Where Wyoming Wanders

The whole guide, in words

Every place on the map, town by town — each with the note we'd give you across the kitchen counter. Wyo Stays is a licensed Wyoming brokerage; we live here.

Beyond Sheridan — Big Trips & Road-Trip Stops

Sheridan sits almost exactly halfway between Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore, right on I-90. Base here, skip the gateway-town prices, and day-trip in every direction — see the full road-trip guide.

• CodyGateway Town

  148 mi · ~3 hr (over the Bighorns via Greybull)

  The east gateway to Yellowstone (53 mi from the East Entrance) and home of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West — a Smithsonian Affiliate with five museums under one roof. Nightly summer rodeo, the historic Irma Hotel, and one of America's great scenic drives into the park. A perfect long-day trip from Sheridan, or the far end of a Bighorns loop. Base with us and skip Cody's peak-season room rates.

  Do Cody + Yellowstone as day trips from a Wyo Stays cabin — better value, fewer crowds.

• Jackson HoleGateway Town

  ~335 mi · ~5.5–6 hr (via Wind River Canyon & Dubois)

  The south gateway to Grand Teton and Yellowstone — world-class, and priced like it. Most travelers don't realize Sheridan is the crowd-free, half-the-price side of the same mountains. Great as the far anchor of a grand Wyoming loop; the drive down through Wind River Canyon is a stunner. Position Sheridan as the smarter first or last stop.

  Bookend a Teton trip with Sheridan — same Wyoming, none of the Jackson markup.

• UcrossGateway Town

  28 mi · ~30 min (SE on US-14/16)

  A 20,000-acre working ranch and one of the most respected artist residencies in the country. The public Big Red Barn gallery (1882, on the National Register) is free year-round, and the Ucross Café pours espresso and fresh pastries under enormous skies. A quietly extraordinary, only-locals-know-it half-day at the confluence of three creeks.

  A 30-minute drive to world-class art in the middle of a cattle ranch — pure Wyo Stays territory.

• ClearmontGateway Town

  35 mi · ~40 min (SE on US-14/16)

  Tiny ranch-country town on the Powder River road, gateway to Ucross and the wide-open eastern half of Sheridan County. The kind of place you drive to for the drive — big skies, cottonwoods, and not another car for miles. Pair it with Ucross for a slow backroads afternoon.

  The quiet side of the county, 40 minutes out — and you'll have it to yourself.

• BeulahGateway Town

  ~130 mi · ~2 hr (I-90 E toward the Black Hills)

  Wyoming's easternmost town and the gateway to the Black Hills — home of the Vore Buffalo Jump, a natural sinkhole where tribes drove bison from ~1500–1800 A.D., holding the bones of an estimated 20,000 buffalo. The Buffalo Jump Saloon serves grass-fed bison, and Sand Creek is a blue-ribbon trout fishery. The perfect break on the run to Devils Tower, Spearfish, or Mount Rushmore.

  On the road to the Black Hills? Start from Sheridan and hit Devils Tower + the Vore Jump on the way.

• Mount Rushmore National MemorialBig Day Trip

  ~250 mi · ~4 hr

  The face of America, ~4 hours east through the Black Hills. Sheridan is almost exactly halfway between Rushmore and Yellowstone — which is the whole point: do both from one Wyoming basecamp. Best as an overnight loop with Custer State Park, Crazy Horse, and Deadwood; doable as a very long day for the determined.

  Rushmore one direction, Yellowstone the other — Sheridan is the hinge of the Great American West road trip.

• Crazy Horse MemorialBig Day Trip

  ~255 mi · ~4.25 hr

  The largest mountain carving in the world, still in progress, honoring Lakota leader Crazy Horse. Pairs naturally with Mount Rushmore on a Black Hills overnight from Sheridan.

  Add it to a Black Hills loop out of your Sheridan basecamp.

• Custer State ParkBig Day Trip

  ~230 mi · ~3.75 hr

  71,000 acres of granite spires, the famous Wildlife Loop with free-roaming bison, and the white-knuckle Needles Highway. The best of the Black Hills in one park — anchor an overnight around it.

  The Black Hills wildlife loop, from a Wyo Stays basecamp.

• DeadwoodBig Day Trip

  ~150 mi · ~2.5 hr

  The Wild West town of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane — gold-rush history, saloons, and gaming, only 2.5 hours east. An easy add-on to a Devils Tower or Spearfish day.

  Wild West by day, back to the quiet of the Bighorns by night.

