A Wyoming vacation exemplifies the state's moniker, "Forever West." Despite being America's ninth-biggest state, Wyoming has the smallest population of any state, with fewer than 600,000 residents as of 2008. This makes for a desirable vacation destination if you truly want to escape the fast pace of urban life. Vast tracts of public land invite exploration and adventure, while museums and other cultural attractions interpret the land and its people, both past and present.
No Wyoming vacation would be complete without a visit to Yellowstone National Park, the nation's first national park, situated in the northwest corner of the state. Just south of Yellowstone lies the state's other national park, Grand Teton National Park, where visitors can revel in the majesty of the dramatic Teton Range. Wyoming is also home to two national monuments--Devils Tower National Monument in the northeast and Fossil Butte National Monument in the southwest.
With its abundance of public land, Wyoming's top tourist activities include such outdoor adventures as whitewater rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, skiing, snowshoeing, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and fishing, to mention a few. For every adventure listed, you can find qualified commercial guide services available for hire around the state should you lack the skills or proper training to pursue the activity successfully or safely on your own.
The Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne provides an overview of Wyoming history, while nearly every town and city in the state has a museum detailing that area's local history. Wyoming has an incredible prehistoric past that visitors can explore at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis and the Paleontological Museum in Glenrock, among others. Archaeological sites open to the public include the Legend Rock Petroglyph Site and Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site.
With the Bucking Horse and Rider registered as the state's trademark, it's no wonder that rodeos are one of the top forms of entertainment for Wyoming tourists and residents alike. Every night from June 1 through Aug. 31, the city of Cody hosts the professional Cody Nite Rodeo. The Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, known as "The Daddy of Em All," happens at the end of July and includes concerts by famous artists.
Despite its sparse population, Wyoming offers visitor amenities appropriate for every budget or lifestyle. Lodging options range from hundreds of campgrounds and RV parks to luxury hotels and bed and breakfasts. Larger Wyoming cities, such as Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie and Jackson, feature a diversity of dining options, while smaller places commonly serve standard American-diner fare. Relaxation options include soaking in free hot springs in Thermopolis or enjoying a massage or spa treatment from numerous providers.
