Follow the Park-to-Park Highway — a popular early 1900s auto route connecting 12 national parks in the West — to discover road-trip stops too special to ignore, from Wyoming’s lively capital city to quaint small towns that move at a refreshingly slower pace. Drop a line in one of the West’s most renowned fishing destinations, revel in prehistoric and natural wonders, and pick up perfect Wyoming mementos – like cowboy boots and local wine – to remember your journey.
Route Distance:
470 Miles
Suggested Time:
Time Varies
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Climb aboard a custom-built train for a ride out to the middle of the working ranch’s bison herd and bite into the Senator’s Steakhouse’s juicy bison burger, voted the Best Bison Burger in Wyoming by USA Today’s 10Best.
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Linger in rose, herb, wetland, cacti and woodland gardens, admire the tropical plant collection in the stately Grand Conservatory and get an idea of what life was like for early Wyoming settlers in the historic Rotary Century Plazas.
Near Guernsey & Torrington, Wyoming
Tour restored buildings at the largest military post on the northern plains at Fort Laramie National Historic Site, a former 1834 private fur-trading station turned military post to protect trail travelers.
Near Torrington, Wyoming
Table Mountain Vineyards’ “pure Wyoming wine” is concocted from all-local ingredients. Make an appointment to stop in for sips of their semi-sweet raspberry wine or honey wine with cinnamon.
Near Guernsey, Wyoming
Explore historic structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, including a museum located at the top of a cliff that gives way to expansive views of a sparkling reservoir.
Glendo, Wyoming
Sparkling Glendo Reservoir attracts boaters, water skiers, swimmers and anglers. Keep your eyes peeled for teepee rings and other artifacts left by American Indian tribes who once inhabited the area.
Douglas, Wyoming
According to legend, the jackalope was born in Douglas when two brothers mounted a jackrabbit’s body with deer antlers at their taxidermy shop. Pose with the eight-foot statue of the creature at Jackalope Square. Don’t forget to tag #ThatsWY!
Douglas, Wyoming
Discover a 100-foot-long natural rock arch spanning La Prele Creek west of Douglas during the warm-weather months. This oasis has a short trail that leads to a view of the “bridge” from above, as well as picnic tables that offer a break from the road.
Casper, Wyoming
This downtown Casper institution has supplied locals and visitors with boots, hats and other Western essentials since 1919. With more than 10,000 pairs in stock, you’re sure to find the perfect fit.
Near Casper and Alcova, Wyoming
Portions of the North Platte River that flow through the region — including the Miracle Mile system between the Pathfinder and Seminoe dams — abound with brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout. Connect with a local outfitter to boost your chances of reeling in the ultimate catch.
Thermopolis, Wyoming
Hundreds of displays and more than 30 mounted skeletons tell storied tales of Wyoming’s prehistoric past. See the Archaeopteryx specimen — one of only 10 in the world — or opt for a dig-site tour, where you can dig for fossils yourself.
Thermopolis, Wyoming
Travel through time on the Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway in Thermopolis to catch glimpses of Wind River Canyon’s 2,500-foot, pink-hued rock walls, which date back to the Precambrian period, as well as bighorn sheep and other wildlife. Keep an eye out for signage highlighting the canyon’s geology along the way.
Near Ten Sleep, Wyoming
Hit the road with other great itineraries.
Wyoming’s open roads and beautiful scenery make it an ideal state for a road trip.