Be informed. Be smart. Be prepared.

Keep your distance, keep them wild

Wyoming wildlife is plentiful and powerful. Always follow these wildlife-viewing rules to keep yourself — and all wildlife — as safe as possible.

WYResponsibly: How to Safely View Wyoming Wildlife

Together, we can keep Wyoming wild and free. As the least populated state with the most room for adventure, we recognize the responsibility to be mindful stewards for our land, animals, culture and communities.

1. Keep your distance.

• For the safety of Wyoming wildlife and visitors, please keep your distance from all animals, not just those that seem scary to you. 
• It’s recommended to stay at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves and at least 25 yards away from all other wildlife.

2. Respect their home.

• Respect wildlife habitats by not altering campsites, trails or developed recreation sites.
• Be aware of seasonal closures in place for wildlife protection. Make sure you follow leash regulations and pick up after your pets.

3. Keep them wild.

• Prevent WY animals from becoming reliant on humans by never feeding wildlife. Feeding wildlife — even in harsh winter conditions — puts their health and safety at risk.
• Store food properly by keeping it in a locked vehicle with windows rolled up, hard-sided camper, bear canister or bear box.
• Dispose all food in a trash bag, and take your garbage with you when you leave.

4. Stay mindful of our impacts.

• Always remember to leave no trace, refrain from disturbing the land, and treat wildlife with respect.
• Humans have the power to greatly affect the natural world around them, so be sure to consider responsible travel and be a positive impact on our environment.

Be Adventure-Ready

Wyoming’s wide-open spaces make for epic camping and hiking. Before you set out, here are a few things to keep in mind while enjoying our Wyoming parks, wildlife and public lands.

1. Plan ahead.

Make camping reservations early for reservable sites, and be flexible with plans. If a parking lot is full, be ready to seek different trails and lesser-known experiences.

2. Keep it clean.

Be prepared to not have access to trash cans or restrooms, especially when recreating in national forests. Bring your own garbage bags and take all trash with you when you leave, including pet waste. The snow might cover it in the winter, but that doesn’t mean it won’t surface in the spring.

3. Set for the season.

Respect WY fire bans in place, choose a campsite with pre-existing fire rings whenever possible and never leave your fire unattended. Make sure you have plenty of water available to put out your fire; you’ll need to completely extinguish it at night and before you leave camp. Learn more.

Explore like a Local

There’s nothing quite like the big Western hospitality of smalltown Wyoming. So don’t just pass through. Here are a few ways to slow down, dig in and experience all the charm of the true frontier.

1. Shop small.

Support Wyoming communities and sustainable travel by choosing locally owned businesses when shopping, dining and exploring the state. Visit lesser-known areas to discover something new while giving heavily-trafficked areas a break and showing smaller communities more love. Learn more.

2. Have a plan.

Do your research and make sure you have a plan B. Be prepared for spotty cell service and Wi-Fi by having maps and back-up plans ready. Understand what type of land you plan to recreate on, as amenities and regulations vary from national parks to national forests and other types of WY public lands. Learn more.

3. Drive safely.

Always observe posted speed limits, and use pullouts to watch wildlife, take pictures and let other cars pass. Keep in mind that gas and service stops might be few and far between, so fill up when you can.

Also, winter storms can develop quickly. Before hitting the road, check weather conditions along your route and make sure your vehicle is in proper working order.