Wyoming is home to two major national parks, plus several other national sites focused on environmental conservation and preserving historic places. These areas take visitors to high mountains, fossil beds, wide river valleys, and even deserts. Discover the variety of incredible places to visit in Wyoming!
Wyoming National Parks and Notable Sites
- Yellowstone
- Grand Teton
- Devils Tower National Monument
- Fort Laramie National Historic Site
- Fossil Butte National Monument
- John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway
Overview of Wyoming’s National Parks
Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park are the two federal national parks located in Wyoming. They are also some of the most popular parks in the national park system!
Yellowstone was the first established national park in the world; it was declared a federally-protected national park in 1872. Grand Teton became a park in 1929.
Each park highlights different characteristics of the American West: Yellowstone sits on top of a massive volcanic rock formation, while Grand Teton features several remarkable Rocky Mountain peaks, as well as lakes and rivers.
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Like many places in this region of the U.S., bears are prevalent in the wilderness and backcountry areas of these parks, and may also show up in more developed areas, such as parking areas. Always be aware of your surroundings. Learn how to avoid and deter bears, and what to do if you do see one. If you’re hiking or camping, bring bear spray. Keep your food in bear-resistant containers and stash them either in provided lockers or suspended from a suitable tree/food pole. Research more thorough rules and strategies before you go.
Yellowstone National Park
The major entrances into Yellowstone in Wyoming are near the town of Cody to the east and Jackson to the south. They are linked by the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway. Visitors can stop over in the gateway town of Cody, located in Park County, to get supplies, find lodging, and get a hearty meal. There, museums and other resources can educate about the land, local history, and safety.
acres of land in Wyoming alone
The most iconic features of Yellowstone are the thermal pools and geysers, notably Old Faithful. The park contains more than half of all the known active geysers in the world. Another main attraction is the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, which offers a dramatic view of the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River.
Visitors enjoy day hikes, boating, fishing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, biking, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, photography, and participating in ranger-led programs.
Hikers can choose to hike through different environments: canyons, near lakes, through conifer forests, by the hot springs, and more. Some of the most popular trails include Avalanche Peak, Beaver Ponds Trail, Seven Mile Hole, Dunraven Pass to Mount Washburn, Washburn-Grand Canyon Through-Hike, Sky Rim Trail, Fairy Falls Trail, and Lewis River Channel/Dogshead Loop.
All Yellowstone campgrounds are located in the Wyoming portion of the park, and all require reservations in advance (except Mammoth during the off-season). Mammoth Campground is open all year, but the other 10 campgrounds are seasonal. Backcountry camping requires permits and reservations.
Be aware that geysers are meant to be admired from a distance. Always stay on the designated trails and boardwalks in thermal areas. The water is so hot that it can cause extreme injury and even death. Other safety measures to follow include always having a map and compass, being prepared for the seasonal weather, checking yourself for ticks, and always treating drinking water before consumption.
Grand Teton National Park
Located just south of Yellowstone and connected to the other park via the John D. Rockefeller Jr Highway, the Grand Teton National Park sits within the town of Jackson, within Teton County. The park encompasses the Teton Range, which is a 40-mile section of the Rocky Mountains, as well as the valley of the Snake River.
Jenny Lake, Jackson Lake, and others sit at the bottom of the sharp mountain peaks, providing ample opportunities for water activities like boating, canoeing, and kayaking. Visitors also love floating and rafting in the Snake River!
And several other notable sites.
Other popular activities include scenic drives, hiking, camping, backpacking, biking, fishing, horseback riding, and climbing and mountaineering. Visitors can also find guided activities and ranger-led programs to further explore the area and learn more about the land.
Notably, the park also hosts a summer Indigenous Arts and Cultural Demonstration Program, where visiting artists offer live art performances and give talks.
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Some routes perfect for scenic driving are the Jenny Lake Scenic Drive, Moose-Wilson Road, Signal Mountain Summit Road, and Teton Park Road.
