Some of the best things to see in Wyoming are virtually untouched by man. Yellowstone National Park’s 2.2 million acres encompass some of the country’s most rugged outdoor areas, and most visitors rank a visit to Old Faithful––which rockets water up to 185 feet in the air every 91 minutes––at the top of their list of things to do. From Inspiration Point, a natural rock formation that juts out into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, guests take in top-notch views of multi-hued rocks formed by lava and carved by glaciers beginning some 590,000 years ago. Of course, guests should always be on the lookout for wildlife such as bears, wolves, bison, and elk while traversing the park’s more than 1,100 miles of hiking trails, which range from easy to strenuous.
The mountains at Grand Teton National Park ripple across an open sky, but its picturesque peaks aren’t the only attraction here. At the base of the Tetons, just west of the photo-worthy Jenny Lake, visitors find the rushing waters of Hidden Falls, where the 80-foot cascade can be accessed on foot or by shuttle boat. Summertime also draws many to Snake River and its gently flowing waters, which are perfect for both tubing and fishing. As for the rest of the park, the list of things to do—climbing, swimming, canoeing, biking, camping, wildlife-watching—is seemingly endless.
For a taste of civilization, many check into Jackson, where antler arches lead visitors into the town square. There they’ll find shops, restaurants, and the Snake River Brewing Co., where they can sample fresh lagers and pale ales. Of course, there are still outdoorsy things to do, including skiing at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and watching for the largest elk herd in the world at the National Elk Refuge.
