12 Most Loved Tourist Attractions In Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park come to mind when considering Wyoming. Not only do two of the state's main attractions have breathtaking landscapes, but they also have a variety of species for those most interested in seeing diverse wildlife. Numerous outdoor activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and fishing, are feasible both inside and outside those areas due to the abundance of wilderness and open space. But Wyoming has more to offer than that. Known as the Cowboy State, cities like Cheyenne and Cody have historic museums and landmarks that give you a feel of the Old West. More exploration can be found in Jackson Hole, where you can browse through wildlife artwork, or even in Thermopolis, home to famous mineral hot springs. This thorough list of Wyoming's best tourist destinations will help you locate the most amazing locations in the state.
Yellowstone National Park
One of Wyoming's most popular tourist destinations is Yellowstone National Park, the world's oldest and first national park. Its two million acres offer a wealth of sights and activities. Being a national park, expect to see wildlife wandering the area, from bald eagles and gray wolves to grizzly bears and herds of bison. There are several leisure opportunities, too, such as horseback riding, fishing, and hiking. Other features include hydrothermal wonders like the Grand Prismatic Spring and the Old Faithful Geyser. Lower Falls and Yellowstone Lake are also worth admiring. Lodging options include backcountry camping, campgrounds, and hotels and motels within the park.
Devils Tower National Monument
Devils Tower National Monument is a geological treasure that rises 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River and Wyoming's eastern plains. It's one of Wyoming's most loved tourist attractions, drawing in around 500,000 visitors annually, with most visiting between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The visitor center illustrates the region's history and culture through images and exhibits while providing information on the geology of this flat-topped volcanic wonder. Other fascinating features include ranger-led tours, hiking trails, rock climbing, prairie dog watching, a campground area with picnic tables, and stargazing at Joyner Ridge.
The Buffalo Bill Center of the West
Located in Cody, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West houses five Smithsonian-affiliated museums dedicated to the American West. The Buffalo Bill Museum has artifacts from the life of the renowned American showman and soldier William "Buffalo Bill" Cody. The Draper Museum of Natural History showcases the splendor of the Yellowstone region. Over 10,000 artifacts and firearm exhibits are displayed inside the Cody Firearms Museum. The Plains Indian Museum details the culture and traditions of the Plains Indian people. Lastly, the Whitney Western Art Museum has a top-notch collection of Western art. The center also has a research library and offers exclusive tours.
Grand Teton National Park
Another popular destination in Wyoming is Grand Teton National Park, home to most of the Teton Range. Grand Teton is the ideal destination for nature enthusiasts and outdoor explorers due to its breathtaking vistas, varied animals, and intriguing past. This national park has a long history, inhabited by American Indian tribes, Nomadic Indians, early American explorers, and permanent residents. People worldwide visit the park to explore its ranger-led programs, visitor centers, and historical sites. Take a camping or hiking trip to experience the stunning scenery of this area in further detail. Boating, rock climbing, and wildlife tours are also available. During winter, visitors can also check out unique sites such as the Middle Teton Glacier, which has many crevasses.
Hot Springs State Park
Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis features the world-famous mineral hot springs that flow over the park's colorful terraces along the Bighorn River. The park offers a variety of attractions, including a therapeutic bathing facility. It also offers boating, fishing, hiking trails, and a beautiful flower garden. A pedestrian bridge provides a unique viewpoint with superb river views. Hot Springs State Park has a few large shelters that can be reserved for picnickers. The park's enormous bison herd is another notable feature that thrills those who visit there.
National Museum of Military Vehicles
In Dubois, you'll find the National Museum of Military Vehicles, which has over 400 fully restored military vehicles, artillery pieces, naval vessels, and airplanes from the 19th century. Through exhibits, the museum pays tribute to the brave warriors who served during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. With guided tours, a theater, a gift shop, a research library, and a casual dining area, you could easily spend the entire day exploring everything the museum offers. TripAdvisor also awarded the museum with a “Traveler’s Choice” award for two years in a row, so visitors from all over are sure to have a blast.
