There are so many fascinating attractions in Wyoming! While it’s easy to find popular tourist destinations – and they’re all worth a visit – sometimes it’s worth peeking off the beaten path. These 8 hidden gems in Wyoming showcase some of the coolest little-known places and secret spots in the Cowboy State.
- Wyoming Dinosaur Center
Flickr/Ben Townsend Much of Wyoming was once under water, and our prehistoric past has left quite an impression. In the Green River Formation, thousands of aquatic fossils remain. In the northern part of the state, dozens of dinos have been found by paleontologists! In fact, Wyoming has more fossils than most other states. You can get a glimpse of Wyoming’s past at places like the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite and Fossil Butte, but to see the whole picture, visit the Wyoming Dinosaur Center. At the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, located in Thermopolis, you will see full-size skeletons along with the actual process of restoring the fossils. There are also active dig sites nearby, and you can even head out on a dig for the day! Learn more about it here.
- Devils Tower National Monument
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn Devils Tower National Monument is located in northeast Wyoming in Crook County. This natural wonder is a flat-topped volcanic formation surrounded by hiking trails. You can even climb the tower by stepping on the cracks to help work your way to the top - but you’ll need a guide to help you ascend. This gem might not be very hidden, but there are some facts that are not as well-known about this natural tower. This was the United States’ first national monument. It was also used in the filming of Steven Spielberg’s “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” Learn more about it here.
- Cody Stampede Rodeo
Facebook/Buffalo Bill Cody Stampede Rodeo The Stampede Rodeo, located in Cody, offers a nightly rodeo with traditional rodeo barrel racing, lassoing cattle, bucking horses, and bull riding. It’s a lot of fun for the whole family, and it’s one of the many events that make a trip to Cody worthwhile! This town truly keeps the Wild West spirit alive. Learn more about it here.
- Vedauwoo
Flickr/Bryce Bradford Vedauwoo is located between Laramie and Cheyenne, near the itty bitty town of Buford - Population: 1. You will find giant boulders and amazing rock formations here, and you can camp, hike, or have a picnic. This is a fun place to get in some rock climbing with challenges at all grades. Learn more about it here.
- Gros Ventre River Ranch
Flickr/Ranch Seeker This little gem just happens to be a dude ranch located along the Gros Ventre River. You can enjoy horseback riding, fly fishing, hiking, whitewater rafting, historic cabins, and delicious food. A stay here is all-inclusive, which means you won’t have to plan a thing!Learn more about it here.
- Intermittent Spring
Flickr/James St. John Intermittent Spring is found near the mountains that are to the east of Afton. This is a rare geological feature where the spring stops flowing at regular intervals for minutes at a time - almost like a faucet, the waterfall turns on and off! Learn more about it here.
- Fremont Canyon
Flickr/Jeremy Thies Fremont Canyon is located in Alcova, Wyoming. Boaters can travel through the canyon and climbers can tackle the vertical rock walls that tower on both sides of the river. Learn more about it here.
- South Pass
Flickr/npatterson You may actually find a very valuable gem here. South Pass City was a popular spot for gold miners back in the 1800s, and today, it’s a ghost town. The town isn’t completely abandoned, though - some residents still live here, and they keep the South Pass State Historic Site open for visitors. This city is unique in that it offers the not-so-common experience of panning for gold. Learn more about it here.
What are your favorite hidden gems in Wyoming? Let us know right here!
Flickr/Ben Townsend
Much of Wyoming was once under water, and our prehistoric past has left quite an impression. In the Green River Formation, thousands of aquatic fossils remain. In the northern part of the state, dozens of dinos have been found by paleontologists! In fact, Wyoming has more fossils than most other states. You can get a glimpse of Wyoming’s past at places like the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite and Fossil Butte, but to see the whole picture, visit the Wyoming Dinosaur Center. At the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, located in Thermopolis, you will see full-size skeletons along with the actual process of restoring the fossils. There are also active dig sites nearby, and you can even head out on a dig for the day! Learn more about it here.
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
Devils Tower National Monument is located in northeast Wyoming in Crook County. This natural wonder is a flat-topped volcanic formation surrounded by hiking trails. You can even climb the tower by stepping on the cracks to help work your way to the top - but you’ll need a guide to help you ascend. This gem might not be very hidden, but there are some facts that are not as well-known about this natural tower. This was the United States’ first national monument. It was also used in the filming of Steven Spielberg’s “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” Learn more about it here.
Facebook/Buffalo Bill Cody Stampede Rodeo
The Stampede Rodeo, located in Cody, offers a nightly rodeo with traditional rodeo barrel racing, lassoing cattle, bucking horses, and bull riding. It’s a lot of fun for the whole family, and it’s one of the many events that make a trip to Cody worthwhile! This town truly keeps the Wild West spirit alive. Learn more about it here.
