10 Best Places to Go in Wyoming

Grand Teton National Park

The Grand, Middle, and South Tetons rising above flower-filled alpine meadows is a spectacular sight, to put it mildly. From afar, the wild mountain landscape astounds. Up close, the park's plants and animals fill visitors with wonder. The regal, glacier-topped Rocky Mountains of Grand Teton National Park are home to an astonishing array of wildlife: elk, bison, bears, bald eagles, wolves, mountain lions, trumpeter swans, and other creatures.

If You Go: Rustic ranches and cabins are available for those who want to stay in the park. For more upscale accommodations, head outside park boundaries, where you'll find properties like the Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole.

Jackson

When people talk about "Jackson," they might be referring to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort or the town of Jackson—or just that area in general. Either way, they're talking about an awesome, wild endpoint. Regional attractions amply supplied with wildlife are plentiful, from the National Elk Refuge to the Antelope Flats to the National Museum of Wildlife Art. (Admittedly, that last one's short on true-life critters.) Skiing and outdoor sports are big here too, naturally. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort was ranked the number-one place to ski in North America this year by SKI Magazine.

If You Go: It's easy to get to Jackson Hole, because there are daily nonstop flights to the area from a handful of U.S. cities. You can fly right into Jackson Hole Airport, which is about a 15- to 20-minute drive from the town of Jackson and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

Cody

The old traditions of the Wild West thrive in Cody, the town that was founded by Buffalo Bill himself. One of the most popular things to do here? Experience the celebrated stories and legends of the frontiersmen, cowboys, and Native Americans who lived in the area more than a century ago at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Then create your own Cody adventure: Catch a real rodeo show, go trout fishing on Monster Lake, or camp and hike at Buffalo Bill State Park.

If You Go: Located in Northwest Wyoming, Cody is about a 3.5-hour drive from Jackson Hole Airport. While there, we recommend you stay at the historical Buffalo Bill's Irma Hotel, which was founded by Buffalo Bill himself. (He named it after his daughter, Irma.)

Cheyenne

It's the largest city in Wyoming. It's also the capital of the state. But Cheyenne nevertheless maintains some serious small-town charm. The walkable downtown shopping district is jam-packed with Western-themed stores and unique mom-and-pop shops. Other points to see include the Wyoming State Capitol building (it was modeled after the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.) and Cheyenne Frontier Days. The latter is the largest outdoor rodeo in the world and takes place annually in mid- to late-July.

If You Go: You can fly directly out of Denver International Airport to Cheyenne via small regional airlines. Or drive: Cheyenne is about 100 miles outside of Denver, accessible via Interstate 25.

Casper

Called a "mecca for fly-fishers" and also known as the "Gateway to the Tetons," Casper is the place to go for nature-centered excitement in Wyoming. The landscape here is particularly diverse: You'll find everything from alpine meadows to lakes to skyscraping mountains. For a bit of an education on the region, head to the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper, which details the history of Western expansion via informative displays, for a side of history with your outdoor adventures.

If You Go: Since Casper sits smack in the center of the state, it's a convenient stop for travelers driving from park to park or navigating some of Wyoming's scenic byways. Furthermore, Casper is an ideal road-trip stopover because the area is halfway between Mt. Rushmore National Memorial and Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone National Park

Supervolcanoes. Bears. Geysers. Herds of elk and bison. Yellowstone, one of the United States' great unspoiled national treasures, is rife with dramatic scenes and bestial beings. So we're not surprised that America's first national park is visited annually by millions. Though you can go boating on park lakes, try horseback riding or llama packing, or hike on more than 1,000 miles of trails, arguably one of the greatest things in Yellowstone is, quite simply, taking in the views of its iconic spots, from Old Faithful to the gorgeous Lower Falls. Bring your camera, your binoculars, and your sense of adventure.

If You Go: Open year-round, Yellowstone has something for everyone during both cold and warm seasons. You can stay inside the park throughout the year, too. Xanterra Parks and Resorts operates nine lodges in Yellowstone; find a list of them here.

Devil's Tower National Monument

Pictures don't do much justice to Devil's Tower National Monument, a tall, striking geological formation that looms above Wyoming's plains. This is an otherworldly and unforgettable landscape, deemed sacred by the Lakota and other tribes. (You might remember it from the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind.) One of the best things to do here is go hiking. Ranger-guided walks on trails surrounding the monument provide perfect views and historical details. Visitors can also climb on the monument: Climbers are welcome to scale the sheer rock face after first registering with the park.

If You Go: A campground within the park, Belle Fourche River Campground is a great place to stay. Lodging (and food) is also available in the nearby town of Hulett, located nine miles north of Devil's Tower.

Rock Springs

Wild horses are a rare sight on our planet nowadays. But that iconic Western image of galloping stallions moving across the plains is not yet extinct. You'll find wild horses roaming the landscape just north of Rock Springs, at the Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Loop Tour. Roughly 1,000 free-roaming horses wander the Loop, which is said to be one of the best places in the country to spot these majestic animals.

If You Go: Spend the night in Rock Springs, a former coal-mining and railroad town that's home to the largest sand dunes in North America.

Laramie

Known as the "Gem City of the Plains," Laramie is a small town steeped in American history—and it's a fantastic place to indulge in outdoor adventures in Southeast Wyoming. You'll find the University of Wyoming here, as well as a spate of captivating museums, from the Tate Geological Museum to the UW American Heritage Center. (The county boasts a total of 12 museums.) Be sure to leave time for the Wyoming Territorial Prison, which once housed Butch Cassidy. When your indoor explorations are over, head outside for a drive on the Snowy Range Scenic Byway, book a horseback-riding tour on local trails, or, in winter, ply the slopes of nearby Snowy Range Ski and Recreation Area.

If You Go: Fly in to Denver for easy access to Laramie by car. The town is about a two-hour drive north from Denver International Airport.

Sheridan

Find family fun galore in this classic small town, which hosts the 3rd Thursday Street Festival throughout spring and summer and has a historical not-to-miss Main Street lined with charming turn-of-the-century buildings housing shops and restaurants. Get your Wild West on at nearby guest and dude ranches, or take in an authentic rodeo performance at the Sheridan WYO Rodeo. Then explore the great outdoors at the adjacent Bighorn National Forest and Bighorn Mountains, where lodges, campgrounds, and trails pepper 189,000 acres of pristine wilderness.

If You Go: Logan International Airport in Billings, Montana, is about a two-hour drive from Sheridan. Or you can fly in to the Sheridan County Airport via a regional carrier out of Denver International.

Editor's Note: This article is part of our Wyoming Travel Guide, which also includes When to visit Wyoming.