Mavericks Wanted: Wyoming Experiences for Bold Travelers

The Call Goes Out. Will You Answer? 

Wyoming is a place that rewards the curious, the independent and the bold. The kind of travelers who would rather push past comfortable and into a place that genuinely asks something of them. From working cattle ranches and frontier saloons to fly fishing some of the best trout water in the West, Wyoming adventures run deep. Read on for everything you need to know about the experiences that make this state unlike anywhere else — and find out if you have what it takes to answer the call.

What It Means to Be a Maverick

As the ninth-largest state in the country with an estimated 580,000 residents, Wyoming is one of the most wide-open destinations in the United States. The distance between towns is real. The backcountry is vast. The history runs deep. And the experiences out here, on horseback, on the water or deep in the national parks, are the kind that only come to those willing to go looking for them.

A place like this calls for a certain kind of traveler: a maverick. Someone who takes chances, forges their own path and pushes for something bolder when everyone else plays it safe. It's a mindset as much as anything else, and Wyoming has a way of bringing it out in people.

That is the spirit behind Travel Wyoming's new "Mavericks Wanted" campaign. A call to the true individual who seeks out boundless frontiers and endless freedom in the last bastion of the West — the eternal proving ground for brave and independent spirits.

Wyoming Ranch Life

If you want to understand what Wyoming is really about, a stay at a dude or guest ranch is the best place to start. A guest ranch stay often focuses on lodging, meals and outdoor activities, while some dude ranches offer a more hands-on approach to the Western way of life. Wyoming is home to some extraordinary ranches, from the all-inclusive mountain adventures of CM Ranch and the century-old traditions of Paradise Guest Ranch to the horseback riding and cattle work of Vee Bar Guest Ranch.

What to Expect on a Wyoming Guest or Dude Ranch

• Guided horseback rides covering real ground across open country
• Cattle drives alongside working ranch hands
• Fly fishing on private water or nearby rivers
• Hiking through meadows and foothills right from the property
• Campfire evenings under some of the darkest skies in the country
• Cowboy skills workshops, including roping and branding demonstrations
• Chuckwagon dinners cooked over an open fire

Many ranches welcome guests year-round and offer everything from fall hunting excursions to adults-only getaways for travelers seeking the full Wild West experience.

Lodging That's Part of the Adventure

Where you stay in Wyoming is not just a place to sleep. For the maverick traveler, it’s an extension of the experience itself. Here’s a look at the one-of-a-kind lodging options available across the Cowboy State.

Cabins

There’s nothing quite like returning to a private cabin after a full day out in Wyoming's backcountry. Cabin options here run from completely off-grid retreats without electricity to well-appointed properties near mountain towns and national parks. 

Campgrounds and RV Parks

Out West, you'll find full-hookup RV parks and campgrounds that fit every style, including options in Yellowstone National Park and near the Bighorn Mountains. Travelers can make reservations for federal public lands through Recreation.gov and Wyoming State Parks Reservations.

Historic Lodges and Inns

Wyoming's historic lodges and inns put you directly inside the state's past. Properties like the Old Faithful Inn, a landmark log structure built in 1903–1904, preserve original furnishings and details that no modern hotel can replicate.

Dude and Guest Ranches

A dude or guest ranch stay is one of the best ways to experience the cowboy way of life. Trail rides, cattle drives, campfire evenings and time spent on the ranch offer a closer look at the traditions and daily life that shape the West.

Unique Stays

Wyoming also offers yurts, tiny houses and glamping tents for adventurers seeking something beyond the expected. With added character and a closer connection to the surrounding wilderness, these unique stays can make the trip feel even more memorable.

For travelers who want a more familiar base, Wyoming also offers a variety of hotels, motels, resorts, bed-and-breakfasts and vacation rentals to suit any style.

Wild West After Dark

Wyoming does not go quiet when the sun goes down. After a day on the trail or in the saddle, its towns and cities offer plenty of reasons to stay out longer.