Flickr/Bryce Bradford
Vedauwoo is located between Laramie and Cheyenne, near the itty bitty town of Buford - Population: 1. You will find giant boulders and amazing rock formations here, and you can camp, hike, or have a picnic. This is a fun place to get in some rock climbing with challenges at all grades. Learn more about it here.
Flickr/Ranch Seeker
This little gem just happens to be a dude ranch located along the Gros Ventre River. You can enjoy horseback riding, fly fishing, hiking, whitewater rafting, historic cabins, and delicious food. A stay here is all-inclusive, which means you won’t have to plan a thing!Learn more about it here.
Flickr/James St. John
Intermittent Spring is found near the mountains that are to the east of Afton. This is a rare geological feature where the spring stops flowing at regular intervals for minutes at a time - almost like a faucet, the waterfall turns on and off! Learn more about it here.
Flickr/Jeremy Thies
Fremont Canyon is located in Alcova, Wyoming. Boaters can travel through the canyon and climbers can tackle the vertical rock walls that tower on both sides of the river. Learn more about it here.
Flickr/npatterson
You may actually find a very valuable gem here. South Pass City was a popular spot for gold miners back in the 1800s, and today, it’s a ghost town. The town isn’t completely abandoned, though - some residents still live here, and they keep the South Pass State Historic Site open for visitors. This city is unique in that it offers the not-so-common experience of panning for gold. Learn more about it here.
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Address: Cody Night Rodeo, 519 W Yellowstone Ave, Cody, WY 82414, USAAddress: Vedauwoo Glen Road, Vedauwoo Glen Rd, Wyoming, USAAddress: South Pass City, WY 82520, USAAddress: Wyoming Dinosaur Center, 110 Carter Ranch Rd, Thermopolis, WY 82443, USAAddress: Gros Ventre River Ranch, 9750 E. Upper, Gros Ventre Rd, Kelly, WY 83011, USAAddress: Fremont Canyon, Wyoming 82620, USAAddress: Periodic Spring Trail, Wyoming 83110, USAAddress: Devils Tower, WY 82714, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
hidden gems in Wyoming July 02, 2021 Kim Magaraci What are the most well-known parks in Wyoming? Wyoming is home to two of the country’s most visited national parks! Yellowstone National Park was actually the first of its kind, and millions of visitors come to see the geysers, hot springs, and wildlife. Just south of Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park draws in hikers and climbers for some truly memorable outdoor adventures. What are the most unique towns in Wyoming? Two of Wyoming’s most unique towns - Thermopolis and Kemmerer - are the dinosaur capitals of the Cowboy State! These little towns boast some of the coolest hidden gems in Wyoming. In Kemmerer, you’ll find Fossil Butte and the Fossil Quarry. In Thermopolis, the Wyoming Dinosaur Center is a world-class prehistoric museum. What are the oldest attractions in Wyoming? One of the first “roadside attractions” of the West is here in Wyoming! Ayres Natural Bridge was a stop on the Oregon Trail, and Wagon Trails often rested for a bit here while they took in the natural beauty of this unique rock formation.
The OIYS Visitor Center
hidden gems in Wyoming
July 02, 2021
Kim Magaraci
What are the most well-known parks in Wyoming? Wyoming is home to two of the country’s most visited national parks! Yellowstone National Park was actually the first of its kind, and millions of visitors come to see the geysers, hot springs, and wildlife. Just south of Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park draws in hikers and climbers for some truly memorable outdoor adventures. What are the most unique towns in Wyoming? Two of Wyoming’s most unique towns - Thermopolis and Kemmerer - are the dinosaur capitals of the Cowboy State! These little towns boast some of the coolest hidden gems in Wyoming. In Kemmerer, you’ll find Fossil Butte and the Fossil Quarry. In Thermopolis, the Wyoming Dinosaur Center is a world-class prehistoric museum. What are the oldest attractions in Wyoming? One of the first “roadside attractions” of the West is here in Wyoming! Ayres Natural Bridge was a stop on the Oregon Trail, and Wagon Trails often rested for a bit here while they took in the natural beauty of this unique rock formation.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
What are the most unique towns in Wyoming? Two of Wyoming’s most unique towns - Thermopolis and Kemmerer - are the dinosaur capitals of the Cowboy State! These little towns boast some of the coolest hidden gems in Wyoming. In Kemmerer, you’ll find Fossil Butte and the Fossil Quarry. In Thermopolis, the Wyoming Dinosaur Center is a world-class prehistoric museum.
What are the oldest attractions in Wyoming? One of the first “roadside attractions” of the West is here in Wyoming! Ayres Natural Bridge was a stop on the Oregon Trail, and Wagon Trails often rested for a bit here while they took in the natural beauty of this unique rock formation.