• Spearfish Canyon & WaterfallsBig Day Trip

  ~120 mi · ~2 hr

  A jaw-dropping limestone canyon with roadside waterfalls (Bridal Veil, Roughlock) and blazing fall color — the prettiest 2-hour drive to a day trip you can make east of here. Easy stops the whole family can do.

  Chase waterfalls in the Black Hills and be home for dinner.

• Badlands National ParkBig Day Trip

  ~290 mi · ~4.5 hr

  A surreal moonscape of striped spires and prairie, ~4.5 hours east — best paired with Wall Drug and a Black Hills overnight rather than a single day. Stunning at sunrise and sunset.

  Part of the great eastern loop from your Sheridan base.

• Wall DrugBig Day Trip

  ~275 mi · ~4.25 hr

  The world's most famous roadside stop — free ice water since 1931, a 5-cent coffee, jackalopes, and endless kitsch at the doorstep of the Badlands. Pure Americana and a guaranteed kid-pleaser on a Badlands run.

  The classic Great Plains road trip — start rested in Sheridan.

• Yellowstone National Park (East / Cody entrance)Big Day Trip

  ~200 mi · ~4 hr to the East Entrance (via Cody)

  The big one. The East Entrance via Cody is one of the most scenic approaches in the system. Doable as a long day to the Lamar Valley/NE via Beartooth, but far better as an overnight — and Sheridan is the crowd-free, better-value place everyone else drives past on the way. Ask us about routing over the Bighorns and through Cody.

  Yellowstone without Yellowstone prices — base in the Bighorns and drive in.

• Beartooth Highway (US-212)Big Day Trip

  ~180 mi · ~3.5 hr to Red Lodge

  Called the most beautiful drive in America — a switchbacking climb to nearly 11,000 feet on the way to Yellowstone's NE entrance. Open summer only (roughly late May–early Oct). An epic full-day drive-and-return, or the scenic route into the park.

  Take the most beautiful road in America into Yellowstone — from a Sheridan basecamp.

• Thermopolis Hot Springs (Hot Springs State Park)Big Day Trip

  ~150 mi · ~2.5 hr (via Ten Sleep & the Bighorn Basin)

  The world's largest mineral hot spring, with a FREE state bathhouse — soak for nothing in the middle of Wyoming. Add the Wyoming Dinosaur Center and the drive down through Ten Sleep Canyon and it's a superb, underrated day trip. Deeply relaxing after a few days on the trails.

  Soak in the world's largest hot spring for free, then home to the Bighorns.

• Ten Sleep & Ten Sleep CanyonBig Day Trip

  ~90 mi · ~2 hr (over the Bighorns on US-16)

  A world-class rock-climbing destination and a charming small town on the far side of the Bighorns via the Cloud Peak Skyway. Ten Sleep Brewing and the canyon drive make it a perfect loop-back day over the mountains.

  Loop the Bighorns: up the Skyway, down into Ten Sleep, home by dark.

• Old Faithful & Upper Geyser BasinBig Day Trip

  ~265 mi · ~5 hr one way

  The most famous geyser on earth sits in a basin packed with more geysers and hot springs, all connected by boardwalks. Eruptions are posted at the visitor center, so plan your walk around the next predicted time. Most park roads close to regular vehicles from early November to late April, so this one is a spring-through-fall trip.

  Make it the anchor of a two-day Yellowstone loop, then come home to the Bighorns.

• Grand Prismatic Spring & Midway Geyser BasinBig Day Trip

  ~270 mi · ~5 hr one way

  The biggest hot spring in the park glows in rings of orange, yellow and blue, and a boardwalk at Midway Geyser Basin gets you close to the steam. For the postcard view from above, hike the short Grand Prismatic Overlook trail, which starts near the Fairy Falls trailhead. Go early or late to beat the crowds; the colors read best on a sunny day.

  Pair it with Old Faithful on the same day and plan a night on the road.

• Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: Artist Point & Lower FallsBig Day Trip

  ~240 mi · ~4.5 hr one way

  Artist Point is the classic view down the golden canyon to Lower Falls, and the Lower Falls themselves are a short drive or walk from the rim trails. Plan a couple of hours for the overlooks on both rims. Most park roads are closed to regular vehicles from early November to late April, so check conditions before you leave.

  A long day from Sheridan via Cody; better as an overnight with a stop in Cody on the way back to a Bighorns base.

