Wyoming’s All-Season Adventures: Endless Recreation in the Cowboy State

Spring’s mild temperatures and light crowds offer fresh opportunities to explore. Rock climbers should head to the northern part of the state between the Bighorn Mountains and the Bighorn National Forest to scale Ten Sleep Canyon’s limestone rockfaces. A little further south, the town of Lander is home to over 2,500 distinct climbing routes, as well as local outfitters and tour operators eager to provide all the gear you need.

Wyoming’s diverse ecosystems and protected national parks are a sanctuary for native flora and fauna. As temperatures rise in spring, you’ll see birds returning to the Rocky Mountains and critters stirring across the state. The National Elk Refuge near Jackson Hole is a popular winter destination, but in April you can witness its protected elk herd as they prepare to migrate to their summer ranges. When night falls, look up! Wyoming’s high elevation and wide swaths of undeveloped land provide some of the USA’s most amazing vantage points for stargazing. Venture out after dark in March or April and you may be rewarded with a glimpse of the Milky Way.

Savor long sunny days and warm Wyoming nights on a summer trip. This is prime paddling season, perfect for launching a kayak, canoe or paddleboard on epic rivers and ancient canyons. Wyoming’s picturesque waterways offer a wide range of thrill levels, from rapids of the Bighorn, North Platte and Snake Rivers to peaceful paddling trails at Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area.

Don your hat and boots and get ready for a beloved Wyoming tradition: The summer rodeo. This authentic Western sport runs deep in the Cowboy State, with many communities hosting popular bull riding and barrel racing events. The annual Cheyenne Frontier Days event is the world’s largest outdoor rodeo event, bringing buckaroos to the capital city for parades, cooking contests, specialty vendor markets and more for 10 days each July. In the northern part of the state, travel to the town of Cody, which bears the nickname “Rodeo Capital of the World.” From June to August, you can get your cowboy on every night at the Cody Nite Rodeo, an event with a rich history – it’s been a community staple since the 1930s.

Fall colors bring new adventures, from fishing and hiking to leaf peeping drives. It’s not hard to find a gorgeous place to cast your line, since Wyoming is a veritable angler’s paradise with over 4,000 lakes and 43,000 kilometers of rivers and streams. As temperatures drop, fish become more active, making it easier to reel in trout, bass and more.

While Wyoming’s trails are beautiful year-round, autumn leaves make them particularly inspiring. See Yellowstone National Park alive with vibrant red and gold on the Bunsen Peak Trail, admire fall-blooming flowers along the waterways of the Hidden Falls Loop in Curt Gowdy State Park, or enjoy mild weather and cool mists at Popo Agie Falls in Sinks Canyon. Despite its seasonal beauty, autumn is a less popular time for visitors, meaning you’ll enjoy smaller crowds on these in-demand trails. If you’d rather hit the road, 21 scenic byways offer stunning views from the comfort of your vehicle.

Wyoming’s location in the Northwestern U.S. makes it a dream locale for snowy recreation. Eleven Nordic ski areas and resorts are dedicated solely to cross country skiing. Meticulously groomed trails at Beartooth Basin, Snowy Range Ski Area, Casper Mountain and more offer skiers of all skill levels a chance to explore diverse terrain. Snowmobiling is another popular seasonal pursuit, with trail enthusiasts flocking to the Wind River Mountain Range to ride the Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail System. This over 1000-kilometer-long network is a heart-pounding way to see several locales in Northwest Wyoming, including Yellowstone National Park, Shoshone National Forest, Jackson Hole and Lander.

At the end of a long day on the trails, melt your stress away with a soak in a natural hot spring. Whether you choose to relax in a teepee-covered pool at cozy Saratoga Hot Springs Resort or take an adventurous snowmobile or dog sled excursion to the remote basins of Granite Hot Springs near Jackson Hole, the soothing waters will melt all your worries away. Wildlife enthusiasts can’t miss a wintry journey at National Elk Refuge in Jackson, where seasonal sleigh rides take you on an hour-long adventure to see massive, majestic elk herds up close.

Many travelers choose to visit Wyoming as part of a larger tour of the Western USA. Denver International Airport (DEN) in Colorado makes a convenient gateway for eastern Wyoming destinations, while Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) in Utah is close to Wyoming’s western border. Rent a car and enjoy scenic drives across Utah, Wyoming and Colorado. A number of regional airports in Wyoming also provide connections from other major USA airports.