7 Most Beautiful Mountains to Visit in Wyoming (2024)

When you think of the beautiful state of Wyoming, you tend to typically imagine prairie land and vast, open plains. While Wyoming is home to the sweeping plains and prairie lands, the western part of the state is densely packed with various mountain ranges. There are hundreds of majestic mountains in Wyoming, from the renowned Grand Tetons to the Bighorn Mountain Range and the Wind River Range.

While some of them, like the Gannett Peak, take days or even weeks to conquer along with a full range of climbing equipment, others like the Missouri Buttes only require an afternoon to complete. These mountains are home to a diverse range of wildlife, including bears, wolves, and bison.

7 Most Beautiful Mountains to Visit in Wyoming

For visitors who want to explore the mountain ranges in the state, here are some of the most beautiful mountains that you must visit in Wyoming.

1. Gannett Peak

With the summit reaching 13,804 feet, Gannett Peak is the tallest mountain in Wyoming. It surprises many who believe that the Grand Teton is the tallest mountain in the state. Gannett Peak is taller than the Grand Teton by just 34 feet.

Gannett Peak has a 5000-foot prominence and is located in the Wind River Range. While the mountain is open for hiking and sports climbing, Gannett Peak has built a reputation over the years as being very difficult to climb, and amateurs should not attempt scaling the summit. Most hikers need around three to five days to complete a round trip to the summit of this peak. The conventional path to take is from the west of the peak, making it a 40 miles round trip.

2. Cedar Mountain or Spirit Mountain

Also known as Spirit Mountain, Cedar Mountain is located west of the town of Cody in Wyoming. With the summit located at 7890 feet, Cedar Mountain is not on the list of the tallest mountains in Wyoming, but it is definitely one of the most beautiful mountain peaks in the state. Its isolation and prominence in of nearly 2500 feet provide some of the best panoramic views of Buffalo Bill Reservoir, Shoshone Canyon, and also of the town of Cody.

Cedar Mountain is also home to the Spirit Mountain Cave Complex. This is located beneath the mountain and is only accessible with a special permit.

3. Trout Peak

Having a summit of 12,244 feet, Trout Peak is the highest mountain in the Absaroka Mountain Range in Wyoming. It takes most hikers around two days to reach the summit of Trout Peak. The shortest route to the summit is 12 miles one, though if you are ready to undertake one very long day of hiking, it is also possible to do it in one day.

Once you reach the top, you get to take in some stunning views from all directions, and climbers can also check out several other peaks, including Robber’s Roost, Rattlesnake Mountain, and Pat O’Hara Mountain, along with the Buffalo Bill Reservoir a little bit in the distance. Climbers at Trout Peak should be aware that while this peak is beautiful and isolated, it is also home to many grizzly bears. This is why proper caution must be taken before attempting to climb Trout Peak.

4. Hoyt Peak

Located inside Yellowstone National Park, Hoyt Peak is a Class 2 or Class 3 peak. It typically takes climbers half a day to reach the summit. To begin the journey to teach the summit of Hoyt Peaks, you can take the Avalanche Peak Trailhead that winds through the woods, takes you along a ridge, and also through a bowl-shaped basin. As you are about to reach the summit, you will come across a large rock formation that you can either climb or hike around.

After reaching the summit, climbers can choose to either go back down the same way they came or continue along to scale the second mountain, Avalanche Peak. Avalanche Peak is located just a couple of miles away, and the trail for both these peaks stretches for around six and a half miles.

5. Wapiti Ridge

Located in the Absaroka Range, the Wapiti Ridge is a beautiful and isolated mountain chain. This mountain chain in Wyoming is rarely climbed, and hikers who want to enjoy solitude and the beautiful surroundings will enjoy Wapiti Ridge. The climb is a dangerous one not only due to the presence of wild animals like mountain lions, wolves, and grizzlies but also because many of the rocks on Wapiti Ridge are unstable and prone to fall out after coming loose.

The Wapiti Ridge consists of over 30 miles of mountains that are all connected by a long ridge that is often treacherous in places. There are numerous trails that help you reach the summit of the mountain ridge. There is no doubt that the views from the summit are spectacularly stunning, as you gaze out over an endless sea of mountains, ridges, and rocks in all directions that you can see.

6. Rattlesnake Mountain

Similar to Cedar Mountain, Rattlesnake Mountain is also bordering the town of Cody, a place that was founded and made famous by Buffalo Bill. From Rattlesnake Mountain, you get to take in some breathtaking views of Shoshone Canyon from its peak and southern slopes as it towers over 3000 feet above the northern edges of the canyon. Mountaineers can also gaze upon an incredible vertical rock formation popularly known as The Palisades, located towards the northwestern side of the mountain and is ideal for climbing. Through the Monument Hill Trail, you can commence the climb to the summit of Rattlesnake Mountain, which is around seven miles one way. As the name suggests, Rattlesnake Mountain is home to many poisonous and predatory animals, so climbers and hikers need to be careful and stay aware of their surroundings at all times.

7. Mount Fryxell

The funny thing about this peak is that there is no official name for it. This is also known to be the best-kept secret of the Grand Tetons National Park. Many of the guides in the park refer to this peak as Mount Fryxell, after the park’s first ranger. Unlike most of the other peaks in Grand Tetons, you do not require any technical mountain climbing gear to reach the summit of Mount Fryxell. However, this peak is such that hikers can decide to make this journey range from a Class 2 to a Class 5 in challenge level. The hike is a long one and not always easy. There are about 16 to 20 miles of hiking involved on a round trip, but once you reach the top, you will be awed by some of the most stunning views of the park.