With two national parks and eight national forests, it’s worth planning a trip to Wyoming just for the incredible hiking. In Wyoming, wildlife is abundant, social distancing is easy and our trails will take you to scenery that will take your breath away.
Here are a few scenic Wyoming hikes to add to your bucket list.
1. Medicine Bow Peak – Snowy Range
If you find yourself in southeast Wyoming, a trek up Medicine Bow Peak within Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest is an adventure that you won’t forget. At 12,013 feet, the peak is the highest in the Snowy Range. You can access the peak from the Lewis Lake trailhead, where you’ll climb 1.6 miles, or from Lake Marie for a 3.6-mile trek. Either trailhead offers scenic vistas as you ascend into the high alpine zone.
A scramble over quartzite is the final push before the summit. From the peak, you’ll be able to look down at the alpine lakes below. We recommend this hike during late summer, snowdrifts can often last through mid-July. There isn’t a view on this trail that won’t take your breath away; just make sure you go early in the day to avoid late afternoon thunderstorms that are common during the summer hours.
2. Inspiration Point – Grand Teton National Park
No trip to Wyoming is complete without a stop to look at the iconic Tetons. While Inspiration Point is one of the most popular hikes in the park, every step is worth it.
There are two ways to enjoy this hike. You can either take a short boat ride across Jenny Lake to access the trail from the south at the Cascade Canyon trailhead or simply take the Jenny Lake trail and walk around the lake for a longer but equally beautiful option.
From the boat dock, you’ll climb through a pine forest before crossing Cascade Canyon Creek and merging with Teton Valley Trail. From there you can take a short detour to view Hidden Falls or push on toward Inspiration Point. At this point you’ll need to scramble over a rocky section, enjoying a fantastic view of the Teton Range before reaching Inspiration Point where you’ll be able to relax and look down to a panoramic view of Jenny Lake. The hike from the Jenny Lake boat dock to Inspiration Point is just over one mile.
3. Union Falls Trail – Yellowstone National Park
While there are approximately 900 miles of hiking trails in Yellowstone it can be hard to choose just one to add to your bucket list.
But if you do choose one, Union Falls will not disappoint.
This is not a short hike but the terrain is relatively easy, with minimal elevation change. If you start from the Grassy Lake Trailhead, it’s approximately an 8-mile hike to Union Falls making it a great option for a long day hike or a quick overnight trip. There are several water crossings along the way as well as wildlife, like bears and wolves, so some trail knowledge is important before embarking on this hike. Don’t forget to pack bear spray, water shoes and trekking poles to make water crossings easier.
While the scenery along the trail is nice, the spectacular part is reaching Union Falls. This 265-foot waterfall is the second largest waterfall in Yellowstone National Park. The falls are formed by two creeks merging, so it’s not the height of the falls that are spectacular, but the width.
WY Responsibly.
When you’re hiking in Wyoming don’t forget to be prepared with extra food, clothing, water, first-aid supplies, bear spray and maps. We always recommend hiking with a friend, or hiring a guide if it’s your first time on the trails and be sure to travel responsibly.
But, no matter if you’re on a short-family friendly loop or a long expedition, you won’t be disappointed in the views that Wyoming has to offer.
