7 Weekend Getaways in Wyoming
A good weekend trip doesn’t need to cover half the map. In Wyoming, two days can give you hot springs, petroglyphs, alpine lakes, red-rock canyons, college-town museums, national parks and stretches of highway that make driving feel like part of the highlight reel.
If you’ve got a little time for a big vacation, these Wyoming weekend getaway ideas are for you. Pick one for a two-day trip, or string a few together for a longer Wyoming road trip across mountain towns, historic sites and wide-open country.
What You’ll Find in This Guide
- Seven two-day Wyoming weekend getaway ideas, each built around a different region of the state
- Trip ideas for hot springs, scenic drives, hiking, fishing, museums, national parks and historic sites
- A closer look at Thermopolis, Southwest Wyoming, Devils Tower, Casper, Cheyenne, Laramie, Jackson and the Wind River Range
- Practical route ideas for travelers planning a short trip or a longer Wyoming road trip
- Answers to common trip-planning questions about weekend travel in Wyoming
Quick Picks for Your Wyoming Weekend Getaway
- Want hot springs, canyon views and ancient rock art? Visit Thermopolis for Hot Springs State Park, Legend Rock and Wind River Canyon.
- Want alpine lakes and mountain trails? Head to Pinedale for Fremont Lake, Green River Lake and the Continental Divide Trail.
- Want a classic Wyoming road trip? Choose Southwest Wyoming for Evanston, Fort Bridger and Flaming Gorge.
- Want iconic landmarks and Black Hills scenery? Plan a weekend around Devils Tower, Sundance and Keyhole State Park.
- Want city comforts with outdoor access? Spend the weekend in Casper with downtown dining, Casper Mountain and the North Platte River.
- Want museums, state history and scenic drives? Pair Cheyenne and Laramie with Curt Gowdy State Park and the Snowy Range Scenic Byway.
- Want national park views and mountain-town energy? Base yourself in Jackson for Grand Teton National Park and Teton Village.
7 Wyoming Weekend Getaway Ideas
1. Thermopolis
Thermopolis is best known for its mineral hot springs, but the town rewards travelers who leave room for geology, river views and ancient history. It’s an ideal stop for those who love to take it easy, rejuvenate and engage with history.
Day 1 - Hot Springs State Park
Start at Hot Springs State Park, where trails, terraces, mineral pools and the Bighorn River sit close enough together to fill a day without much driving. Begin with a brisk hike on one of the park’s 6.2 miles of trails, then find a picnic spot before spending part of the afternoon at the free bathhouse, where the soaking water is maintained at 104 degrees.
Before leaving the park, check out the Big Spring, a Technicolor turquoise-and-green pool that pumps out 3.6 million gallons of 127-degree water daily. From there, head into Thermopolis for dinner and a night in town.
Day 2 - Legend Rock and Wind River Canyon
Start your second day with a 29-mile drive northwest of Thermopolis on Highway 120 to the Legend Rock State Petroglyph Site. The site stretches 400 meters along a near-vertical cliff and includes more than 90 prehistoric petroglyph panels. It’s a fascinating stop for history buffs.
After Legend Rock, take the Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway. The route follows the Wind River through steep red-stone canyon walls, with pullouts that make it worth slowing down. Depending on the season and your plans, you can also book a float trip or spend part of the day fishing on the river.
2. Pinedale and the Continental Divide
Pinedale sits close to the Wind River Range, which gives this weekend trip a different kind of scale. Lakes, trailheads and mountain views are the center of the plan, making it a good fit for travelers who want their Wyoming getaway to feel active from the start.
Day 1 - Alpine Lakes Near Pinedale
For this Wyoming weekend getaway, start in Pinedale and plan to spend the day enjoying one of the area’s beautiful lakes. Fremont Lake, Half Moon Lake and nearby Green River Lake offer fishing, boating and other recreational activities amid breathtaking scenery.
Pack a picnic, bring layers and plan around the weather. Fishing, boating and shoreline walks can all fit into the day, depending on the lake and the season. While you’re in town, make time for the Museum of the Mountain Man, where exhibits trace the fur trade’s history, frontier life and the people who moved through this part of Wyoming long before modern highways reached it.
Day 2 - Continental Divide Trail
After breakfast, drive about 14 miles east of Pinedale to the Elkhart Park trailhead on the Wyoming portion of the famous Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. The full trail runs from Canada to Mexico, but you don’t need a thru-hike to appreciate what makes this section special.
In summer, hike or bike part of the trail system and give yourself enough time for the elevation. In winter, snowmobiling opens another way to see the landscape when conditions allow. However you experience it, the Wind River Range is sure to stick with you.
3. Southwest Wyoming
Southwest Wyoming and road trips go together like cowboys and horses. The distances are manageable, the history is layered and the landscape changes quickly from mountain-framed towns to high desert and red-rock reservoir country. If you’re planning a Wyoming road trip for your family, Southwest Wyoming offers a fantastic mix of outdoor time and historic stops.
Day 1 - Evanston, Bridger Valley and Green River
Start in Evanston, Wyoming’s southwesternmost town. Surrounded by the Uinta Mountains, this city is an excellent place to hit the trails, making it one of the best 2-night getaways in the state.
While you’re there, visit the Joss House Museum, a reconstructed tribute to the 1894 Taoist temple that once served Evanston’s Chinese community.
From Evanston, travel east on I-80 toward Green River and take time for the Bridger Valley Historic Byway. The Fort Bridger Historic Site is the spot to stop along this route. Established as a trading post in 1843, it later became a military outpost and a waypoint for travelers moving west.
Loop back to I-80 and continue toward Green River for the night.
