Wyoming boasts some of the most iconic natural Landmarks in Western United States, ranging from spectacular mountains and vistas to the deep and rugged valleys, and the mile-long trails sprawled around the region. Landmarks in Wyoming immerse visitors in the natural wonders the Western region is heavily blessed with.
Just like other western states in the US, Wyoming monuments also symbolize the great history of the native Americans who settled in different parts of the region many years ago. The monuments in Wyoming are just as impressive as they are inspiring.
Here are some of the famous landmarks in Wyoming you should plan on visiting when you book that trip to the ‘Cowboy State’.
Most Famous Landmark In Wyoming
Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone
The beautiful Grand Prismatic Spring is considered the most famous landmark in Wyoming thanks to its spectacular features that leave visitors in deep wonder about nature.
The hot spring wears a vibrant rainbow color that circles its deep blue water. It is about 360 feet in diameter, and as shallow as the water looks from above, it is actually over 160 feet deep.
The hot spring is the largest in the United States and the third-largest in the world.
Cody, Wyoming Landmarks
Buffalo Bill Centre of The West
Buffalo Bill Centre of the West is a commemorative Museum dedicated to preserving the legacy of Col. William ‘Buffalo Bill’ Cody and the rich history of the American West.
The center is home to five world-class museums including the Buffalo Bill Museum, the Whitney Western Art Museum, the Plains Indians Museum, the Cody Firearms Museum, and the Draper Natural History Museum. These museums all have artifacts and arts that are a significant part of the history of the American West.
There is also a research library that contains historical books that tell stories of Western American evolution.
Stampede Park
Cody is where the minds of rodeo lovers first go when they hear of rodeo events, as it is considered the Rodeo Capital of the world.
The town is home to Stampede Park, where most of the biggest rodeo events are held, including Stampede Rodeo, which is held every Fourth of July weekend and is the biggest in the world.
This exciting landmark in Wyoming bustles with life any time of the year and there are other smaller rodeo events hosted there like the Cody Nite Rodeo which happens throughout the nights of June, July, and August.
Old Town Trail
Located on the road to Yellowstone National Park, Old Town Trail is one of the most attractive Western landmarks in Wyoming. In 1960, Archaeologist Bob W. Edgar began the creation of the Old Town Trail. This is a ghost town made up of authentic buildings from the 1890s.
With the intention of preserving them, Bob Edgar created the Trail by relocating old buildings from different locations. Among the collection of vintage buildings are cabins, a store, and a livery stable.
The entire area is littered with horse-drawn wagons which give the town a convincing Western appearance.
Cheyenne, Wyoming Landmarks
Wyoming State Capitol
The State Capitol is the most significant landmark in Wyoming. The beautiful building houses the legislative and administrative offices in the state including the office of the Governor of Wyoming.
It features impressive architecture that will interest visitors who are not already familiar with the place. Built between 1886 to 1889, the building serves as a symbol that Cheyenne is the capital of Wyoming.
The most interesting feature outside the building is the bronze bison statue on the east lawn, which is the work of Dan Ostermiller, a native of the state.
Gannett Peak
Covering over 2.5 million acres, Shoshone National Forest is home to several Wyoming landmarks. The most notable is Gannett Peak, the tallest mountain in Wyoming.
Located in the southern section of the forest, Gannett Peak is an experience on its own. It offers mile-long trails for hikers and plenty of peaks where visitors can take worthy pictures of the forests, towering mountains, and glaciers.
The forest is home to wildlife including geese, elks, and bears. There are also safe campgrounds, in case visitors intend to embrace the raw nature of Wyoming.
Cheyenne Frontier Days Old Museum
Cheyenne Frontier Days Old Museum was established in 1978 for the purpose of preserving and telling important stories in the history of Cheyenne through exhibits.
Being the capital of Wyoming, Cheyenne plays a significant role in the history of the state. Visitors can expect an interesting, long tour through the very large collection of exhibits, which encompasses classic western horse carriages, wagons, cool rodeo equipment, historic photographs, and a video screening room.
It is no wonder that the museum is considered the largest outdoor rodeo and celebration in the world. This is one of the destinations that Wyoming is most known for.
Cheyenne Depot Museum
Cheyenne Depot Museum is a National Historic Museum dedicated to the early days and construction of the Pacific Railroad. Located in the town of Cheyenne, the museum is housed in what used to be the largest station on the railroad west of Council Bluffs, Iowa.
You can take a guided tour to better understand the significance of the site as they glance through photographs and exhibits lined up across the museum.
Jackson, Wyoming Landmarks
Jackson Town Square, Jackson
This square is a historic Wyoming landmark located in the small town of Jackson. The square is an impeccable replica of the Wild West and has been featured in numerous western films.
The Town Square, also known as George Washington Memorial Park, features buildings and stores that offer visitors a worthwhile Wild West experience.
The park’s best feature is the elk-antler arches that are mounted at every corner of the area. Visitors are promised a fun-filled and educative tour of the square as they learn firsthand about Western culture and its intriguing peculiarities.
National Elk Refuge
National Elk Refuge is a top destination for wildlife observers. Covering over 25,000 acres of the entire Hole Jackson Valley, National Elk Refuge is home to the largest elk herd in the United States.
With over 7,500 elks migrating to the refuge every year, wildlife lovers are guaranteed to see the animals any time of the year.
Another fun activity to enjoy at the refuge is sleigh riding. There is a Visitor Center on site where guided tours are given to educate visitors about the herd, their behavior, and the pattern of migration.