• Mammoth Hot Springs TerracesBig Day Trip

  ~305 mi · ~4.25 hr one way

  Travertine terraces step down a hillside in white and rust, with boardwalks winding through them. Elk often wander through the historic Mammoth village. The road from the North Entrance at Gardiner through to Cooke City is the one route generally open year-round to regular vehicles.

  Combine with Lamar Valley and the Roosevelt Arch for a northern Yellowstone loop.

• Lamar ValleyBig Day Trip

  ~240 mi · ~4.5 hr one way

  Known as the best place in the park for wolves and bison, the broad valley is best at dawn and dusk with binoculars or a spotting scope. Pull off only at designated spots and give animals plenty of room. The road through it, between the North and Northeast Entrances, is generally open year-round to regular vehicles.

  The Beartooth side makes a scenic route in summer, but give it a full weekend.

• Hayden ValleyBig Day Trip

  ~230 mi · ~4.25 hr one way

  A wide, open river valley between the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone Lake where bison herds and the occasional bear or wolf show up along the Yellowstone River. Early morning and evening are the best viewing times. Stay in your car or well back from animals and use pullouts.

  A good middle stop between Cody and Old Faithful on a two-day Yellowstone trip.

• Yellowstone Lake & West Thumb Geyser BasinBig Day Trip

  ~245 mi · ~4.5 hr one way

  West Thumb is a small geyser basin with a short boardwalk right on the shore of Yellowstone Lake, so you get steaming pools and mountain-lake views in one easy stop. It is a natural break between the Grand Teton side and the Old Faithful side. Roads close to regular vehicles for the winter, so aim for late spring through early fall.

  Fits in a multi-day loop rather than a single day trip.

• Norris Geyser BasinBig Day Trip

  ~250 mi · ~4.75 hr one way

  The hottest, most active geothermal area in the park, with steaming vents and colorful pools along boardwalks. Plan about an hour or two to see it, and stay on the boardwalks. It sits on the main loop road, so it is easy to pair with Mammoth or the Canyon.

  Slot it into a two-day loop and head back to a Bighorns cabin for a quiet night.

• Roosevelt Arch (Gardiner, MT)Big Day Trip

  ~300 mi · ~4 hr one way

  The stone gateway at the North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana, is a favorite spot for a photo before heading into the park. The road beyond it is the one route generally open to regular vehicles all year. Elk and bison are sometimes seen near town.

  Treat it as the start or finish of a northern Yellowstone loop.

• Tower FallBig Day Trip

  ~325 mi · ~4.75 hr one way

  A 132-foot waterfall dropping into the Yellowstone River canyon, with a short walk from the parking area to the overlook. It sits on the road between Tower Junction and the Canyon area, so it pairs well with Mount Washburn and Lamar Valley. The Tower to Canyon stretch is one of the seasonal roads that close to cars for winter.

  Stack it with Lamar Valley on a northern Yellowstone day.

• Mount Washburn (Dunraven Pass)Big Day Trip

  ~245 mi · ~4.75 hr one way

  A popular day hike to a fire lookout with sweeping views across the park, starting from the Dunraven Pass trailhead on the road between Tower and Canyon. Weather can turn quickly up high, so bring layers and start early. Snow can linger and the pass road is seasonal.

  A good half-day hike on a two-day Yellowstone trip.

• Jenny Lake, Hidden Falls & Inspiration PointBig Day Trip

  ~305 mi · ~6 hr one way

  A glacial lake at the foot of the Tetons with an easy trail to Hidden Falls and a steeper climb to Inspiration Point for the view over the lake. Boat shuttle service is available in season, and parking fills early in summer. The Teton Park Road is closed to vehicles from November 1 to April 30 in the stretch from the Taggart Lake trailhead to Signal Mountain Lodge.

  Jackson is a long drive, so make it a weekend away and return to the Bighorns to unwind.

• Oxbow BendBig Day Trip

  ~290 mi · ~5.75 hr one way

  A quiet bend in the Snake River with Mount Moran reflected in the water on calm mornings. It is a favorite for wildlife watchers and photographers at sunrise. Pull off in the turnout and keep a respectful distance from any animals.

  Make it a sunrise stop on a weekend trip to Grand Teton.

• Mormon Row (Moulton Barns)Big Day Trip

  ~370 mi · ~6 hr one way

  Historic homestead barns with the Teton range rising behind them, one of the most photographed scenes in the park. It is an easy pullout and walk, best near sunrise or sunset. Antelope Flats Road and other nearby roads can close seasonally based on conditions.

  Fits a Teton weekend, then head home through Togwotee Pass and Cody.

