Wyoming Road Trips: 9 Epic Drives Through The Cowboy State
Discover Wyoming's most breathtaking drives through mountains, parks, and historic trails for an unforgettable adventure.
Wyoming’s vast landscapes offer some of America’s most rewarding road trips, blending rugged mountains, geothermal wonders, and pioneer history. These routes showcase the state’s scenic byways, national parks, and remote wilderness areas, perfect for adventurers seeking fresh air and stunning vistas. Whether you’re chasing wildlife or tracing historic paths, these drives deliver unforgettable experiences.
Why Road Tripping in Wyoming Stands Out
With over 70,000 square miles of open space, Wyoming invites drivers to explore at their own pace. Official scenic byways highlight diverse terrain, from alpine passes to desert canyons, often linking iconic sites like Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Summer brings wildflowers and clear skies, while fall offers golden aspens and fewer crowds. Expect variable weather, so pack layers and check road conditions via Wyoming DOT resources.
- Best time: June to September for accessibility.
- Essentials: Full tank, spare tire, bear spray, offline maps.
- Wildlife hotspots: Bison, elk, pronghorn along most routes.
1. Beartooth Scenic Byway: Highway to the Clouds
This high-altitude marvel climbs from Red Lodge, Montana, into Wyoming’s Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, topping out at 10,947 feet near Beartooth Pass. The 68-mile stretch twists through glacial lakes, tundra, and sheer cliffs, feeling like a journey to another planet. It’s a gateway to Yellowstone’s northeast entrance, with pullouts for photography and short hikes.
Key attractions include Pilot Peak viewpoint and the stark beauty of Island Lake. Wildlife like marmots and pikas thrive here. Drive time: 3 hours one-way, but plan stops. Open late May to October due to snow.
Planning Table
| Stop | Distance from Start | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Beartooth Pass | 20 miles | Panoramic alpine views |
| Island Lake | 35 miles | Crystal-clear hiking lake |
| Cooke City | 68 miles | Access to Yellowstone |
2. Bighorn Scenic Byway: Canyon Carving and Peaks
Stretching 47 miles along US-14 from Burgess Junction to Shell, this route dives through Bighorn National Forest’s dramatic canyons and climbs to Powder River Pass at 9,666 feet. Shell Falls, a 120-foot waterfall, is a must-see, with boardwalks and a visitor center explaining the area’s geology.
Expect meadows bursting with lupine and paintbrush, plus chances to spot mule deer and eagles. Connect it with Cloud Peak Skyway for a longer loop. The drive reveals Wyoming’s transition from forested slopes to arid basins.
3. Chief Joseph Scenic Byway: Historic Paths and Wildlife
Named for the Nez Perce leader who led his people through here in 1877, this 47-mile road (WY-296) winds from US-212 near Cooke City to WY-120 south of Yellowstone. It traverses Sunlight Basin’s golden meadows and the Absaroka Mountains, offering prime grizzly and moose viewing in Shoshone National Forest.
Highlights include Dead Indian Summit’s overlook and easy trails to petrified forests. It’s less crowded than park roads, ideal for a peaceful drive with picnic spots.
4. Cloud Peak Skyway: Summit of the Bighorns
US-16 from Ten Sleep to Buffalo covers 47 miles of Bighorn splendor, ascending to Granite Pass at 9,953 feet. Ten Sleep Canyon kicks off with red rock walls and the historic town’s Western vibe, leading to vast subalpine lakes in the Cloud Peak Wilderness.
Stop at Hunter Trailhead for hikes or spot bighorn sheep on cliffs. This byway exemplifies Wyoming’s raw mountain beauty, with wildflowers in July.
5. Medicine Wheel Passage: Sacred Sites and Basins
The 27-mile US-14A route near Lovell connects Bighorn Basin to the mountains, passing the Medicine Wheel—a 800-year-old Native American stone circle atop Medicine Mountain at 9,642 feet. Interpretive signs detail its astronomical significance to tribes like the Crow and Shoshone.
Views stretch to the Absarokas; pair with Bighorn Scenic Byway. Permits required for the wheel access road.
6. Oregon Trail Scenic Byway: Echoes of Pioneers
Follow US-26 for 57 miles from Guernsey to the Nebraska line, tracing wagon ruts from the 1800s. Register Cliffs and Oregon Trail Ruts State Historic Site let you walk in emigrants’ footsteps, while Fort Laramie offers restored barracks and stories of frontier life.
This flat, eastern route contrasts Wyoming’s west, with pronghorn grazing on sagebrush plains.
7. South Bighorn/Red Wall Back Country Byway: Ranchland Rambles
A rugged 101-mile dirt/gravel path (BLM-managed) from Casper explores pioneer trails, Hole-in-the-Wall gang hideout, and Hell’s Half Acre’s badlands. Used by modern ranchers, it’s for high-clearance vehicles, revealing remote red rock canyons and fossil beds.
Camping abounds; check seasonal closures.
8. Flaming Gorge-Green River Basin Scenic Byway: Desert Drama
This 160-mile All-American Road (US-191) splits around Green River, showcasing Flaming Gorge’s fiery canyons, the reservoir’s blue waters, and high-desert vistas. Boat ramps, fishing, and overlooks like Firehole Canyon dot the route.
It’s a water sports haven amid arid expanses.
9. Centennial Scenic Byway: Parks and Passes
The longest at 163 miles (US-191/26 from Pinedale to Dubois), it crosses the Continental Divide twice, threading Bridger-Teton and Shoshone Forests en route to Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Jackson Hole’s elk refuge and dining add urban flair.
Hiking at Brooks Lake and wildlife at Togwotee Pass are highlights.
Custom Multi-Day Itineraries
Combine routes for deeper exploration. A 7-day loop: Start in Cody (Buffalo Bill Center), Chief Joseph to Yellowstone (Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic), Grand Teton via Centennial, Bighorns, end in Sheridan. Total ~800 miles.
- Day 1-2: Cody to Yellowstone.
- Day 3-4: Grand Teton/Jackson.
- Day 5-6: Bighorn Byways.
- Day 7: Return via Oregon Trail.
Essential Road Trip Tips
Gas stations sparse—fill up often. National park entry: $35/vehicle. Camp in forests (free dispersed sites) or lodges. Watch for bison jams in Yellowstone. Download Wyoming 511 app for alerts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the most scenic Wyoming drive?
Beartooth Scenic Byway for its extreme altitudes and lakes.
Are these roads open year-round?
No; most byways close in winter snow. Check TravelWyoming.com.
Best for families?
Oregon Trail Byway—easy access, history without hikes.
RV-friendly routes?
Avoid back country; stick to Centennial or Flaming Gorge.
Wildlife safety?
Maintain 100 yards from bears/wolves, 25 from bison. Carry spray.
Preserving Wyoming’s Roads
Leave No Trace: Pack out trash, stay on trails. Support local via outfitters in Cody, Jackson. These drives sustain tourism economies while protecting fragile ecosystems.
References
- Things to Do in Wyoming: Travel the Scenic Byways — Travel Wyoming. 2023. https://travelwyoming.com/places-to-go/destinations/scenic-byways/
- 17 Stops on a Wyoming and South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary — Reconnect with Travel. 2023. https://reconnectwithtravel.com/17-stops-on-a-wyoming-and-south-dakota-road-trip-itinerary/
- The Ultimate Mid/Northwest Road Trip Through SD, WY, MT — Our MC Travels. 2022-01-14. https://ourmctravels.com/2022/01/14/__trashed/
- An Epic 7-Day Road Trip Itinerary Through Wyoming — The Curious Creature. 2017-10-23. https://www.thecuriouscreature.com/2017/10/23/road-trip-itinerary-through-wyoming/
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