Wyoming is the quintessential Wild West, from craggy peaks to bands of wild horses.
You’ll find a land of big adventures and the perfect place to bring your children to experience the great outdoors. The ideal mix of awe-inspiring landscapes, exciting wildlife and easy access makes getting out with the little ones feel like second nature.
Fun Places to Take Your Kids in Wyoming
From scenic drives to kid-friendly hikes to following in the footsteps of dinosaurs, Wyoming is home to infinite possibilities for a getaway with the whole gang.
Discover all the fun things to do with kids in these famous outdoor destinations in the Cowboy State.
Kid-Friendly Wyoming State & National Parks
When planning a summer vacation for your family, you’re looking for the best kids outdoor activities—ready to recharge and create joyful new memories together. From family-friendly activities to fun places to take kids near you in every shape and form, come to Wyoming for refreshing landscapers to play (and national parks that’ll have them leaping with curiosity).
1. Wyoming’s State Parks
Imagine 12 state parks—100,000 beautiful acres of adventure. Reserve a special yurt overlooking the reservoir in Guernsey. Take your family to a cozy treehouse cabin in Keyhole State Park. Explore incredible ADA-accessible camping and lodging options along the way. Whether you want to hike, camp, fish or paddle, find it all in Wyoming.
Traveler tip: Apply the nationwide Every Kid Outdoors Pass in Wyoming’s state parks, honoring free admission for fourth graders and their families.
2. Wyoming’s National Parks & Monuments
One of Wyoming’s exhilarating claims to fame: two of the country’s most iconic national parks. Summer outdoor activities for kids shine brighter in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park.
Next head northeast to Devils Tower National Monument, where a fascinating cultural site awaits, along with kid-friendly hikes, interpretive signs and abundant wildlife (including prairie dogs).
Visit the Wild West
Nothing is more evocative of the Old West than a cattle drive, and nothing says Wyoming outdoors like taking one for a family getaway. Experience what the cowboys of yesteryear saw by staying at one of the state’s many dude ranches, where you’ll have a chance to unplug from TV and video games and see the frontier as its early settlers did.
3. Red Rock Ranch | Kelly, WY
At the Red Rock Ranch in Kelly, kids get to choose a horse they’ll tend to during their stay, and there are tons of summer camp-style games to play.
4. Vee Bar Guest Ranch | Laramie, WY
In Laramie, the Vee Bar Guest Ranch loves to host kids of all ages, and they’re big on roasting s’mores and floating the river.
5. The 7D Ranch | Cody, WY
The 7D Ranch in Cody has special programming for kids ages three to 12; they’ll learn all about Wyoming’s ecology and the connections between ranching and the natural world.
6. Goosewing Ranch | Kelly, WY
Becoming a genuine frontier-era cowboy is one of the best outdoor activities for kids. Goosewing Ranch in Kelly has a wonderful roster of activities to help them feel the part, including archery, roping and canoeing.
7. Horseback Riding | Buffalo, WY
When searching for fun places to take kids around Wyoming, look no further than paradise—Paradise Guest Ranch, that is. For more than a century, travelers have trotted across sage meadows and wildflowers at this beloved ranch, horseback riding into the rush of the West.
Explore Wyoming’s Fossil Spots with Your Kids
Come be a paleontologist for a day. If you’re wondering what to do with kids to make it an exciting summer getaway, show them some timeless fun at the coolest fossil space in the land. Only 14 states can boast an official state dinosaur; in Wyoming, it’s the triceratops. The state has one of the richest fossil records in the country, and many of those remains are well preserved on Wyoming’s tens of millions of acres of public land, which makes the state perfect for outdoor family vacations. The best part? Paleontologists aren’t the only ones who get to have fun with prehistoric creatures.
8. The Wyoming Dinosaur Center | Thermopolis, WY
The fascinating Wyoming Dinosaur Center has 20 complete skeletons, and its nearby dig site offers kiddos a chance to play scientist for the day.
9. The Glenrock Paleontological Museum | Glenrock, WY
The Glenrock Paleontological Museum also gives kids the opportunity to dig, and those under 12 get free admission to the museum.
10. Fossil Butte National Monument | Kemmerer, WY
To see fossils in their natural environment, head to Fossil Butte National Monument, where you can walk in the footsteps of creatures from the Eocene period and see a 13-foot-long crocodile fossil. This is one of Wyoming’s best blast-from-the-past vacation spots.
In fact, this fun outdoor destination in southwest Wyoming is filled with fossils of fish, alligators, bats, turtles, small horses, insects and many other species of plants and animals, all available for you to view. (It’s one of the largest freshwater fossil deposits in the entire world!)
During the summer, you can participate in the Fossil Quarry Program, in which visitors are invited to help scientists look for fossils and record the findings.
Go Back in Time
What kiddo doesn’t love learning about pioneers and cowboys? Several historic sites throughout Wyoming have exhibits and programs teaching kids about the Old West, amounting to a fantastic outdoor family vacation.
11. The Pioneer Museum | Douglas, WY
The Pioneer Museum in Douglas has a massive collection of Wild West memorabilia, and in case you’re planning a getaway on a budget, admission is always free.