This is arguably the only elk refuge amongst all the landmarks in Wyoming.
Casper, Wyoming Landmarks
National Historic Trails Interpretive Centre
National Historic Trails Interpretive Center is an impressive Wyoming landmark, rich with knowledge about the four of the most famous trails that were significant in the westward expansion of the 1800s.
The four trails which the museum is dedicated to educating visitors about are The California Trail, The Mormon Pioneer Trail, The Oregon Trail, and The Pony Express Trail.
The museum incorporates several methods through which they can precisely show visitors what the pioneers experienced during their expeditions. It features interactive exhibits, multimedia programs, and presentations that tell the stories of those who traveled along the trails, as well as other western trails.
Fort Caspar Museum
Fort Caspar Museum is a recreation of the military outpost erected in the town of Caspar in 1859. The museum was built with the aim of showing what the life and experiences of the soldiers in the fort were like.
The museum contains reconstructed buildings, artifacts, and exhibits that were present in the fort between 1863 and 1865. Visiting families are guaranteed to have a good time here. There are guided tours that take visitors through the history and key moments of the military outpost.
Natural Landmarks In Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park
Lower Yellowstone Falls
Lower Yellowstone Falls is one of the most iconic Wyoming landmarks tugged in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, stretching about 39 km, is the third longest canyon in the United States. This makes it one of the most rugged natural landmarks in Wyoming.
It comes as no surprise that the thundering Lower Yellowstone Falls is the largest waterfall by volume in the Rocky Mountains. The waterfall is a natural beauty to behold as it is where the river falls into the canyon.
Yellowstone Lake
Yellowstone Lake is a nature-inspiring Wyoming landmark located at Yellowstone National Park. The lake covers136 square miles (352 sq km) and is considered the largest lake above 7,000 feet in North America. The body of water is home to marine life which includes an incredible number of different fish species.
It is also a popular destination for fishing and boating. The trails that stretch around the lake offer plenty of adventures to hikers. At the top of the mountain, you get a spectacular view of the Yellowstone National Park and its surroundings.
Old Faithful
Old Faithful is one of the most famous natural sites, popular for having several landmarks in Wyoming.
The most prominent on the site is the Old Faithful geyser, which is known for its consistent eruption. It erupts every 44-120 minutes, a phenomenal regularity that makes it a top natural attraction in Wyoming. The assurance of it erupting during a visit is almost hundred percent.
There are also other interesting attractions in Old Faithful. These include historic buildings such as Old Faithful Lodge, Old Faithful Museum, and Old Faithful Inn — the second-largest log hotel in the world.
Other Landmarks In Wyoming
Devil’s Tower National Monument, Devil’s Tower
Devil’s Tower National Monument is one of the most iconic monuments in the world, as its picturesque figure has been featured in plenty of movies and works of art.
The butte stands at 86 ft. In 1960, it became the first national monument registered in the United States, commissioned by president Theodore Roosevelt.
This is one of the few Wyoming monuments that is also considered a sacred place by the natives.
Independence Rock State Historic Site, Natrona County
Independence Rock is an important Wyoming landmark that is connected to over 50,000 travelers who traveled along the Oregon Trail. The rock stands about 130 feet high, 1900 feet long and 850 feet wide.
Pioneering explorers used the giant granite rock as a resting spot during their expeditions.
Nicknamed the Register of the Desert, the rock served as an indicator to later travelers that a particular bandwagon had passed the trail. They achieve this by their names on the rock.
Grand Teton Mountain, Teton County
Grand Teton National Park, the youngest range in the Rocky Mountains, is home to the Grand Teton Mountain. This famous Wyoming landmark is the highest peak in the range.
The national park connects to Yellowstone National Park through the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial. It features wildlife and spectacular mountain vistas that pull an impressive three million visitors to the site a year.
Outdoor activities to enjoy at the park include hiking, rafting, and climbing.
Wind River Hotel and Casino, Wolf Place
The Wind River Hotel and Casino is arguably the best feature of the Wind River Indian reservation. This is the fifth most populated US reservation native to the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes.
The reservation, seventh-largest in the US by area, is home to several top attractions and restaurants that make visitors’ time well worth it.
The Wind River Hotel has the only casino in the entire state of Wyoming. This makes it a top Wyoming landmark for tourists who seek the pleasure of gambling a few dollars.
It also features the Northern Arapaho Experience Room, where visitors can learn about the history, customs, and culture of the local tribes. The reservation pulls visitors to have first-hand experience in an Indian reservation.
Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark, Lovell
Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark is a mysterious Wyoming monument in the Bighorn mountains. The iconic monument is made of limestone.
The landmark is so unique that it has been subject to rigorous scientific inquiry. It is also considered a sacred location by natives.
The Local Crow tribes who arrived in the area in 1400, claim that the monument existed before their arrival, which further makes the origin of the landmark a hard mystery to crack.
The uniqueness of the location is mightily responsible for drawing curious visitors to the site, making it one of the most attractive monuments in Wyoming.
Discovering Famous Monuments And Landmarks In Wyoming
A time in Wyoming is a time well spent. There are just a few states or regions that have natural features as imposing as the landmarks in Wyoming. The cultural activities are also energetic and fun-filled: the Stampede Rodeo, for example.
Whether it is your longing for nature or your interest in the American West, Wyoming landmarks and monuments answer all those needs. Your experience as a tourist here will definitely create a lasting memory.
PIN THESE LANDMARKS IN WYOMING FOR LATER!
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