Pack up and set out on these wild Wyoming road trips

22.07.2024 - 15:01 / lonelyplanet.com

Jul 21, 2024 • 7 min read

At nearly 98,000 square miles, Wyoming has plenty of ground to cover. And although there are a few major interstates that make crisscrossing the state a breeze, some of the best sights and experiences are off the main drags. 

Grab a map (you can't depend on having cell service everywhere you travel), check road conditions onWyoRoad and get ready to explore. Just be prepared – many of these trips take you to some isolated areas. Make sure to always carry a well-stocked emergency kit, good spare tire and full tank of gas.

Here are some road trip ideas to get you out and exploring Wyoming.

Yellowstone National Park- Rock Springs; 400-550 miles; allow 6 days

Next to its geysers and thermal features, Wyoming’s wildlife deserves top billing in the state’s marquee outdoor attractions. Few areas on Earth are as biodiverse as the northwest corner of this fascinating state. Comprising 2.5 million acres of pristine wilderness, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks make up the heart of the world’s largest intact temperate ecosystem. Beyond that, the wider Yellowstone Ecosystem is a dizzying 18 million acres and home to fauna big and small. This tour takes you on a "greatest hits" of the state's wild spaces.

Start off in Yellowstone National Park, which is home to the region's "big five:" bears (both grizzly and black), bison, elk, moose and gray wolves. Of particular note is the park's wolf population, which tops out at around 120 animals now. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the animals were almost entirely eradicated from the ecosystem, but they've rebounded thanks to preservation efforts. The Hayden, Lamar and Pelican Valleys are prime spots for wildlife viewing. 

In neighboring Grand Teton National Park, Oxbow Bend is a favorite spot for spotting moose, pelicans, river otters and other animals.

On the way south to Jackson, make a stop at the National Elk Refuge to view elk (usually seen in winter) as well as wolves, bison and bighorn sheep. Guided sleigh ride tours are a family favorite – hop on a horse-drawn sleigh during the winter months to get an up-close look at elk and other wildlife on the refuge. It can get cold, so be sure to bundle up.

In Dubois, be sure to check out the National Bighorn Sheep Center, where you can learn all about bighorn sheep (the males' horns can weigh up to 30lbs!) and explore the center’s exhibits, including life-size taxidermy mounts. Print or download a copy of the self-guided tour from the center’s website, or opt for a guided expedition, which is offered seasonally and generally takes 3-4 hours, showcasing the animals' winter range. 

After you've become an expert on bighorn sheep, head south to the Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic