Ok, no, Wyoming is not a city. And it barely even has any cities. Sheep in Wyoming outnumber people 3:1. Its largest city is smaller than many suburbs. But the purpose of the Second Rate Cities segment of the blog is to highlight places you wouldn’t normally think of as travel destinations. So, I’m going to go with the state as a whole because it is highly underrated and a travel destination that should absolutely be considered for those who love the outdoors or are looking for a unique adventure that takes them outside of their comfort zone.
I’ve spent extensive time in Wyoming. From Fort Collins, Colorado, Cheyenne is only a one-hour drive, and the border is only 45 minutes. I spent three months backpacking through the mountains there during archaeology field school. My family rented lamas for a camping trip when I was a kid and camped for six days in the Wind River Range. I’ve camped in Yellowstone National Park on several occasions. And I’m still not sick of it, nor do I feel like I’ve really seen enough of it.
Wyoming contains a huge section of the Rocky Mountains that stretch from Yellowstone National Park at the top of the state to the Snowy Range at the base. These mountains feature some of the most striking peaks in the country, including Grand Teton, part of the Teton range in Grand Teton National Park. The Wind River Range has stunning glacial lakes and carved valleys with remote wilderness and easily accessible day hikes. The Absarokas make up part of Yellowstone and continue south to a sprawling range with peaks reaching 13,000 feet. The Snowy Range, easily accessible from northern Colorado and southern Wyoming, has dramatic slopes made of beautiful gray granite with boulders sprawled across the fields, making for a great location to take kids on an outdoor adventure. Flaming Gorge Recreation Area has opportunities for every water sport you can imagine, along with camping and beautiful red rock cliffs.
While Wyoming has limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables, it does have access to great meat products, some of which are rarely found outside of the area. Buffalo, elk, deer, and other game meats are readily available in restaurants across the state. The best buffalo burger I’ve ever had was in the tiny town of Meteetsee, Wyoming, where my archaeology field school was based. I’ve yet to have a burger quite as good as that one. The best elk I’ve ever had was inside Yellowstone at one of the lodges on Lake Yellowstone.
For spectacular natural wonders, Wyoming is a place like no other. Yellowstone National Park is the obvious destination, and it is worth spending no less than a few days exploring. The park is massive and has sights you’ll never see anywhere else in the world. The photographic peaks of Grand Teton National Park are just south of Yellowstone, and the park has great hiking, kayaking options, and other activities that allow you to take in the scenery from every angle. Grand Teton also features a lodge and restaurant with views across Jenny Lake, so you can relax on the porch with a cold beer. Jackson Hole has world-class skiing in a beautiful mountain setting. However, it is important to note that these areas are the most expensive in Wyoming and can sometimes be drastically more expensive than other areas. There are plenty of beautiful places to visit that cost nothing.
Cody is located near several access points to the Absaroka mountains and has plenty of accommodations for tourists visiting the area. Cody also has several excellent museums that display the history of the Great Plains area. Lander is a great home base for exploring the Wind River Range. Thermopolis has several natural hot springs, and just to the south is Boysen Resivour, which has options for boating, swimming and fishing. Cheyenne, the state Capitol, has a great history and activities that make you feel like you’re in the Old West. Frontier Days is a rodeo and state fair; Old Laramie is an old west town that lets you live like a cowboy.
One of the great things about Wyoming is that it IS still a cowboy state. Cattle are still driven across the plains for grazing by men and women on horseback. You can even take part in cattle drives at several ranches throughout the state. Rustic cabins make the experience feel more authentic but still contain all the creature comforts of home.
The most frustrating thing about Wyoming is getting there. There are no major airports. You CAN fly into various cities, but all the flights are expensive because they have multiple stops. That being said, I’d recommend driving anyway. Driving across Wyoming is an experience in itself and will put you near many of the landmarks I’ve mentioned throughout this blog. Even flying into Denver and then renting a car for a trip all the way up to Yellowstone is a great option for seeing this vast landscape.
So plan that trip to Yellowstone that’s always been on your bucket list! Wyoming is an incredible place that you have to see to believe. Take some extra time and check out all of the amazing places it has to offer.