• Schwabacher LandingBig Day Trip

  ~365 mi · ~6 hr one way

  A short path down to the Snake River where the Tetons mirror in the water on a still morning. Beavers and waterfowl are often around. Roads like this one close seasonally based on conditions, so check with the park before you go.

  Combine with Mormon Row and Oxbow Bend on a single sunrise-to-sunset Teton day.

• Signal Mountain & Jackson LakeBig Day Trip

  ~300 mi · ~6 hr one way

  A winding road to the summit gives a big view over Jackson Lake, the Snake River and the Teton range. Jackson Lake itself is a large glacial lake with boating and shoreline pullouts below. Check the park for current road conditions before you drive up.

  Fit it on the way between Yellowstone and Jackson on a multi-day trip.

• Chapel of the TransfigurationBig Day Trip

  ~370 mi · ~6 hr one way

  A small log chapel near Moose with an altar window framing the Teton range. It is a short stop and a peaceful one, and it sits close to Menors Ferry. Respect any services in progress.

  A gentle add-on to a Grand Teton weekend.

• Jackson Town Square & Elk Antler ArchesBig Day Trip

  ~385 mi · ~6.25 hr one way

  The small park in the heart of Jackson is ringed by the famous elk antler arches, with boardwalks, galleries and restaurants around it. Summer evenings are lively, so give yourself time to wander. Parking is easiest a block or two away.

  Jackson is a full day each way, so make it a weekend destination.

• National Elk RefugeBig Day Trip

  ~385 mi · ~6.25 hr one way

  A big stretch of valley land just north of Jackson that winters thousands of elk, with sleigh rides in the cold months and scenic driving the rest of the year. Check hours and seasonal access with the refuge before you go. Bring binoculars.

  Add it to a Jackson weekend.

• National Museum of Wildlife ArtBig Day Trip

  ~380 mi · ~6.25 hr one way

  A museum perched above the elk refuge with a large collection of wildlife art and a view over the valley. It is a good rainy-day or midday stop in Jackson. Check hours before you go.

  A great culture stop on a Jackson weekend.

• Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Aerial TramBig Day Trip

  ~395 mi · ~6.5 hr one way

  The tram climbs from Teton Village to the summit for big views over Jackson Hole and the Tetons. It runs seasonally, so confirm current operating dates and tickets with the resort. Dress warmer than the valley suggests.

  A good headliner for a long Teton weekend.

• Teton PassBig Day Trip

  ~395 mi · ~6.5 hr one way

  WY-22 climbs to 8,431 feet with a grade up to 10 percent, linking Jackson Hole with Idaho's Teton Valley. The road is sometimes closed early in the morning for avalanche control in winter. Take it slow on the curves.

  A scenic detour for a Jackson stay.

• Togwotee PassBig Day Trip

  ~325 mi · ~5.25 hr one way

  US 287/26 crosses the Continental Divide here at about 9,650 feet, linking Dubois with the Jackson Hole side near Moran Junction. Winter snowfall is heavy and storms can close the road, so check WYDOT before you go. It's the most direct route to Grand Teton from central Wyoming.

  The Bighorns-to-Teton route runs through here on a longer loop.

• Brooks Lake & Pinnacle ButtesBig Day Trip

  ~325 mi · ~5.5 hr one way

  A mountain lake in Shoshone National Forest near the top of Togwotee Pass, with a campground nearby and views of the jagged buttes. Check the Forest Service for current road status, since the access road has had temporary closures.

  A quieter stop for the Togwotee leg of a Teton loop.

• Chief Joseph Scenic Byway & Dead Indian PassBig Day Trip

  ~175 mi · ~3 hr one way

  WY-296 runs about 46 miles through the Absaroka Range between the Beartooth Highway and WY-120 north of Cody, climbing over Dead Indian Pass. The byway follows the 1877 route of Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce. The upper end can close in winter, so check WYDOT road conditions first.

  Make it a loop with Cody and a night on the road.

• Sunlight Basin & Sunlight BridgeBig Day Trip

  ~185 mi · ~3.25 hr one way

  Sunlight Bridge Overlook on the Chief Joseph Highway looks over the canyon where Sunlight Creek runs far below, and the bridge is described as the highest in Wyoming. It is a roadside stop with a view. Pair it with Dead Indian Pass on the same drive.

  A scenic leg of a Cody-and-Absaroka loop.

