There’s something about Wyoming that makes the call of the open road all but irresistible. With its towering peaks, craggy rocks, steaming geysers and wide-open spaces, it’s easy to understand why the Cowboy State has become such a popular road-trip destination.
Come winter, Wyoming’s face becomes ever more intriguing as her landscape transforms into a wonderland of snow-capped mountains and sparkling prairies, where glimpses of wildlife can be seen against a blanket of pristine white. Around here, we never let the chill of the season stop us from embarking on the next epic adventure. Our state is abundant in scenic byways, after all, and many of these routes are still accessible in winter. So follow your WY wanderlust and watch as it leads you to some of the most alluring, off-the-beaten-track places with this roundup of the best places to visit for a Wyoming winter road trip.
Wyoming Winter Road Trips Map
Tap the icons in the map below to learn more about each winter road trip destination.
Winter in Yellowstone National Park is a sight to behold. Under a blanket of pure white snow, the park transforms itself into a wonderland of tranquil forests, steaming geysers and frozen landscapes that shimmer in the pale winter light. Out here, the colder months are known as the “secret season”; with the roadways and boardwalks emptied of their summer crowds, and the thermal features at their most dramatic, you’ll feel as if you have the best of Yellowstone all to yourself.
Winter access is limited to oversnow transportation, which means you’ll need to book a snowcoach or snowmobile tour to access the park. It takes a little extra planning, but it’s well worth it to experience this one-of-a-kind style of Wyoming road trip. Once there, get out and explore the quiet, pristine landscapes for yourself on a snowshoeing or cross-country skiing excursion. Winter is also prime wildlife-watching season, when wolves, foxes, moose, elk and bison are more easily spotted against the park’s blanket of pure white snow. Guided tours are available to help you catch a glimpse of this wild side of winter in Wyoming.
For more inspiration on winter fun in Yellowstone, check out our Yellowstone Winter Guide.
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A sprawling, 400-square-mile valley in northwest Wyoming, Jackson Hole is a wonderland of Wyoming-style winter adventure on the doorstep of Grand Teton National Park. And while the winter activities here may be familiar, they’re made all the more special during the colder months due to limited winter access to the park.
The snow creates a hushed environment, blanketing the landscape with an inviting sparkle. Here, you can embark on a snowshoeing or cross-country skiing excursion from Taggart Lake Trailhead to Signal Mountain Lodge. Wildlife tours are also available, allowing you to glimpse Wyoming’s wildest inhabitants from the warmth of a heated vehicle.
When you need a dose of civilization, the nearby town of Jackson has plenty to explore. Take a stroll under the distinctive elk-antler arches of Jackson Town Square; browse an extensive collection of more than 5,000 pieces at the National Museum of Wildlife Art; or simply relax with a soothing soak at Astoria Hot Springs Park overlooking the Snake River.
For more inspiration, check out our Grand Teton Winter Guide.
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The area around Saratoga and the Snowy Range Mountains is a place steeped in history. People have flocked to these lands since time immemorial, drawn in by the abundant wildlife, awe-inspiring landscape and natural mineral hot springs found here. For generations, the Shoshone, Crow and Arapaho peoples hunted the resident moose, deer and elk and sought solace in the healing waters; in time, mountain men and trappers working their way West also discovered the gifts of the region.
Experience a little of this history for yourself on a classic Wyoming winter road trip to Saratoga. Here, you can take in spectacular views of the Snowy Range—or set out on a pair of snowshoes to immerse yourself in their rugged beauty. The surrounding Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest is prime snowmobiling territory, with miles of groomed trails that are also ideal for a cross-country skiing excursion.
Afterward, shake off that winter chill with a relaxing hot-spring soak in the private, teepee-covered pools of Saratoga Hot Springs Resort, or head to the Hobo Hot Springs to enjoy a free soak along the banks of the North Platte River.
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Home to Hot Springs State Park and the world’s largest mineral hot spring, Thermopolis is one of the best places to visit in Wyoming for anyone looking to shake off winter’s chill. Though the park’s outdoor pool is closed during winter, the free bath house remains open seven days a week, all year round, with water maintained at a cozy 104 degrees for therapeutic soaking.
