There simply is no place in America with more untouched natural beauty, friendlier people, or real Western adventures than Wyoming.

Imagine yourself on a summer vacation in Wyoming, camping at the foot of the magnificent Devils Tower, hoofing in cowboy boots around a luxurious dude ranch, or staying cool indoors with activities you can only find here. Make your summer dreams a reality, and explore these 12 Wyoming summer vacation ideas to make lifelong memories.

Best Places to Visit in Wyoming this Summer

Lucky for travelers, Wyoming has a poorly-guarded secret: There are an unending amount of summer things to do in Wyoming, and most of them are easily part of an affordable vacation. Explore some of the most popular summer vacation ideas and find your inspiration!

1. National Parks & Monuments

Onlookers viewing Old Faithful geyser at Yellowstone National Park during the summer.
Old Faithful geyser

Summer is the perfect time for a scenic road trip, and national parks and monuments make fantastic destinations. At the top of just about everyone’s Wyoming summer vacation bucket list is Yellowstone. The park has the world’s most extensive collection of geysers with unmatched wide-open natural beauty.

Grand Teton National Park is just two hours down the road, making it easy to check out two of America’s greatest natural treasures in one vacation. Continue road-tripping across the great state of Wyoming to Devils Tower National Monument, a one-of-a-kind natural wonder that rises 1,200 feet above the state’s eastern planes.

Camp out beneath breathtaking cliffs that stand over 1,000 feet at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, explore a pivotal struggle for freedom at Fort Laramie National Historic Site or dig into the remnants of yesterday at the Fossil Butte National Monument.

Must-See Summer Places to Visit:

 

2. Horseback Riding

A family riding horses through a creek on one of Wyoming's many horse trails during the summer.
Photo Credit: @jacksonholeoutfitters Family on a trail ride

This part of the country was meant to be seen from a saddle. With centuries of experience, outfitters and dude ranches are ready to take riders of all skill levels on some of Wyoming’s best horse trails. Embrace the heights and take in the scenery on Devil’s Leap in the Big Horn Mountains, or challenge yourself with a lakeside ride on Mistymoon Trail. Wind along the Continental Divide Trail in Bridger-Teton National Forest or saddle up slope-side in Jackson Hole. If you’re looking to couple incredible views with some of Wyoming’s best wildlife watching, try Taggart Lake Loop. Have you got kiddos along for the ride? Take them out to Popo Agie Falls Trail for a true all-ages experience.

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3. ATV & Off-Roading

A person on an ATV at Killpecker Sand Dunes.
Killpecker Sand Dunes

If you prefer the power of 50 horses over just one, ATV and off-roading adventures are more your speed, and they are must-dos on your Wyoming summer vacation. Play in the country’s biggest (and most musical) sandbox at Killpecker Sand Dunes or witness the brilliant red cliffs of Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area right from your ATV. Zip up the shores of North Piney Lake in Cora, or explore the vast and varied trails in the Black Hills National Forest along the South Dakota border. Take a thrill ride where the wild horses roam at McCullough Peaks in Buffalo Bill State Park, or up the excitement with an obstacle course at Poison Spider OHV Park.

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4. Camping

A campsite with big boulders in the background in Wyoming, during the summer.

Wyoming camping is waking up to crisp air, hiking among majestic peaks, discovering hidden mountain lakes and falling asleep under a blanket of stars. Try one of the top 40 campgrounds in America at Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park or see why Canyon Village Campground is Yellowstone’s most popular place to pitch a tent or park an RV.

The Belle Fourche River Campground offers a natural, back-to-basics way to get some tent space, or enjoy the creekside views at Big Sandy Campground. Choose from 10 campgrounds at Keyhole State Park and put yourself in the center of some of the state’s best outdoor activities, or cozy up in a woodsy cabin in Bighorn National Forest. 

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5. Hiking

Man hiking across grass towards mountain range in one of Wyoming's national parks during the summer.
Wind River Range

Wildlife and hiking trails abound in Wyoming’s 18 million acres of public lands. Bison, elk, pronghorn, moose and bald eagles enjoy the state’s untouched mountains and prairies, and visitors can too by backcountry hiking at Yellowstone Lake or taking in the jaw-dropping views of the Snowy Mountain Range in Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. Hit up the famous Continental Divide Trail on foot around Fremont Lake, spend a day scaling the rocky summit of Table Mountain Trail, or take it easy on an all-ages hike beneath the majestic Devils Tower. For the whole Western wilderness experience, don't miss the fan-favorite Cascade Canyon Trail, with plentiful wildlife and the Tetons for a scenic backdrop.

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6. Fishing

Hand holding fish out of water.
Photo Credit: Sheridan Travel & Tourism / Shawn Parker

Consistently named one of the best places to fish by anglers around the country, ample lakes and rivers are considered some of the best places to visit in Wyoming in summer. The ecological climate makes the state’s waterfronts a paradise for trout fishing, specifically for rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout. If your dream Wyoming summer vacation means sitting beside a mountain stream, floating on a pristine lake or seeking out one of 22 game fish species, you can do it all and find local experts to guide you. Cast your rod in one of these fishing holes and create a fish tale of your own.

