What makes Wyoming the perfect destination for family vacations? It offers so many of the things families love to do together, from exploring the great outdoors to embracing the joys of simple Western living and getting away from the frantic pace of modern life. Wyoming has a rich tapestry of family activities and kid-friendly attractions at every time of year. Even those spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime, bucket-list items are easy to add to your dream Wyoming family vacation itinerary.
Here are some of our favorite family-friendly things to do in Wyoming.
Experience the Wonder of Wyoming’s National Parks
For adventurous families, Wyoming is blessed with two spectacular national parks: Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Both are massive, offering over 4,000 square miles of pristine wilderness to wander. Explore incredible paths and scenic drives among mountains, valleys and landscapes that must be seen to be believed. Introduce your kids to the awe-inspiring natural wonders of our amazing state for a memory they’ll carry with them forever.
Witnessing the striking display of Old Faithful, the otherworldly colors of the Grand Prismatic Spring, the epic scale of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and the majesty of the Teton range are experiences that are never forgotten. Just think of how memorable it will be to visit these incredible sites with your family at your side. Plus, our two national parks are just 31 miles apart, meaning you can easily add both to your kid-friendly vacation itinerary.
For children between the ages of 5 and 12, Yellowstone and Grand Teton both offer Junior Ranger Programs. These fun and educational programs encourage young participants to experience the natural wonders of the national parks and learn about their roles in preserving them for future generations. Kids who complete a self-guided booklet are made Junior Rangers and are eligible to receive a special commemorative badge, adding another layer of fun to their trip.
Need help planning your national park itineraries? Start with our Top 12 Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park or Top Things to Do in the Tetons.
Discover the Wonder of Our Wildlife
Got an aspiring junior zoologist in your pack? Wyoming is the ideal destination for wildlife viewing as a family, boasting more than 100 mammal species and 400 species of birds. Our wide-open spaces and protected lands make Wyoming a refuge for a fascinating menagerie of wild creatures. The very best way to experience our abundant wildlife is by booking a guided tour. Wyoming’s expert guides can bring you to the best wildlife viewing spots and help impart crucial information. Your kids can learn about our amazing ecosystems and enjoy an even more enriching experience.
Keep your energetic kids entertained by encouraging them to take photos of the animals they see from a safe distance. This is a fun way to spark their creativity and help them channel their energy. Who knows? Maybe they’ll develop into the next Joe Riis or Ansell Adams.
Of course, it’s important to note that you are guests in their habitat and these animals are wild. Treat all animals with a safe degree of caution and the utmost respect. While they look cute, they can be quite dangerous if you get too close. For safety reasons, you should stay at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves and at least 25 yards from elk, bison and other wildlife. Keep your kiddos safe and ensure you have an experience to remember – for all the right reasons. Take a look at our Wyoming wildlife safety tips to make sure you’re prepared for any animals you may encounter.
Dip into Rejuvenating Hot Springs
For centuries, Wyoming’s natural hot springs have attracted people to their healing mineral waters. Enjoy a soak with the whole family by taking a dip while surrounded by the peace and scenery of one of Wyoming’s great state parks. You can do just that at Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis, where more than 1.8 million gallons of water flows every 24 hours at a constant temperature of 128 degrees Fahrenheit. Special therapeutic pools, where mineral water is kept at a comfortable 104 degrees, are amazing for soothing tired muscles and helping you say goodbye to stress — the perfect antidote to the frenzy of some vacation experiences.
And it’s not just the mineral water that attracts families to Hot Springs State Park. There are also great places to enjoy amazing views from the suspension bridge over the Bighorn River, plenty of opportunities to explore over six miles of accessible hiking trails and places to catch incredible views of our famous bison – the proud state mammal of Wyoming.
Steamy hot springs can be found throughout Wyoming, and several are open to visitors year-round. Read about eight of our most popular Wyoming hot springs and start planning your soothing soak.
Play Among the Stars
For nature-loving families, our vast landscape offers incredible opportunities to get away from the bright lights of big cities and see the night sky as it appeared before the advent of artificial light. That’s becoming a rarer event all the time, so take advantage of being able to do it together as a family. Wyoming features some of the best stargazing in the world. You have so many great spots to target as your sky-watching home base.
Head to Devils Tower National Monument — America’s first national monument, long considered sacred by the Northern Plains Indians — for an incredible view of the stars framing this impressive silhouette. The National Park Service offers a Night Sky Viewing program to encourage visitors to enjoy the majesty of “the park after dark” at Devils Tower. Their ideal locations for night sky viewing include Joyner Ridge Parking Lot and Trail, located near the Devils Tower Visitor Center, and the Circle of Sacred Smoke Sculpture and Picnic Area. Both of these spots offer unforgettable views of Devils Tower and the captivating night sky.
Or head to Sinks Canyon State Park, which was recently named the first International Dark Sky Park in Wyoming. Located in a deep canyon, the park offers an escape from light pollution, so visitors can view a dazzling celestial show, complete with twinkling stars, vibrant planets and perhaps even the elusive Northern Lights. Whether you join a guided astronomy tour or take your own path, you’re sure to be amazed by the majesty of the night sky.
Live the Cowboy Life at a Dude Ranch
Looking for a unique, all-inclusive family adventure? A dude ranch vacation includes the best of both worlds: exciting outdoor activities and comfortable modern lodging. Saddle up for a horseback ride, try your hand at roping or simply relax by the campfire. Dude ranch vacations offer your kids the chance to step away from the hustle and bustle of modern life and learn to appreciate the joys of simple Western living. If your bucket list includes times spent reliving the Old West with your posse, a dude ranch is the place for you.
We’ve got fantastic dude ranches scattered across the Cowboy State, many of which are kid-friendly. Take Vee Bar Guest Ranch in Laramie, which offers horseback riding, cattle drives, camping-out, river tubing, stream fishing and a stocked pond, hay wagon rides, trap shooting and hiking. A dude ranch vacation is the ideal way to unplug and connect with nature. Your kids will love learning about horses, cows, and the Old West way of life.
Year-Round Family Activities
Every season brings new ways to create unforgettable family activities in Wyoming. In the winter, you can ride sleighs through the frozen landscape, go snowshoeing or even try your best “mush!” with a dogsledding excursion. The longer, milder days of spring offer chances to catch trout, score birdies on the golf course. Rainy spring days are practically made for museums. Summer opens up aquatic adventures — either by river raft or paddling a canoe or kayak. It’s also rodeo season, a favorite activity in Wyoming for generations. Fall is the time to witness the golden glow of aspen trees on scenic byway drives or explore the amazing history of dinosaurs in Wyoming with a fascinating fossil dig.
No matter what time of year you plan to visit Wyoming, you’ll find plenty of experiences for the whole family.
Plan Your Perfect Family Vacation in Wyoming
Start crafting the Wyoming bucket list family vacation you’ve been dreaming about. Quite a few of our favorite kid-friendly attractions are completely free.
Explore together and get outside for memories that will stay with you long after you leave. Your adventure awaits.