• Wind River Canyon Scenic BywayBig Day Trip

  ~175 mi · ~3 hr one way

  US-20/WY-789 follows the Wind River through a deep canyon south of Thermopolis, with rock walls that expose a long stretch of geologic time. It is a drive-and-photograph stop with pullouts, rail line views and rafting outfitters in season.

  Pair it with Thermopolis hot springs on a loop through the Bighorn Basin.

• Cirque of the Towers (Wind River Range)Big Day Trip

  ~320 mi · ~6.5 hr one way

  A ring of granite spires high in the Popo Agie Wilderness, reached by a multi-day backpacking trip (the Big Sandy trailhead route is the usual way in). It is a serious wilderness trip, not a casual stop, with big elevation and quick-changing weather.

  Sheridan works as a pre- or post-trip rest stop.

• Sinks Canyon State ParkBig Day Trip

  ~260 mi · ~4.5 hr one way

  Near Lander, the Popo Agie River vanishes into a cave at The Sinks and reappears about a quarter mile down at The Rise, a pool full of trout. Short trails, a visitor center and rock climbing keep it easy to enjoy in a couple of hours.

  A good Lander/Wind River stop on a longer Wyoming loop.

• Fossil Butte National MonumentBig Day Trip

  ~410 mi · ~6.5 hr one way

  Protected beds of 50-million-year-old lake sediments near Kemmerer hold remarkably preserved fish, plants and other fossils. The visitor center has displays and a scenic drive and trails climb the butte.

  Best as a stop on a Flaming Gorge or Fort Bridger road trip, not a day trip.

• Flaming Gorge National Recreation AreaBig Day Trip

  ~440 mi · ~6.25 hr one way

  A long reservoir on the Green River that spans the Wyoming-Utah line, ringed by red canyon walls and known for lake trout fishing and boating. The Wyoming access is by way of Green River and Firehole Canyon.

  A stop only for travelers heading across southern Wyoming or into Utah.

• Killpecker Sand DunesBig Day Trip

  ~405 mi · ~6.25 hr one way

  One of the longest active dune fields in North America, in the Red Desert north of Rock Springs, with an open play area for off-road vehicles. Wild horses roam the area and services are scarce, so carry water and plenty of gas.

  For dedicated explorers on a Rock Springs road trip.

• Vedauwoo Recreation AreaBig Day Trip

  ~355 mi · ~4.75 hr one way

  Rounded granite boulders and cracks between Laramie and Cheyenne draw rock climbers, hikers and picnickers. The Turtle Rock loop is an easy way to wander among the formations.

  An easy stop for travelers on I-80 or heading to Laramie.

• Snowy Range & Medicine Bow PeakBig Day Trip

  ~340 mi · ~5 hr one way

  WY-130 climbs through the Snowy Range west of Laramie past alpine lakes and Medicine Bow Peak, which tops out at 12,018 feet. The road usually closes to winter traffic, so check conditions before you go.

  Combine with Saratoga and Encampment on a southern loop.

• Wyoming State CapitolBig Day Trip

  ~325 mi · ~4.25 hr one way

  The golden-domed capitol in Cheyenne is open for free tours and shows off the state's history and politics. Parking nearby is easy and downtown restaurants are a short walk.

  A worthwhile pause when driving south to Colorado.

• Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West MuseumBig Day Trip

  ~325 mi · ~4.25 hr one way

  Located at Frontier Park, the museum collects carriages, wagons and Western artifacts tied to the long-running Frontier Days rodeo. The festival runs ten days around late July and draws huge crowds, so book lodging early.

  The rodeo itself is a destination trip, not a casual day outing.

• Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic SiteBig Day Trip

  ~330 mi · ~4.75 hr one way

  The 1870s territorial prison in Laramie once held Butch Cassidy and now operates as a museum with cell blocks, a broom factory and living-history programs. Plan on a couple of hours.

  Fits a Laramie stop with Vedauwoo and the Snowy Range.

• Ames MonumentBig Day Trip

  ~360 mi · ~4.75 hr one way

  A 60-foot granite pyramid between Cheyenne and Laramie, built to honor Oakes and Oliver Ames for their role in financing the Union Pacific. The original rail line it served is long gone.

  A quick roadside stop beside Vedauwoo.

• Fort Laramie National Historic SiteBig Day Trip

  ~270 mi · ~3.75 hr one way

  Restored buildings mark the post that served as a fur trade center, an Oregon Trail stop and an army fort on the plains. Rangers and exhibits cover emigrants, soldiers and the Plains Indian nations.

  Link with Register Cliff and the Oregon Trail Ruts.