Day 2 - Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area
Spend your second day south of Green River at Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. The reservoir here is known for deep blue water, red cliffs and views that seem to go on forever. Boating, fishing, paddling and water skiing are popular in warm weather, while scenic drives and overlooks make for a great day even if you stay on land.
4. Northeast Wyoming and Devils Tower
Devils Tower is one of Wyoming’s most recognizable landmarks, but the surrounding corner of the state deserves more than a quick photo stop. This weekend trip pairs Black Hills scenery with archaeology, small-town history and one of the country’s most distinctive national monuments.
Day 1 - Sundance & Vore Buffalo Jump
Settle into the area near Sundance or Devils Tower, where cabins, campgrounds and small lodges make a good base for the weekend. After breakfast, visit the Crook County Museum in Sundance to hear the story of Harry Longabaugh, better known as the Sundance Kid, who earned his nickname after spending 18 months in the town’s jail.
From Sundance, drive east on I-90 toward the Vore Buffalo Jump. This archaeological site preserves evidence of Plains Indian buffalo-hunting practices and offers guided interpretation. The Vore Buffalo Jump is open from June through Labor Day weekend, so be sure to confirm that your dates fall within their hours.
Day 2 - Keyhole State Park and Devils Tower National Monument
Leave Sundance and head east on I-90 toward Moorcroft to spend the morning fishing at Keyhole State Park, at the base of the stunning Black Hills.
From Keyhole, take Highway 24 to Devils Tower National Monument. Walk the Tower Trail, a 1.3-mile loop at the base of the formation, and take time to read the interpretive signs along the way. Devils Tower is also a place of cultural and spiritual significance to many Indigenous nations, so stay on marked trails and follow posted guidance.
After, go 9 miles north on Highway 24 to Hulett for dinner at one of the town’s many terrific restaurants or return to Sundance.
5. Casper
Casper is a Wyoming town steeped in natural wilderness and history and is recommended especially for enthusiasts of cowboy culture.
Day 1 - Downtown Casper
Start in Casper, Wyoming’s second-largest city. If golf is part of the plan, play a morning round at Three Crowns Golf Club, where the course covers 110 acres with water features, sand bunkers and open views.
After golf, head downtown for lunch and a walk through Casper’s historic district. Browse local shops, look for Western wear and give yourself time for the Tate Geological Museum. The museum’s fossil exhibits include Stan, the seventh Tyrannosaurus Rex found in the state.
Day 2 - Casper Mountain and the North Platte River
From downtown Casper, travel south on WY-251 for 30 minutes to Casper Mountain. Trails, meadows and canyon views make it one of the most accessible outdoor escapes near the city. Hike through Jackson Canyon, watch for migrating bald eagles and plan a picnic at Beartrap Meadow when conditions are right.
In the afternoon, return to town for time on the North Platte River. Casper Whitewater Park runs along a half-mile stretch of the river and gives experienced paddlers a place to take on engineered rapids near downtown. If you’d rather a gentler pace, look for riverfront paths, local breweries or some shopping before dinner.
6. Cheyenne and Laramie
Cheyenne and Laramie offer two different versions of southeastern Wyoming. Cheyenne brings state history, rail heritage and capital-city landmarks, while Laramie adds college-town energy, museums and access to the Snowy Range. Together, they serve up a side of Wyoming you might not expect, but are sure to love.
Day 1 - Cheyenne and Curt Gowdy State Park
Start in Wyoming’s state capital, Cheyenne, and take a self-guided morning tour of the Historic Governor’s Mansion, home to 19 first families of Wyoming. Each room is restored to a particular era, from the early 1900s through the late 1960s.
In the afternoon, take Happy Jack Road west out of Cheyenne to Curt Gowdy State Park. The park has an extensive trail system for hiking and mountain biking, plus reservoirs, granite outcrops and a route to Hidden Falls. After your time outside, continue west to Laramie for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2 - Laramie and the Snowy Range Scenic Byway
Spend the morning in Laramie, a vibrant college town where you can pick your favorite topic and head to a museum. Choose from the American Heritage Center, Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, Laramie Plains Museum or the University of Wyoming Art Museum, depending on your interests.
In the afternoon, drive the Snowy Range Scenic Byway when the road is open for the season. The 72-mile route between Laramie and Saratoga crosses the Medicine Bow National Forest and passes alpine lakes, high-elevation overlooks and rugged peaks. It’s one of the best scenic drives in southern Wyoming, especially when you have enough daylight to stop along the way.
7. Jackson and Grand Teton National Park
Jackson is popular for good reason. The town brings galleries, restaurants, shops and mountain access close together, with Grand Teton National Park just north of town. Because this is one of Wyoming’s busiest destinations, plan lodging, dining and park details early.
Day 1 – Downtown Jackson and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Start in downtown Jackson, where the town square, galleries and local shops give you plenty to do before heading into the mountains. Embrace the local culture by strolling through A RARE Gallery or MANGELSEN—Images of Nature Gallery, then grab the perfect souvenir for you or a friend at MADE. For food, grab a treat at Picnic or settle in for classic cowboy comfort food at Virginian Restaurant.
In the afternoon, drive about 15 miles northwest to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Teton Village. Summer brings hiking, biking, horseback riding and scenic rides. Winter shifts the focus to skiing, snowboarding and snow-capped mountain views. Even if you’re not planning a full day of resort activity, the ride out to Teton Village is worth taking.
Day 2 – Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is close enough to Jackson for a one-day visit, though the park can easily fill a much longer trip. To make the most of your short time here, start early and focus on the highlights rather than trying to see everything.
Hike up to Inspiration Point for a view you must see to believe, take in the local wildlife with a long drive on Teton Park Road and check out Mormon Row’s historic barns, one of the park’s most photographed spots.
Grand Teton tends to stay with people. A single day gives you a good first look, but it also makes a strong case for coming back.
