Places Welcoming You
Fossil Basin Promotion Board Kemmerer, Wyoming |
Cody Yellowstone Country Cody, Wyoming |
Places Welcoming You
Fossil Basin Promotion Board Kemmerer, Wyoming |
Cody Yellowstone Country Cody, Wyoming |
A place of rugged beauty, Wyoming will shock and awe with its towering mountains, red-walled gorges, endless plains and abundant wildlife. A world of outdoor adventure beckons as the state offers some of the oldest national parks in the country. It’s also a place where cowboys roam free and the Wild West spirit lives on. With the lowest population of any state, Wyoming’s wide open spaces aren’t cluttered with crowds. Home to charming towns, rodeos and ranches, the Cowboy State delivers an exciting slide of Western life.
True to its frontier roots, Wyoming encourages visitors to get out and explore its natural playground. Encompassing the state’s northwest corner is Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park. With more than two million acres to discover, Yellowstone is bursting with wildlife, spellbinding peaks, gushing waterfalls and sparkling lakes. It’s also home to the largest concentration of geysers and thermal features on the planet. Take in exquisite views by driving through the park or hike its massive network of trails to get closer to Mother Nature. Along your journey, keep your eyes on the lookout for free roaming bison, elk, bald eagles and bears. Top attractions here include the iconic Old Faithful geyser (not to be confused with its California counterpart in Calistoga), Lower Falls, Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and Yellowstone Lake.
Just south of Yellowstone lies Grand Teton National Park. Boasting 12 peaks towering more than 12,000 feet, crystal-clear alpine lakes and lush valleys, the park is a haven for hikers, climbers, kayakers and photographers. Journey through its many trails to uncover meadows teeming with vibrant wildflowers, rocky canyons and more than 300 species of birds. For those who want to take it easy, sit back and relax along the Grand Teton Loop drive. This 42-mile route provides multiple outlooks, so you can stop and take in awe-inspiring views of its distinctively spiky mountain peaks and scenic lakes.
Nudging up against the Montana east of Yellowstone lies Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. From dense forests and wetlands to towering cliffs and vast canyons, the area entices visitors with over 120,000 acres of diverse terrain. Reel in trout along Bighorn River, meander through historic ranches, drink in sweeping views from Devil’s Canyon Overlook, swim or boat on Bighorn Lake or hike over 27 miles of picturesque trails.
If you need a break from all the outdoor adventuring, stop by the Hot Springs State Park near Thermopolis about 136 miles east of Yellowstone for a soak.
Soaring over 1,200 feet with sheer vertical sides, the Devils Tower National Monument near the state’s northeast corner is the geological crown jewel of Wyoming. This dramatic-looking attraction earned a starring role in Stephen Spielberg’s 1977 blockbuster, Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Live out your cowboy dreams in Wyoming’s vibrant cities. In Cheyenne, dive into the state’s history at the Frontier Days Old West Museum, featuring rodeo exhibits and antique horse-drawn wagons. In July, check out the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, a 10-day festival.
Peek into Wyoming’s rich past at Fort Laramie National Historic Site. Established as a fur-trading post and later used as a military fort, this site has 12 restored buildings and costumed guides.
Serious history buffs will want to visit Cody, about 50 miles east of Yellowstone National Park, for the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. The center consists of five museums, including the Draper Natural History Museum, Cody Firearms Museum, Whitney Western Art Museum, Buffalo Bill Museum and Plains Indian Museum.
You can also take a trolley tour to explore the historic district, pioneer homes, Crow Indian region and the Buffalo Bill Reservoir. Afterward, catch a traditional Western show with dinner at the Cody Cattle Company. If you’re a fan of rodeo, you’ve come to the right place. Considered the rodeo capital of the world, the town invites you to the Cody Stampede Rodeo, one of the biggest professional rodeos in the United States.