Every year, thousands of value travelers like yourself experience vacations and adventures in Wyoming. As America’s 10th largest state in terms of area, there are incredible things to see in Wyoming. Home to Grand Teton, Devil’s Tower, and much of Yellowstone National Park, there is something for everybody in the state. With so much serene, natural beauty, this may even be the best destination for solo travel experiences. To help you plan out your journey, read on to learn about the complete Wyoming value travel vacation and adventure guide.
Packing For Your Trip
Since you will probably be at different elevations in different national parks, layers are the way to go in your packing. The summers are warm with cool evenings. May and October can be cool while winters are cold with lots of snow and sunshine. Sneakers and light hiking boots are good for all trails, Fleece is handy all year round. A hat and light gloves come in handy. A jacket to break the wind is always good. Khaki’s are for a nicer dinner. Even the most upscale restaurants are used to hiking shorts and boots. Don’t forget the sunscreen, bug spray and no perfumes or scents because of the mosquitos.
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is south of Yellowstone, is much smaller but is spectacular. Entrance is $ 35/car and is good for seven days. Check the website for free ranger-led hikes and lectures to increase your understanding and enjoyment there. There are four main visitor centers and they are a great place to start. www.nps.gov
Of course, you can always choose an audio tour to see Grand Teton National Park at your own pace. This $ 13 tour follows you along wherever you go while driving. Through your trip, you will learn information about the park science, history, interesting facts, and hidden gems. The tour will even show you where the majority of the animals can be found roaming freely. www.gaperguide.com – On another note there is also a free shuttle available at Jackson Lake Lodge and Colter Bay Village to take you into the town of Jackson and also to all of your park activities.
Grand Teton Park Scenic Drive
A good orientation of the park can be the 43 mile leisurely drive. You can begin from Jackson Lake Lodge and head on John D. Rockefeller Jr. Parkway. You will soon see a panoramic view continuing south to Jenny Lake. That is a good spot for a scenic boat ride or a hike. The cruise boat rides are $ 40. Later on make a stop at the Glacier View Turnout and the Snake River Overlook for the spectacular views. Jenny Lake Campground is the best campground in the park.
If you are still in the park later in the day, drive two miles south on the Parkway to the Oxbow Bend Turnout for a stunning sunset experience. June 1 sunset is 8:58 PM and Sept 1 at 7:57 PM as examples. Oxbow Bend is well worth going earlier in the day as well. It is right on the Snake River and you will get some heavy use out of your camera there. You may even see some moose and trumpeter swans in the area. The Snake River has calm water with class II rapids. You can make reservations at Jackson Lake Lodge for guided rafting trips. Four hours for $ 80 at 307-543-3100 or through www.gtlc.com Another concession offering similar activities and similar rates is 855-684-3403 or online at Nationalparkreservations.com
Grand Teton Horseback Travel Adventures
If you want to see the park by horseback, make a reservation at Jackson Lake Lodge or Colter Bay Village. One hour rides are $ 50 and two hours are $80. Bring your camera!
Enjoy The Great Outdoors
After all, Wyoming is a great destination choice for your outdoor travel and adventure experience. Want to have some peaceful time away from the roads and other cars? You can rent a two person kayak for two hours for $ 80 or a canoe for two hours for $ 50. You can also order a boxed lunch from the Pioneer Grill or pick up food at the Colter Bay Village Grocery Store and enjoy it on the water. Activities in the park can be booked at 855-684-3403 or online at nationalparkreservations.com. Another service offers similar activities and rates at 307-543-3100 or through www.gtlc.com
Wildlife Travel Experiences
A great option for exploration of wildlife at sunrise or sunset is with Ecotour Adventures. They take you out for four hours and costs $ 140. You have a choice of a sunrise trip from 6-10 AM or sunset adventure 5:30-9:30 PM www.jhecotouradventures.com
When you are done with the beauty of the national parks head out to Lander, Wyoming and drive through the Wind River Indian Reservation. It is home to the Arapaho and Shonshone tribes and they kept the land in a peace treaty with the U.S. Government in 1864.
Start your journey at the Wind River Wild Horse Sanctuary. Here, you can see incredible wild horses up close. On your visit, be sure to stop at the Double D Ranch, where over 200 horses roam. If you want to go on a tour, you can ride in an open air vehicle to learn about the role horses have played in Native American culture, as well as the rest of the West.