There are many trails to choose from! Some popular routes are Lakeshore Trail, Taggart Lake, Lake Creek-Woodland Trail Loop, Phelps Lake Overlook, Aspen Ridge-Boulder Ridge, Forks of Cascade Canyon, Hermitage Point, Marion Lake, Death Canyon, Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes, Lake Solitude, and Paintbrush Canyon-Cascade Canyon Loop.
There are 8 campgrounds in the park; all of them require making reservations well in advance, and all are only open seasonally. For more luxurious accommodations, you can make a reservation at a cabin, lodge, cottage, or motel at one of 7 locations also in the park. Backpackers can camp in the wilderness with reservations and permits.
Other Notable National Sites in Wyoming
Several smaller, yet also interesting and beautiful, sites are spread across the state. Adding them to a road trip is a great way to explore more of the vast and diverse North American landscape and learn more about different cultures and historic events. When making a trip to Yellowstone or the Grand Tetons, be sure to add at least one additional stop on your travels, if possible!
All national parks and other notable sites typically have an entrance fee. You may need to pay a fee per person or per vehicle, with different rates depending on a person’s age or vehicle size. Check for the fee schedule on each park’s website before you visit. You can also generally purchase an annual pass or America the Beautiful Pass to get into multiple national parks for a moderate cost.
Devils Tower National Monument
Located in northeast Wyoming, the entrance to the park is between Moorcroft and Sundance. The tower overlooks the Belle Fourche River and the surrounding area, made of rolling hills, open grassland, rock faces, and patches of forests. Decisions regarding management and stewardship of the land are made with input from local Northern Plains Indians and indigenous people, as many different tribes consider it a sacred site.
The structure is intensely unique and fascinating, made up of hexagonal rock columns with hundreds of horizontal cracks covering each one. It’s a dream destination for rock climbers.
Hikers can enjoy several nearby trails with beautiful views of the Tower and the surrounding landscape. At night, the wide, open venue is perfect for stargazing.
The park is open year-round, but the campground is closed in the winter months. The Belle Fourche River Campground hosts 45 sites and is first-come, first-served, so make sure you have alternative lodging plans in case the campground is full. In the summer months, visitors can also participate in ranger-led programs. Check the online calendar to learn more.
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Climbers must register at the climbing kiosk on site before they begin their climb. Note that the park strongly discourages people from climbing the Tower in June, which is a traditionally significant month for many local American Indian communities who view the landmark as a sacred site.
Joyner Ridge Trail, Red Beds Trail, South Side Trail, Valley View Trail, Tower Trail. Note that Tower Trail is a place where Native Americans often leave prayer cloths as part of their spiritual connection to the site. Do not touch, photograph, or add anything to the cloths.
WNS is a deadly fungal infection that has killed millions of bats in North America, even wiping out 90 to 100% of the bats in some areas. It’s highly contagious and can travel on human clothing, so if you visit a cave at Devils Tower, be sure to ask a ranger what the proper procedure is for decontaminating your clothes and gear. (Note that the fungus does not infect or affect humans.)
In the midst of the complexities of modern life, with all its pressures, the spirit of man needs to refresh itself by communion with unspoiled nature.
Laurance S. Rockefeller
Fort Laramie National Historic Site
Near the North Platte River and Laramie River sits Fort Laramie, in Goshen County. From 1834 to 1890, it was the largest military post on the Northern Plains, making it a common hub for everyone passing through the area, whether settlers, trappers, missionaries, traders, or Native Americans.
Today, the site preserves the original historic structures and serves as an educational tool. The main attraction is the visitor center and museum, located in the 1884 Post Commissary Building. Visitors can take self-guided or guided tours with a tour guide or audio tour program and learn about the history of the area. In the summer, living history exhibits with costumed interpreters offer a more in-depth look at what life at the Fort was like in the 19th century.
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Visitors can go on indoor walking tours of the museum, visit the historic buildings, join ranger programs, see living history demonstrations, observe firearms demonstrations, and enjoy several walking paths.
There are several easy walking paths on site. The main route is the Confluence Trail, a 1.6 mile loop that highlights local flora and a historic wrought iron gate.