Historic Bars and Saloons

Some of Wyoming's best-known bars have been pouring drinks since the 19th century. Butch Cassidy and Tom Horn once frequented The Occidental Hotel & Saloon in Buffalo — the bullet holes in the walls are original. In Cody, the Irma Hotel's saloon is known for its cherrywood back bar, a gift from Queen Victoria to Buffalo Bill Cody. The Mint Bar in downtown Sheridan is another longtime favorite with deep local roots.

Wyoming Rodeos

Rodeo is the official state sport of Wyoming, and summer is the best time to see why. Big-name events and hometown traditions carry on a way of life that still runs deep here. Here are a few to add to your Wyoming bucket list:

• Cheyenne Frontier Days: Known as the Daddy of 'em All, held each July in Cheyenne — it’s the largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration in the world.
• Cody Nite Rodeo: The longest-running nightly rodeo in the world runs every night of the summer season in Cody, which has earned its reputation as the Rodeo Capital of the World.
• Sheridan WYO Rodeo: One of the premier regional rodeos in Wyoming, held each July in Sheridan.
• Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo: A community favorite in Casper that captures the grassroots spirit of Wyoming rodeo at its most authentic.

Live Music and Local Events

Wyoming's event calendar offers even more ways to experience the state after dark and in between adventures. Festivals, concerts, fairs and exhibits take place throughout the year, with options ranging from family-friendly gatherings to adults-only events.

Craft Breweries

Wyoming's craft brewery scene has grown quickly, with breweries, distilleries and tasting rooms now found in communities big and small. Frontier Brewing Company in Casper offers a self-serve beer wall and regular music nights. Lander Brewing Company is a laid-back stop for creative brews in Lander, while Snake River Brewing in Jackson stands out as a longtime local favorite and Wyoming's oldest brewery. 

Stargazing Out West

After a night out, step outside and look up. With some of the darkest skies in the country, the stars here have a way of stopping people in their tracks. Devils Tower National Monument and Sinks Canyon State Park, Wyoming's first International Dark Sky Park, are two of the best places to take it all in.

More Ways to Be a Maverick 

The Cowboy State has a way of revealing itself as you spend time here. These are a few more places to go and things to do in the Wild West.

Fly Fishing

For anglers, Wyoming has no shortage of exceptional water, but the Miracle Mile on the North Platte River stands in a class of its own. This stretch in Carbon County runs between Seminoe and Pathfinder Reservoirs, about 50 miles southwest of Casper and holds rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout of remarkable size. 

WY Responsibly Tip: The Miracle Mile is an active spawning ground. Avoid walking through trout redds to protect the eggs and the long-term health of the fishery. A Wyoming fishing license is required and can be purchased through the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Historic Trails

Wyoming's historic trails offer more than a look into the past. Today, travelers can follow parts of the Oregon, Mormon Pioneer and Pony Express routes through sweeping plains, rugged passes and landmark sites that bring the story of the West to life on foot.

Scenic Road Trips

With 21 scenic byways cutting through mountains, basins and open country, Wyoming gives road-trippers plenty of reasons to slow down and take the long way. The Bighorn Scenic Byway through the Bighorn Mountains and the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway are two standouts, offering an unmatched mix of wild beauty and Western history.

Whitewater Rafting

A whitewater rafting trip is one of the best ways to experience Wyoming's landscape up close. Some stretches are calm and scenic, while others bring bigger rapids and a more adrenaline-filled ride, with options for both first-timers and experienced rafters. 

WY Responsibly Tip: Check conditions and water levels before heading out, as flows can change quickly by season.

Ready to Roam Out West?

Wyoming is made for mavericks who want to move through the West on their own terms. When you’re ready for the journey to begin, browse our Travel Guide, itineraries and travel resources to start building your off-the-beaten-path adventure.

Start Planning Your WY Adventure

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