National Parks in Wyoming is one of the main attractions of the State and attract a lot of visitors. They give glimpses into the natural wonders, the culture, and the history of the land. Wyoming Parks has always been one of the popular National Parks in the United States.

National Parks are the best way to enjoy the scenery and landscape, connecting you well with nature. The best way to enjoy your break from city life’s frantic pace and noise is the mountains, greenery, streams, waterfalls, and wildlife.

Wyoming

Most of Wyoming is in the Rocky Mountains, and because of that, the State is rich in natural beauty. From rich farmlands to majestic peaks of the Grand Teton, scenic drives, Jackson Hole, and the extensive mountain scape, Wyoming is a good place to plan a trip to if you are loo king for a getaway, a holiday, or a romantic weekend. Meander through one of the National Parks in Wyoming and get close to nature. Block the noise of the city life and listen to the sound of the silent canyon walls and mountains, the gurgling sound of the meandering streams, and the birds.

This is the perfect place for those who love national parks, mountains, and nature because some of the most popular National Parks in the United States are in Wyoming. You can also drive to Rapid City in South Dakota from Wyoming to see where the settlement developed.

National Parks in Wyoming

Planning a trip to Wyoming and looking for some adventure, outdoors, nature, scenery, and human history? Hit one of the trails in one of the National Parks in Wyoming and get educated about some American history and the area’s natural beauty.

Wyoming has some magnificent National Parks that will captivate you with their area and diversity, and the best way to enjoy them would be to go on one of the hiking trails.

1. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

The green foothills, the steep canyon walls, and the Bighorn River beckon visitors to the Bighorn Canyon NRA to enjoy nature and the natural spaces around them to the fullest. The Bighorn sheep is one of the giant sheep in North America, and you will also be able to celebrate the colorful wildflowers that grow in the area depending on the season you are visiting. The Visitor Centers here will give adequate information on the activities at this Park.

If you plan to visit some of the National Parks in Wyoming, then the Bighorn Canyon NRA should be on your list. This place’s river, canyon, and lake water will forever be called Bighorn, thanks to the Legend of the Bighorn. Spread over 120,000 acres, the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation will amaze you with its ecosystem, wild animals, and history. Immerse yourself in the area’s natural wonders and get magnificent views of the canyon by going on hiking trails, camping, picnicking, boating, and biking.

The Devil Canyon Overlook is one of the must-see places here, and the 1000 feet tall narrow winding canyon walls will leave you amazed. The Devil Canyon is one of the best places in the Park to see the Bighorn Sheep, one of the most picturesque areas of this National Park. Enjoy the sweeping views of the basin and the river from here.

Located near Lovell, Wyoming, the Horseshoe Bend Marina is open 365 days of the year. The Horseshoe Campground has 68 RV and tent sites. You can picnic, hike, and swim, and the Horseshoe Bend Marina is just a mile from the campground. The Horseshoe Bend Marina is at the Southern end of the Bighorn and in the Bighorn National Recreation Area, 15 minutes East of Lovell, just of Wyoming Highway #37.

2. California National Historic Trail

The California National Historic Trail covers portions of eight states and stretches for an area of 5000 miles. This historic trail was a highway in the 19th century for humans to access the farmlands and gold fields in California. The Native Americans and their culture slowly started getting impacted by this human movement, and 472 miles of this trail are in the State of Wyoming.

Go on hiking trails, biking, camping, and horseback riding to get into the spirit of the place. There are historic museums you can visit and other means of recreation to have an enjoyable experience on this trail, making it one of the must-visit National Parks in Wyoming. Every experience here, the wildlife, hiking trails, horseback riding, Native Americans, history, and culture will give good insights into what propelled America’s Western expansion.

3. Devils Tower National Monument

Devils Tower National Monument means different things to different people; the visitors, rock climbers, local ranchers, and American Indians. Standing 1267 feet above the Belle Fourche River, the Devils Tower National Monument pulls you out from your frantic daily lives. It connects you with that region’s abundant natural resources, culture, and history. The tower, also called the Bears Lodge, will surprise you as it leaps out of the prairie surrounding the Black Hills, and it is considered sacred by the indigenous people and the Northern Plains Indians. Gaze up to the Devils Tower from the Visitor Center and admire the magnitude of this modern-day National Park.

If you want to visit one of the National Parks in Wyoming, the Devils Tower National Monument is a good choice. Get to see the variety of plants and wildlife within the boundaries of this Park, learn about the interesting geology of the Devils Tower, the connection of the Native Americans with the Devils Tower, and marvel at the beauty of the rivers, pine forests, woodlands, grasslands, prairies, and forests that add up to the ecosystem of the Black Hills. The hiking trails here attract many hikers, and rock climbing in the Black Hills is challenging for adventurers.

4. Fossil Butte National Monument

One of the richest fossil localities in the world, Fossil Butte National Monument promotes the protection of this paleontological heritage. A trail here is a good way to get to know more about the area’s history, wildlife, and open spaces. The Fossil Butte National Monument takes you back in time and gives you information about ancient history from an estimated 52 million years ago.

