7 Most Bike-Friendly Towns in Wyoming
Wyoming’s vast, sagebrush-dotted plains stretch toward the horizon, meeting the sky at a distant seam while towering mountain ranges like the Tetons and Bighorns pierce the blue above. Rolling hills, carved by ancient rivers, unfold like a canvas of gold and green hues, inviting bicyclists to pedal through a masterpiece of nature. With its wide-open spaces, panoramic vistas, and gentle breezes, Wyoming is a cyclist’s paradise. This state’s quiet roads and trails wind through valleys and canyons and offer a thrilling ride through an untamed landscape. Uncover bike-friendly towns scattered throughout the state, shaped by Wyoming’s intriguing past and culture amidst an endless stretch of beauty.
Jackson
On the western edges of Wyoming lies the town of Jackson, where the great outdoors meets communal hospitality. Jackson’s extensive bicycle lanes and trails make it an absolutely fitting destination for riders yearning for a taste of the simple life. One such bike trail includes the popular 20-mile-long Jackson Hole Community Pathway, which ensures a safe and enjoyable ride into the nearby Grand Teton National Park. Awe-inspiring trails on Snow King Mountain offer spectacular views of the Tetons, a Rocky Mountain range stretching 40 miles north and south of Wyoming and Idaho.
In the Town Square, eclectic shops like MADE feature locally crafted treasures. The National Museum of Wildlife Art features an extensive collection of wildlife-inspired art, hinting at curious visitors about the region’s cultural foundations. With abundant trails and enriching experiences, Jackson is a prime stop for cyclists seeking both adventure and respite.
Laramie
Laramie’s countryside unfolds into a cyclist’s playground, with waves of countryside, lush bottomlands, and serpentine routes calling bike riders to explore its land with curiosity. The Laramie River Greenbelt Trail meanders lazily through the town, its gentle curves and soft banks inviting leisurely rides and peaceful reveries. A mere 20 minutes southeast of the trail is the Vedauwoo Recreation Area, offering rugged outcroppings and majestic views of fascinating rock formations.
After a day of riding, pedal pushers are invited to savor the local scene at the Laramie Plains Civic Center, which hosts a variety of local events and exhibitions, including farmers markets and art displays from local talent. History buffs can also tour the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, which provides a glimpse into Laramie’s Wild West origins. And as the sun sets over Laramie’s open plains, bikers can bask in the warmth of a day well-ridden, surrounded by the unspoiled nature and heritage of this small Wyoming community.
Cody
The sweet scent of sagebrush and the warm glow of golden sunlight on weathered ranchlands welcome cyclists to Cody, Wyoming: an open expanse of infinite blue skies and golden plains. Named after famed outlaw Buffalo Bill Cody, the town's spirit is rooted in a sense of daring adventure, a perfect place for two-wheelers. Dedicated cycling lanes and the Shoshone Riverway Trail provide a seamless pedaling experience, winding along the river’s gentle curvatures. A shifting landscape gives notice to Buffalo Bill State Park in all of its grandeur, where stunning vistas of the Absaroka Mountains can be accessed on the trails around the reservoir’s shoreline.
Downtown Cody presents a charming complement to its dramatic terrain, with hidden gems like the Cody Dug Up Gun Museum, where enthusiasts can explore a collection of antique firearms. In addition, The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is a complex of museums preserving the American West’s rich legacy, ensuring Cody’s allure extends far beyond its cycle-friendly passageways. With each stroke of the pedal, Cody’s wild beauty leaves a lasting impression on adventurous riders from all over the world.
Sheridan
The gentle hum of wheels on pavement harmonizes with the rustle of leaves in the breeze, creating a symphony of sensory delights for cyclers in Sheridan, Wyoming. This picturesque region is where the Great Plains meets the Rocky Mountains, making the perfect conditions for bike riders to truly relish the essence of the American West. Sheridan’s well-planned street network and bicycle lanes seamlessly connect to the Soldier Ridge Trail, inviting them to appreciate the surrounding horizon. Located just outside of the town, the Bighorn National Forest challenges avid mountain bikers to conquer its arduous trails.
Cyclists can pedal into town to immerse themselves into Sheridan’s Western atmosphere, with King’s Saddlery, a world-renowned outpost for handcrafted leather goods and ropes. The Historic Sheridan Inn, once home to notorious outlaw Buffalo Bill Cody, stands sentinel at the heart of town, its stories and legends waiting to be uncovered by insightful travelers.
Riverton
Riverton, Wyoming, is where the Wind River’s clear waters touch the flatlands of the Great Plains, an environment crafted to the delight of cycling enthusiasts. This river, with its subtle nuances flowing near the town, offers beautiful views and trails for nature enthusiasts. Well-marked bicycle lanes and the Rails to Trails pathway display Riverton’s commitment to bicycling culture in addition to a storied past at the 1838 Mountain Man Rendezvous site. This historically significant attraction pulsates with the rhythms of reenactments and trading events, shedding insight into Riverton’s significance as a fur trading outpost.
Visitors can learn more at the Wind River Heritage Center, which shares the region’s fascinating ecosystem, among exhibits about its local history.
Pinedale
Cyclists discover a paradise of rideable terrain in Pinedale, Wyoming, where a network of accessible cycling lanes and the nearby Skyline Drive create an atmosphere of effortless exploration. Pinedale’s proximity to Fremont Lake, one of Wyoming’s largest and deepest natural lakes, rewards riders with stunning views and a deep connection to nature. The region’s timeless tradition comes alive at several sites important to Pinedale’s tradition.
The Museum of the Mountain Man features artifacts from the early 19th century and Pinedale’s fur-trading origins, and the Green River Rendezvous Grounds, which was once a gathering place of mountain men, is now a meeting ground for aficionados and adventurers alike. With a bike-friendly culture and legacy of rugged discovery, Pinedale is the ultimate pit stop for bicyclers yearning for camaraderie and unforgettable rides in the Wild West.
Thermopolis
Thermopolis is Greek for “hot city,” named after the abundance of hot springs in this region of Wyoming. Throughout the small town, cyclists can appreciate the accessibility of bike lanes as well as the Hot Springs State Park Trail, providing easy access to the town’s idyllic surroundings. The world’s largest mineral hot spring, located in Hot Springs State Park, is a must-see attraction that offers an exceptional experience. In addition, the park is known to house a herd of rare bison, animals integral to the Indigenous populations that once roamed the Great Plains.
Paleontology enthusiasts will be right at home at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, home to an extensive fossil collection that transports visitors back in time to the prehistoric era. The Hot Springs County Museum and Cultural Center adds another layer of depth, sharing the stories of local Native American tribes and early settlers. Like the fossils uncovered in this area of rich heritage, cyclists will be enthused to happen upon the grandeur of this wonderful Wyoming town.
Cycle Through Wyoming's Wild West
These quaint Wyoming towns and their surrounding areas showcase a paradisiacal panorama for cyclists looking to explore the vastness of the Wild West. The various biking and hiking trails reward visitors with a wide view of natural elegance that is well worth the effort. An expansive terrain of shifting undulation, Wyoming’s varied geography serves up a diverse menu of cycling delights, from effortless spins through high-plain meadows to adrenaline-fueled descents down mountainous terrain, in addition to the wondrous legacies each town occupies in the grand scheme of American heritage. Wyoming’s stunning terrain, flavored by rich culture, makes its towns select destinations for riders with an unquenchable spirit of discovery.
