The wild times of the western frontier have long passed, but perhaps no state in the union offers a better glimpse into the past than the least populous one. A Wyoming vacation is a fantastic way to explore America’s Wild West past and present.
Whether you decide to hop in the car to see for yourself or check out what tour companies like Tauck have to offer, the following are some must-see destinations when you embark on your Wyoming vacation:
* The Bighorn Mountains. Visitors from the East get their first taste of the Rocky Mountains when heading into the Bighorns. The mountains offer infinite views of the surrounding western landscape and feature beautiful waterfalls and high-walled canyons. Get an authentic western experience by spending a night at The Ranch at Ucross just east of the range.
* Cody, Wyoming. Perhaps no town in America keeps the western experience alive better than Cody, bearing the name of its founder Buffalo Bill Cody. Check out the Buffalo Bill Historical Center during the day and head to the Cody Rodeo at night, which runs every weekend during the summer. After that, kick back at one of the local watering holes or grab your partner for a night of dancing at the local honky-tonk.
* Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. Visitors to Yellowstone, America’s oldest national park, stand a good chance of viewing elk, wolves, black bears and grizzly bears, and most definitely bison in their natural habitat. Geological wonders like geysers and mudpots give the impression that there is no other place like this on Earth. The Teton Range offers some of the most striking scenery to be found in America with towering peaks that explode from the surrounding prairie.
* The Snake River. Explore western Wyoming as the early explorers did – by water. Depending on your tolerance for adventure, take a leisurely trip through calm waters that allows you to gaze at the Tetons and perhaps spot a moose, or opt for an exhilarating tour through world-class rapids.
* Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse. These two national monuments are actually in South Dakota near Wyoming’s eastern border, but present a great way to start or end a trip around Wyoming. Take in the breathtaking beauty of the four stone-carved faces of great presidents before checking out the progress on the memorial to the Native American leader Crazy Horse. When completed, the Crazy Horse Memorial will be the largest stone carving in the world. Head west into Wyoming and you’ll soon arrive at the natural oddity that is Devil’s Tour.
If you’re craving some time in the open range and wide open spaces, take a week or so to enjoy all that is a Wyoming vacation has to offer.