Grand Teton National Park · NPS Photo/Tobiason · Public domain (US federal government)

Road Trip Guide:
Wyoming

Explore Wyoming

South Pass in central Wyoming is a gently ascending, 20-mile-wide gap in the Rocky Mountains that, the National Park Service says, gave wagons, handcarts and stagecoaches easy passage over the Continental Divide. As many as 500,000 emigrants crossed the 7,440-foot pass between 1840 and 1869.

Around 20 breweries sit near the stops we cover in Wyoming. 9 of them are brewpubs with a kitchen, which off the motorway is often the useful part. The kitchen figure is a floor: the source lists some full restaurants as production sites.

Brewpub locations from Open Brewery DB (MIT)

Around 18 public campgrounds sit near the stops we cover in Wyoming. 11 of them take reservations; the rest are first-come. Public campgrounds run by federal agencies. State-park and private campgrounds are not included.

Outdoors

Public land, water and snow — the places that are the reason for the drive.

National parks and federal sites in Wyoming

10 National Park Service sites in Wyoming, including 2 designated National Parks. We have written guides to only a few of these — the rest are here so you can see what is in the state.

*Check before you go. Entrance fees, seasonal road closures, timed-entry reservations and whether a site suits your family are set by each park and change through the year. Follow the link and check with the park itself.

Park register from the National Park Service (public domain)

State parks in Wyoming

17 state parks we know of in Wyoming. We have not visited these and have no guide to them — this is a list of what exists, so you can look one up.

See all 17

Bear River State Park
Boysen State Park
Buffalo Bill State Park
Curt Gowdy State Park
Edness K. Wilkins State Park
Fort Bridger
Fort Fred Steele State Historic Site
Glendo State Park
Granger Stage Station State Historic Site
Guernsey State Park
Hot Springs State Park
Keyhole State Park
Piedmont Charcoal Kilns State Historic Site
Point of Rocks Stage Station State Historic Site
Seminoe State Park
Sinks Canyon State Park
Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site

*Check before you go. Opening hours, entry fees, campsite availability and whether a park suits your family are not in this data and change with the season. Several of these are day-use only. Please confirm with the park before setting out.

State park locations from Wikidata (CC0)

Lakes in Wyoming

10 lakes in Wyoming that we have checked. These are the ones from our research that we could check against an official page — not every lake there is. We have not been to these; this is what the official pages say, so you can look one up.