• Register Cliff State Historic SiteBig Day Trip

  ~260 mi · ~3.5 hr one way

  Pioneers on the Oregon Trail carved their names into this soft sandstone bluff near Guernsey. A short walk gets you up close to the old inscriptions.

  Combine with the nearby Ruts and Fort Laramie.

• Oregon Trail Ruts State Historic SiteBig Day Trip

  ~260 mi · ~3.5 hr one way

  Wagon wheels and hooves wore deep grooves into sandstone just south of Guernsey, and some are still waist-deep. It is a short, easy stop with interpretive signs.

  Part of the Guernsey cluster with Register Cliff.

• Independence Rock State Historic SiteBig Day Trip

  ~200 mi · ~2.75 hr one way

  Emigrants called this granite dome the 'Register of the Desert' and many carved their names into it. A flat trail circles the rock and you can walk to the top, which is a bit of a scramble.

  A classic Oregon Trail stop with Devil's Gate and Martin's Cove.

• Devil's GateBig Day Trip

  ~205 mi · ~3 hr one way

  The Sweetwater River cuts a narrow gap through a granite ridge here, a landmark for wagon trains. An overlook gives a view of the cleft.

  Stack it with Independence Rock and Martin's Cove.

• Martin's CoveBig Day Trip

  ~210 mi · ~3 hr one way

  A Sweetwater River area tied to the 1856 Mormon handcart companies. Visitors walk a trail to the cove and learn the story at the nearby visitor center.

  A thoughtful half-day with Devil's Gate nearby.

• Ayres Natural Bridge ParkBig Day Trip

  ~190 mi · ~2.5 hr one way

  La Prele Creek runs right under a natural rock arch in a small, shady park southwest of Douglas. There are picnic shelters and campsites, and it makes a pleasant break on a drive down I-25.

  A good break along I-25.

• South Pass City State Historic SiteBig Day Trip

  ~280 mi · ~4.75 hr one way

  A restored 1860s gold-rush town with dozens of buildings. Esther Hobart Morris, a justice of the peace here, is often credited as the first woman to hold the office in the U.S.

  Fits a Lander and Wind River loop.

• Fort Bridger State Historic SiteBig Day Trip

  ~440 mi · ~6 hr one way

  Founded by trapper Jim Bridger as a trading post, then a Mormon outpost and army fort. Original buildings and a museum tell the story of the fur trade and westward travel.

  A stop for a southwest Wyoming road trip.

• Glendo State ParkBig Day Trip

  ~230 mi · ~3.25 hr one way

  A big reservoir on the North Platte with boating, swimming, fishing and camping. Weekends in summer get busy.

  Handy overnight on the way between Casper and Cheyenne.

• Guernsey State ParkBig Day Trip

  ~260 mi · ~3.75 hr one way

  Built around Guernsey Reservoir with rock-and-timber structures from the 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps, including a museum. Trails and campsites circle the lake.

  Combine with Register Cliff and the Ruts.

• Curt Gowdy State ParkBig Day Trip

  ~350 mi · ~4.75 hr one way

  Between Cheyenne and Laramie, with three reservoirs, granite formations and a well-known network of mountain-bike and hiking trails. Camping is available.

  A day-use stop on I-25/US-287 travels south.

• Casper MountainBig Day Trip

  ~160 mi · ~2.25 hr one way

  A forested ridge above Casper with scenic drives, trails and the Hogadon Basin ski area. Views over the North Platte valley are lovely, and it's a handy escape from town.

  Fits an overnight in Casper.

• Grand Encampment (Encampment, WY)Big Day Trip

  ~325 mi · ~4.5 hr one way

  A tiny mountain town once a copper-boom hub, now home to the Grand Encampment Museum with historic buildings and an aerial tramway display. The surrounding Sierra Madre scenery is quiet.

  Pair with Saratoga and the Snowy Range.

• Saratoga Hot SpringsBig Day Trip

  ~305 mi · ~4.25 hr one way

  A small town on the North Platte River known for its public mineral hot springs pool and soaking spots, plus fishing and a quiet downtown. Check local info for current pool hours and rules.

  Combine with the Snowy Range.

• Tongue River Reservoir State ParkLakes & Fishing

  Decker (MT line)

  A long reservoir just over the Montana line, framed by red-rock bluffs and known for its fishing. Boat, camp, swim or cast from shore. It's an easy drive north of town.

• Parkman Bar & GrillFood

  Parkman

  A real out-of-the-way Wyoming bar and grill. The kitchen makes its burgers, Philly meat and pickled eggs from scratch, and the current building has stood on this spot since 1950.

• Arvada Bar & GrillBars & Breweries

  Arvada

  The heart of tiny Arvada out on the Powder River. It is known for live music and potluck dinners, so it is worth the drive on a Highway 14 road trip.

• Leiter BarBars & Breweries

  Leiter

  A roadside bar in Leiter, a mining-era town whose population is a handful of folks. First stop in Sheridan County if you come in along US-14/16.

• Ucross Art Gallery (Big Red Barn)Culture & History

  Clearmont

  Free gallery on the Ucross Foundation's ranch, with three exhibitions a year by alumni and regional artists. The Big Red Barn holds a showcase of one artist's work.

• Clearmont Town JailCulture & History

  Clearmont

  A tiny two-cell concrete jail from 1922 in Branding Iron Park, last used in 1961. Access inside goes through the town, so enjoy it from the outside if it's closed.

• Beef Trail / Copman's Tomb Observation SiteScenic Drives & Falls

  Shell

  Valley views in Shell Canyon, with Sunlight Mesa and the rock-topped Copman's Tomb nearby. The Beef Trail name comes from the route ranchers use to move livestock up to summer pasture.

• Welch Ranch Recreation Area (BLM)Hiking & Biking

  Sheridan County

  More than 1,700 acres of public land along the Tongue River for hiking, fishing and wildlife watching. No restrooms or water and no motorized use, so pack in what you need.

• Adelaide Trailhead & Trail #057Hiking & Biking

  Shell

  A 5.2-mile trail follows Shell Creek through meadows to Adelaide Lake at the edge of the Cloud Peak Wilderness. The trailhead has no facilities and limited parking.

• Ten Sleep Brewing CompanyBars & Breweries

  Ten Sleep

  A family-owned brewery in a converted barn about a mile out of town, set back from US-16. Look for the big beer sign on the hay door.

• Dirty Sally's General StoreShops & Galleries

  Ten Sleep

  Old-style general store on Ten Sleep's main street selling souvenirs, jackalope gear, rock candy and ice cream.

• Ten Sleep Pioneer MuseumCulture & History

  Ten Sleep

  Small local museum devoted to pioneer days in the Ten Sleep country. A quick, friendly stop on Second Street.

• Ten Sleep Canyon ClimbingRecreation & Play

  Ten Sleep

  Big limestone sport-climbing canyon just east of Ten Sleep, with hundreds of bolted routes and crags like Mondo Beyondo and Old Road. Bring a rope, or just watch from the road.

• Devils Tower National MonumentBig Day Trips

  Devils Tower

  America's first national monument, ~1.5 hours east — an 867-ft volcanic monolith rising straight out of the prairie. The paved 1.3-mile loop around the base is easy for everyone. The single best half-to-full-day trip from Sheridan.

• Little Bighorn Battlefield National MonumentBig Day Trips

  Crow Agency, MT

  Custer's Last Stand, ~1 hour north across the Montana line. Sobering, beautifully interpreted, and genuinely moving. Time it with the summer living-history programs if you can.

• Yellowstone National Park (northeast gateway)Big Day Trips

  via Cody/Cooke City

  The big one, ~3.5–4 hours west. Doable as a very long day, but far better as an overnight — and Sheridan is the crowd-free basecamp everyone else drives past. Ask us about routing over the Bighorns and through Cody.

• Bighorn Canyon National Recreation AreaBig Day Trips

  Lovell

  A 1,000-ft-deep canyon, turquoise reservoir, and the Pryor Mountain wild-horse range on the west side of the Bighorns, ~2 hours out. Spectacular and uncrowded — combine it with the Medicine Wheel for an epic loop.

• Buffalo Bill Center of the WestBig Day Trips

  Cody

  Five museums under one roof, covering Plains Indian culture, Western art, firearms, natural history and Buffalo Bill himself. Plan a half day or more. It's about 3 hours from Sheridan over the Bighorns.

• Cody Nite RodeoBig Day Trips

  Cody

  A summer rodeo held in the evenings at Stampede Park, with the 2025 run going from early July through August. A fun way to cap off a Cody day trip. About 3 hours from Sheridan, so plan a late drive home.

• Buffalo Bill Dam & Visitor CenterBig Day Trips

  Cody

  This 1910 concrete arch dam sits in Shoshone Canyon and was once the tallest dam in the world. There's a visitor center at the north end of the crest. Roughly 3 hours from Sheridan.