The ancient lake sediments that led to the formation of the primary fossil digs are known as the Green River Formation. The Eocene geological formation records the sedimentation in the intermountain lakes of three basins to the present-day Green River in Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado.

Take the historic Fossil Quarry Trail and learn facts about this 50-million-year-old lake bed, the history preserved in limestone, and the symbiotic relationship between the plants and animals. The Quarry Program at the Fossil Butte National Monument during summer, where visitors can help search for fossils, is an interactive activity. However, the fossils discovered cannot be taken back home. This is a good choice if you want to experience parks in Wyoming.

5. Fort Laramie National Historic Site

This 19th-century trading post was founded as a private fur trading fort located at the confluence of the North Platte River and the Laramie River. The Fort Laramie National Historic Site also evolved as a military post but was abandoned in 1890. Before that, it saw America’s Western expansion. The grounds and historic structures of the Fort Laramie National Historic Site are open all around the year; the Visitor Center is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Fort Laramie National Historic Site can be included in your trip while visiting the National Park in Wyoming. There are a lot of open spaces, ruins, and buildings to explore, and Fort Laramie is part of the early USA settlement, making it even more special and worth visiting.

6. Grand Teton National Park

Located next to Yellowstone National Park, The Grand Teton National Park is beautiful with the old growth of spruce trees, fir trees, Jenny Lake, Mormon Row, Jackson Hole, Signal Mountain, and the Snake River make the Grand Teton National Park incredibly alluring and one of the National Parks in Wyoming to visit. If you are lucky, you will see wildlife on your hiking trails here at the Grand Teton National Park, black bears, grizzly bears, and bison.

Visit Grand Teton National Park and experience the great views of the mountains. Camp, hike, mountain bike, and raft on the Snake River, and enjoy the stunning view of the mountains and the Grand Teton National Park at close quarters. You will get enough information about the Grand Teton National Park from the Visitor Center here, so get in touch with them before planning your trip to the Grand Teton National Park. The iconic Grand Teton Range tells you that there are many exciting things to see at this National Park in Wyoming.

Oxbow Bend is one of the stunning views here. Go on a trail during sunrise or sunset to enjoy the spectacular views of the mountains and the surroundings bathed in sunrays.

7. John D Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway

The John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway connects the Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Teton National Parks in Wyoming. This Memorial parkway will drive you through the Teton Range and other secluded areas. Do not forget to carry your camera while traveling on Memorial Parkway to capture the unconventional landscapes and wildlife.

This is not as massive as Yellowstone or Grand Teton. Still, keeping in mind the acres of land philanthropist John D. Rockefeller gave to National Parks, Congress dedicated 24,000 acres of land between Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park as the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway.

8. Oregon National Historic Trail

The Oregon National Historic Trail gives information about the greatest mass migration between 1840 and 1860. History says around 300,000 to 400,000 travelers used the 2000-mile overland route to reach places in modern-day Utah, Oregon, Washington, and California. This trail is one of the nineteen national historic trails in the United States. The many ways to enjoy the Oregon National Trail are hiking, biking, horseback riding trail segments, and visiting museums. Undertaking this trail is unlike typical hiking trails in a National Park with campgrounds, lodges, or borders.

The terrain is uneven and bumpy, and you might encounter a lot of hazards, unpredictable weather conditions, and obstacles on this trail. If you are looking for adventure and challenges in the National Parks in Wyoming, this trail is an experience.

9. Yellowstone National Park

The Yellowstone National Park is magnificent and marvelous, making it one of the National Parks in Wyoming you must visit if you are in that region. Yellowstone National Park is the world’s first National Park, and there is a lot here for adventurers, so make sure you have enough time reserved while visiting this National Park. The Yellowstone National Park extends to Idaho and Montana, and one of the major attractions of the Yellowstone National Park is the ferocious geysers that make it a geothermal wonder. The vibrant colors of the Old Faithful Geyser and its frequent eruptions form one of the major attractions at Yellowstone National Park.

The massive mountain peaks, hot springs, geysers, wildlife, stretches, and stretches of forest make Yellowstone National Park a unique National Park to explore. Call the Visitor Center at the Yellowstone National Park for information on The Old Faithful Geyser, Grand Canyon, Lamar Valley, and Mammoth Hot Springs. Let your next visit to Yellowstone National Park be one to cherish.

In The End

The above list will give you an idea of how to plan your trip to Wyoming National Parks and enjoy the landscape of the State. Apart from the National Parks, there are other attractions like art museums, amusement parks, historical places, and festivals in Wyoming for visitors to enjoy and make their vacation memorable. The National Park Service helps you know about the National Parks in Wyoming and gives you information about the history of the West. Plan your trip and stay in advance and enjoy Wyoming to the fullest.

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Last Updated on March 30, 2024 by Pragya Chakrapani