At the visitor center, you can see exhibits on the history of horses in this part of the country and how they shaped Native American cultures. Wild horse tours are $35 per adult, $15 for kids ages 13-18 and free for kids 12 and under. www.windriverwildhorses.com
Native American Travel Destinations
Of course, there are several Native American travel destinations to experience in Wyoming. Some of the important stops on your drive include the grave and statue of Chief Washakie of the Shoshone tribe and the monument to Sacajawea, who was the Indian guide for the Lewis and Clark expedition. It is 14 miles from Lander. There is also the Eastern Shoshone Cultural Center where you will see examples of their traditional arts and crafts and historical photos. Last stop can be the Wind River Casino where you can see the Northern Arapaho Museum. For more info and other points of interest call 800-645-6233 or go to www.windriver.org
Dubois Wyoming Tourism Destinations
A great area of Wyoming to explore is Dubois. In the winter you will find one of the world’s largest herds of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep at the National Bighorn Sheep Center. They offer a three hour guided wildlife tour from November through March. This is the time of year that they come down from higher elevations and become much easier to see. It is $100 per person and you call 307-455-3429 for the reservation. They also have a map so you can do a free self guided tour. www.bighorn.org
Cody Wyoming Travel Attractions
The city of Cody is worth a visit especially since it is not far from Yellowstone. Start your orientation with a downtown walking tour of historic Cody. There are two morning walks each day at 7 and 10 AM and it costs $ 35 adults. Call 307-899-0815 or go to www.yerguides.com
Western Cowboy Experience
This also is the place to get that western/cowboy atmosphere. Have a western-style dinner, see the show and head to the rodeo all in one location. $ 53 for all three ages 13 and older. $ 34 without the rodeo. www.thecodycattlecompany.com
Another evening option for another night is the Cody Nite Rodeo. $ 23 ages 13 and older. 8 PM start time. www.codystampederodeo.com
If you are looking for some cowboy cuisine in Cody, try the Proud Cut Saloon. Great western atmosphere and plenty of burger and steak options. If you have never tried Bison, order the Bison Burger. Delicious. www.proudcutsaloon.com
Right in front of the historic Irma Hotel, watch the authentic gunfighters show. This represents the days when lawlessness was the norm, and gunfights were common. It shows the Wild West at its most dangerous and vibrant. It is free every night at 6 PM June thru September
Tourist Lodging Options
A small, reasonable place to stay in town is the Salsbury Avenue Inn B&B. It is a couple of blocks from downtown. $ 110/night includes full breakfast. www.salsburyinncody.com
Another in Cody is the Robin’s Nest. It is in a quiet neighborhood walking distance to all the Cody main attractions. Full breakfast included. $ 165/night www.book-it-now.com
If you want more of a guest ranch experience, look at Absaroka Mountain Lodge. It is west of Cody on the way to Yellowstone. They have cabins as low as $ 155/night and have horseback riding ( $ 60) and fishing on premises. The owners are also the cooks for breakfast and dinner. The menu is reasonably priced and varied. www.absarokamtnlodge.com
Outdoor Water Recreation Activities
Water activities are available like world-class fly fishing throughout Wyoming.
If you’re looking for a classic Western fly-fishing spot where you may not see another person, the Wyoming section of the Green River is an excellent choice. If you’ve never heard of fly fishing before, you’ll likely have seen a picture of the Wyoming section of the Snake River. Its scenic path through the valley of Jackson Hole will keep your camera busy.
Get in the fly fishing mood beforehand by watching the movie “A River Runs Through It”.
This is also a good spot for whitewater rafting, class III rapids. The eight mile Snake River trip is June-Sept for $ 87 age 13 and older.The 14 mile scenic float on the river is $ 80. Meet in the town of Jackson. www.barker-ewing.com
You have another option if you just want to relax on the Snake River, catch the 10 mile scenic float trip from Solitude for $ 80 age 16 and up. www.grand-teton-scenic-floats.com
Winter In Wyoming
Of course, outside of the warm Summer months, there is still plenty to experience in Wyoming. From cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snowboarding, or snowmobiling, there is plenty to experience in Wyoming. You can even try your hand at ice fishing, climbing, and skating. Visiting in the Winter months, you can see the National Parks and their Hot Springs like never before. Simultaneously, you can see much of Wyoming’s incredible wildlife when they come down from higher elevations like the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, which thrives throughout the Winter.
Learn About The Local History
While on your trip, be sure to spend some time learning about Wyoming’s history. There are plenty of destinations to immerse yourself in Wyoming’s history. If you are a fan of museums, there are several Old West, cultural, and paleontology centers to visit. Simultaneously, you may want to check out some of Wyoming’s historical sites. For example, Camp Douglas which was a WWII camp for Italian and German POW’s, and Connor Battlefield where the U.S government attacked the Indians in 1865, are additional stops to add to your itinerary. Moreover, be sure to check out Fort Bridger which was a supply stop along the Oregon Trail. There are restored historical buildings from the military time period, a reconstructed trading post, and a museum containing artifacts from the different historical time periods is housed in the 1888 stone barracks building.
