When Is the Best Time To Visit Wyoming?

Known as the Cowboy State, Wyoming’s rugged beauty is a must-see in every season. Here, in the heart of the American West, you can make your own adventure, whatever the weather. Of course, what that adventure entails depends on you. If you love skiing or snowboarding, plan a winter trip to enjoy Wyoming’s beautiful powder and breathtaking slopes. If you’d rather soak up some sun at an outdoor concert or one of the state’s many national parks, schedule a summer break. Or visit in the spring and fall shoulder seasons to enjoy Wyoming’s breathtaking scenery and welcoming small towns without the crowds.

Winter in Wyoming (December - March)

Given its elevation, Wyoming has a fairly cold weather climate. In January, the coldest month, minimum temperatures range between 5F and 10F. The snow generally starts falling in November and, in some areas, can continue right through to May. All that snow makes Wyoming a paradise for winter sports, so it’s no surprise that the most popular activities at this time of year are snowmobiling, skiing and snowshoeing.

The beautiful Bighorn Mountains in northern Wyoming are one of the most popular winter sports destinations in the state and are easily accessible from a variety of charming mountain towns nearby. Head over to Jackson Hole to experience one of Wyoming’s more unique winter attractions, dog sledding. Local operators offer full-day or half-day trips through the stunning snowy landscape of the Bridger-Teton National Forest or Granite Creek Canyon. Near Jackson Hole, you’ll find the Granite Hot Springs, where you can unwind and relax with a steamy natural soak after a long day on the slopes.

Visit Wyoming in December to experience all the magic of a cowboy Christmas. The state capital, Cheyenne, kicks off the holiday season in early December with the launch of Old West Holiday - a month-long schedule of downtown markets, parades, and holiday light shows. For a homier experience, Visit the historic town of Sheridan in northern Wyoming and enjoy the Trail End Historic Site’s Old Fashioned Christmas, which revisits bygone traditions such as storytime and making your own Christmas ornaments. For a one-of-a-kind holiday experience, visit the National Elk Refuge at Jackson Hole. Here, you can have an unforgettable sleigh ride through the park’s herd of wild elk, set against the incredible backdrop of the snowy peaks of the Teton and Gros Ventre Mountain Ranges.

Winter Tips & Tricks: December to March is considered Wyoming’s ‘off-season’ as the cold weather keeps most tourists away. This is great news for winter enthusiasts as you’re more likely to grab a bargain when booking accommodation, activities, and flights at this time of year. Just be sure to check the weather forecast before you pack your suitcase — Wyoming winters can change quickly, with rapid fluctuations between mild and cold temperatures. You’ll also want to check local alerts and notifications if you’re driving into the mountains, as road conditions vary.

Spring in Wyoming (April - June)

With snow still possible into May, spring is unpredictable in Wyoming so prepare for anything, you could find yourself battling rain or flash freezes, or get lucky with a balmy spell of warm, dry days. Even if you do run into bad weather, you can still try one of Wyoming’s more unusual outdoor activities, fat biking. This is a type of mountain biking on bikes with extra large tires, capable of traversing any terrain and even snow. The sport is growing in popularity in Wyoming, and you can find several scenic fat biking trails at the Nordic Trails Center at Casper Mountain, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and Sinks Canyon State Park.

Spring is also when Wyoming’s many golf courses open for the season, with most opening the greens in April or May. Enjoy a little history with your putting at the Trail Ruts Golf Course in Guernsey, which is on the Oregon Trail and close to the Register Cliff Historic Site, where the pioneers carved their names in the early 1800s.

Spring is the best time of year to see the local wildlife in Wyoming. Emerging from the long winter, bears, moose, bison, deer, and wolves are all newly active. See them in the wild with the Jackson Hole Ecotour Adventures, which offers nature excursions led by experts. At this time of year, the wildlife gets frisky. See the famous ‘Sage Grouse Strut’ — a mating dance performed by the male grouse as they go all out to attract a partner — at Grand Teton National Park, which offers viewing programs on select weekends in April.

Spring Tips & Tricks: Spring is a great time to visit Wyoming’s most popular tourist attraction, Yellowstone National Park. In summer, the park is flooded with visitors, which often means long lines at the entrance and crowds on the trails. In spring, however, the season is just beginning, so provided the weather cooperates, you can enjoy the natural wonders of Yellowstone without being elbow-to-elbow with other visitors.

Summer in Wyoming (June - August)

Summer is the peak tourist season in Wyoming, and millions come to the state to take advantage of the warm weather. July is typically the hottest month, and temperatures can get as high as 85- 95 degrees F. Cool off at one of Wyoming’s scenic lakes and rivers, where you can fish, swim, or even try whitewater rafting if that’s your thing. Boysen State Park is known as an angler’s dream vacation thanks to its large population of catfish, walleye, and trout. Go boating on one of Wyoming’s beautiful lakes to soak up some sun — Yellowstone Lake in the heart of the National Park is one of the most picturesque places to enjoy a picnic and paddle.

Summer is a busy time for families. Keep the kids amused and treat them to a once-in-a-lifetime experience at Cheyenne Frontier Days, an iconic summer festival that features the state’s biggest rodeo as well as concerts, games, rides, and other family-friendly fun celebrating the American West. If you can’t make Cheyenne, you can catch the rodeo in one of Wyoming’s other towns such as Jackson Hole or Ten Sleep, the summer is rodeo season so the party continues through to August! There are also plenty of other festivals to choose from during the warm days and cool nights of summer. Check out the legendary Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival for music in the mountains or the South Pass City Gold Rush Days, which features historic exhibits, gold mining demonstrations, Pony Express reenactments, live saloon music, and more.

Summer Tips & Tricks: National parks like Yellowstone are at their busiest in summer. Look for lesser-known, hidden gems like the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area to get all the beauty of nature without the hassle. This pristine reserve has over 120,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness. Explore Bighorn Lake, 15 hiking trails, four historic ranches, the Bighorn River, and five campsites. If you go camping in Wyoming in the summer, be sure to use insect repellent. The warmer weather brings out mosquitos and ticks, which can cause nasty bites and carry disease.

Fall in Wyoming (September - November)

The number one attraction in Wyoming in fall is the foliage. This is the state at its prettiest when the trees glow with bright red, orange, and yellow shades. Peak leaf-peeping varies across the state, but it generally happens at its best from early September to mid-October. Hike the Medicine Bow Trail in Eastern Wyoming to see spectacular views of the Medicine Bow National Forest, or wander through Bear River State Park near Evanston to catch the colorful foliage by the water’s edge. You can also enjoy the season’s display on horseback, taking a ride at one of Wyoming’s many dude ranches. If you’re feeling less active, simply enjoy the scenery along the 100-mile Flaming Gorge - Green River Basin Scenic Byway or ride the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram, a gondola that travels from Teton Village to the peak of Rendezvous Mountain for a bird’s eye view of the autumn canopy.

Fall may signal the end of summer, but it’s the start of pumpkin season. Try something different this fall with a trip to the Wyoming Territorial Prison Historic Site in Laramie. Every October, this former prison hosts the Annual Pumpkin Walk, which features a straw bale maze, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin ring toss, trick-or-treating, and lots of pumpkin pie. If you’re leaving the kids at home, find more adult fun at the Casper Oktoberfest. One of the biggest in the state, this annual party features over 20 breweries, local food vendors, and live entertainment.

Fall tips & tricks: Fall is by far the best time of year to visit Wyoming. There’s still some warmth in the days, the landscape is awash with autumnal color, and, best of all, the prices are more reasonable than in the summer peak, and there’s more availability.

Wyoming: A State for All Seasons

Whether you’re a winter warrior, a summer sun-worshiper, a spring sightseer, or a fall fan, Wyoming has something for everyone. This is a true year-round destination thanks to its lively small towns, packed events schedule, beautiful scenery, and exciting recreational activities. Take a sleigh ride through the snow in winter, hike sun-drenched wildflower meadows in spring, laze by the lake in summer, or get cozy in the mountains on a clear, crisp fall night. As the locals know and regular visitors learn, there’s magic in every season in Wyoming.