Wyoming Vacation Ideas
Wyoming's two fantastic national parks, five national forests, numerous wilderness areas, a dozen state parks and more than 18 million acres of public land is what Wyoming offers to the thrill seeker, the nature lover and everyone in between.
You can hike, backpack, fly-fish, running the Snake River. Try wildlife photography or bird watching, herd cattle, bike in the Snowy Range, climb the Teton's or stargazing in the Red Desert.
Go rock climbing, kayaking, snowboarding, parasailing, hang gliding, windsurfing, jet skiing or caving.
At night Wyoming's sky is a great opportunity to teach yourself and the children about the planets and the night sky. One of my favorite things to do is look for constellations and for just a few dollars you can pick up a star finder. It's not hard to do and it is a lifetime of knowledge and fun for everyone.
I'm still not sure I have covered it all!
The diverse terrain of Wyoming includes plains, foothills and high mountain ranges. Campers have plenty of space to explore in Wyoming.
Within each of these areas are forests, sagebrush flatlands, marshy wetlands, river bottoms and rocky cliffs. Each area has wildlife of its own to be seen readily.
There are fewer than five human residents per square mile, so you don't have to worry about people getting in your way. In fact, while you are camping you're probably more likely to see a deer or antelope than another person.
More than 150 private RV parks offer campers the full scope of services from hot showers to cable TV hookups and swimming pools.
Fishing and Hunting
Wyoming has some of the best fishing in the country; actually Wyoming has an international reputation for trout fishing and world-class big game hunting.
It's 22 species of game fish offer you a quality fishing experience. Unspoiled rivers, crystal lakes and alpine streams are still largely untapped and brimming with trout.
For hunters, a Wyoming hunting experience is a trip of a lifetime. Elk and Mule deer run free throughout Wyoming's wide open spaces. Big game licenses are issued by a lottery system and the nonresident hunter must apply well in advance of the hunting season. Licenses are limited and frequently the demand exceeds the supply.
Wyoming's State Parks
Breathtaking scenery, wildlife and recreational opportunities take center stage here. Swim, boat, wind surf, water ski and fish In park reservoirs
Many parks offer camping, some of them year-round. Biking and hiking nature trails that lead to overlooks and scenic mountain vistas are common. In winter, there's ice fishing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
Visitors might see black bear, red squirrel, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, elk or bison. Bald and golden eagles soar overhead and geese and ducks paddle in the ponds and reservoirs. In fact, Countless bird and animal species call Wyoming's state parks home.
Geology Of Wyoming
In the past three million years an erosive process triggered by a massive uplift of the western part of the North American continent has formed the Wyoming landscape we know.
The uplift caused rivers to establish patterns across flat terrain, eventually speeding up their flow. Soon they became rushing streams, cutting down through layers of soft, sedimentary rock.
These Rivers, assisted by wind, ice and other forces of erosion, eventually began to slowly exhume the harder igneous and metamorphic rock that formed the core of long-buried Rocky Mountain ranges.
Time has carved the canyons and excavated the great basins so familiar today. Table Mountain south of Lander, the Pumpkin Buttes near Gillette, Crowheart Butte east of Dubois and Pilot Butte north of Rock Springs are but a few examples of Wyoming's earlier and higher surface landscape.
If that is not amazing enough Wyoming is home to some of the deepest and longest caves in the United States. Just remember if you go caving on your own treat these areas with respect and safety in mind.
Bear River State Park
The Bear River was named by early trappers because of the number of bears in the area. The river flows through the nearly 300-acre park, providing a home for deer, jack rabbit, beaver, muskrat, bald eagle, geese, ducks, red fox, badger and resident populations of bison and elk among its wetlands, fishing and viewing of wildlife is common.
A footbridge crosses the river and brings visitors to a natural area. The full-service visitor center is open year-round and there is a day-use only park that features bicycle and footpaths as well as several picnic shelters.
In the winter, the three miles of foot trails change cross-country ski trails.
Boysen State Park
The 40,000-acre park is surrounded by the Wind River Indian Reservation.
The park offers both day-use and overnight camping facilities. Water skiing is a popular sport here. The reservoir is warm enough for all water sports and an easily accessible swimming beach is located on the east shore during most of the season.
Concessions and a marina serve the north end of the lake and offer food, bait, boat fuel and fishing licenses.
Boysen Reservoir is well known as one of Wyoming's best walleye and trout fisheries.
In winter, the reservoir has first-rate ice fishing.
Buffalo Bill State Park
Surrounded by fantastic, mountainous scenery, the park offers camping, picnicking, excellent trout fishing and is Wyoming's premier wind surfing reservoir.
A group camping area in the North Fork Campground is a quarter-mile from the Trout Creek Nature Trail.
Seminoe State Park
Giant dunes of white sand, acres of sagebrush are strewn throughout thousands of pronghorn antelope and sage grouse. Seminoe has 180 miles of shoreline and is one of the largest man-made reservoirs in Wyoming.
The moon-like Seminoe Mountains, Seminoe Reservoir and the "Miracle Mile" of the North Platte River is a must see for an angler. The section's nickname is based on its reputation for outstanding trout fishing.
The reservoir is home to both trout and walleye. The park provides facilities for anglers, boaters, picnickers, campers and hikers.
Hot Springs State Park
Built around the world's largest single mineral hot spring, Big Spring pours forth millions of gallons of mineral water every 24 hours at a constant temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
Some of the water is channeled into pools to be cooled and then piped into bathhouses for public use. From another stream, the water flows over enchanting Rainbow Terrace and then spills down into the Big Horn River.
Wildlife
More than 600 species of wildlife inhabit Wyoming. This tremendous abundance and diversity of wild creatures can be attributed to the state's extremely diverse habitat.
Over half of the state's 97,914 square miles is public land and Wyoming is known as one of the few places in the United States where you can see wildlife from all major highways.
Wildflowers
Few places in North America can claim a greater variety of wild blossoms because few places can claim a greater diversity in landform, weather and soils.
Wyoming's plants haven't even been adequately catalogued yet, although three or four generations of botanists have struggled with the task.
So Wyoming advantage is your advantage when it transforms into a majestic garden in summer.
The mountain meadows of the high Rockies are world famous for their stunning wildflowers.
A colorful display of the pasque flower carpets in the foothills or the striking red of the state flower, the Indian Paintbrush is more than you can experience and appreciate in one short vacation.
Depending upon the location, visitors can visit rolling prairies, steppes, deserts, evergreen forests and alpine tundra.
The spectrum of color in the Wyoming landscape is a tribute to the surprising toughness of life on earth, finding its way into every empty nook no matter how uninviting.
Wyoming is more outdoors to handle in one vacation. In fact you can spend years living there and still only experience a portion of this states majesty.
Enjoy your vacation!