Fort Fetterman reached its pinnacle of importance in the mid 1870’s when it became the jumping-off place for major military expeditions. It was the base for the three of General George Cook’s Powder River Expeditions and Colonel Ronald Mackenzie’s campaign against Dull Knife and the Cheyenne Indians. Unfortunately these events contributed to the end of the resistance by the Plains Indians.
Fort Fred Steele was established in 1868, and occupied until 1886, by soldiers who were sent by the U.S. Government to guard the railroad against attack from Indians.
Eat Some Iconic Food
Before you leave the Cowboy State, be sure to eat some iconic Wyoming foods. There are plenty of world-recognized dishes to try on your visit. First, try some chicken fried steak, Rocky Mountain oysters, elk, and bison burgers. Bison is leaner then beef. Less calories, less saturated fat and more protein. Additionally, you may want to order some chokecherry preserves, rack of lamb, or trout. Of course, many local Wyomingites will insist that you additionally try some white chili and jerky before you leave. Certainly, you need to eat some iconic Wyoming dishes before you conclude your value travel vacation.
Local Art Scene & Galleries
For fans of fine art, there are several attractions and galleries to experience Wyoming’s rich art scene. Wyoming galleries combine Western-themed collections of paintings, clothing, sculptures, and other types of craftmanship. If you are interested in these experiences, be sure to check out the Whitney Western Art Museum and Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody. Other popular galleries include the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole and the Brinton Museum in Big Horn. Certainly, there are several destinations to experience Wyoming western art on your vacation.
National Parks & Monuments
While we have previously discussed Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park, there are plenty of other incredible locations to experience in Wyoming. There is the popular Devil’s Tower, which serves as the nation’s very first national monument, is a sacred spot for Indians, and used for rock climbing. Here, you can catch ranger-led guided walks, talks and evening programs. Some more popular outdoor Wyoming tourist attractions include Bighorn Canyon in Lovell which is 47 miles from Cody.
Fort Laramie became the principal military outpost on the Northern Plains and also became the primary hub for transportation and communication through the Rocky Mountain region as emigrant trails, stage lines, the Pony Express, and the transcontinental telegraph all passed through the post. Fort Laramie played an important role hosting treaty negotiations with the Indian Nations, like the Horse Creek Treaty of 1851 and the still controversial and Treaty of 1868.
Surely, there are several incredible national parks and monuments to experience on your Wyoming travel journey. If you are stressing about travel plans, be sure to check out our recent guide on how to safely vacation this year.
Wyoming Travel Festivals
Of course, these are plenty of exciting festivals to experience on your trip to Wyoming. Summer in Wyoming is filled with a slew of Western-themed festivals, celebrations, and gatherings. One of the most famous is the Laramie Jubilee Days, which commemorates Wyoming’s Statehood. At this festival, you can expect to witness nine-full-days of rodeos, black barrel races, brewfests, and bull riding competitions. If you are a fan of Bluegrass music, you would additionally love the Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival, which offers incredible music mixed with spectacular mountain scenery. Even more, be sure to read out guide on the best local live Kentucky Bluegrass music entertainment venues for your Lexington trip.
Important Wyoming Travel Tips
Don’t try to see everything in the state on one trip. There is just too much ground to cover and you probably don’t want to spend your trip in the car. Select what are the most important activities and locations to you and just soak it in. Don’t just look to check it off your list and move on. Enjoy slow travel and see more of less.
The peak travel season is fairly short for some outdoor activities which can mean June-September. Same goes for operating hours for accommodations and tour activities. Pricing is much more attractive in shoulder season and off season and can jump dramatically in the short summer season. The pricing for accommodations listed above reflect early in June. Rates can be higher in the summer and lower in the shoulder season. Fall and Spring have beautiful weather and will give you the best value. Winter comes early and lasts long. If you don’t like crowds and paying top dollar, avoid July and August.
When planning your trip to Wyoming here are some very good websites for updates on activities, hours of operation, and special events. Similarly, you may have to pay close attention to COVID-19 travel advisory information. Most Indian Reservations have festivals and celebrations that are well worth going to if the timing is right with your dates. It is a good idea to download Travelstorys.com to your mobile phone for no cost. There are audioguides to many locations in Wyoming. Wind River Indian Reservation, Jackson Hole, Grand Teton, and downtown Cody to name a few. They will tell you the history and the stories behind what you are looking at as you are driving through so you have a full appreciation of what you are seeing.
Learn How I Saved Over $15,274 On Booking Flights, Hotels, & Entire Vacations
This expert guide on "Travel Hacking Tactics To Slash Vacation Costs" has personally saved me over $15,274. Within the guide, you will learn how to:
Understand Credit Report
Impact On Travel
Leverage Travel Hacking
Credit Cards
Earn Substantial Travel
Miles & Points
Maximize Credit Card
Loyalty Programs