Wyoming
Discover Wyoming
Wyoming is a state in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. Known as the "Equality State" or the "Cowboy State", it is the country's least populous state, with the second-lowest population density after Alaska. Not many people visit Wyoming but know that the state is best known for its great scenery and immense outdoor opportunities – it's sometimes considered to hold the last pristine wilderness in the Lower 48 states. The world-famous Yellowstone National Park is even situated here.
Taste of Wyoming...
Wyoming is known for its steakhouses, which often offer elk, bison and other local game on their menus. While you're not likely to see many chain restaurants outside of the state's larger cities, most towns have several quaint, locally owned restaurants, and asking a friendly local is the best way to find them. Jackson boasts the widest range of dining choices, including everything from sushi to Thai food to fresh seafood. A saloon dubbed the "Cowboy Bar" is nearly ubiquitous in every Wyoming town. Most of these are friendly establishments where jeans and cowboy boots are the outfit of choice, and fancy cocktails are not often on the menu. However, several larger cities, including Cheyenne and Jackson, offer more nightlife opportunities, such as wine and martini bars, live music venues and brew pubs. There are several craft breweries and even a winery in Wyoming as well. Accommodations options in Wyoming include upscale resorts, name-brand hotels and motels, historic inns, homey bed and breakfasts, and campgrounds and RV parks. Nationally recognized chain accommodation is concentrated in Cheyenne, Casper and at points along I-25 and I-80; in the rest of the state, accommodation will likely be very local. Ranging from deluxe to dicey, roadside motels are by far the most common type of accommodation in the state.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsMost visitors will enter and exit the state by car. The majority of these will stick to the Interstate highway system, which is fast and well maintained. I-80 crosses the state east to west in the south; I-25 cuts through north to south on Wyoming's eastern side; and I-90 loops through the northeastern corner. The most interesting routes through the state are on two-lane federal, state and local highways. Since it's not uncommon to see snow late in to May in much of the state and in higher elevation areas throughout the summer, you should pay special attention to weather when traveling by car. For those unfamiliar with the state (and for those who are), travel is safest when your gas tank is full, you've got detailed maps to find alternate routes and you have stashed some snacks and water in your car. No matter where you're headed, there's almost always a scenic route. The state offers some spectacular drives on federal and state highways, including 20 byways and backways....
Regions
Explore AreasWyoming's geography includes wide-open plains, swaths of high desert, and sweeping mountain ranges. To help visitors get oriented and navigate around, the Wyoming Office of Tourism divides the state i…...
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The distances between towns in Wyoming are great and should not be underestimated. Road travel in Wyoming requires more planning than in more densely populated parts of the country. Inquire locally about driving conditions and travel times, which vary as much by weather and terrain as by road condition. In some parts of the state, four-wheel drive vehicles may be advisable or even required for travel. Car rental agencies are located in Casper, Rock Springs, Cody, Jackson, Cheyenne, Sheridan and Laramie. State information centers run by Wyoming Travel and Tourism can offer directions, restrooms and other services. Find them in Cheyenne, Sheridan, Beulah (northeast Wyoming) and Laramie. Wyoming is served by three interstate highways.
Where to Stay
Accommodations options in Wyoming include upscale resorts, name-brand hotels and motels, historic inns, homey bed and breakfasts, and campgrounds and RV parks. Nationally recognized chain accommodation is concentrated in Cheyenne, Casper and at points along I-25 and I-80; in the rest of the state, accommodation will likely be very local. Ranging from deluxe to dicey, roadside motels are by far the most common type of accommodation in the state. If you're traveling in parts of the state with oil and gas fields or near mines, be aware that motels may serve as temporary worker housing and rooms may be hard to come by. As it's hard to tell great places that are off the beaten track from establishments catering to a rougher crowd, a quick look-up on a review site like Yelp or Tripadvisor may help you find the former and avoid the latter. Pay special attention to the weather when traveling on highways in Wyoming. If the snow gates are down, do NOT ignore them.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Pay special attention to the weather when traveling on highways in Wyoming. If the snow gates are down, do NOT ignore them. Be aware that at higher elevations (including most of the state's mountain passes) snow can fall in June and even July. There are large expanses of land between towns that are wholly uninhabited, and getting stuck out on the interstate in whiteout conditions is an extraordinarily hazardous predicament to be caught in to say the least! If you must travel in winter, keep your gas tank full and carry some snacks - just in case you get stuck. If stuck in a blizzard, do not leave your vehicle. The state's abundant wildlife is a big attraction but may also pose a hazard to visitors. While you're unlikely to be stalked by mountain lions or grizzly bears, there is a reasonable chance that you may encounter antelope, moose or deer on the state's highways.