In the early 1990s, dinosaur remains were discovered at the local Warm Springs Ranch, and the Wyoming Dinosaur Center was founded soon thereafter. Open from 10 am to 5 pm during the winter season, the museum is home to more than 10,000 fossils that have been unearthed in the area, and makes an ideal destination for families.
Of course, the dinosaurs aren’t the only larger-than-life figures who’ve been known to roam these parts. Immerse yourself in Wyoming’s Wild West history at the Hot Springs County Museum & Cultural Center in historic downtown Thermopolis, where you’ll be treated to tales of infamous local outlaws like the Hole-In-The-Wall gang, and even Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
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When it comes to breathtaking winter road trip scenery, Wyoming’s Hwy 191 is about as spectacular as they come. But in the colder months, it pays to plan ahead and check road conditions before you set out. Depending on the weather, this stretch of road can be treacherous and may actually require chains on your tires.
Get the timing right, though, and you’re in for a treat. From the Yellowstone area to Pinedale, Wyoming’s winter wonderland really shines. Firs are laden with snow all along the Snake River, and the winding road presents enchanting vistas at every turn. No less beautiful are the peaks of the Wind River Range, gracing your peripheral.
When you finally pull into Pinedale, an authentic cowboy town nestled against the western slope of the Wind River Range, the call of the wild only grows stronger. With the Green River, New Fork Rivers and more than 1,300 surrounding alpine lakes, the town is a haven for winter adventure in the great outdoors, with plenty of trails, tours and outfitters catering to snowmobile enthusiasts, ice fishing aficionados and those who love to strap on a pair of skates.
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Located in north-central Wyoming, the Bighorn Mountains are a sister range of the Rocky Mountains. The range is home to Cloud Peak and Blacktooth Mountain, both rising at over 13,000 feet in elevation. One of the best places to visit in Wyoming, its dramatic wilderness creates the ultimate playground for all manner of outdoor pursuits.
Quintessentially Wyoming, Sheridan serves as the gateway to your winter road trip adventure. Here, you can stroll historic Main Street, learn about Indigenous history at the Brinton Museum or experience Wyoming’s wildest winter event: the annual Sheridan WYO Winter Rodeo. The rodeo’s highlight is skijoring: a rider on horseback tows either a skier or snowboarder through a downtown obstacle course as onlookers cheer on the action.
Serious alpine enthusiasts won’t want to sleep on the Antelope Butte Mountain Recreation Area, about 60 miles west of Sheridan. The area features three chairlifts connecting to 28 trails for downhill skiing and snowboarding, along with miles of groomed trails for Nordic skiing and fat-tire biking.
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Wyoming is home to America’s first designated national forest: a vast, 2.4-million-acre wilderness known as Shoshone National Forest. A winter road trip through this picturesque landscape is the perfect opportunity to glimpse wildlife like deer and bighorn sheep, which have a reputation for blocking traffic at times.
Opportunities for winter recreation abound here in Shoshone National Forest. A thick blanket of dry, powdery snow at this time of year offers the perfect setting for a snowshoe, cross-country ski or snowmobiling adventure.
As you make your way through the forest along the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway, you will traverse the Wapiti Valley. The byway ends at the East Entrance to Yellowstone in Sylvan Pass. Although the East Entrance to our country’s first National Park is closed in winter, you may still snowshoe and cross-country ski in this area. And don’t forget your camera—the views are spectacular.
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In the heart of Central Wyoming, Casper boasts some of the most approachable terrain in the Cowboy State. Within the town itself, you’ll find endless activities to feed your curiosity. Casper is home to over a dozen museums ranging in subject matter from science and geology to history and fine art.
Nearly 26 miles of groomed and lighted trails surround the Casper Mountain Trail Center, with terrain ranging from flat runs to steep inclines. Warm up or grab a bite at the lodge, then get ready to spend a day surrounded by majestic wilderness as you participate in nordic skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking. Hogadon Basin Ski Area, Casper Mountain’s downhill ski and snowboarding spot, is only a few minutes from the heart of downtown.
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Now that you know where to go, it’s time to start planning your epic Wyoming adventure. Check out our helpful travel resources to learn more. We can’t wait to see you on the open road!
