Welcoming small towns brimming with local flavor and stretches of unscathed wilderness await visitors traveling from Salt Lake City into southwest Wyoming and northward to Yellowstone. The Salt to Stone region is a colorful adventureland waiting to be discovered by road trippers. Trace the footsteps of mountain men and women, discover dreamy mountain vistas by foot, bike or car — and tour museums and attractions that showcase Western culture at its finest.
We outline several routes for you to choose from when exploring this part of Wyoming, including stopping points for you to enjoy along the way. Route A begins at the Evanston Downtown Visitor Center and follows US-89 N (near the Wyoming-Idaho border) to Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. Route B begins at Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area and follows US-191 N to Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. To explore the rugged Wyoming Range on the way to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, follow Route C along US-189 N.
Evanston, Wyoming
Evanston is home to the only remaining complete roundhouse on the old Union Pacific line between Omaha and Sacramento. This historic building — used by railroads to store and service locomotives — has turntables and bays that are still operational.
Fort Bridger, Wyoming
Several restored buildings highlight the history of this 19th-century fur-trading post, a vital supply stop for wagon trains traversing the Oregon, California and Mormon trails. Tour the reconstructed trading post and interpretive archaeological site.
Kemmerer, Wyoming
Colorful geologic formations rise about 1,000 feet above Twin Creek Valley and possess some of the world’s best-preserved fossils, including those of fish, insects, plants, reptiles, birds and mammals.
Want to combine Routes A and B? Instead of driving up US-189, take WY-28 E just north of Kemmerer. From here, explore Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge and then head north along US-191 through Farson, Boulder and Pinedale.
Star Valley, Wyoming
This picturesque 80-mile stretch of Highway 89 starts at the Idaho-Wyoming border, climbs up Salt Canyon and Salt River Pass and descends into sprawling and verdant Star Valley. Then the route continues through the quaint communities of Smoot, Afton, Grover, Thayne and Etna before reaching Alpine and ending at the Lincoln County line in Snake River Canyon.
Near Afton, Wyoming
Known as the “spring that breathes,” the Intermittent Spring near Afton is one of only three periodic springs in the world that flows on predictable intervals. To get there, head east on Second Avenue in Afton and hike the short trail along Swift Creek.
Teton Village, Wyoming
Ride the tram in Teton Village up 4,139 feet to unparalleled wraparound views of Bridger-Teton National Forest and Grand Teton National Park.
Near Moran, Wyoming
Near Green River, Wyoming
Named for the landscape’s natural kaleidoscopic hues, 201,000-acre Flaming Gorge is a land of living color. The reservoir is perfect for boating, fishing and kayaking, and the whimsical rock formations that frame the water change colors and perspective with varying sunlight.
Green River, Wyoming
More than 220 bird species inhabit Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge, which protects 27,230 acres of riparian, wetland and upland shrub habitats along the Green River. Keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles, trumpeter swans, moose and mule deer, or guarantee yourself wildlife spectacles within the refuge’s family-friendly welcome center.
Rock Springs, Wyoming
Check out life-size replicas of the dinosaurs that once roamed Wyoming, pottery made by early inhabitants, fossils of fish and reptiles, and other prehistoric artifacts. Then, wander over to the Weidner Wildlife Museum to see nearly 125 taxidermy specimens from around the world.
Farson, Wyoming
Whether your flavor of choice is butter pecan or mint chocolate chip, a stop at Farson Mercantile — home of the “Big Cone” — for a scoop (or three) is a must. The crowd-pleasing pit stop also serves pizza, coffee and sandwiches.
Pinedale, Wyoming
The fur-trade era comes alive through period artifacts and authentic reproductions. Exhibits include an exact replica of an 1800s Sioux teepee and a life-size grizzly-bear-attack diorama — featuring frontiersman Hugh Glass and inspired by the 2015 movie “The Revenant.”
Near Pinedale, Wyoming
A pair of sparkling green-blue lakes in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Green River Lakes boast awe-inspiring vistas of the Wind River Range’s photogenic 11,695-foot Squaretop Mountain.
Jackson, Wyoming
The National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson has more than 5,000 works of art representing animals from around the world, including pieces by Georgia O’Keeffe, Andy Warhol and John James Audubon. An additional bonus: It also has incredible views of the National Elk Refuge.
Near Moran, Wyoming
kemmerer, Wyoming
This national monument contains more than 8,000 acres and protects a portion of the largest deposit of freshwater fish fossils in the world. The visitor center houses more than 300 fossils, but if that’s not enough, hike one of the interpretive trails.
Big Piney, Wyoming
Groomed snowmobile trails, off-road vehicle trails and a network of rugged cabins make this relatively untouched portion of the Rocky Mountains one worth exploring. Big Piney acts as the gateway to the Wyoming Range, offering access to the 70 mile long Wyoming Range National Recreation Trail.
Big Piney, Wyoming
Discover the history of the Green River Valley at this museum featuring exhibits on historic town buildings, mines, nearby petroglyphs and more.
Near Moran, Wyoming
Hit the road with other great itineraries.
Wyoming’s open roads and beautiful scenery make it an ideal state for a road trip.