Bighorn Lake
near Fort Smith, MT; Lovell, WY · 5,574 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes - walleye, brown and rainbow trout, yellow perch, carp, catfish, ling, crappie
- BoatingMotorized and non-motorized; access at Kane ramp, Horseshoe Bend, Barry's Landing (WY), Ok-A-Beh (MT)
- Rentals & marinaMarinas at Horseshoe Bend and Ok-A-Beh; pontoon and canoe rentals
- CampingWaterway campsites in both the Lovell WY and Fort Smith MT districts
- EntryNo entrance pass required; campground fees paid at iron rangers
Run by NPS - Bighorn Canyon NRA (dam: BOR Yellowtail Dam)
Boysen Reservoir
near Shoshoni · reservoir
- Fishingyes - walleye, sauger, perch, crappie, ling, rainbow, cutthroat and brown trout
- BoatingSeveral boat ramps (Brannon, Tough Creek, Fremont, Cottonwood Bay)
- Rentals & marinaPrivately operated marina
- SwimmingOne designated swim beach at Brannon Campground (day use)
- Camping13 campgrounds around Wind River and the reservoir
- EntryDay-use and overnight camping fees apply
- SeasonListed as available year-round
Run by Wyoming State Parks (Boysen State Park); dam: BOR
Buffalo Bill Reservoir
near Cody · reservoir
- Fishingyes - trout, including cutthroat and lake trout
- BoatingBoating and a boat ramp at Lake Shore Bay
- CampingTwo campgrounds: North Fork and Lake Shore
- EntryDay-use and overnight camping fees apply
- SeasonPark open year round; North Fork campground and Sheep Mountain day use closed in winter
Harmful cyanobacteria advisory posted; keep people and pets out of green water
Run by state park - Wyoming State Parks (Buffalo Bill SP); dam: BOR
Flaming Gorge Reservoir
near Green River, WY; Dutch John, UT; Manila, UT · 42,020 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes - blue-ribbon fishery on the reservoir and Green River
- BoatingMotorized and non-motorized boating; ramps and marinas at several sites
- Rentals & marinayes - Lucerne marina has boat rentals; Buckboard marina has slips
- SwimmingSwimming listed at some sites, such as Buckboard Crossing
- CampingMany Forest Service campgrounds (26 near the gorge); 4 are boat-in only
- EntryNRA pass: $5 day, $15 week, $35 annual
- SeasonBuckboard Crossing campground open May to September
High winds and cold water; watch for boaters
Run by USFS - Ashley NF (Flaming Gorge NRA); dam: BOR
Glendo Reservoir
near Glendo · reservoir
- Fishingyes - walleye, yellow perch, channel catfish
- BoatingSix boat ramps; seasonal water access
- Rentals & marinaMarina concession
- CampingOver 550 campsites; most can be reserved
- SeasonRecreation open year-round; water level varies a lot
Water level drops in summer; Bennett Hill ramp becomes unusable mid-summer
Run by state park - Wyoming State Parks (Glendo SP); dam: BOR
Jackson Lake
near Colter Bay Village (in park); Jackson (town) to south · 25,540 acres · natural
- Fishingyes - lake and brown trout, Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat, mountain whitefish
- BoatingMotorized allowed (park permit required for all watercraft per NPS fees page)
- Rentals & marinayes
- CampingPrimitive sites on western shore (others not in source)
- EntryNPS vehicle fee $35 / 7 days. Non-US residents age 16+ pay an added $100/person unless entering with an annual or America the Beautiful pass
State HAB advisories: deq.wyoming.gov
Run by NPS - Grand Teton NP (dam: BOR Jackson Lake Dam)
Jenny Lake
near Moose / Jackson · 1,191 acres · natural
- BoatingMotorboats permitted (only Jenny and Jackson lakes in park); scenic boat rides to Cascade Canyon
- EntryNPS vehicle fee $35 / 7 days. Non-US residents age 16+ pay an added $100/person unless entering with an annual or America the Beautiful pass
State HAB advisories: deq.wyoming.gov
Run by NPS - Grand Teton NP
Palisades Reservoir
near Swan Valley / Alpine, WY area · reservoir
- BoatingSix boat ramps
- CampingSix campgrounds and five picnic areas
State HAB advisories: deq.idaho.gov
Run by BOR (Palisades Dam and Reservoir); USFS - Targhee NF administers recreation
Seminoe Reservoir
near Rawlins (about 40 mi) · 20,000 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes - walleye, brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout; stocked annually with rainbow and cutthroat
- BoatingBoating offered; boat ramps in the state park
- CampingCampgrounds in Seminoe State Park
- Entry$7 per vehicle Wyoming residents, $12 non-residents
State HAB advisories: deq.wyoming.gov
Run by BOR (Seminoe Dam); state park - Seminoe SP adjacent
Yellowstone Lake
near Lake Village / Bridge Bay / Grant Village (in park) · natural
- Fishingyes - Yellowstone cutthroat trout (must release), lake trout (must kill), longnose sucker; angling season Memorial Day weekend-Oct 31
- BoatingMotorized allowed (Yellowstone and Lewis lakes only); 5 mph and non-motorized zones; vessels 40 ft max; PWC prohibited; permit + mandatory AIS inspection: motorized $40/7 days or $60/season, non-motorized $20/7 days or $30/season
- Rentals & marinayes
- Swimmingno designated beaches; water in 40s F in June, 60s F by late summer
- CampingBoat-in backcountry sites on south shore
- EntryNPS vehicle fee $35 / 7 days. Non-US residents age 16+ pay an added $100/person unless entering with an annual or America the Beautiful pass
- Seasonboating Memorial Day weekend-Oct 31; ice-over early Dec to late May/early June
Very cold water; sudden winds create 3-5 ft waves - open-water crossings dangerous; State HAB advisories: deq.wyoming.gov
Run by NPS - Yellowstone NP

*Check before you go. Every lake here links to the official page we checked it against. 8 of these state a price we read off that page on the date we checked. Fees, seasons, water levels, algal advisories and ramp closures change without notice and belong to the agency that runs the water. A blank is something we did not confirm, not something the lake lacks. Never assume a lifeguard. Whether a beach is staffed turns on the season, the day, and which agency runs that particular beach — two beaches on one lake can differ. If that matters to your family, confirm it with the agency before you set out.

Skiing and Snowboarding

6 in this state.

Grand TargheeSummer bike parkAlta
Deep powder on west side of Tetons
Snowy Range Ski AreaCentennial
Laramie-area hill in Medicine Bow Mountains
Sleeping GiantCody
Nonprofit hill on the road to Yellowstone
Snow King Mountain — we could not confirm the summer bike parkJackson
In-town steep hill; night skiing; gondola
* no current source confirms a summer bike park here. Check their site before you plan around it.
Antelope ButteShell
Nonprofit Bighorn Mountains hill revived 2019
Jackson Hole Mountain ResortSummer bike parkTeton Village
Steep terrain and iconic aerial tram

This is a list of what is there, not a recommendation of any of it. One entry is marked with an asterisk: no current source confirms the summer bike park, and the note under it says so. We do not list rentals: our source marked every ski area in the country “likely” to have them and confirmed none, so there was nothing to publish. Most hills do rent gear — ring ahead rather than take that from us. Opening dates, lift schedules and trail conditions move every year and we hold none of them, so check before you build a day around it. Every name above links to the operator’s own site.

