Sometimes you just don’t feel like hiking in order to see the natural beauty Wyoming has to offer. Well, you’re in luck. Take the road less traveled, sit back, relax and enjoy the view. The best scenic drives in Wyoming will take you on a truly memorable adventure.
- Beartooth Scenic Byway
Flickr/Mark Goebel Beartooth Scenic Byway is the only National Scenic Byway in Wyoming. Charles Kuralt described this byway as “the most beautiful drive in America.” This two-lane route is the highest paved primary road in Wyoming. The Wyoming section of this drive is 47 miles or about a 1-hour drive and winds through Custer, Shoshone, and Gallatin National Forests and eventually leads up to the Northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park.Pictured is the byway as it winds through the Shoshone National Forest in the Island Lake area. The highest point of the drive is at Beartooth Pass. The scenery along the way includes mountain landscapes, glaciers, and alpine meadows. Beartooth Scenic Byway is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.Read more about it right here.
- Big Horn Scenic Byway
Flickr/Lisa Thao The Big Horn Scenic Byway is a 58-mile paved highway that runs along the crest of the Big Horn Mountains. It stretches from Powder River Basin to the Big Horn Basin. The scenery includes thick forests, meadows, waterfalls, and canyons. The most scenic part is on the western end which is where you will find Shell Creek Canyon and Shell Falls. This 1-hour drive follows US 14.Take a peek at this gorgeous range!
- Bridger Valley Historic Byway
Flickr/Musing & Wandering Bridger Valley Historic Byway is a 20-mile loop around noteworthy historical sites throughout Fort Bridger, Urie, Mountain View and Lyman. It runs from I-80 Exit 34 and then reconnects with the interstate at Exit 48.Take a glimpse back in time.
- Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway
Flickr/Kent Kanouse The Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway starts west of Cody along the border of the Shoshone National Forest and follows the North Fork of the Shoshone River through the Wapiti Valley, then on to the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. The 27-mile paved highway, US 14/16/20, is a minimum of a 45-minute drive. This under-appreciated drive is truly a gem.
- Centennial Scenic Byway
Flickr/Sergi Planas Centennial Scenic Byway stretches from Pinedale to Dubois. The byway is horseshoe-shaped and includes a combination of US 26/287 and US 26/89/191. During this drive, you will see badlands, ranch land, and mountainous ecosystems. If driven straight through, the 163-mile drive usually takes around 4 hours. Check it out!
- Chief Joseph Scenic Byway
Flickr/jodene e Chief Joseph Scenic Byway is named after the Indigenous Chief of the Nez Perce Tribe. The byway links Cody with the Beartooth Highway and Yellowstone National Park by crossing the Shoshone National Forest through the Absaroka Mountains to Clarks Fork Valley and then on to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park. This is a 47-mile paved byway that takes a minimum of 1 hour to drive.This is a wildly popular drive for a reason!
- Cloud Peak Skyway Scenic Byway
Flickr/jodene e Cloud Peak Skyway Scenic Byway is the southernmost route across Bighorn National Forest and into the Big Horn Mountains. This 47-mile stretch, also known as US 16, is a paved 2 lane highway that crests at Powder River Pass. The drive usually takes a minimum of 1 hour.This one may be our favorite.
- Flaming Gorge - Green River Basin Scenic Byway
Flickr/Don Barrett The Flaming Gorge-Green River Basin Scenic Byway runs along the border of Wyoming and Utah. The drive begins just west of Rock Springs and traverses through high desert, rock formations, and mountain peaks. The 100-mile drive takes about 3 hours.You’ll want to spend plenty of time exploring the area, too.
- Snowy Range Scenic Byway
Flickr/Mark Goebel The Snowy Range Scenic Byway is located in the southern portion of Wyoming. The route crosses the Medicine Bow Mountain Range. If driving straight through, the drive takes about 1 hour.The scenery will make you want to get out and look!
- Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM The Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway begins in Shoshone at milepost 100, follows US 20N through Wind River Canyon and Wind River Reservation, and ends up north of Thermopolis at milepost 134. Along the way, you will notice the yellow and red rock of the Owl Creek Mountains, the Boysen Reservoir, rock walls, the Wind River, and maybe even some mountain sheep. The layers of rock are also marked with interpretive signage. Allow for about 40 minutes to take the drive.The Wind River Canyon is truly a wonder.
