15 Beautiful Places In Wyoming You Have To See Because Photos Don’t Do Them Justice (2024)

Yellowstone National Park is probably the only thing most people know about Wyoming. At least, that was the case for me. After van lifing through the state, I discovered it to be full of unexpected hidden gems that no one talks about.

This place is more than the geysers and hot springs found in Yellowstone or the Teton Range. Here, I’ll shine a light on the 15 most beautiful places in Wyoming that will make you regret not visiting this state sooner.

1. Devils Tower, Hulett

Imagine a giant rock composed of hundreds of columns rising 867 feet out of the blue above the surrounding landscape. Due to its bizarre appearance, Devil’s Tower was officially designated as America’s first National Monument in 1906.

If you’re into climbing, you’ll love knowing that the Tower has over 150+ climbing routes. For those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, there’s a 1.3-mile Tower Trail with prairie dogs poking their head out.

You’ll hear legends about how Native American tribes viewed this spot as sacred. And fun fact: Steven Spielberg featured it in his classic film “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.”

2. Medicine Bow National Forest, Laramie

Covering nearly three million acres, you won’t run out ot trails to hike in Medicine Bow National Forest. In winter, the trails transform into snowshoeing and cross-country skiing country.

The Snowy Range Scenic Byway has jaw-dropping views at every turn past jagged peaks and alpine lakes. Vedauwoo is also nearby if you want to rock climb or just admire the cool formations.

3. Beartooth Absaroka Highway Pass

The Beartooth Absaroka Highway Pass is one heck of a ride. This scenic byway stretches for 68 miles and connects Red Lodge, Montana, to Cooke City, Wyoming.

Often hailed as one of America’s most beautiful drives, you’ll ascend to a dizzying 10,947 feet. Try not gasping at the views of craggy peaks and alpine plateaus along the way.

The highway is generally only open from late May to mid-October.

4. Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone is one of the most popular national parks out there, so don’t expect to be alone when you visit. But, it’s the oldest national park in the world for a reason, and it’s definitely one of the coolest parks I’ve seen out of the 29 I’ve been to.

Smell sulfur steam vents and bubbling mud pots. This park has over 10,000 geothermal features, including the world-famous Old Faithful geyser and the colorful Grand Prismatic Spring.

With over 2.2 million acres, there’s plenty of room for everyone and the herds of bison you’ll likely encounter on the roads.

5. Grand Teton National Park

Often overshadowed by neighboring Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park has mountain beauty where Yellowstone doesn’t. These mountains shoot up dramatically, creating perfect reflections in the Snake River and on its many glacier lakes.

At 13,775 feet, Grand Teton is a tough summit to conquer. Take a boat ride on Jenny Lake to hike Inspiration Point. You can drive the 42-mile Scenic Loop Drive to vistas like Oxbow Bend and Mormon Row, which are often filled with herds of bison grazing without care.

6. Vedauwoo, Buford

Vedauwoo is a quirky rock formation sacred to the Arapaho people. Climbers flock here to tackle its granite faces while hikers explore the Turtle Rock Trail. At night, campers camp under the star-studded sky. Vedauwoo is especially gorgeous during fall with its glowing foliage.

7. National Elk Refuge, Jackson

During the winter months, find thousands of migrating elk chilling in the National Elk Refuge, just outside of Jackson. This refuge is one of the few places you can visit from November through April. Book a sleigh ride or a winter safari to see the wildlife yourself.

8. Hot Springs State Park, Thermopolis

In the appropriately named town of Thermopolis, Hot Springs State Park is famous for its natural hot springs to soak your cares away. You can relax in Star Plunge and Hellie’s Tepee Pools year-round.

The swinging bridge gives you a vantage point over the mineral terraces. There’s even a free bathhouse where the water maintains a toasty 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

The park also has beautiful gardens and petroglyphs left by Native American tribes. to explore. Look out for the bison herd that roams freely within the park.

9. Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, Green River

The Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area reservoir is a fun place for boaters, while the surrounding canyon landscapes are for hikers.

This area covers over 200,000 acres of outdoor paradise across Wyoming and Utah. Jet skiing, kayaking, and paddleboarding are just a few activities you can jump on. Hike the Red Canyon Overlook as a popular route.

10. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

Bighorn Canyon NRA straddles the Wyoming-Montana border, spanning over 120,000 acres of diverse terrain.

Fish and kayak in the Bighorn River. Devil Canyon Overlook leads you to views that will leave you speechless. Wild horses even roam the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range.

11. Dubois

Dubois is a cowboy town framed by red cliffs and the Pinnacle Buttes. The nearby badlands attract photographer to their reddish hues and undulating hills. Dubois is also home to a thriving arts community, so don’t be surprised to stumble upon an art gallery or two.

12. Oregon Buttes, Farson

Oregon Buttes is a hidden gem of buttes that rise from the sagebrush plains along the historic Oregon Trail. Confusing name, but it is indeed in Wyoming.

Pioneers gazed upon these landmarks as they trekked westward to untouched frontier land, and now you can be in their shoes. The area is rich in paleontological finds, so you might even see some fossils yourself. The nearby Killpecker Sand Dunes are a stark contrast to the rugged buttes.

13. Guernsey State Park, Guernsey

Guernsey State Park is home to the historic Register Cliff, where pioneers etched their names as they journeyed westward. Boating is a popular pastime on the scenic Guernsey Reservoir. Take the Lakeshore Trail for great views of sandstone cliffs and the reservoir. Visit the Oregon Trail Ruts, deep grooves left by pioneer wagons still visible today.

14. Wind River Canyon, Shoshoni

Wind River Canyon is a 12-mile-long canyon that stretches from the town of Shoshoni up to Thermopolis. Driving through it on U.S. Route 20, tall cliffs tower over 2,500 feet above the winding river below. Go Whitewater rafting here and be impressed by the bighorn sheep scaling the cliffs. Don’t miss the spots where the river cuts through ancient lava flows.

15. Big Horn Mountains, Sheridan

Spread across north-central Wyoming, the Big Horn Mountains present diverse ecosystems ranging from lush forests to alpine meadows. The Cloud Peak Wilderness Area is a highlight, home to Cloud Peak. On the northern side of the range lies the Bighorn Medicine Wheel, an ancient Native American site shrouded in mystery.