Lift-Served Bike Parks

2 in this state.

Grand Targhee ResortAlso a ski resortLift-servedAlta
Two lifts, 2,200 ft vertical on the Teton west side
Jackson Hole Mountain ResortAlso a ski resortLift-servedTeton Village
Teton Village park with flow and tech trails

This is a list of what is there, not a recommendation of any of it. Opening dates, lift schedules and trail conditions move every year and we hold none of them, so check before you build a day around it. Every name above links to the operator’s own site.

Long Bike Trails

1 in this state.

Grand Teton Multi-Use Pathway
Length
20 miles
Surface
Paved
End to end
Jackson WY – Jenny Lake WY
Teton Range views; seasonal wildlife closures

Historic Mountain Lodges

1 in this state.

Jackson Lake LodgeNational Historic Landmark
Designated
National Historic Landmark, 31 July 2003 — Teton County
Lodge with huge windows framing the Tetons

This is a list of what is there, not a recommendation of any of it. Each of these is a working hotel and is listed here because the building itself is a designated National Historic Landmark, with the date beside it. Several stand inside national parks and can be walked into and looked at without staying. We are not recommending anywhere to sleep and we earn nothing from them. Every name above links to the operator’s own site.

Parks and Attractions

1 across Wyoming, by town.

Snow King MountainJackson
ski area with alpine slide and Cowboy Coaster; homepage blocked automated fetch

This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. Prices, hours and ride closures change without notice — every name above links to the park’s own site.

Distilleries in Wyoming

1 producer in Wyoming that we have checked. These are the ones from our research we could check against their own site — not every producer there is. We have not been to these; this is what their own sites say, so you can look one up.

Koltiska Distillery
distillery · Sheridan, WY
Family distillery run by Justin and Jason Koltiska.
- HoursSummer: Wed-Sat 3-10pm; Sun 12-5pm
- Toursyes - free tours
- Phone(307) 673-7307
644 Crook St, Sheridan, WY 82801

*Check before you go. Every producer here links to its own site, which is where we read these details on the date we checked. Opening hours, tour times, tasting fees and who may come in change without notice and belong to the producer. A blank is something we did not confirm, not something they lack. None of these say anything about children, so do not plan around it without asking them.

Venues and Annual Events

13 across Wyoming, by town.

Where to see something

Frontier Parkfestival groundsCheyenne
Hours
Event days only
Home of Cheyenne Frontier Days
Walk Festival HalltheaterTeton Village
Hours
Event days only (summer)
Home of the Grand Teton Music Festival, at the base of Rendezvous Mountain

What is on, and when

Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo — some details below are unconfirmedfairCasper
Usually
July, over several days
Held at
Central Wyoming Fairgrounds
* We could not confirm: the details beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
Cheyenne Frontier DaysrodeoCheyenne
Usually
July, over several days
Held at
Frontier Park
Since
1897
Laramie County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairCheyenne
Usually
Late July–early August, over several days
Held at
Archer Event Complex
* We could not confirm: the details beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
Wyoming State FairfairDouglas
Usually
August, over several days
Held at
Wyoming State Fairgrounds
Since
1886
Campbell County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairGillette
Usually
Late July–early August, over several days
Held at
CAM-PLEX
* We could not confirm: the details beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
Teton County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairJackson
Usually
July, over several days
Held at
Teton County Fairgrounds
* We could not confirm: the details beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.

See the other 5

Park County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairPowell
Usually
July, over several days
Held at
Park County Fairgrounds
* We could not confirm: the details beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
Fremont County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairRiverton
Usually
Late July, over several days
Held at
Fremont County Fairgrounds
* We could not confirm: the details beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
Sweetwater County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairRock Springs
Usually
Late July, over several days
Held at
Sweetwater Events Complex
* We could not confirm: the details beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
Sheridan County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairSheridan
Usually
Late July–early August, over several days
Held at
Sheridan County Fairgrounds
* We could not confirm: the details beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
Grand Teton Music Festivalmusic festivalTeton Village (Jackson Hole)
Usually
July-August, over several days
Held at
Walk Festival Hall
Since
1962

This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. Events are listed by the month they usually fall in, because that is what we hold — we do not publish dates, and a month is not a promise. Check the organiser before you plan around one. 8 entries are marked with an asterisk: we could not confirm part of what is listed, and the note under it says which part. Opening times, line-ups and ticketing change without notice, so check the venue’s or organiser’s own site — every name above links to it.

