9 Great Road Trips to Take in Wyoming

When planning a road trip, finding the best route with all the good stops can pose a real challenge. Before you start, though, it begs the question: of all the places, why Wyoming? The Mountain West subregion of the Western United States was not always nicknamed the Cowboy State. Wyoming was once home to the Lakota, Crow, Shoshone, and Arapaho tribes, which were but a few that the Europeans encountered when they first started exploring these once untamed lands. Today, this state offers some of the best open roads and incredible sights that no visitor would soon forget. Whether you wish to explore the fabled Yellowstone National Park or visit the Grand Teton National Park, there is no shortage of experiences here. So hop into your car and hit the road because there are trails to be made and only so many hours in the day to make them.

Casper to Thermopolis

Starting off at this strategic location, Casper is known for its National Historic Trails Interpretive Center, where you can learn about migration routes like the Oregon Trail before heading out. You should stop at Shoshoni to refuel and maybe enjoy the Shoshoni Recreation District. If you keep moving north from there, you will also see the Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway, which leads directly to Thermopolis; fortunately, this route also passes through some incredible, towering cliffs alongside the river. Once you get there, you will quickly find out that Thermopolis is home to the famous Hot Springs State Park and the world's largest mineral hot spring! Efficient routing always makes for a better trip.

Jackson to Afton

Jackson gives you the added benefit of checking out the National Elk Refuge, where winter sleigh rides can give you the best view for migrating herds. Once you embark, though, keep heading south until Star Valley Chocolates in Alpine; the handmade fudge and caramel there are worth the stop. Before that, make sure to take in the view at the Palisades Reservoir—fishing is also something you can do at the Snake River. Once you get to Afton, you will want to see the world's largest elk antler arch! This place is 75 feet across a road, but if that is not enough, you can stop at Intermittent Spring, just east of Afton, where an incredible geological phenomenon takes place: the water only flows during certain times of the year.

Laramie to Centennial

A great place to start in Laramie is the University of Wyoming Geological Museum, and you should definitely check out the full-sized dinosaur skeleton if you want to see one while you are there! Once that is done, drive through the Medicine Bow National Forest, where you will find a wind-sculpted snow range (an incredible place formed by the erosion of snow by wind). You can make a stop at Woods Landing Bar & Grill in Jelm before arriving at your destination. Centennial also has an incredible museum stop, but this one is more about the town's historic mining past. Of course, what good is a trip without memorabilia? The Centennial Valley Trading Post sells authentic Wyoming-made goods.

Cheyenne to Saratoga

Before you depart from this friendly starting point, you might want to check out the Wyoming State Capitol building in Cheyenne—recently restored to its 19th-century beauty. You can pass through Laramie and stop at the Wyoming Territorial Prison, where the infamous Butch Cassidy was once held! Make sure to refuel both the car and yourself at Coal Creek Coffee Company in Laramie. Saratoga is famous for the Hobo Hot Pool; it is open 24 hours a day, and the place offers free soaking. Nearby, you can find the Brush Creek Ranch if you feel like some relaxing, scenic horseback riding tours around those hills.

Cody to Lovell

Cody is home to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West—a museum complex for those who love frontier history. Enjoy your stop before traveling along the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway, a road known for its serpentine curves as well as its breathtaking mountain views. It would be best to stop at the Dead Indian Summit and learn some history about the Nez Perce escape route before reaching your destination. Once you actually make it, Lovell has no shortage of things to do. In fact, it is near Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, where some incredible canyon walls await. There is also the Wild Mustang Center worth checking out before playing cowboy at Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range for a chance to spot free-roaming horses.

Rock Springs to Pinedale

A great launch point with a rich coal mining history, Rock Springs features the Rock Springs Historical Museum, which is worth a look around before getting on that road. Before you head to Pinedale, take a detour to Eden Valley and enjoy a tour of its thriving alfalfa farms—it is also home to the world’s highest-quality hay! Otherwise, you can stop at Farson Mercantile and grab yourself one of those giant ice cream cones. Pinedale itself is an incredible gateway to the Wind River Range, and it has trails leading to glacial lakes like Fremont Lake. Make the climb after visiting the Museum of the Mountain Man, where you can take a look at some old artifacts and some interesting fur-trapping history.

Sheridan to Buffalo

Sheridan is a great start, and the Trail End State Historic Site there helps visitors peer into the life of a wealthy rancher in the early 1900s—it is a spectacular way to step into that era. Next, you will want to drive through the Bighorn Mountains, perhaps stopping at Shell Falls for a short hike and waterfall views. Buffalo is the perfect place to park as you wander through the Clear Creek Trail, which runs through town. Buffalo's Occidental Hotel is a famous spot that hosted equally famous figures like Teddy Roosevelt and Butch Cassidy. Before leaving, make sure to check out the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum, too; there is a lot of rich pioneer and Indigenous history there.

Gillette to Devils Tower

Known as the "Energy Capital of the Nation" due to its coal mining operations, Gillette serves as an excellent starting point before heading to Devil's Tower (also known as Bear Lodge). Before that, however, make a stop at Keyhole State Park and enjoy the fine views of Keyhole Reservoir. There is much to do at Devil's Tower; it is America’s first national monument, and the butte rises 867 feet above the ground. There is little that can top this sight, but you might want to head to the Belle Fourche River Campground to rest before heading home. Do not forget to pick up some souvenirs at Devils Tower Trading Post before you leave!

Riverton to Dubois

Home to the Wind River Heritage Center, this starting point gives you a blast from the past with its history of fur trade and trappers. You can make your way to Dubois on Highway 26 after crossing the Wind River Reservation. Along the way, you can also stop to take a look at the local Arapaho and Shoshone art. Before reaching your destination, you may want to fill up at the Warm Valley Lodge with an authentic Western-style lunch. Dubois is known for the National Bighorn Sheep Center; these animal exhibits are definitely worth checking out first thing! If you really want to get into nature, the Dubois Badlands provide incredible red rock formations for hiking and photography.

Wyoming is filled with sights to see, and there is not enough time to see them all, so efficient routing becomes ever more important. If you are lucky enough to have a car that can take you there, Wyoming is a place of wonder and antiquity. From the breathtaking peaks of the Tetons to the famous Yellowstone and the vast, tranquil plains, this state has endless opportunities for you to explore and get into the core of road-tripping. The freedom to get on that road and see the sights, learn the history, and just enjoy your stay is what makes the whole of the USA—but especially the Wyoming roads—so liberating and one of the best ways to spend a vacation.