A Wyoming vacation is a one-of-a-kind experience and while you’re here, your lodging can be unique, too. If you’re looking for a stay that takes you outside of a hotel room, here’s your guide to slumbering at Wyoming’s non-traditional accommodations.
1. Yurts
Take your average camping trip to a whole new level with these circular structures. Built on wooden platforms and protected with canvas walls, many yurts are available year-round. Get a cozy night’s sleep in a full bed and kick on the heater on cooler nights. Most Wyoming yurts are solar powered and fully equipped with beds, a dining table and chairs, lighting, a heater, ceiling fan and grill. You can find and book yurts through Wyoming state parks and through Wyoming national forests.
Insider Tip: The yurts at Sinks Canyon State Park, a popular spot for climbing and hiking, are a local favorite and can be rented year-round.
2. Glamping
Camping heightened by extravagance will have you appreciating the great outdoors in luxury. Glamping eliminates camping-related worries that might send some guests running, including sleeping on the ground and going a few days without showering. With electricity and many comforts of home, glamping destinations offer full-service amenities (think: plush beds and TVs) that allow you to make the most of a week in the wilderness.
Insider Tip: For those who might be new to glamping, try Fireside Resort in Jackson, which offers an array of lodging options, including a cozy wedge cabin or a caboose that can house the whole family.
3. Fire Tower Lookouts
Perched among the treetops, you can see for miles from these one-of-a-kind places to stay. Restored to accommodate guests, the authentic towers were once used as the quarters for Forest Service fire lookouts. You’ll love spending time on the outer deck while taking in panoramic views of the forest below. Amenities can include a table with chairs, cookware and dishes, cleaning supplies, a propane heater, cook stove, oven and lighting. Fire tower lookouts and other US Forest Service-owned lodging can be booked through Wyoming’s national forests.
Insider Tip: The Spruce Mountain Fire Lookout in the Medicine Bow National Forest is ideal for visitors who want to sit back and enjoy the view. It is only a short drive to Laramie’s Rob Roy Reservoir for fishing or gold panning.
4. Camping
Pitch your tent, roast marshmallows and lie under the stars for an unforgettable getaway where you’ll become one with nature. Wyoming’s state parks and national parks and forests are the perfect destinations for the camping trip of a lifetime, and many approved campsites come complete with restrooms and fire rings. If you’re looking for something closer to town, opt for a stay at a private campground, which pairs complete camping adventures with the ability to take advantage of nearby attractions and amenities.
Insider Tip: High-altitude adventurers can rest their heads at 10,800 feet at Sugarloaf Campground in Centennial, where perks include show-stopping Snowy Range vistas and access to Libby and Lewis lakes.
5. Treehouses
Feel like a kid again when you retire for the night in a treehouse, which guarantees lofted stays like no other. The elevated cabins often boast multiple rooms, electricity, running water and decks with incredible panoramas.
Insider Tip: The treehouse at Keyhole State Park is furnished with a queen-size bed, bunk bed, a deck with a propane grill and a firepit. In addition to an exclusive treehouse, the park offers some of the best fishing and birding in the state.
6. RVS
Bring Wyoming’s scenery to your doorstep on a classic RV road trip. Stay in Wyoming’s widely available RV parks and campgrounds, which provide full hookups, showers, restrooms and internet. For a kid-friendly stay, pick a site that has a swimming pool and is near one of the state’s many historic sites.
Insider Tip: Boaters can get out on the water at Glendo Lakeside RV Park in Glendo, which has large enough sites for RVs and boats and supplies easy access to boating and fishing.
7. Bed & Breakfasts
Bed and breakfasts spoil you with tastes of local cooking and the friendliness of Wyoming residents. Let a local expert be your host and guide to the best ways to experience an area. Immerse yourself in the intimate environment of a bed and breakfast and take time to learn its history — there’s often a fascinating tale or two about outlaws and other notable folks from the days of the Old West.
Insider Tip: Guests at Fort Laramie Bed and Breakfast can choose to stay in a traditional teepee, an officer’s quarters, refurbished 1900s sheep wagon or the perfect-for-families cowboy bunkhouse.
Book Before You Go
No matter where you stay, be sure to make reservations in advance. This is especially true for some of the more unique options like staying in a fire tower lookout (or other forest service lodging), yurt or treehouse. If you plan to camp in one of Wyoming’s national parks, reservations are required and can fill up early. Don’t miss out on having the Wyoming experience of a lifetime; plan and book well ahead of when you plan to travel.
