12 Unforgettable Road Trips in Wyoming You Can’t Miss
Wyoming’s open roads beckon adventurers with some of America’s most spectacular scenery. From towering mountain ranges to bubbling geysers, the Cowboy State offers driving experiences that showcase both natural wonders and rich frontier history. Grab your keys and camera as we explore twelve amazing Wyoming road trips that will fill your travel memories for years to come.
1. Yellowstone National Park Loop
America’s oldest national park delivers jaw-dropping natural wonders around every bend. The Grand Loop Road connects the park’s most famous attractions, including the reliable Old Faithful geyser erupting roughly every 90 minutes.
Early mornings offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities – bison herds roam freely, while lucky visitors might spot wolves, bears, or elusive moose. Don’t rush this drive!
The 142-mile loop requires at least two days to fully appreciate, with numerous pullouts for photography, short hikes, and picnic spots overlooking prismatic hot springs and thundering waterfalls.
2. Grand Teton Scenic Byway
Jagged alpine peaks rise dramatically from the valley floor without foothills, creating one of America’s most photographed mountain landscapes. The 42-mile Teton Park Road parallels the base of these magnificent mountains, offering countless pullouts for breathtaking views.
Morning light bathes the mountains in golden hues, while evenings cast purple shadows across Jenny Lake and Jackson Lake. Wildlife sightings add to the excitement – elk, moose, and bald eagles frequently make appearances.
Plan extra time to explore the numerous hiking trails or take a boat across Jenny Lake to Hidden Falls, one of the park’s most magical spots.
3. Medicine Bow Scenic Byway
Known locally as the Snowy Range Road, this 29-mile stretch of Highway 130 winds through pristine forests and alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers during summer months. The route climbs to over 10,000 feet at its highest point, revealing breathtaking panoramas.
Historical markers tell tales of early pioneers and Native American tribes who considered these mountains sacred ground. Keep your camera ready for the Mirror Lake stop, where still waters perfectly reflect the rugged peaks above.
Unlike Wyoming’s more famous drives, you’ll often have viewpoints to yourself, especially during weekday visits in the shoulder seasons.
4. Bighorn Scenic Byway
Starting in the historic town of Sheridan, Highway 14 climbs dramatically through Shell Canyon where thousand-foot limestone cliffs tower overhead. The road gains nearly 5,000 feet in elevation over just 58 miles, revealing changing ecosystems at every turn.
Summer travelers discover meadows carpeted with vibrant wildflowers, while fall brings spectacular golden aspen groves. The Fallen City rock formation showcases massive limestone blocks that appear like ruins of an ancient civilization.
Pack a picnic for Sibley Lake, a peaceful alpine setting perfect for stretching your legs midway through this unforgettable mountain crossing.
5. Snowy Range Scenic Byway
Ancient glaciers carved this stunning landscape of craggy peaks, crystalline lakes and boulder fields. Highway 130 crosses the Medicine Bow Mountains at 10,847 feet, where snow often lingers into July, creating striking contrasts against summer wildflowers.
The distinctive profile of Medicine Bow Peak dominates the skyline. Numerous hiking trails branch off from parking areas, allowing travelers to experience alpine terrain up close.
Bring layers regardless of season – weather changes rapidly at these elevations! The byway typically closes from November through May due to heavy snowfall, making this a precious summer-only adventure.
6. Wyoming Highway 789
Experience Wyoming’s remarkable diversity along this north-south route connecting the Wind River Canyon to the Red Desert. The journey begins amid red rock formations that could easily be mistaken for Mars, then transitions to sagebrush plains where pronghorn antelope race alongside your vehicle.
History buffs appreciate stops at pioneer-era sites like the Atlantic City Historic Mining District, where gold fever once drew thousands. The small town of Lander makes an ideal overnight stop with its vibrant main street and proximity to the Wind River Range.
Allow time to visit the petroglyphs at Legend Rock, showcasing ancient artwork dating back thousands of years.
7. Highway 191 to Flaming Gorge
Ruby red cliffs plunge dramatically into turquoise waters along this southwestern Wyoming marvel. The 91-mile route follows the eastern shore of Flaming Gorge Reservoir, with numerous viewpoints showcasing how the Green River carved this spectacular canyon.
Fishermen flock here for world-class trout fishing, while photographers capture the stunning color contrasts between water, rock, and sky. The Flaming Gorge Dam visitor center provides fascinating insights into the geology and engineering behind this massive project.
Summer visitors can cool off with a swim at one of several beaches, while fall travelers enjoy brilliant golden cottonwood trees lining the shoreline against red rock backdrops.
8. The Cloud Peak Skyway
Highway 16 slices through the heart of the Bighorn Mountains, reaching elevations over 9,000 feet as it passes beneath Cloud Peak, Wyoming’s fourth-highest mountain. Granite walls frame the roadway through Ten Sleep Canyon, where rock climbers dangle from world-class routes.
The western approach features breathtaking switchbacks and hairpin turns that challenge drivers while rewarding them with increasingly spectacular views. Meadowlark Lake offers a perfect midway rest stop with fishing opportunities and short hiking trails.
Buffalo and Ten Sleep bookend this drive with authentic Western charm – grab homemade pie at the Ten Sleep Mercantile before or after your mountain adventure.
9. South Pass Historic Byway
Follow the footsteps of pioneers along the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails at South Pass, the gentle mountain crossing that enabled America’s westward expansion. Unlike the dramatic mountain drives elsewhere in Wyoming, this high desert route features subtle beauty and immense historical significance.
Ghost towns like South Pass City and Atlantic City preserve Wyoming’s gold rush era with well-maintained buildings and interpretive displays. The landscape remains largely unchanged since wagon trains crossed here in the 1840s.
Visit Independence Rock, where thousands of emigrants carved their names, creating a fascinating historical register still visible today.
10. Pine Bluff Scenic Byway
Rolling pine-covered hills create a refreshing contrast to Wyoming’s more rugged landscapes along this peaceful 25-mile drive. The route weaves through Thunder Basin National Grassland, offering glimpses of prairie wildlife including swift foxes, golden eagles, and prairie dogs.
History enthusiasts appreciate the pioneer-era homesteads and abandoned railroad towns that dot the landscape. Several forest service roads branch off the main byway, leading to secluded fishing spots and hiking trails known only to locals.
Fall transforms this drive with vibrant colors as aspens turn golden against the dark green pines – a photographer’s dream with far fewer crowds than Wyoming’s famous national parks.
11. Wind River Canyon Drive
Ancient black rock walls tower 2,500 feet overhead as Highway 20 follows the twisting path of the Wind River through this dramatic canyon. Geological markers along the route identify rock layers spanning over a billion years of Earth’s history – some of the oldest exposed rock in North America.
The Bighorn River emerges from Wind River Canyon after passing through the Wedding of the Waters, where the river mysteriously changes names. Fishing enthusiasts consider this blue-ribbon trout stream among the finest in Wyoming.
Native American history permeates the area, as the canyon forms part of the Wind River Reservation, home to Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes.
12. Heart Mountain Scenic Byway
Heart Mountain stands as a solitary limestone peak rising dramatically from the Bighorn Basin floor. This distinctive landmark guides travelers along a route rich in both natural beauty and sobering history.
The Heart Mountain Interpretive Center preserves the stories of Japanese Americans interned here during World War II – a powerful historical site that contrasts with the surrounding beauty. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with antelope herds frequently spotted against the mountain backdrop.
The 13-mile drive between Cody and Powell offers spectacular views of the Absaroka Mountains to the west and Bighorn Mountains to the east, with Heart Mountain dominating the foreground.
