After exploring Wyoming during the day, find an equally great place to rest up and relax in at night. From dude ranch vacations in Jackson and historic hotels near Yellowstone to cozy cabins in Buffalo and campgrounds in Wyoming State Parks, there are several options that will fit your personal vacation style. Use these quintessential places and the listings they link to as inspiration for your next vacation.
Wyoming Dude Ranches
Nothing says Wyoming better than an authentic guest or dude ranch stay. Ranches range from all-inclusive resorts where all you have to worry about is getting there to rustic working ranches where you’ll learn to rope and ride ’em like a true cowboy. Popular activities include horseback riding, of course, as well as fishing, hiking, campfire songs, rafting, archery, cookouts and more.
Dude ranch vacations should be planned far in advance. Ranches typically recommend making reservations approximately four to six months prior to your arrival. Keep an eye out for specialty weeks like cattle drives and adults-only or winter specials that offer twists on the traditional dude ranch experience or discounted rates.
National Forest Cabins
One of the best-kept secrets when it comes to places to stay in Wyoming is the affordable cabin rentals in Wyoming’s four national forests. Perfect for reunions, family vacations or a solo getaway, rustic and cozy cabins are the perfect compromise between hotels and campsites. Generally speaking, cabins come with stoves, cookware and bunks for sleeping. Rates can be as low as $30 a night; reservations and seasonality dictate availability.
The best part? You’re surrounded by untouched wilderness deep in Wyoming’s public lands, and these cabins provide a perfect jumping-off point to delve in and explore with convenient amenities at your home base.
With affordable rates, these are first-come first-served operations that fill up quickly. Go to recreation.gov to reserve your cabins well in advance or use these links below for popular cabins in Wyoming’s national forests:
– Cabin rentals in Bridger-Teton National Forest
– Cabin rentals in Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest and Thunder Basin National Grassland
– Sunlight Ranger Cabin in Shoshone National Forest
Historic Hotels
Wyoming still holds true to its Wild West roots, meaning you can experience the same Victorian ambiance visitors did in the 18th and 19th centuries. Stay in the same places as notable Old West personalities like Annie Oakley, Butch Cassidy, Buffalo Bill, and Calamity Jane.
– The Irma Hotel, Cody: Built in 1902, the Irma is a cherished hotel just outside of Yellowstone National Park. Don’t miss the gunfighter re-enactment on the porch during the summer months.
– Wort Hotel, Jackson: Enjoy happy hour at the historic Silver Dollar Bar, where 2,032 Morgan Silver Dollars minted from the last year of their creation in 1921 cover the bar surface. But that’s not the only place where these rare dollars live: Keep an eye out for hundreds more hidden in the hotel’s furniture and walls. The Wort is a member of Historic Hotels of America (as are Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins and the Old Faithful Inn).
– Occidental Hotel, Buffalo: Several features of the Occidental new inate from the first days it opened its doors in the late 1800s, including bullet holes in the saloon. Staying here is like visiting a history museum and a peek into what it was like living in the Old West.
– Elk Mountain Hotel, Elk Mountain: This hotel is ideal for a quiet weekend getaway in Wyoming’s countryside. Located close to Medicine Bow National Forest, visitors hike, bike, ski or snowmobile before calling it quits and relaxing at the hotel. The house features a unique architectural style known as Folk Victorian, with its wraparound porch, delicate adornments, and gingerbread-like trim.
– The Sheridan Inn, Sheridan: This historic inn was built to host people traveling through the railroad but quickly became an important part of history. Buffalo Bill spent a lot of time at the Inn even holding auditions for his show on the front lawn. He would later become an investor in the hotel. Legend has it that the bar in the Inn is a gift from Queen Victoria and it still stands in the hotel today.
– The Hotel Wolf, Saratoga: Originally intended as a stage stop this historical hotel has aged with grace. Centrally located downtown this is the perfect place to stay while you enjoy all the town has to offer. Today you can stay in one of the ten victorian style rooms or enjoy the hotel wolf restaurant’s amazing food.
Wyoming Campgrounds
With spectacular scenery and pristine public lands, you might not want to stay in a hotel when you can get back to basics. Wyoming’s wide-open spaces lead to spectacular camping and recreational opportunities, where there’s nothing between you and the sparkling stars above. Get campsite ideas by checking out these campgrounds and RV parks.
