to Wyoming

There’s a reason why Wyoming was chosen as the set for acclaimed films like “Dances with Wolves” and “Django Unchained.” Bristling with rocky peaks, riven by red-walled gorges and dappled with plains as far as the eye can see, the Equality State’s rugged and untamed landscapes lure everyone from movie directors to outdoor adventurers. The spirit of the Wild West lives on in its charming towns, too, with rodeos and ranches providing an authentic look into Western life.

State Flower: Indian paintbrush. Getty Images

Gunslingers Galore

Downtown Cheyenne serves up everything from historic hotels to classic Western entertainment. Watch the Cheyenne Gunslingers reenact gunfights or come face-to-face with 2,300 bison at the Terry Bison Ranch. You can also immerse yourself in rodeo exhibits and an extensive collection of antique wagons at the Frontier Days Old West Museum.

Landscapes of Epic Proportions

You may have seen the Devils Tower National Monument in films like Close Encounters of the Third Kind, but nothing beats seeing it in person. Standing at 1,200 feet with sheer vertical cliffs, this 65-million-year-old geological gem in northeast Wyoming is considered sacred by Northern Plains tribes. Join a ranger-led tour to learn more about the unique site or traverse eight miles of trails to admire it from every angle. Rock climbers can scale its almost-sheer sides to earn a stunning view from the top.

Getty Images

Wild West Towns

Cowboy culture flows through the veins of Cody. Set at the foot of the Absaroka Mountains in the state’s northwest corner, this town carries on the traditions of the iconic American cowboy. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West covers every aspect of this mythical region.  There are five museums all under one roof, including the Big Horn Galleries, which showcase works by famous Western artists. Old West town offers enlightening trolley tours to pioneer homes and the historic district.

America’s Oldest National Park

The star of the state is Yellowstone National Park in the state’s northwest corner. Established as the world’s first national park in 1872, this two-million-acre region seethes with natural hot springs and roars with gushing waterfalls. It also has the largest concentration of geysers in the world. Take a scenic drive or trek along hundreds of miles of trails to reach famous sites like the Old Faithful Geyser, Mammoth Hot Springs and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. The chances are high that you will catch glimpses of bison, elk and bears along the way.