10 Must-Visit Sights When on a Road Trip to Wyoming (2024)
The Cowboy state of Wyoming is the perfect place to take a road trip. If you are looking for a unique road trip this summer, you will find an abundance of places to check out in Wyoming. With awe-inspiring national parks and many historical sites, Wyoming is known for its breathtaking natural beauty that ranges from majestic mountain ranges to geothermal wonders to wide open plains. Its pristine landscape is the perfect place to make your way through as you go road tripping through Wyoming.
10 Must-Visit Sights When on a Road Trip to Wyoming
Here are some of the must-visit sights while you are on your road trip to Wyoming.
1. Beartooth Highway, US Highway 212
The Beartooth Highway is often known as one of the most scenic roads in the United States. A trip along this stunning highway will take you on a drive near the Montana-Wyoming border. As you climb to over 10,000 feet on the Beartooth Pass, take in the spectacular views of Beartooth Lake, and pass through dense scented forests, you will be glad to have chosen Wyoming as your road tripping destination. You will also get to pass through hundreds of mountain lakes as your drive along this stretch of the Wyoming range. One of the most impressive mountain peaks that you will glimpse on this road trip is the Beartooth Mountain.
2. Black Hills National Forest
This is one road trip where you will want to spend more time outside of your car instead of driving. Take a break to go biking, hiking, picnicking, and even watch buffaloes roam around. There are nearly 40 camping grounds spread throughout the park, and you can even find a place to spend the night at Devil’s Tower National Monument. This is one of the main attractions in the Black Hills National Forest, and this is one of the unmissable sights that you wouldn’t want to miss in Wyoming.
3. Trip through the Bighorn Mountain Range through Gillette, Buffalo, and Sheridan
This road trip through Wyoming is slightly longer than the others. You begin in Gillette, where you must check out the Rockpile Museum before you drive down west on I-90. Make a stop at Buffalo to catch up on your sleep and get some refreshments as you tour the Clear Creek Brewing Company and explore some of the rich history of Wyoming at the occidental Hotel Museum. As you continue further down this road, there is Sheridan, which is the entrance to the Big Horn National Forest, one of the oldest federally protected mountain ranges and forested areas in the entire country.
4. Grand Teton Loop on US 89
The US is known for having some of the most incredible loops for road trips, and one of the most famous loops that you cannot miss is the Grand Teton Loop that takes you through the fantastic Grand Teton National Park, one of the star attractions of Wyoming. You begin the road trip in Moose and travel through the park. You get to explore many attractions here, such as the magnificent views of the Tetons and the breathtaking lakes like Jenny Lake as you make your way through. Now once the loops turn south, you will get to take in the stunning sights of the Cunningham Historic Cabin, the Snake River, and the Oxbow Bend Outlooks.
5. Bighorn Canyon Loop on US Route 14
Another impressive loop that you must check out as you take a road trip through Wyoming is the majestic Bighorn Canyon Loop on US route 14. The loop is divided in two directions once you reach east of the Cody town. These routes head both north and south and converge back into one big road near the Burgess Junction, located inside the beautiful Bighorn National Forest. No matter which direction you decide to choose to travel and explore this loop, you will get to check out some amazing vistas, and you can choose to stop along the way at some quaint little Wyoming towns like Shell, Greybull, and Lovell.
6. Ayers Natural Bridge between Douglas and Glenrock
One of the original stops for the pioneers of the Oregon Trail, the Ayers Natural Bridge, is a perfect summer stop, especially when the days are hot. Consider packing a picnic lunch and take it along with you to enjoy as you dip your toes in the water. Don’t forget to get some great pictures of this impressive natural bridge.
7. Cheyenne to Pinedale
Cheyenne, the capital of Wyoming, is an ideal place to begin your road trip from. And if you are in Cheyenne, don’t forget to check out the state capitol building before heading west on I-80. Make a stop by Laramie to get a tour of the University of Wyoming Geological Museum. As you continue further up the interstate, you will come to Rawlins, which is the location of the Carbon County Museum and the Wyoming Frontier Prison.
You will also be able to explore Rock Springs before reaching Pinedale. Make a quick stop here as this slight detour will be well worth your time to check out the White Mountain Petroglyphs, one of a kind in the world. As you finally arrive at Pinedale, you can let your hair down and relax in one of the best small towns you will ever visit.
8. Yellowstone National Park
When you are in Wyoming, how can your road trip be complete without driving through the Yellowstone National Park? Spread out over 3471 square miles, you will get to check out some of the most famous attractions. From the Old Faithful to the Grand Prismatic Spring and both the Upper and Lower Falls, there are dozens of magnificent sights here that you don’t want to miss.
9. Laramie to the Wind River Range
This small but beautiful road trip begins in Laramie, where you can decide to spend some time exploring the Deerwood Ranch Wild Horse EcoSanctuary. After this, drive northwest on the US 287 through the breathtaking Wind River Range.
10. Unique Pass Monument in Dubois
As you drive just outside of Dubois and take a drop to the top of Union Pass, you get to take in some beautiful views and also check out the unique history of Wyoming. Park your park to take a short walk to the Unique Pass Monument located at the top of the pass, just 15 miles beyond the cattle guard. You can learn a lot about the natural peaks and their features here, and even Aboriginal use of the land.