How to experience Wyoming in 2025
New lodging properties, outdoor recreation and more ways to
explore have arrived to the Cowboy State
Jan. 14, 2025 – Cheyenne, Wyo. – A new year brings new opportunities for adventure. Experience the spirit of the West with an unforgettable journey through Wyoming where breathtaking landscapes, rich history and genuine Western experiences await. Below, uncover new ways to explore the last true bastion of the West.
What’s New
Sundance, WY
New to Wyoming’s Northeast corner, Sundance White Ranch Park recreation area offers 100+ acres of exploration for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors and their furry friends can choose from five different hiking and biking trails set against the beautiful Sundance Mountain.
Laramie
Calling all mountain bikers — Laramie is a “must” for 2025. Four new biking trails have arrived at Pilot Hill Recreation Area and more will be added throughout the year. The recreation area will also gain a full trailhead area, with ample parking, gathering spaces, restrooms and a bike tool station. Conveniently, Fast Haus Ski and Bike in Laramie recently started offering mountain bike rentals for both kids and adults.
Evanston
Originating from Salt Lake City, Utah, Shades Brewing has announced the opening of a new location in Evanston, WY, at the historic Historic Roundhouse and Railyards complex, expected to open in Spring 2025. The new pub will offer its beer on tap, kegs to go and an open container zone for guests to enjoy drinks outdoors. Guests can also enjoy delicious food, ample parking, easy access to local events and the charm of a beautiful historic site.
Gillette
The Frontier Auto Museum in Gillette will unveil its Neon Park in mid-summer 2025, offering a unique lodging experience. The park will feature a vintage gas station decorated with neon signs and classic memorabilia available for overnight stays. Guests can also stay in restored vintage campers, including a 1950s semi-trailer and a 1920s school bus, all remodeled for modern comfort. Original Wyoming neon signs, including iconic pieces from the historic Lincoln Highway, will be on display. Overnight guests will receive complimentary museum admission.
Wapiti
Relax and unwind with a unique yoga and meditation experience in mountainside glass dome lodges at Pure Heart Retreat near Cody. This transformative, healing retreat near the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park invites guests to explore new wellness experiences throughout the summer. New programs and events will be posted to Pure Heart’s website as they develop.
Casper
Wyoming’s first Hyatt Place is slated to open mid-2025 in the state’s second-largest city: Casper. Conveniently located near major highways and less than 10 minutes from downtown, the new Hyatt Place is a perfect overnight option for all types of travelers. The hotel will offer guests a selection of spacious rooms and services such as a fitness center, swimming pool, a full-service bar and 24-hour dining.
Sheridan
For the first time this winter, skiers under 18 years old can ski for free during the 2024-2025 season at Antelope Butte Mountain Recreation Area in Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains. Visitors staying in or passing through Sheridan can fuel up at new dining options: Ice Haus Eatery, a go-to for exceptional dining, coffee and drinks, and the French-inspired Le Rêve Restaurant and Raw Bar.
What’s Notable
Pinedale, WY
Winter enthusiasts can revel in the Pinedale Winter Carnival, a multi-day extravaganza held February 7-9. This lively event features skijoring competitions, a snow sculpture contest, a chili cook-off, a Cardboard Classic sledding race and more. Visitors can also attend winter festivals in several other towns across Wyoming.
Lovell
Summer visitors to Lovell can explore the wonders of Bighorn Canyon with scenic boat tours, hiking, and wild horse viewing. In Powell, the Interpretive Agriculture Tours offer a fascinating glimpse into the region’s agricultural heritage. These guided tours showcase local farms and ranches, highlighting innovative practices, sustainable methods and the rich history of agriculture in the Bighorn Basin.
Powell
2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the closing of Heart Mountain Japanese Internment Camp. The Heart Mountain Interpretive Center, a Smithsonian affiliate, offers powerful exhibits on the camp’s history. Visitors can also participate in onsite Japanese Cultural Workshops, such as learning about the historical significance of sake, and tour a recently revitalized original root cellar.
Thermopolis
Families seeking a fun road trip adventure can visit the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis and visit an active dig site to uncover fossils. Walk along the boardwalk atop colorful hot spring terraces and soak in the onsite mineral-bearing pools at Hot Springs State Park.
Lander
South of Thermopolis in Lander, travelers can explore the wonders of Sinks Canyon State Park. View the wonders of “The Sinks,” a fascinating phenomenon where the Popo Agie River vanishes into a limestone cavern, then reappears at “The Rise” hours later.
Evanston
The annual Ceili at the Roundhouse Celtic Festival returns to Evanston‘s Historic Roundhouse and Railyards complex on March 21-22. This vibrant event features traditional music, lively dancing, captivating storytelling and hands-on workshops. Enjoy authentic food, browse unique crafts and experience the rich heritage of the Celtic nations.
Rock Springs
Also in the southwest corner of the state, adventure seekers can surf the sand dunes at the Killpecker Sand Dunes, one of the world’s only active dunes, and enjoy unmatched stargazing overnight at the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area.
Rawlins
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Wyoming Frontier Prison Museum is a must-experience for visitors traveling to Rawlins. Explore the actual cells and discover the spine-tingling tales of the 19th-century Wyoming State Penitentiary. Guided tours offer insights into the lives of inmates, including notorious Western outlaws, and the evolution of the penal system.
Pine Bluffs
Whiskey enthusiasts can indulge in a tasting at Pine Bluffs Distilling, and witness the excitement of the 7th Annual Corgi Derby on May 3, 2025. This unique event features Corgi and mixed-breed races, food trucks and delicious beverages from the distillery. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their finest Derby attire and cheer on their favorite pint-sized competitors.
Torrington
Torrington, a hidden gem radiating Western charm, features The Bread Doctor bakery, a town staple owned and operated by an emergency room doctor who started the business for his daughter with disabilities. Down the road, Table Mountain Vineyards offers samplings of their wines made from cold-climate grapes and, in the fall, enjoy a corn maze, pumpkin patch and other family-friendly activities at Ellis’ Harvest Home.
Buffalo
In Buffalo, visitors can saddle up for an authentic Western adventure at the TA Ranch. This historic ranch offers horseback riding, cattle drives and a chance to experience life as a modern-day cowboy. In town, step back in time at the Historic Occidental Hotel, a beautifully preserved landmark that once hosted Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Its saloon, with its original back bar and ornate decorations, offers a glimpse into the town’s colorful past. The “Ox” enters its 145th year of business in 2025.
Sundance
During the summer, visitors to Sundance can immerse themselves in the town’s Wild West history with the “Sip n Walk” tour. Enjoy an ice-cold drink during a walking tour showcasing Sundance’s historical landmarks, paired with costumed reenactors who share the tales of outlaws, pioneers and the town’s namesake, the Sundance Kid.
Devils Tower National Monument
Last but not least, adventure seekers can climb Devils Tower National Monument through local guide services. Visitors seeking a laid-back opportunity to explore this iconic landmark can enjoy accessible trails around the tower’s perimeter. Looking forward to 2026, Devils Tower will mark 120 years as the first national monument.
Additional photos to follow