- Star Valley Scenic Byway
Flickr/Jared Smith Star Valley Scenic Byway is an 80-mile stretch of US 89 located in Lincoln County that passes through Salt Canyon, Salt River Pass, and ends at the Lincoln County line in Snake River Canyon. The scenery along the way includes wilderness, rivers, wildlife, and snow-capped mountain peaks.Learn a little more about this whole valley region here.
- Battle Pass Scenic Byway
Flickr/Mark Goebel Battle Pass Scenic Byway is a 57-mile paved stretch of Highway 70 that runs westward from Encampment, through the Medicine Bow National Forest and crosses over the Sierra Madre Mountains where it drops into Savery, Dixon, and Baggs. The Byway was named after a battle fought between a group of fur trappers and Native Americans.Learn more about this historic pass!
For other scenic drives in Wyoming, check out Take These 8 Country Roads In Wyoming For An Unforgettable Scenic Drive.
Flickr/Mark Goebel
Beartooth Scenic Byway is the only National Scenic Byway in Wyoming. Charles Kuralt described this byway as “the most beautiful drive in America.” This two-lane route is the highest paved primary road in Wyoming. The Wyoming section of this drive is 47 miles or about a 1-hour drive and winds through Custer, Shoshone, and Gallatin National Forests and eventually leads up to the Northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park.Pictured is the byway as it winds through the Shoshone National Forest in the Island Lake area. The highest point of the drive is at Beartooth Pass. The scenery along the way includes mountain landscapes, glaciers, and alpine meadows. Beartooth Scenic Byway is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.Read more about it right here.
Flickr/Lisa Thao
The Big Horn Scenic Byway is a 58-mile paved highway that runs along the crest of the Big Horn Mountains. It stretches from Powder River Basin to the Big Horn Basin. The scenery includes thick forests, meadows, waterfalls, and canyons. The most scenic part is on the western end which is where you will find Shell Creek Canyon and Shell Falls. This 1-hour drive follows US 14.Take a peek at this gorgeous range!
Flickr/Musing & Wandering
Bridger Valley Historic Byway is a 20-mile loop around noteworthy historical sites throughout Fort Bridger, Urie, Mountain View and Lyman. It runs from I-80 Exit 34 and then reconnects with the interstate at Exit 48.Take a glimpse back in time.
Flickr/Kent Kanouse
The Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway starts west of Cody along the border of the Shoshone National Forest and follows the North Fork of the Shoshone River through the Wapiti Valley, then on to the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. The 27-mile paved highway, US 14/16/20, is a minimum of a 45-minute drive. This under-appreciated drive is truly a gem.
Flickr/Sergi Planas
Centennial Scenic Byway stretches from Pinedale to Dubois. The byway is horseshoe-shaped and includes a combination of US 26/287 and US 26/89/191. During this drive, you will see badlands, ranch land, and mountainous ecosystems. If driven straight through, the 163-mile drive usually takes around 4 hours. Check it out!
Flickr/jodene e
Chief Joseph Scenic Byway is named after the Indigenous Chief of the Nez Perce Tribe. The byway links Cody with the Beartooth Highway and Yellowstone National Park by crossing the Shoshone National Forest through the Absaroka Mountains to Clarks Fork Valley and then on to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park. This is a 47-mile paved byway that takes a minimum of 1 hour to drive.This is a wildly popular drive for a reason!
Cloud Peak Skyway Scenic Byway is the southernmost route across Bighorn National Forest and into the Big Horn Mountains. This 47-mile stretch, also known as US 16, is a paved 2 lane highway that crests at Powder River Pass. The drive usually takes a minimum of 1 hour.This one may be our favorite.
Flickr/Don Barrett
The Flaming Gorge-Green River Basin Scenic Byway runs along the border of Wyoming and Utah. The drive begins just west of Rock Springs and traverses through high desert, rock formations, and mountain peaks. The 100-mile drive takes about 3 hours.You’ll want to spend plenty of time exploring the area, too.
The Snowy Range Scenic Byway is located in the southern portion of Wyoming. The route crosses the Medicine Bow Mountain Range. If driving straight through, the drive takes about 1 hour.The scenery will make you want to get out and look!
