Top Mountain Towns in Wyoming for Your Stay—From Yellowstone to the Tetons

Wyoming is vast, boasting over 100 mountain ranges—and as the least populated state in the U.S., it offers ample space to explore. The challenge lies in choosing the right mountain town as your base, whether it's in the Tetons, the Bighorns, or perhaps the Washburn Range and the Red Mountains within Yellowstone, the nation’s first national park.

“Any mountain town worth visiting has a rich history filled with drama and charm,” notes Ryan Hauck, executive director of Cody Yellowstone, the town’s tourism bureau named after co-founding settler Buffalo Bill Cody.

Trace the path of pioneers in the “Cowboy State,” through landscapes that inspired painter Thomas Moran, leading to lakes, reservoirs, and wild rivers. These Wyoming mountain towns and cities are all remarkable choices. Discover the breathtaking beauty of Jackson, the vibrant arts scene in Sheridan, the dependable charm of Cheyenne, and Cody with its cowboy heritage.

Cody

Cody’s heritage is deeply rooted in the legendary Old West: This quaint northwest town, home to 10,000 residents, was established in 1896 when Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody and his partners recognized the area’s potential. Even today, it remains a gateway to some of the finest hiking, fishing, and ice climbing opportunities in the country.

Nestled along Old Trail Town, a reimagined frontier settlement features 28 historic log cabins, a saloon from the 1800s, and horse-drawn carriages. Here, you’ll find the grave and hunting lodge of Buffalo Bill, as well as a bank once targeted by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. (Cody also boasts an emerging craft beer scene.)

Much of Cody’s charm lies in its location, just an hour’s drive from the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park—a route Teddy Roosevelt famously dubbed “the most scenic 52 miles in America.” If you prefer to avoid Yellowstone’s crowds, take the North Fork Highway into the often-overlooked Shoshone National Forest. And no summer visit to Cody would be complete without experiencing the rodeo.

Where to Stay

Stay at Buffalo Bill Cody’s hunting lodge, Pahaska Tepee Resort, where he enjoyed leisure time with Teddy Roosevelt just outside the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park. Alternatively, head to Rimrock Ranch, which provides on-site horseback riding and thrilling whitewater rafting adventures.

Jackson

The Tetons, perhaps the most breathtaking mountain range in the nation, are aptly known as “the Mountains of the Imagination.” Grand Teton National Park spans 485 square miles and rises to 13,775 feet at its peak, providing endless outdoor adventures year-round, including hiking, biking, rafting, climbing, and skiing (at Jackson Hole, Snow King, and Grand Targhee)—plus a national elk refuge. Nestled in the valley at the base of the mountains, near rivers and lakes, is the vibrant town of Jackson. Jackson Hole is an 80-mile valley flowing into the area, located six miles south of Yellowstone. With sweeping vistas through the antler arches at Jackson Town Square, this lively town boasts art galleries (like Diehl and Maya Frodeman Gallery) and the National Museum of Wildlife Art featuring pieces by Andy Warhol and Georgia O’Keeffe. There are numerous shops, restaurants, and cafés (don’t miss a pastry from Persephone Bakery), or opt for a memorable covered wagon dinner ride through Cache Creek Canyon.

Where to Stay

The Amangani immerses you in nature with its wooden and stone accents and expansive picture windows showcasing the Tetons. Alternatively, enjoy a unique stay at the Anvil Hotel, a transformed roadside motel now reimagined as a boutique accommodation.

Cheyenne

Situated along the route of the transcontinental railroad, Cheyenne boasts a rich cowboy heritage and a vibrant arts scene. At the base of the Laramie Mountains, just an hour and a half north of Denver, the essence of Western frontier life continues at the nation’s oldest continuously registered livestock operation, Wyoming Hereford Ranch.

As Wyoming’s capital, Cheyenne is steeped in history, featuring the original 1886 Union Pacific Depot (now housing relics at the Cheyenne Depot Museum) and the Cowgirls of the West Museum, which honors the bold female pioneers of “The Equality State.” Notably, Wyoming was the first state to elect a female governor and grant women the right to vote. However, the main highlight in Cheyenne is the world’s largest outdoor rodeo, Cheyenne Frontier Days, celebrated every July.

Admire quirky, nature-inspired murals and scrap-metal sculptures downtown that reflect the region’s wildlife and landscapes. A short scenic drive from Cheyenne leads to Medicine Bow National Forest, known as Vedauwoo—a rocky mountain haven ideal for relaxation or rock climbing.

Where to Stay

Snuggle up on cowhide beneath antlers at the Historic Plains Hotel, a storied establishment that once hosted cattle barons and wandering writers like Ernest Hemingway.

Sheridan

Nestled between Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains, this delightful arts city draws inspiration from its pristine lakes and rivers. Its historic downtown is alive with boutiques and galleries. Be sure to visit the Mint Bar, a beloved establishment since 1907 (apart from a brief closure during Prohibition). If you’d rather earn your drinks, enjoy a bike ride along 13 miles of trails leading to the famous Blacktooth Brewing Company, celebrated for its live music and food trucks. Don’t miss the concert and theater listings at the WYO Performing Arts & Education Center, housed in a beautifully restored 1923 theater.

Nearby, the stunning Bighorn Canyon plunges about 2,500 feet deep, while wild horses roam across 31,000 acres at the Pryor Mountain Wild Mustang Center, a site noted during the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Where to Stay

The historic Sheridan Inn is another haunt of Buffalo Bill, who famously held auditions for his Wild West Show on its charming wraparound porch. At the base of the Bighorn Mountains, Canyon Ranch serves as an ideal base for fly fishing adventures.