Wyoming Hiking: Best Hikes in Wyoming in 2022

Narrowing down the best hikes in Wyoming was tough. A true Wyoming hiking list could easily include 40+ trails and places to get out and explore. However, I tried my best to curate a list that includes every type of hike for every type of hiker, from mild day hikes to difficult multi-day backcountry treks.

If you're traveling to Wyoming and looking for a way to get outside and explore one of the most beautiful states in the country, add as many of these as you can to your itinerary. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Important Notes About Wyoming Hiking: 

1. Most of Wyoming's hiking country is also grizzly country, which means you should always carry bear spray. 
2. Download offline maps before you get to the trailhead of every hike as Wyoming is not known for having widespread service. I use the app AllTrails.
3. It is a smart idea to invest in a personal locater beacon before heading into the backcountry. Wyoming's wilderness is remote and a beacon will be the only contact with rescuers in case of an injury.
4. If you will be camping overnight, make sure you have a bear bag AND rope to hang it from trees. Here are more tips for bear safety while camping from Yellowstone National Park: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/campinginbearcountry.htm

Best Hikes in Wyoming - 2022

1. Heart Lake, Yellowstone National Park 

Length: 14.9 Miles

Difficulty: Easy-Moderate 

Elevation Gain: 1,427ft

Yellowstone National Park can easily be a pull-off national park tour. But Yellowstone National Park is over 3,400 square miles, which means most of its beauty is hidden beyond the paved parking lots. If you are looking to explore deeper into the wilderness, try Heart Lake. The hike can be done either as a long day hike or, if you are lucky enough to get a permit in the summer, an overnight hike. In total, it is just under 15 miles round-trip. However, it is reality flat for a majority of the hike, making it a great mid-range backcountry and hiking experience for beginners as well. 

The hike provides access to remote geyser basins, rocky mountain beaches, and more. Remember to pack plenty of snacks, at least 2 liters of water, and bear spray. The area is closed to hikers, and overnight stays April 1st - June 30th due to high bear activity in the spring. Learn more about permits and Heart Lake here: https://www.nps.gov/places/000/heart-lake-trailhead-8n1.htm

2. The Wind River Range 

Length: Varies, Typically 15-50 miles

Difficulty: Difficult 

Elevation Gain: Varies 

The Winder River Range in Wyoming is perhaps one of the country's most underrated and epic hiking/climbing areas. The mountains and walls deep in the wilderness are taller than the Tetons; however, they are remote and hidden by rolling foothills, making them virtually unknown. Most Wind River hikes are for experienced hikers and backpackers because of the long-distance and remote terrain to reach many of its vistas. 

If you are up for the challenge, the Cirque of The Towers is the most well-known hike in the Wind River Range and is almost always considered the best hike in Wyoming. The Tower Loop to Fremont Trail clocks in at a modest 28.9 miles. 

3. Cloud Peak & Mistymoon Lake, Big Horn Mountains 

Length: 22.5 miles

Difficulty: Difficult 

Elevation Gain: 5,328ft 

Wyoming has no 14er mountains, but every 13er in the state is more complex and challenging than nearly all Colorado 14ers. Cloud Peak is considered one of the easiest 13ers in Wyoming but still encompasses all of the things that make a great hike: long miles in the backcountry, fun scrambling, and epic views from the summit. 

Even if you are not into climbing Cloud Peak, Mistymoon Lake is considered the "halfway" mark to the summit and where many hikers/climbers decide to camp. The lake is worth a distance and is much easier than going for the summit. This is also the only hike on the list not in grizzly country. 

4. Heart Mountain, Cody 

Length: 8.0 Miles 

Difficulty: Moderatre 

Elevation Gain: 2,500ft

Located just outside Yellowstone near the town of Cody, Heart Mountain is an 8-mile out-and-back trail that gains over 2,400ft of elevation to the summit. Although steep and considered moderate, it is a fantastic mountain for beginners looking to claim a summit on one of the best hikes in Wyoming. 

The mountain is maintained by the nature conservancy and has one of the most well-marked trails in all of Wyoming. If you hike in June, expect to be surrounded by one of the most incredible wildflower fields. From the summit, hikers can see far into both the Absaroka and Beartooth Mountain Range and a full 360 view of the entire surrounding area. 

Heart Mountain is open to hikers from December 31st - March 1st and the first Sunday in June - September 30th. 

5. Leigh Lake, Grand Teton National Park 

Length: 2.5-7 Miles 

Difficulty: Easy 

Elevation Gain: 0 ft 

There is a lot of extreme hiking/climbing in Grand Teton National Park, but I decided to keep this one simple and accessible for everyday hikers looking to get away from the crowds and main viewpoints such as Jenny Lake and String Lake. 

The hike to Leigh Lake begins at the same parking lot as String Lake. The parking lot typically fills by 10 am every day in the summer, so arrive early to avoid hunting for a spot. From String Lake, there is a well-marked flat path then heads north and eventually connects to Leigh Lake. The entire trail can be 7 miles in length, but you can choose to turn around at any point during your hike to make it shorter. The flat trail offers uninterrupted views of some of the most jaw-dropping mountains in the country. Standing front and center will be Mt Moran, one of the toughest mountains to climb in all of Wyoming. 

6. Island Lake + Heart Lake, Beartooth Mountains

Length: 5.2 Miles 

Difficulty: Easy-Moderate 

Elevation Gain: 300 ft. 

The Beartooth Highway in northern Wyoming is one of the most scenic drives in the country. There are dozens of hiking opportunities along the route, ranging from easy to advanced. Island Lake and Heart Lake is the perfect mid-range hike that doesn't require a ton of elevation gain, which is something hard to come by when it comes to the best hikes in Wyoming.

The hike starts just above 9,500ft and gradually increases before a long downhill section takes up most of the second half of the hike. It is important to know that this hike is not out-and-back and starts at Beartooth Lake Campground and ends at the Island Lake Boat Launch.

If you only have one car, I would start the hike at Island Lake and follow the trail until you hit Beauty Lake before turning around and heading back out. Be sure to check the status of the Beartooth Highway here.