Wyoming holidays

Get your fill of alpine landscapes, rugged hiking trails and native wildlife encounters. Whatever thrills you’re chasing, this Wild West mountain town has it all.

Cowboy culture is alive and kicking in Wyoming’s buzzing capital. Head to the rodeo, discover Wild West history and hike in the great outdoors.

Western-style entertainment meets Rocky Mountain wilderness in this lively Wyoming town. Embrace the frontier spirit at the rodeos, saloons and heritage museums in the ‘Cowboy State’.

With over 850,000 hectares of showstopping wilderness, Yellowstone National Park is one of the top things to see in Wyoming. Experience the planet’s largest concentration of geysers, including the legendary Old Faithful, which rockets plumes of water up to 55 metres into the air. Don’t have days to explore? Download the park’s audio guide and drive one of its scenic roads.

Explore the history of the Old West at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a museum complex in Cody that tells the tale of the region. Travel in the wagon tracks of pioneers along the Oregon Trail Historic Byway. Or see the cabin where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid hid from authorities at the Old Town Trail outdoor museum.

The earth’s past is on display in Wyoming’s landscape. Formed by molten rock, Devil’s Tower rises over 380 metres above the Belle Fourche River in the Black Hills. Join a dinosaur dig at the Tate Geological Museum in Casper. And head to the Fossil Butte National Monument to see a collection of primitive fish and turtle fossils — and even ancient poo.

Wyoming’s premier event is Cheyenne Frontier Days, held in the state’s capital every July. This multi-day celebration of Western culture features equestrian events, food markets, craft exhibitions and nightly concerts. Bluegrass fans should check out the Beartrap Summer Festival in Casper, where some of the best fingerpickers in the world perform.

Get familiar with the state’s famous Rocky Mountains in Grand Teton National Park, where you also have a chance to spot moose, bears and even wolves. At Hot Springs State Park, you can unwind inside a free bath house with a 40°C spring-fed pool. The park’s bison herd receives daily feedings in autumn and winter, giving you a chance to see them up close.

You’ll find game meat like bison and elk on the menu at many restaurants in Wyoming, alongside more familiar fare like prime rib. Head to Jackson Hole’s much-loved Gun Barrel Steak & Game House (located inside a former taxidermy museum) to try all three. Sample Indigenous specialities like fry bread and Indian tacos at the Deka-Guy Hee restaurant in Lander.

The National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole is one of the most unique museums in Wyoming. Built into a hillside above an Elk refuge, it houses over 5,000 works of art depicting wild animals from around the world. Hit the Brinton Museum in Big Horn to explore a rich collection of Native American artworks, including blankets, war bonnets and intricately beaded dresses.

The best time to visit Wyoming is usually summer, a one-size-fits-all season when you can comfortably visit national parks and attend festivals. For slightly tamer crowds, try the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn, but make sure to plan ahead for bursts of rain and snow. Winter is for cold-weather fun, like skiing in Jackson Hole.

With a little bit of planning, cheap holidays in Wyoming are possible. Stick to shoulder seasons when prices are lower, and focus on visiting natural wonders with no or low-cost entry fees. A cheap meal will cost you around 22 US dollars ($), while a domestic beer or cappuccino will set you back about $7.