National Museum of Wildlife Art
One of Wyoming's most popular tourist destinations is Jackson Hole's National Museum of Wildlife Art, which welcomes over 80,000 visitors annually. Surprisingly, over 10,000 of these are children, so the museum is fit for people of all ages. You'll love the impressive art collection with featured artists like Georgia O'Keeffe, Andy Warhol, and Robert Kuhn. Outside of its wildlife artwork, the museum has a gift shop, an interactive children's gallery, a library, a restaurant, and an outdoor sculpture trail. The museum is the perfect stop before or after traveling to Yellowstone National Park or Grand Teton National Park.
Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum
Cheyenne Frontier Days, a Cheyenne tradition since 1897, is one of the world's largest outdoor rodeo and Western celebrations. It's a week-long event held annually in July and features nightly concerts, parades, carnival rides and games, food vendors, and a rodeo. Plan a trip to the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum to learn more about this historic and cultural event. It features the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame and engaging displays and exhibits, including Western horse-drawn carriages and wagons, pioneer artifacts and clothing, and Western and folk art. The Cheyenne Frontier Days Invitational Western Art Show and Sale, held just before Cheyenne Frontier Days, is one of the museum's yearly exhibitions and fundraising events.
Cheyenne Botanic Gardens
One of Wyoming's must-see attractions is the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens. It's the ideal place to visit for a calm afternoon. Stroll through the xeriscape, rose, herb, cactus, wetland, cottage, and forest gardens, enjoy the tranquil atmosphere by the pond, or spend time in historic areas as you discover the life of early Wyoming settlers. The Shane Smith Grand Conservatory is another highlight with its unique bonsai home and lush tropical plants. Visitors will also be intrigued by the Paul Smith Children's Village, a LEED platinum-certified area with numerous interactive landscapes.
Bridger-Teton National Forest
The 3.4 million-acre Bridger-Teton National Forest contains three wilderness areas that offer a wealth of species habitat and is close to Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and the National Elk Refuge. You can anticipate seeing bald eagles, coyotes, elk, trumpeter swans, and sandhill cranes in the summer and bighorn sheep, mule deer, and moose during the winter. Several rivers encircle the forest for water activities like fishing and boating. Off-roading, mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, and snowboarding are all options for fun and adventure. Visit one of the forest's several campgrounds or hike its varied trails to learn more about it. Furthermore, some notable landmarks in the forest are the Sheep Mountain, an 11,244-foot tall mountain, and the Gros Ventre landslide, one of the largest visible landslides on Earth.
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Situated on the southern Montana and northern Wyoming borders, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area offers many recreational options, diverse species, and stunning scenery. Its varied landscapes—forests, mountains, upland prairies, deep gorges, broad valleys, high deserts, and wetlands—are impressive. You may find information to help you plan your day at its two visitor centers. Discover the world-class trout fishing area of the Bighorn River, go swimming or boating in Bighorn Lake, camp in the wilderness, explore historic ranches, hike a variety of trails, or take in the sights of the bears, golden eagles, mountain lions, bighorn sheep, and wild horses that inhabit the area.
Curt Gowdy State Park
Curt Gowdy State Park, located between Cheyenne and Laramie, spans around 3,500 acres and features a range of terrain, such as sheer granite formations, rolling hills, and low-lying meadows. Wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts also find refuge there. Hikers and mountain bikers love the park's 35-mile network of trails, especially as it holds an “Epic” designation from the International Mountain Bicycling Association. These picturesque paths wind through the park, linking three reservoirs ideal for kokanee salmon and rainbow trout fishing. Another well-liked pastime is boating. The park has campgrounds that can hold tents and RVs if you wish to stay longer.
Discover These Top Tourist Attractions In Wyoming
As you prepare for your next vacation in Wyoming, consider visiting these popular tourist destinations. They provide experiences you won't soon forget, regardless of the time of year you come. Explore everything at your own pace, from exhilarating rodeos and Old West experiences in Cheyenne and Cody to trekking through scenic settings and observing animals in popular national parks like Yellowstone and Grand Teton. A fun and enriching Wyoming vacation awaits you.