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
The Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway begins in Shoshone at milepost 100, follows US 20N through Wind River Canyon and Wind River Reservation, and ends up north of Thermopolis at milepost 134. Along the way, you will notice the yellow and red rock of the Owl Creek Mountains, the Boysen Reservoir, rock walls, the Wind River, and maybe even some mountain sheep. The layers of rock are also marked with interpretive signage. Allow for about 40 minutes to take the drive.The Wind River Canyon is truly a wonder.
Flickr/Jared Smith
Star Valley Scenic Byway is an 80-mile stretch of US 89 located in Lincoln County that passes through Salt Canyon, Salt River Pass, and ends at the Lincoln County line in Snake River Canyon. The scenery along the way includes wilderness, rivers, wildlife, and snow-capped mountain peaks.Learn a little more about this whole valley region here.
Battle Pass Scenic Byway is a 57-mile paved stretch of Highway 70 that runs westward from Encampment, through the Medicine Bow National Forest and crosses over the Sierra Madre Mountains where it drops into Savery, Dixon, and Baggs. The Byway was named after a battle fought between a group of fur trappers and Native Americans.Learn more about this historic pass!
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Address: Beartooth Highway, Wyoming, USAAddress: Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming 82834, USAAddress: Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway, N Fork Hwy, Cody, WY 82414, USAAddress: Wyoming 296, WY-296, Wyoming, USAAddress: Cloud Peak, Wyoming 82834, USAAddress: Wind River, Wyoming 82443, USAAddress: Wyoming 70, WY-70, Encampment, WY, USAAddress: Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Wyoming, USAAddress: Pinedale, WY 82941, USAAddress: Snowy Range Road, Snowy Range Rd, Laramie, WY, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
best scenic drives in Wyoming July 02, 2021 Kim Magaraci What stereotypes are there about Wyoming? If you haven’t spent much time in the Rockies or high mountain prairie, chances are you’ve got some preconceived notions about life on the range! Wyoming does have to answer to a lot of stereotypes, though, like how the wind will knock you off your feet (true) and how everyone rides horses to school (false). Is Wyoming a great place to live? Wyoming is a wonderful place to live if you’re seeing solitude and cooler weather. Summer isn’t particularly hot here, but our winter snows make for world-class skiing. Nature lovers fall for Wyoming’s parks, trails, mountains, and lakes. Families enjoy living here thanks to the peaceful, quiet, and rural small towns. What are the most scenic towns in Wyoming? Jackson is the obvious choice - as much as it has become a tourist destination, it’s truly unlike any other spot in the world! Some quieter scenic towns include Pinedale, Lander, and Centennial - in the Snowy Range.
The OIYS Visitor Center
best scenic drives in Wyoming
July 02, 2021
Kim Magaraci
What stereotypes are there about Wyoming? If you haven’t spent much time in the Rockies or high mountain prairie, chances are you’ve got some preconceived notions about life on the range! Wyoming does have to answer to a lot of stereotypes, though, like how the wind will knock you off your feet (true) and how everyone rides horses to school (false). Is Wyoming a great place to live? Wyoming is a wonderful place to live if you’re seeing solitude and cooler weather. Summer isn’t particularly hot here, but our winter snows make for world-class skiing. Nature lovers fall for Wyoming’s parks, trails, mountains, and lakes. Families enjoy living here thanks to the peaceful, quiet, and rural small towns. What are the most scenic towns in Wyoming? Jackson is the obvious choice - as much as it has become a tourist destination, it’s truly unlike any other spot in the world! Some quieter scenic towns include Pinedale, Lander, and Centennial - in the Snowy Range.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
If you haven’t spent much time in the Rockies or high mountain prairie, chances are you’ve got some preconceived notions about life on the range! Wyoming does have to answer to a lot of stereotypes, though, like how the wind will knock you off your feet (true) and how everyone rides horses to school (false).
Is Wyoming a great place to live?
Wyoming is a wonderful place to live if you’re seeing solitude and cooler weather. Summer isn’t particularly hot here, but our winter snows make for world-class skiing. Nature lovers fall for Wyoming’s parks, trails, mountains, and lakes. Families enjoy living here thanks to the peaceful, quiet, and rural small towns.
What are the most scenic towns in Wyoming?
Jackson is the obvious choice - as much as it has become a tourist destination, it’s truly unlike any other spot in the world! Some quieter scenic towns include Pinedale, Lander, and Centennial - in the Snowy Range.