12. South Pass City, WY
A visit to South Pass City is indeed a blast from the past: the well-preserved ghost town has 17 restored structures, and kids can drink a cold sarsaparilla or pan for gold in the creek.
13. Museum of the Old West at Old Trail Town | Cody, WY
If visiting a genuine pioneer town with actual buildings, wagons and other artifacts from that period sounds like the right summer outdoor activity for kids in your family, check out the Museum of the Old West at Old Trail Town in Cody for a hands-on experience.
14. Fort Laramie National Historic Site
If your family is interested in more recent history, Fort Laramie National Historic Site takes you back to the 1800s. The site was initially a fur trading post when founded in 1841, catering to travelers heading west. The U.S. military purchased it eight years later to support soldiers in the area.
Share Stargazing Memories
One of the best things about having only a handful of cities is that there’s virtually no light pollution in most of Wyoming. That means it’s a fantastic place to check out the night sky while on an outdoor family vacation.
15. Stargazing at Devils Tower
All the national parks have dark skies, but Devils Tower is an excellent spot for stargazing, and interpretive programs will explain the ancestral history behind the constellations.
16. Stargazing at the Flaming Gorge Reservoir
The Flaming Gorge Reservoir, right on the Utah border, is also an exceptionally dark spot. Make your plans to coincide with one of several annual meteor showers, like the Perseids in July and August or the Geminids, which are most active in early December.
17. Stargazing at Vedauwoo in Buford
One of the simplest and best outdoor activities for kids is laying back and taking in the stars, and Vedauwoo in Buford is a great place to do just that from 8,000 feet up! Stretch out on climbing rocks and enjoy an unforgettable view with the ones you love in one of Wyoming’s most enchanting vacation spots.
Family-Friendly Hot Springs
Indigenous Native American tribes believed Wyoming’s hot springs were sacred, enchanted and connected to the earth through transformative healing. Hearing word of natural powers of reinvigoration, early pioneers would come seeking the miracles, wading in for restorative escape. Today, families love these steam-simmering attractions all year long (as do the resident bison that roam around). The Cowboy State is mineral-rich with beautiful hot springs.
18. Saratoga Hot Springs | Saratoga, WY
Dip in for a family getaway at the Saratoga Hot Springs, where an epic 70-foot outdoor hot springs pool ripples with all sorts of splashing fun. Take your pick of five smaller pools and soak after mountain adventures beneath a teepee, laughing as feel-good waters flow around you.
19. Hot Springs State Park | Thermopolis, WY
Warm weather is perfect for enjoying Wyoming outdoor activities, and at Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis, your family can take a toasty (and free) dip at the State Bath House.
20. Granite Hot Springs | Jackson, WY
Granite Hot Springs is a beautiful space nestled high on a mountain road, beckoning family travelers year-round. From a campground to pools for swimming and soaking, family vacations wind up bubbling in the Gros Ventre Mountains, happiness found floating at almost 7,000 feet above sea level.
21. Astoria Hot Springs | Jackson, WY
Open year-round, the Astoria Hot Springs and Park is your open invitation to explore the thrills of Snake River Canyon. Families love to choose any of the six unique soaking pools, all man-made and whirling with spectacular natural waters. Reservations are recommended—everyone wants to experience this beautiful soak in Jackson Hole’s hot spot for getaway thrills.
Kid-Friendly Waterfalls
These waterfalls are not only safe for kids—they’re an absolute blast. Let the Wyoming trails lead you and your family to experience the magical pour of waterfall mist across the West, a cascade of new memories before your eyes.
22. Sinks Canyon Falls & Natural Water Slide | Lander, WY
Picture the awe of a single waterfall; now multiply it. Travel for the breathtaking canyon and river scenes, mountains tall in the distance. Stay for the 60-foot-high wonder, where an unforgettable series of waterfalls keeps families coming back for more. Hear the Sinks Canyon Falls as they splash against rugged rocks and take your family all smiles through a stunning natural water slide.
23. Garden Creek Falls | Casper, WY
The happiness you feel after a shared adventure is one your family will hold onto, especially after you marvel at the city-lit countryside views you’ll see along the Bridle Trail. The Garden Creek Falls feel so satisfying after that nearly five-mile hike, lifting you 1,200 feet into Wyoming’s blue skies.
24. Shell Falls | Sheridan, WY
Experience history streaming around you as the water of Shell Falls splashes at 3,600 gallons every second. Make this family vacation memorable with epic (and ancient) showstoppers.
25. Hidden Falls | Cheyenne, WY
Leave your kids believing in the beauty of real-world magic. Wait ’til they see the Hidden Falls waiting for them at the rock-hopping end of the Crow Creek Trail. Catch exceptional vistas here, from Granite Springs Reservoir to Middle Crow Creek, and play nature detective as you discover your way to the secret treasure: the Hidden Falls of Curt Gowdy State Park.
26. Five Springs Falls | Big Horn County, WY
It’s no wonder families love traveling to witness the crash of the water as clouds move above the mountain peaks. Stay and unwind awhile for a fun-filled picnic at the exquisite Five Spring Falls. A half-mile hike up the backcountry, wind your way through the wilderness to where your next spectacular outdoor adventure begins, offering nearly 20 single-family campsites. Take in the panoramic views of the Bighorn Mountains at the Five Springs Fa
