Wyoming: Wild Skies, Wide Open Spaces

Wyoming rewards travelers who like their horizons uncluttered and their adventures honest. The nation’s first national park and first national monument live here. So do serrated peaks that look painted, rivers that steam, prairies that hum with pronghorn, and small towns that say hello before you do. If you want a trip that feels unhurried yet unforgettable, Wyoming delivers.

What makes Wyoming unique

Wyoming is where three American geographies collide: the volcanic plateau around Yellowstone, the alpine wall of the Teton and Wind River ranges, and the rolling high plains stretching toward the Bighorns. Few states offer this much geologic variety in a single road trip. Add world-class wildlife viewing, dark skies, and Western heritage that is lived rather than staged, and you get a destination that feels both iconic and surprisingly uncrowded once you step off the main loop.

Best times to go

• Summer (June–August): Long daylight, open trails and mountain passes, peak wildlife activity. Plan ahead for Yellowstone/Teton crowding at mid-day; early starts help.
• Fall (September–early October): Quieter roads, elk bugling, golden aspens in the Tetons and Bighorns, excellent fishing.
• Winter (December–March): A powder paradise around Jackson Hole; wolf tracking and snowcoach days in Yellowstone’s interior.
• Spring (April–May): Calving season for bison and pronghorn and big waterfalls from snowmelt; some high trails still snowbound.

Must-see regions and why they matter

Yellowstone National Park

The world’s largest concentration of geysers, kaleidoscopic hot springs, and broad valleys where you can spot bison, elk, and bears from the road. Break your visit into Upper/Lower Geyser Basins for hydrothermal wonders, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone for color-soaked cliffs and thundering falls, and Lamar Valley for dawn and dusk wildlife.

Pro tip: Build one early morning purely for Lamar Valley and one late afternoon around Old Faithful and the boardwalks. Mid-day traffic is real; your reward for off-peak hours is empty pullouts and good light.

Grand Teton National Park & Jackson Hole

A perfect mountain skyline rising straight from the valley floor. Think Jenny Lake boat-across then hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, a String–Leigh Lakes loop for a family-friendly alpine sampler, and a sunrise at Schwabacher Landing for reflections you’ll keep on your wall.

Jackson adds galleries, a genuine town square, and a dining scene that punches above its population.

Wind River Range & Lander/Dubois

Granite cathedrals, aquamarine lakes, and fewer people. Day hikers base out of Sinks Canyon State Park near Lander or explore Louis Lake Road pullouts. Backpackers prize the Cirque of the Towers and Titcomb Basin. In Dubois, the National Bighorn Sheep Center and painted badlands add variety.

Bighorn Mountains & Sheridan

An under-traveled range with green meadows, waterfalls, and mirror lakes right off US-14/14A. Shell Falls, Cloud Peak Wilderness trailheads, and Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark are highlights. Base in Sheridan for a handsome downtown, polo heritage, and craft food.

Red Desert, Flaming Gorge & Fossil Country

Southwest Wyoming is dramatic in a different key. Killpecker Sand Dunes ripple for miles, Boar’s Tusk punches up from the flats, and Flaming Gorge glows red at sunset. Near Kemmerer, the Fossil Butte area preserves ancient lake life in stone.

High Plains History: Cheyenne & Laramie

Wyoming’s capital Cheyenne leans into rail and rodeo tradition, especially during Frontier Days in late July. Laramie blends university energy with Vedauwoo’s otherworldly granite—great for short, scenic scrambles and picnics.

Can’t-miss experiences

• See Old Faithful erupt then walk the boardwalks to Morning Glory Pool.
• Float the Snake River. Choose whitewater in the Snake River Canyon or a calm wildlife float inside Grand Teton for moose and eagle sightings.
• Watch sunrise on the Tetons. Light hits fast; be in place 20 minutes before the forecast sunrise.
• Wildlife at dawn or dusk in Lamar or Hayden Valley. Pack binoculars and patience.
• Scenic drives: Beartooth Highway (when open), Chief Joseph Scenic Byway, Snowy Range Scenic Byway near Laramie, and US-14A over the Bighorns.
• Starry nights anywhere far from town; Wyoming is one of the darkest states in the Lower 48.

