Wyoming: A Vacation Guide



GENERAL INFORMATION The capital of Wyoming is Cheyenne, located in the lower SE corner of the state. The population of Wyoming is roughly 350,000, making it the least populated state in the nation. Over ten times that number of tourists visit Wyoming each year, making tourism one of the state's main industries. Wyoming is nicknamed the "Cowboy State." Wyoming is home to the world's first national park, Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872; the first national monument, Devils Tower; and the first national forest, Shoshone. With 97,914 sq. miles, Wyoming is the ninth largest state. Wyoming was the first state to grant women the right to vote, earning Wyoming yet another nickname, "The Equality State." Agriculture and mining are important economic industries in modern day Wyoming. The state bird is the Meadowlark, the state flower is the Indian Paintbrush, the state mammal is the bison, the state tree is the Plains Cottonwood, and the state gem is Jade. What is now Wyoming came to the attention of the world in the 1800s, as western pioneers trekked across the area on their quest for what awaited beyond the prairie's and the mountains. Prior to that time, Native Americans called the area home. Some of the more famous trails that were blazed across Wyoming were the Oregon Trail (1843-45), the Mormon Trail (1847), the Bridger Trail (1864), the Texas Trail (1876-1897), the Overland Stage route and the original Pony Express route. Rumors of a very mysterious wonderland (Yellowstone) also helped bring notice to the area, as did the beautiful but harsh Jackson Hole Valley. Wyoming became the 44th state on July 10, 1890. The state's economy has historically centered on ranching and farming, with mining and logging playing a large role as well. The rugged landscape and harsh winters have kept the population low, while at the same time beckoning millions of visitors each year. Indeed, today Wyoming is heavily dependent upon the tourism industry. Wyoming has the second highest mean elevation in the United States at 6100 feet above sea level. The climate is semiarid, but the topography ensures climate diversity. Average annual precipitation ranges from 5-45 inches per year. Summer temperatures can range between 85-95şF and nights are usually cool. Winter temperatures can be frigid, with lows below 0°F quite commonplace. The winter visitor should come prepared. Back to Top

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Yellowstone is the world's first and most famous National Park. Located in the northwest corner of the state, Yellowstone is world-renowned for its wildlife, geysers, backcountry and blue-ribbon trout streams. Take an online tour of Yellowstone and book your Yellowstone reservations by clicking here.

GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK Located 50 miles south of Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park was established in 1929. Known for lofty peaks and pristine lakes, the Tetons tower 13,770 feet above sea level. Grand Teton stands nearly unrivaled in terms of scenic beauty. For more information, click here.

DEVIL'S TOWER NATIONAL MONUMENT Located in the northeast corner of Wyoming, the nearly vertical monolith known as Devils Tower rises 1,267 feet above the meandering Belle Fourche River, the remnant of an ancient volcanic feature. Devil's Tower seemingly appears out of nowhere on the plains. For more information, click here.

STATE PARKS AND OTHER NATIONAL AREAS Bear River State Park Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area Boysen Lake State Park Buffalo Bill State Park Conner Battlefield State Historic Site Curt Gowdy State Park Edness K. Wilkins State Park Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area Fort Bridger State Park Fort Fetterman State Historic Site Fort Laramie National Historic Site Fort Phil Kearney State Historic Site Fort Steel State Historic Site Fossil Butte National Monument Glendo Lake State Park Guernsey Lake State Park Hawk Springs Recreational Area Hot Springs State Park Indepedence Rock State Historic Site John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway Keyhole Lake State Park Seminoe Lake State Park Sinks Canyon State Park South Pass City State Historic Site Trail End State Historic Site Back to Top

SUMMER EVENTS Many of Wyoming's notable summer tourist events are rodeos or events otherwise related to Cowboys. Below is a listing of events broken down by months: JUNE -- Jackalope Days (Douglas), Frontier Festival (Cody), Days of '49 (Greybull), Hulett Rodeo (Hulett), Chili Cook-Off (Evanston), Chugwater Chili Cook-Off (Chugwater), Wood Choppers Jamboree (Encampment), Indian Days (Fr. Washakie), Mustang Days Celebration (Lovell), Ft. Fetterman Days (Douglas), Black Powder Rendezvous (Laramie) JULY -- 4th of July Fireworks (many towns), Cody Stampede Rodeo (Cody), Pioneer Days (Lander), Parade and Rodeo Night (Afton), 4th of July Celebration (Laramie), Legend of Rawhide Re-enactment (Lusk), Fossil Fest (Kemmerer), Oyster Ridge Music Festival (Kemmerer), Flaming Gorge Days (Green River), Mountain Artist's Fest Rendezvous (Jackson), Grand Teton Music Festival (Teton Village), Lamarie Jubilee Days (Lamarie), Green River Rendevous (Pinedale), Sheridan Rodeo (Sheridan), Saratoga Craft Fair (Saratoga), Memorial Youth Rodeo (Sundance), Medicine Bow Days (Medicine Bow), Wright Roundup and Rodeo (Wright), Homesteader Days (Powell), Cheyenne Frontier Days (Cheyenne), Old Timers Rodeo (Gillette), Red Desert Rodeo (Rock Springs) AUGUST-- Central Wyoming Fair (Casper), Platte County Fair (Wheatland), Gift of the Waters Pageant (Thermopolis), Carbon County Fair (Rawlins), Goshen County Fair (Torrington), Keyhole Expo (Moorcroft), Fair and Rodeo and Klondike Rush (Buffalo), Wind River Rendezvous (Dubois), Grand Targhee Music Festival (Jackson), Wyoming State Fair (Douglas), Apple Festival (Lander) SEPTEMBER -- One Shot Antelope Hunt (Lander), Cowboy Days Rodeo (Evanston), Fort Bridger Rendezvous (Ft. Bridger), Labor Day Rodeo (Meeteese), Cowboy Allweather 1000 (Cheyenne), Jackson Fall Arts Festival (Jackson) Back to Top


For More Information About Wyoming, Visit The Wyoming Companion Website

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Last modified: August 19, 2006
Š 1997-2004 by Bruce Gourley