Fossil Butte National Monument
Located in Lincoln County, near the town of Kemmerer, Fossil Butte National Monument protects part of the ancient lake beds and fossils in the Green River Formation. The fossils found in this area of Wyoming are some of the best-preserved specimens in the world.
At the visitor center, you can see more than 2,000 fossil specimens on display, including fish, plants, shells, and animals. The center also showcases educational activities like video programs, a fossil rubbing table, and a fossil preparation lab. Visitors can participate in ranger-led programs, like observing fossil preparation, join an expedition to the fossil quarry to search for fossils, and get a tour of the landscape.
There are 4 miles of maintained trails and several miles of unmaintained trails at the park. These trails give hikers a great opportunity to observe the land and see interesting geologic formations in the area. Just be sure to bring enough water and sunscreen to stay safe at the high elevation!
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If you happen to find any fossils on your walk through the park, do not collect them. Leave them where they are and tell a park ranger or other park employee. There are some nearby state-run and private-run areas where you can collect fossils, if you wish.
Maintained trails: Historic Quarry Trail, Fossil Butte Nature Trail.
Unmaintained trails: Cundick Ridge Trail, Eagle Nest Point Trail, Rubey Point Trail.
Scenic Drive is a 5.5 mile road that leads to a lovely panoramic view of the state’s rolling plains and valleys.
John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway
The John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway is a protected corridor connecting Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park in northwest Wyoming. It’s named after the late conservationist and philanthropist who donated heavily to several national parks, including Grand Teton, Acadia, Great Smoky Mountains, and Virgin Islands. The protected land encompasses the actual road (North Park Rd, aka Highway 89, aka U.S. Routes 287/191) as well as many acres to the west, between the borders of the two national parks, including the entirety of the Snake River.
Note that Grassy Lake Road/Ashton-Flagg Ranch Lake Road, which branches off of the highway near Flagg Ranch/Headwaters Campground, is closed in the winter. Additionally, the highway stretch north of Flagg Ranch/Headwaters Campground is sometimes only open to over-snow motorized travel (like snowmobiles), meaning there is no driving connection between the two parks in the winter.
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The highway and Grassy Lake roads lead directly to several hiking trails, including: Riddle Lake Trailhead, Dogshead/Channel Trail, Heart Lake Trail, Phantom/Pitchstone, South Boundary West Trailhead, Flagg Canyon Trail, Flagg Ranch Trail, Steamboat Mountain, Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail
Continental Divide Landmark, Lewis Lake, Lewis Falls, Lewis River, Aster River, Lewis Canyon Falls, Moose Falls, Flagg Ranch, Grant Village, Thumb Geyser, Abyss Pool, Lakeshore Geyser, Polecat Hot Springs, Glade Creek Trail
Looking for a mountain cabin or other type of lodging in your travels across Wyoming? There are several places to stay just off the parkway or a short distance away: Bedroll and Breakfast, Sheffield Campground, Wilderness Trails Inc, Headwaters Lodge & Cabins and Campground & RV Park, Lewis Lake Campground, Grant Village Campground, Grassy Lake Road Campsites
Discover the wild beauty of Wyoming by visiting the national parks and historic monuments across the state. The American West is one of the most breathtaking regions in the country. Planning a road trip full of nature exploration and learning about history along the way is easy in the Cowboy State!
References
- Devils Tower National Monument (U.S. National Park Service). (n.d.). In www.nps.gov. https://www.nps.gov/deto/index.htm
- Fort Laramie National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service). (n.d.). In www.nps.gov. https://www.nps.gov/fola/index.htm
- Fossil Butte National Monument (U.S. National Park Service). (n.d.). In www.nps.gov. https://www.nps.gov/fobu/index.htm
- Grand Teton National Park (U.S. National Park Service). (n.d.). In www.nps.gov. https://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm
- John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway - Grand Teton National Park (U.S. National Park Service). (n.d.). In www.nps.gov. https://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/jodr.htm
- Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service). (n.d.). In www.nps.gov. https://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm
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