On the road

Before you set off.

Scenic roads through Wyoming

Federally designated scenic byways and All-American Roads, with the places we publish along each one in the order you meet them.

Beartooth Highway2 states · 2 places we publish Flaming Gorge - Green River Basin Scenic BywayWyoming · 1 place we publish

What to wear in Wyoming

Illustrated outfit board for Wyoming: four seasonal panels of clothing with average temperatures.

Spring 53°/28°F (12°/-2°C)

Spring can bring cold wind, warming spells, and lingering mountain snow.

Wear: Start with a long-sleeve tee, stretch pants, and a fleece or sweater. Add a rain shell when the wind or showers pick up.
Shoes: Water-resistant walking shoes with grip; boots for muddy stops.
Pack: fleece or sweater
rain shell
light beanie
spare dry socks

Summer 79°/48°F (26°/9°C)

Summer is mild to warm by day, with cool nights and colder high country.

Wear: Wear a tee with lightweight pants or shorts, then carry a fleece and wind-resistant shell. Keep the warm layer handy even on sunny days.
Shoes: Walking sneakers for town; trail shoes for rougher stops.
Pack: fleece
wind and rain shell
sun hat
sunglasses
spare socks

Fall 56°/30°F (13°/-1°C)

Fall brings cold mornings and possible early mountain snow.

Wear: Build around a long-sleeve tee, comfortable pants, and a sweater or fleece. Add a wind-resistant jacket for breezy overlooks.
Shoes: Walking shoes with grip; water-resistant boots for wet or muddy routes.
Pack: sweater or fleece
wind and rain shell
beanie
light gloves
spare socks

Winter 33°/12°F (1°/-11°C)

Winter is cold, with wind and snow important on exposed routes.

Wear: Use thermal top and bottoms, an insulating fleece or sweater, and a wind-resistant insulated parka. Add insulated pants for extended outdoor stops.
Shoes: Waterproof insulated winter boots with wool or synthetic socks.
Pack: thermal base layers
insulated parka
insulated pants
beanie
mittens
neck gaiter
dry spare socks

Adjust for your route. Lower eastern areas may suit lighter summer outfits; high-country stops need insulation and a shell. Keep warm layers within reach on long open-road stretches.

Climate background: NOAA State Climate Summary

See what to wear in every state →

Keep exploring

See It in the Book

Explore Wyoming

Locations in Wyoming

Casper

Cheyenne

Cody

Jackson

Yellowstone National Park

National parks and federal sites in Wyoming

State parks in Wyoming

Lakes in Wyoming

Skiing and Snowboarding

Grand TargheeSummer bike parkAlta

Snowy Range Ski AreaCentennial

Sleeping GiantCody

Snow King Mountain* — we could not confirm the summer bike parkJackson

Antelope ButteShell

Jackson Hole Mountain ResortSummer bike parkTeton Village

Lift-Served Bike Parks

Grand Targhee ResortAlso a ski resortLift-servedAlta

Jackson Hole Mountain ResortAlso a ski resortLift-servedTeton Village

Long Bike Trails

Historic Mountain Lodges

Jackson Lake LodgeNational Historic Landmark

Parks and Attractions

Snow King MountainJackson

Distilleries in Wyoming

Venues and Annual Events

Where to see something

Frontier Parkfestival groundsCheyenne

Walk Festival HalltheaterTeton Village

What is on, and when

Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo* — some details below are unconfirmedfairCasper

Cheyenne Frontier DaysrodeoCheyenne

Laramie County Fair* — some details below are unconfirmedfairCheyenne

Wyoming State FairfairDouglas

Campbell County Fair* — some details below are unconfirmedfairGillette

Teton County Fair* — some details below are unconfirmedfairJackson

Park County Fair* — some details below are unconfirmedfairPowell

Fremont County Fair* — some details below are unconfirmedfairRiverton

Sweetwater County Fair* — some details below are unconfirmedfairRock Springs

Sheridan County Fair* — some details below are unconfirmedfairSheridan

Grand Teton Music Festivalmusic festivalTeton Village (Jackson Hole)

Scenic roads through Wyoming

What to wear in Wyoming

Spring 53°/28°F (12°/-2°C)

Summer 79°/48°F (26°/9°C)

Fall 56°/30°F (13°/-1°C)

Winter 33°/12°F (1°/-11°C)

Keep exploring

Snow King Mountain — we could not confirm the summer bike parkJackson

Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo — some details below are unconfirmedfairCasper

Laramie County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairCheyenne

Campbell County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairGillette

Teton County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairJackson

Park County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairPowell

Fremont County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairRiverton

Sweetwater County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairRock Springs

Sheridan County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairSheridan