Wyoming
Wyoming, in my opinion, deserves a spot on every traveler’s bucket list. While many people visit only for the national parks, the entire state feels like one enormous, awe-inspiring landscape. I’ve never found myself pulling over to the side of the road just to soak in the scenery as often as I have in Wyoming. While the Tetons and Yellowstone may steal the spotlight, they’re only the beginning. The real magic of Wyoming extends far beyond its most famous places.
Know Before You Go
📅 Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Wyoming is late spring through early fall (May–September) when national parks are fully accessible and the weather is most favorable for outdoor exploration. Summer offers warm temperatures and full access to trails and scenic drives, though it is also the busiest season in places like Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. Late September brings fewer crowds and beautiful fall colors in the mountains. Winter transforms parts of the state into a snowy wonderland, particularly around Jackson Hole, where skiing and wildlife tours become the main draw.
🧭 Regions of the State
Wyoming is often divided into several distinct travel regions.
- Northwest Wyoming is the most famous, home to Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
- Western Wyoming includes Jackson Hole and the surrounding mountains known for skiing and wildlife.
- Central Wyoming offers wide-open landscapes and historic towns tied to the Old West.
- Northeastern Wyoming features the Black Hills region and the iconic rock formation at Devils Tower National Monument.
- Southern Wyoming includes historic routes like the Oregon Trail and the capital city of Cheyenne. Each region offers a slightly different perspective on Wyoming’s frontier character and dramatic landscapes.
💰 Budget Friendly Tips
Accommodations: Lodging is typically the largest expense when visiting Wyoming, especially near national parks or in resort areas like Jackson. To save money stay in gateway towns such as West Yellowstone, Gardiner, or Cody, which are often significantly cheaper than lodging inside the parks; camp when possible, as campgrounds often cost around $15–$35 per night, making them one of the most affordable options; Visit during shoulder seasons.
Food: Buy groceries in gateway towns before entering parks; pack lunches and snacks for park days so you don’t rely on expensive restaurants; plan to cook breakfast and lunch yourself and enjoy restaurants only for dinner; bring a cooler and reusable water bottles for long drives and hikes; take advantage of picnic areas throughout national parks, which provide scenic and free dining spots; consider vacation rentals with kitchens, which can help reduce food costs during your stay.
Activities: Purchase the America the Beautiful National Parks Pass if visiting multiple parks; take advantage of free ranger programs, scenic drives, and hiking trails;
⚠️ Common Mistakes First-Time Visitors Make
- Underestimating Distances: Wyoming is massive, and driving between attractions takes much longer than expected. Map your routes.
- Running Out of Water/Gas: Remote areas lack services. Always fill your gas tank and carry extra water and snacks.
- Poorly Planned Itinerary: Not having reservations for campgrounds or hotels, or expecting to “wing it” in Yellowstone or Grand Teton. Be sure to book ahead, especially during peak season
- Assuming Water is Safe: Backpackers should always filter water, as some sources are contaminated or heavily mineralized.
- Ignoring Bear Safety: This is grizzly country. Carry bear spray, know how to use it, and make noise while hiking.
- Approaching Wildlife: Getting too close to bison, elk, or bears is dangerous and can lead to severe injury or fines. Always use binoculars or zoom lenses.
🚗 Best Way to Experience This State
Wyoming is best experienced by car, as the state is vast, rural, and home to some of the most dramatic landscapes in the American West. Public transportation is extremely limited, and many of the state’s best destinations are spread far apart. Renting a car allows you to move between iconic national parks, scenic highways, and small Western towns at your own pace. Most travelers fly into regional hubs like Jackson or Cheyenne, though some also arrive through nearby airports in surrounding states before driving in. Within towns, everything is typically compact and easy to navigate, but the real magic of Wyoming happens on the open road between destinations.
⏱️ How Long You Really Need
To truly experience Wyoming’s highlights, 7–10 days is ideal. This allows enough time to explore both Yellowstone and Grand Teton while adding a few scenic drives or smaller towns. A shorter 4–5 day trip can still work if you focus on one main area, usually the Yellowstone and Jackson region. Travelers wanting to explore multiple regions, including Devils Tower or the Wind River Range, may want 10–14 days to comfortably see the state without rushing.
🌟 Worth the Hype (Iconic Experiences)
- Watching Old Faithful erupt in Yellowstone National Park
- Seeing the vibrant colors of Grand Prismatic Spring, one of the most striking geothermal features in the world
- Experiencing sunrise or sunset views of the dramatic peaks in Grand Teton National Park
- Wildlife spotting in Lamar Valley, often called “America’s Serengeti” for its bison, wolves, and bears
- Driving the legendary Beartooth Highway, widely considered one of the most scenic roads in the United States
- Standing beneath the towering monolith at Devils Tower National Monument
Visiting the iconic elk antler arches in Jackson Town Square
💎 Hidden Gems We Loved (Less Crowded, Equally Memorable)
- Exploring the rugged alpine lakes and trails of the Wind River Range
- Scenic drives and waterfalls in the beautiful Bighorn Mountains
- Discovering fossils and ancient lake beds at Fossil Butte National Monument
- Soaking in the mineral pools at Hot Springs State Park
- Visiting the authentic Old West town and world-class museums in Cody
- Seeing wild horses roam across the remote landscapes of the Red Desert
Nature Lovers
- Grand Teton National Park hiking and wildlife watching
- Yellowstone National Park geothermal areas and wildlife
- Wind River Range backcountry hiking
- Bighorn Mountains scenic drives and waterfalls
Lamar Valley wildlife viewing
🧪🏛️ Science & History Lovers
- Grand Prismatic Spring and Yellowstone geothermal features
- Buffalo Bill Center of the West
- Fossil Butte National Monument
- Devils Tower geology and Native American history
Historic Old Trail Town in Cody
😌 Relaxers
- Strolling Jackson Town Square
- Soaking in hot springs in Thermopolis
- Scenic lake views at Jackson Lake Lodge
- Spa and resort stays in Jackson Hole
Slow scenic drives through Grand Teton National Park
👨👩👧👦 Families with Children
- Watching Old Faithful erupt
- Mountain coaster in Jackson Hole
- Attending the Cody Nite Rodeo
- Yellowstone Junior Ranger program
- Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone
- Wyoming Dinosaur Center and Excavation Site
🎬 Filming Location Enthusiasts
- Devils Tower (featured in Close Encounters of the Third Kind)
- Landscapes featured in the TV series Yellowstone
- Grand Teton backdrops used in many Western films
- Historic Western-style towns used in classic movie sets
🌄 Scenery Lovers
- Snake River Overlook in Grand Teton
- Beartooth Highway scenic drive
- Grand Prismatic Spring of Yellowstone
- Schwabacher Landing reflections of the Tetons