Outdoor options by difficulty

• Easy: Trout spotting along the Firehole River pullouts. Boardwalks at Norris Geyser Basin. String Lake loop. Shell Falls viewing area.
• Moderate: Cascade Canyon to the forks, Delta Lake (steep, unmaintained but popular), Lake Solitude day push for fit hikers in long summer daylight, Lost Lake near Tower in Yellowstone.
• Advanced: Cirque of the Towers or Titcomb Basin backpacking. Grand Teton technical summit with a guide. Deep-winter Nordic or fat-tire days near Togwotee.

Family favorites

• Jenny Lake boat + Inspiration Point for a short, wow-factor hike.
• Old Trail Town in Cody for frontier cabins and kid-friendly storytelling.
• Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis for an easy soak day and boardwalks over mineral terraces.
• Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody for five top-tier museums under one roof.

Food and drink

Expect hearty plates done thoughtfully. In Jackson, you’ll find farm-to-table spots and casual burrito joints easing the budget. In Sheridan and Lander, look for ranch-to-glass breweries and coffee roasters. Keep one cooler in the car for grocery-store picnics—Wyoming’s best lunch table might be a lakeshore log.

Where to stay

• Inside the parks: Classic lodges book early. Consider one night by Old Faithful and one near Canyon Village to cut drive times.
• Gateway towns: Gardiner and West Yellowstone (Montana) for northern/west park access, Jackson for Teton proximity with more amenities, Cody for east-side Yellowstone plus a strong Western culture stop.
• Cabins and ranch stays: Across the Bighorns and Wind River country for quiet sunrises and big skies.
• Winter: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort area for ski-in convenience or in-town Jackson for dining variety.

3-day and 6-day sample itineraries

3 days: Tetons taste + Yellowstone highlights

Day 1: Jackson & Grand Teton
Sunrise at Schwabacher Landing. Jenny Lake boat and Inspiration Point. Afternoon wildlife float or bike the multi-use path. Sunset at Mormon Row barns.

Day 2: Old Faithful & geysers
Start early. Upper Geyser Basin boardwalk loop, Biscuit Basin, and Grand Prismatic overlook via the Fairy Falls hill. Late-day soak at your lodging or stroll Jackson’s galleries.

Day 3: Canyon & Hayden Valley
Drive to Canyon. North and South Rim viewpoints of the Lower Falls. Late-afternoon wildlife time in Hayden Valley, then exit via West Thumb for lake views.

6 days: Big-sky sampler

Day 1–2: Grand Teton
Mix Jenny/Leigh Lakes, String Lake picnic, and a scenic float. Optional sunrise photo mission.

Day 3–4: Yellowstone
One day hydrothermal, one day wildlife. Add the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and a lesser-known walk like Storm Point on Yellowstone Lake.

Day 5: Cody or Bighorns
Choose Cody for the Center of the West and an evening rodeo in season, or climb US-14/14A into the Bighorns for hikes to alpine ponds and views over the Big Horn Basin.

Day 6: Wind River or Thermopolis
Finish with Sinks Canyon day hikes near Lander or a relaxed soak in Thermopolis before driving south.

Practical planning tips

• Entry reservations: None required for the parks in 2025 at time of writing, but lodging and tour bookings are still essential in peak months.
• Driving distances: The parks are huge. Expect 30–45 minutes between major areas and leave buffer for wildlife jams.
• Wildlife etiquette: Binoculars beat close approaches. Stay in your vehicle for bison and bears. Obey pullouts; never stop in the lane.
• Weather: Mountain storms build fast. Pack layers, a rain shell, hat, and sunscreen year-round.
• Connectivity: Signal is limited. Download maps offline.
• Leave no trace: Boardwalks protect fragile ground near thermal features. Stay on them.

Hidden gem: Sinks Canyon’s disappearing river

Just outside Lander, the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River vanishes into a limestone cavern called The Sinks and reappears a quarter mile downstream at The Rise. Short walks, picnic tables, trout rising in gin-clear pools, and golden evening light make this a worthy stop when you want a big payoff with little effort. Pair it with a scenic drive higher into the Winds or an easy lake hike off Louis Lake Road.

How Sehlmeyer Travel helps

If you want less time juggling reservations and more time spotting moose or soaking in hot springs, we handle the lodging mix, entry timing, scenic routing, and activity reservations that make Wyoming trips flow. You choose the style; we tune the logistics.