From towering peaks to wide-open valleys, Wyoming’s landscapes offer hiking, fishing, wildlife watching and other unforgettable adventures.
Wyoming’s great outdoors are legendary. The state is home to millions of acres of public lands, thousands of alpine lakes and hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, biking and snowmobiling. Here, travelers encounter steamy natural hot springs, star-filled night skies and vast forests teeming with wildlife. From the geysers and peaks of Yellowstone to the sacred landscapes of Wind River Country, the alpine adventures of Carbon County and the granite playground near Laramie, these destinations capture the wild beauty that defines the Cowboy State.
Tucked in northwest Wyoming, Park County serves as the gateway to Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park, and welcoming Western-rooted towns like Cody, Powell and Meeteetse. Yellowstone dazzles with more than 10,000 geothermal features, including the iconic Old Faithful, along with natural landmarks such as the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and wildlife-rich Lamar Valley. The park also boasts the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states, offering chances to spot wolves, grizzly bears, elk and bison. Outside the park, adventure continues in the 2.5-million-acre Shoshone National Forest, known for world-class fly fishing and rock climbing. The journey itself is unforgettable along the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway, which follows the North Fork of the Shoshone River toward Yellowstone’s East Entrance. Stay in Cody or nearby towns for small-town charm paired with easy park access.
Anchored by the towering Wind River Range and welcoming towns like Lander, Riverton and Dubois, Wind River Country offers year-round adventure. Near Lander, Sinks Canyon State Park amazes visitors as the Popo Agie River disappears into a cavern known as “the Sinks” before resurfacing downstream at “the Rise.” Hike trails leading to canyon views and sightings of elk and bighorn sheep by day and spot galaxies and planets in the certified International Dark Sky Park when night falls. Outdoor experiences also abound on the Wind River Indian Reservation, home to the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes. Arrange a visit to the Tribal Buffalo Initiative to learn about bison restoration or see mustangs roaming at the Wild Horse Sanctuary. In winter, snowmobilers race across the Continental Divide Trail System, while outfitters in Dubois lead fly-fishing and horseback adventures into the Absaroka Mountains throughout the year.
Carbon County unfolds across a striking mix of high plains, rugged rock formations and sky-scraping peaks, anchored by hospitable towns like Rawlins and Saratoga. One of the region’s most scenic drives is the Snowy Range Scenic Byway, a 29-mile stretch of Wyoming Highway 130 that winds through the Medicine Bow National Forest. Adventure seekers have plenty of activities to choose from. Fish for trout in the North Platte River’s 150 miles of blue-ribbon waters, ride hundreds of miles of ATV and UTV trails, or hike toward viewpoints of crystal-clear lakes and vast forests. For a deeper wilderness experience, the Continental Divide Trail offers dramatic alpine scenery, while local outfitters lead horseback rides and pack trips into Wyoming’s backcountry. After a day of exploring, unwind in Saratoga’s natural mineral waters at the free Hobo Hot Springs or the nearby Saratoga Hot Springs Resort.
The lively college town of Laramie — tucked in southeastern Wyoming’s Laramie River Valley between the Laramie Mountains and the Medicine Bow Range — is a natural basecamp for discovering the great outdoors. Just 30 miles west, the Snowy Range Scenic Byway begins in the tiny community of Centennial and climbs through the Medicine Bow National Forest, revealing dramatic views of 12,000-foot peaks, crystal-clear lakes and sweeping overlooks. In summer, hiking trails lead to wildflower-filled meadows, while winter brings prime conditions for snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Closer to town, Vedauwoo Recreation Area showcases 1.4-billion-year-old Sherman granite formations, famous among climbers for its more than 1,000 crack routes. Hike or mountain bike through forests and sculpted rock towers, watch for moose and elk and spend the night beneath Wyoming’s starry skies at Vedauwoo Campground.
