Travel Wyoming
- Major Airports:
- Casper/Natrona County (CPR)
- Jackson Hole (JAC)
- Yellowstone/Cody (YRA)
- Nickname:
- The Equality State
Yellowstone, Grand Teton and American Western history
Wide, Open Spaces
The USA’s least populous state, Wyoming is also one of the richest in unspoiled nature. Two of the most famous U.S. national parks – Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park – are located here. These destinations beckon outdoors lovers and adventurers looking to unplug and tune into Mother Nature. It’s not uncommon to spot impressive wild animals like bear, bison, elk and coyotes roaming the plains of this vast and beautiful state.
Yellowstone is dotted with sputtering geothermal geysers and colorful hot springs, the most famous of which are Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Spring. The Grand Teton mountain range, in the northwestern portion of the state, has mountains great for hiking and winter skiing and snowboarding. The tallest of peaks here reaches 4,200 meters (13,770 feet). In the valley below sits the charming town of Jackson, a posh skiing and hiking respite with a historic “Wild, Wild West” feel. Grand Teton and Yellowstone are connected by the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Parkway; make it a back-to-back trip for the ultimate outdoor holiday.
Ranch Life, City Life
Wyoming is truly cowboy country, and there is no better way to experience that first-hand than by booking a stay at a dude ranch. Wyoming dude ranch vacations offer an opportunity to live out the Western way of life, even for just a short time. Dude ranches in Wyoming range from luxurious resorts featuring 5-star dining experiences, spas and entertainment to operational working ranches for a truly authentic experience. Eatons’ Ranch is the country's first and oldest dude ranch, while Vee Bar Guest Ranch, Gros Ventre River Ranch and The Hideout Lodge are also favorites. Many ranch accommodations welcome guests year-round and offer more activities than you'll have time to try out in a single trip: horseback riding, cattle working, campfires under the stars, fly fishing, river tubing, camping, canoeing, hiking and more. Some offer guided horseback riding trips, adults-only getaways and fall hunting excursions.
Wyoming’s big cities are quaint by some standards – even the largest city, the state capital of Cheyenne, has just 60,000 residents – but offer a blend of down-home, Western culture with city amenities. Cheyenne and Casper, the second-largest city, feature museums, special events, local shopping and a hearty culinary scene accompanied by a number of breweries and distilleries. In the popular gateway town of Jackson, look for fine dining and boutique shopping by day followed by spectacular stargazing at night.
Fun Fact
With vast spaces and wonderful wilderness to explore, Wyoming is the USA’s 10th largest state in land mass but the least populated with about 580,000 people.
The Northwest Wyoming city Cody is named after the famous showman Colonel William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody, who played a part in its founding in 1896.
Wyoming is home to three national firsts: the first National Forest, Shoshone; the first National Monument, Devils Tower; and the first National Park, Yellowstone.
Photo: Wyoming Office of Tourism