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7. Rodeos

A rodeo in Wyoming taking place with a man speaking commands at a bull.

It wouldn’t be the West without a good ‘ole fashioned rodeo, and lucky for you, Wyoming offers some of the best rodeos in the country. From the “Daddy of ’em all” at Cheyenne Frontier Days to the “Rose Bowl” of college rodeos at the College National Final Rodeo in Casper, you’ll have plenty of reasons to “yeehaw” on your next getaway. Popular enough to share the city’s name, the rodeo is among the best Jackson Hole summer vacation ideas.

The Ten Sleep Rodeo Association puts on a 4th of July classic, while the Cody Nite Rodeo is the perfect evening out for a traveling cowpoke. Pop by the Thermopolis Cowboy Rendezvous PRCA Rodeo in Hot Springs State Park to get in the spirit of the West and see what the hype is all about.

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8. Dude & Guest Ranches

Horseback riders on river side at a dude ranch in Wyoming during the summertime.
Photo Credit: @duderanchvacations

If you’ve ever dreamed of being a cowboy or cowgirl, spending a week on a dude ranch will allow you to walk in authentic Western boots. Dude ranches in Wyoming vary greatly from working to resort ranches, so you can get down and dirty with the cattle or choose a more luxurious vacation.

No matter your speed, guest ranches and dude ranches are some of the best places to visit in Wyoming in summer, allowing even city slickers to create memories they will cherish forever. These ranches will blow your boots off with incredible cowboy experiences.

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9. Shows & Festivals

Guests visiting a festival in Wyoming, a popular thing to do in summer.

It wouldn’t be summer in Wyoming without a slew of Western-style festivals. The Laramie Jubilee Days celebrate Wyoming’s statehood with nine days of rodeos, bull-riding competitions, slack barrel races and even a brewfest to top it off. If you’re a bluegrass fan, Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival is a must-see, with music as impressive as its spectacular mountain scenery.

Ride the thrill rides cowboy carnival-style at Wyoming’s Big Show in Rock Springs, or treat the family to live animals, demolition derby rounds and delicious local eats at the Wyoming State Fair. Relive the Pony Express Era at South Pass City Gold Rush Days, and if you haven’t gotten your fill just yet, stop by the Chugwater Chili Cookoff for some authentic Western recipes.

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10. Hot Springs

Rainbow over Hot Springs State Park in Wyoming during the summer season.
Photo Credit: Hot Springs Travel & Tourism

It's time to ease your muscles with a soothing summer dip in the hot springs of Wyoming. From 90-degree pools with slides and diving boards to 112-degree steamy soaks, there are options for families and couples at all of the state's hot springs. Enjoy the country's cleanest air, natural minerals, and therapeutic hot springs. It's the perfect combo for a relaxing Wyoming summer vacation.

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11. Indoor Adventures & Experiences

The Buffalo Bill Center of the West with teepees out front.

Summer in the West means sunbathing and blazing saddles, but you may want to find an indoor place to chill out between your amazing outdoor activities. Luckily, plenty of the best places to visit in Wyoming in summer include a bit of time in the AC and rainy day activities.

A tour of the Tate Geological Museum at Casper College gets you up close and personal with the state's prehistoric inhabitants, while a show at The Carriage House Theater will entertain and inspire. If you're planning a Jackson Hole summer vacation, have dinner at the Jackson Hole Playhouse for live entertainment rooted in Wyoming's cowboy heyday.

The Buffalo Bill Center of the West houses five unique museums on its grounds for a day of family fun and learning, while The Cody Cattle Company wants to close out the day with a meal, live country music, and a trip to the Cody Nite Rodeo. And if it gets too hot, remember to stop for a famous ice cream cone at Peter's Cafe & Bakery.

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12. Make a Splash: Wyoming Water Attractions

While Wyoming is well known for natural hot springs, it’s likely that you and your travel crew might want a cool dip at the end of a summer day. The great news is that you have excellent options that only depend on where your adventure has you wandering. Whitewater Park in Casper is perfect for family fun, letting thrill seekers of all ages ride the rapids.

South Mike Sedar Park and Pool offers a more traditional outdoor pool and water slide experience that the whole gang will enjoy. The Cheyenne Aquatic Center, Rock Springs Family Recreation Center, and Pinedale Aquatic Center provide visitors with swimming and more, from water aerobics to indoor rock climbing and other sports.

Speaking of other sports, the Energy Capital Sports Complex in Gilette has batting cages, soccer fields, and a classic kiddo-friendly splash pad for cooling off when you’re done. 

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Truly experience the West this summer with one of these authentic Wyoming summer adventures or go ahead and create your own Wyoming adventure. The memories are sure to last a lifetime. For more Wyoming travel inspiration, order our free Travel Guide. What are you waiting for?