The Best Places to Visit in Wyoming

January 10, 2025

Millions of people every year adventure to the remote, rugged wilderness of Wyoming. Living here, I love seeing people fall in love with the state, but I hate that 90% of visitors miss the best areas it has to offer.

Sure, Grand Teton and Yellowstone are the iconic spots worth a visit, but I've compiled the best places to visit in Wyoming that stretch far beyond the typical tourist route.

Here are my favorite places to visit in Wyoming as a local:

1. Beartooth Mountains

The Beartooth Mountains are one of Wyoming’s most underrated gems. Rising to nearly 13,000 feet, this rugged range is packed with alpine lakes, dramatic peaks, and some of the most scenic driving in the country. The Beartooth Highway is often called one of the most beautiful roads in America, and for good reason. It tops out at nearly 11,000ft!

Most people who visit Yellowstone drive right past this scenic byway, with no idea it exists just a short drive away from the park.

2. Grand Teton National Park

Few places in the U.S. are as instantly recognizable as Grand Teton National Park. The jagged Teton Range rises sharply from the valley floor, creating some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the West. So yes, of course, this iconic landscape needed to make you 'best place to see in Wyoming list' even though nearly everyone who visits already has it high on their list.

Skip Jenny Lake and instead visit String Lake for a nice swim or make the short one-mile flat hike to Leigh Lake. The Delta Lake hike is OK, but overcrowded in the summer. Instead, head up Paintbrush Canyon for a true Grand Teton experience.

If you're looking for more information on a trip to Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Park, read my entire guide here.

3. Wind River Range

The Wind River Range is the best hidden mountain range in the country. If you're lucky enough to experience this wild place, you'll quickly understand what I mean. What keeps the Winds a secret is the complete lack of access. Most hikes in the area require a minimum of 30 miles, making overnight backpacking trips required to see some of the best spots.

The only known circuit to visitors is the famous Cirque of the Towers, but that doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of the range. If you don't have too much hiking gumption, try Green River Lakes (pictured below), which can be accessed by a long and isolated dirt road, and under 10 miles of hiking.

4. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

Straddling the Wyoming–Montana border, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area features towering red cliffs, deep blue water, and sweeping desert-meets-mountain views. It's a national recreation area, meaning it is mostly overlooked by nearby visitors on their way to Yellowstone.

But the area has National Park potential, and virtually no one visits. It's also a fantastic spot to see wild horses, big horn sheep, and other Wyoming wildlife.

5. Cody

Cody is known as a wild-west town that serves as the gateway to Yellowstone from the East Entrance. And sure, the rodeo and cowboy scene isn't to be missed, but there is also much more to the area than an overnight pitstop on the way to Yellowstone. The surrounding mountains are some of the most remote and stunning wilderness areas in the country.

Go backpacking in the Absaroka Mountains, stay at a local dude ranch, or spend the night camping in Sunlight Basin. And secret tip: The North Fork of Cody has some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in the area, including Yellowstone. Here, you can often see elk, bighorn sheep, grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, and more.

Here is a full list of the best things to do in Cody, Wyoming.

6. Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone is one of the most iconic national parks in the world. From erupting geysers and colorful hot springs to roaming bison and wolves, the park offers an unmatched variety of natural wonders. While it is popular, it's known as a 'parking lot park,' meaning that a staggering 90% of visitors don't venture more than a half-mile from their cars.

My favorite Yellowstone hikes & areas include: Storm Point (2 miles RT), Artist's Point, Bunsen Peak (4.2 miles RT), West Thumb Geyser Basin, and Trout Lake (1.5 miles RT).

Here is my full guide on where to stay when visiting Yellowstone National Park.

7. Wyoming Range

Outside of Grand Teton and Yellowstone, the wilderness of Wyoming is rugged, empty, and wild. The Wyoming Range is the perfect example of isolation, although relatively close to GTNP. The Wyoming Range sits just south of the Tetons and offers a quieter alternative with stunning alpine lakes, peaks, hot springs, and more. Rolling peaks, forested valleys, and expansive views make this range ideal for hiking, hunting, and backcountry exploration without heavy foot traffic.

8. Bighorn Mountains

The Big Horn Mountains are a well-known recreation area for those who live in Northern Wyoming, but it is almost always overlooked by visitors. The range holds a little bit of everything: great rock climbing, hiking, & camping, as well as scenic fire lookouts, quaint forest service cabins for rent, and epic picnic spots.

9. Pinedale

Pinedale is a tiny mountain town located a couple of hours from Grand Teton National Park, and it also serves as the gateway to some of the best trailheads and adventures for the Wind River Range. Although most of the hikes require a multi-day adventure, the town is also the perfect spot for a post-backpacking beverage at Wind River Brewing Company.

10. Kirwin

Kirwin is a fascinating abandoned mining town tucked deep in the Absaroka Mountains. Reaching it requires a rugged drive, but the payoff is a hauntingly beautiful glimpse into Wyoming’s mining past. It's typically inaccessible in the early season, when high snowmelt creates dangerous river crossings. However, by mid-July, it's typically low enough to make the pilgrimage in any high clearance vehicle.

Oh, and when visiting any of these areas, don't forget to pack your bear spray!

At any given moment, Shalee is either lost, hunting for ice cream, or obsessively planning her next adventure.

Born and raised in rural Michigan, she began exploring the shores of Great Lakes as a teen, often sleeping in her car to save money. Eventually, her urge to explore pushed beyond her Midwest borders. Today, Shalee shares her tips and stories to thousands of readers interested in adventure and outdoor tourism. Her pack now includes two spunky hiking cats and her partner, Josh. Learn more about her here.