Hit the road for these adventurous Wyoming journeys
Covering almost 98,000 square miles, Wyoming offers vast landscapes to explore. While major interstates facilitate travel, the most breathtaking sights and experiences often lie off the beaten path.
Grab a physical map (relying on cell service isn't always wise), check the road conditions on WyoRoad, and get ready for an adventure. Just a heads up – some of these trips lead to remote locations, so carry a well-stocked emergency kit, a reliable spare tire, and ensure your gas tank is full.
Here are some exciting road trip suggestions to inspire your exploration of Wyoming.
Wyoming's natural landscapes are among the state's premier attractions © Gary Parker / Stocksy UnitedThe wild west of Wyoming
Top road trip for wildlife viewing
Yellowstone National Park to Rock Springs; 400-550 miles; plan for 6 days
In addition to its famous geysers and thermal wonders, Wyoming’s wildlife is a major highlight of the state's outdoor offerings. The northwest corner of this captivating state boasts remarkable biodiversity. Spanning 2.5 million acres of unspoiled nature, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks form the core of the world's largest intact temperate ecosystem. The broader Yellowstone Ecosystem covers an astonishing 18 million acres, teeming with diverse wildlife. This journey showcases the best of the state's natural habitats.
Begin your adventure at Yellowstone National Park, home to the area's 'big five:' grizzly bears, black bears, bison, elk, and gray wolves. Notably, the wolf population in the park has risen to around 120 individuals, having been nearly wiped out in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Thanks to conservation efforts, these magnificent creatures have made a comeback. The Hayden, Lamar, and Pelican Valleys are excellent locations for observing wildlife.
In the adjacent Grand Teton National Park, Oxbow Bend is a popular spot for seeing moose, pelicans, river otters, and more.
Rafting trips along the Snake River near the Grand Teton Mountains provide one of the best opportunities to view wildlife ©Mark Read/Dinogo PlanetOn your journey south to Jackson, be sure to stop by the National Elk Refuge to catch sight of elk (typically spotted in winter) along with wolves, bison, and bighorn sheep. Guided sleigh ride tours are especially popular with families – enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride in winter for an up-close experience with elk and other wildlife in the refuge. Remember to dress warmly, as it can get quite chilly.
While in Dubois, don’t miss the National Bighorn Sheep Center, where you can delve into the world of bighorn sheep (male horns can weigh as much as 30 pounds!) and explore various exhibits, including life-sized taxidermy displays. You can print or download a self-guided tour from the center’s website, or choose a seasonal guided tour that typically lasts 3-4 hours and showcases the animals' winter habitat.
Once you’ve mastered the facts about bighorn sheep, head south to the Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Tour, a self-guided 24-mile route along a gravel road. Keep an eye out for wild horses and other wildlife native to Wyoming. It's recommended to use high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles on this scenic drive, as cell service is often unavailable on the sparsely populated road. Allocate 1.5-2 hours for the trip and be mindful of changing road conditions.
To make the most of your visit, we recommend spending three days in Yellowstone, two days in Grand Teton, half a day in Dubois, and a few hours on the Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Tour.
Wyoming has played a crucial part in the history of the West © NPS/Mike EvansJourneying through history
Top historic road trip
Fort Laramie to Fort Bridger State Historic Site; 434 miles; plan for 2-3 days
During the 1800s, Wyoming was a key junction for several routes across the Western United States. The California and Oregon Trails served as the primary paths for those in search of fortune in the mountains and valleys of the West Coast. The Mormon Pioneer Trail follows the journey of Brigham Young and his followers after the tragic murder of Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, in Illinois. Early mail delivery utilized the Pony Express routes. For the half-million adventurers who traversed Wyoming in the 19th century, the land was often foreign, harsh, and perilous.
This route traces their footsteps. Begin at the Fort Laramie National Historic Site, which evolved from a simple trading post in 1834 into a significant military fort in just a few years. As westward expansion threatened the lands of the Northern Plains Indian Nations, the fort served as the base for the federal government’s military operations against them. Today, visitors can explore a dozen restored buildings and an onsite museum. Don't miss the nearby Bedlam Ruts, where you can witness remnants of old wagon trails.
Next, visit the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper. This center boasts interactive displays, including virtual stagecoach rides and an engaging film, along with a program featuring stories drawn from the pioneers' journals, narrated by Wilford Brimley.
Don’t miss Bessemer Bend National Historic Site, located just west of Casper. This was a vital river crossing for travelers who forded the river until 1847 when ferries made crossing easier. Nowadays, most opt for the bridge.
As you travel west, stop at Independence Rock, a notable landmark where pioneers etched their names and messages into its 1,900-foot-long surface. Visitors can read these historical inscriptions, observe wagon ruts, and reflect on the past.
Your final stop is the Fort Bridger State Historic Site, a crossroads for those heading southwest to Salt Lake City or northwest along the Oregon Trail. This site served as a resupply point for travelers and was also a station for the Pony Express. Over a dozen historic buildings are found on the 37-acre site, including a replica trading post, officers’ quarters, and infantry barracks.
All ticket sales at Astoria Hot Springs directly support the local wildlife habitat and community efforts © Astoria Park ConservancyHot springs road adventure
Top road trip for relaxation
Jackson to Saratoga Hot Springs Resort; 448 miles; plan for 3-4 days
Yellowstone National Park boasts the highest concentration of thermal features globally, making it unsurprising that the surrounding state is rich in hot springs. While entering a hot spring in Yellowstone is both illegal and perilous, there are numerous hot springs across the state where you can unwind in a soothing soak.
Begin your journey at Astoria Hot Springs, located about 20 minutes south of Jackson. The first manmade pools were built in the early 1960s, and the community enjoyed them for many years until the park closed in 1998. Fortunately, the park was revitalized and reopened in late 2020. Unwind in any of the five pools situated along the Snake River, but be sure to make reservations.
Next, head to Thermopolis to explore Hot Springs State Park, which boasts a bathhouse with water heated to 104 degrees and a stunning 'mineral terrace' where colorful waters flow down the rocks. There are also over six miles of nearby hiking trails. For even more hot springs excitement, visit Star Plunge, which features pools, water slides, and a “vapor cave” warmed by the mineral water, offering a unique waterpark experience.
Make a stop at Saratoga Hot Springs Resort to enjoy a soak in the 70-foot-long hot springs pool or in one of the smaller, hotter pools shaded by teepees. Access to these hot pools is limited to guests and spa treatment recipients, so be sure to book in advance.
Once, a vast sea covered what is now Wyoming, and today, fossil hunters can discover remnants of marine life within the state's rocks © NPSThe dinosaur footprint
Ideal road trip for fossil enthusiasts
Kemmerer to Greybull; 333 miles; allow 2-3 days
Begin your journey back to the Jurassic era at Fossil Butte National Monument, located near Kemmerer. Known as “America’s Aquarium in Stone,” this captivating park offers insights into the ancient past through ranger-led programs, fossil displays, and various educational activities. Don’t miss the visitor center exhibits, showcasing over 400 fossil specimens and interactive elements. The fish wall features 45 fossils from 21 of the 27 species that once thrived in Fossil Lake, a 67-mile-long ancient lake that blanketed the area.
After that, visit American Fossil in Kemmerer to try your luck at fossil digging. Anything you unearth is yours to take home, so may the odds be in your favor. This region was once home to a diverse array of creatures, from stingrays and shrimp to crocodiles and the three-toed horse, a distant ancestor of today’s horse.
As you continue northeast through the state, make a stop in Thermopolis to visit the Wyoming Dinosaur Center. This attraction features a variety of skeletons and fossils, along with chances to dive into the world of paleontology. The center also boasts an active preparation lab where visitors can learn the art of extracting fossils from their surrounding rock. Additionally, you can take a “dino detour” for a guided tour of a nearby excavation site.
Next, make your way to the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite, the largest area of preserved dinosaur footprints in Wyoming. This expansive 40-acre site offers a boardwalk, trails, picnic areas, interpretive signs, and more. The access road is gravel, so be cautious about road conditions, especially after rain. Prepare for plenty of sun and tough weather, and always stay alert for rattlesnakes.
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