• The Irma HotelBig Day Trips

  Cody

  Buffalo Bill built this hotel in 1902 and named it for his daughter. It still operates as a hotel and restaurant, with the cherry back bar as its centerpiece. Good lunch stop in Cody, about 3 hours from Sheridan.

• Heart Mountain Interpretive CenterBig Day Trips

  Powell

  A thoughtful museum on the World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans at the Heart Mountain camp, with a walking tour of the site. Powell is about 2.5 hours from Sheridan, and an easy stop on the way to Cody.

• Buffalo Bill State ParkBig Day Trips

  Cody

  A large reservoir tucked against the Absaroka Range, good for boating, fishing, picnics and camping. It sits just west of Cody, about 3 hours from Sheridan.

• Hot Springs State ParkBig Day Trips

  Thermopolis

  Mineral hot springs, colorful travertine terraces, and a swinging footbridge over the Bighorn River. The state bath house offers free soaks at a comfortable temperature. About 3 hours from Sheridan.

• Wyoming Dinosaur CenterBig Day Trips

  Thermopolis

  Over 50 mounted skeletons, a working prep lab, and a real Archaeopteryx specimen. Summer dig-site tours are offered for families. About 3 hours from Sheridan.

• Legend Rock Petroglyph SiteBig Day Trips

  Thermopolis

  Nearly 300 ancient petroglyphs on a canyon rock face, some of the finest Dinwoody-style rock art anywhere. It is a state historic site. Check with Wyoming State Parks on access before you go; it's a long day trip from Sheridan.

• Pryor Mountains Wild Horse RangeBig Day Trips

  Lovell

  Free-roaming wild horses live on this BLM range in the Pryor Mountains, and the area is best explored with a high-clearance vehicle and patience. It's about 3 hours from Sheridan; combine it with Bighorn Canyon.

• Red Gulch Dinosaur TracksiteBig Day Trips

  Shell

  A BLM-managed site with Middle Jurassic dinosaur footprints preserved in limestone, reached by a graded road off the Red Gulch byway. Roughly 2 hours from Sheridan.

• Museum of Flight and Aerial FirefightingBig Day Trips

  Greybull

  Old airtankers and warbirds line the airfield at this museum devoted to aerial firefighting history. It runs mid-May through September, weather permitting. About 2.5 hours from Sheridan.

• Medicine Lodge State Archaeological SiteBig Day Trips

  Hyattville

  A sandstone cliff covered in petroglyphs and a creek-side setting that also offers camping and picnicking. It sits off the western slope of the Bighorns, about 2.5 hours from Sheridan.

• Keyhole State ParkBig Day Trips

  Moorcroft

  A big reservoir on the Belle Fourche River with fishing, boating, hiking and camping. It's about 10 miles northeast of Moorcroft and about 2.5 hours from Sheridan.

• Rosebud Battlefield State ParkBig Day Trips

  Kirby

  Site of the June 1876 clash between Gen. Crook and a Lakota and Cheyenne force, days before the Little Bighorn. It's a National Historic Landmark with open ground to walk. About 2 hours from Sheridan.

• Pompeys Pillar National MonumentBig Day Trips

  Billings

  A sandstone butte on the Yellowstone River where William Clark carved his name in 1806. Climb the boardwalk to see the signature and visit the interpretive center. Around 3 hours from Sheridan.

• ZooMontanaBig Day Trips

  Billings

  Montana's only zoo, with about 100 animals on 70 acres along with botanical gardens. Easy and fun with kids. About 2.5 hours from Sheridan.

• Western Heritage CenterBig Day Trips

  Billings

  A Smithsonian-affiliated museum in downtown Billings on the history of the Yellowstone River Valley. Pairs well with a downtown lunch. About 2.5 hours from Sheridan.

• Fort Caspar Museum & Historic SiteBig Day Trips

  Casper

  A partly rebuilt 1860s military post and trading site on the North Platte River, run by the City of Casper. About 3 hours from Sheridan.

• National Historic Trails Interpretive CenterBig Day Trips

  Casper

  Exhibits on the four emigrant trails that crossed Wyoming together, perched above the North Platte River. Nice rainy-day stop along with Fort Caspar. About 3 hours from Sheridan.

• Campbell County Rockpile MuseumBig Day Trips

  Gillette

  Local history in Gillette, with rotating exhibits including a Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame display. Admission is about $10 for adults. About 2 hours from Sheridan.

• Vore Buffalo JumpBig Day Trips

  Sundance

  A sinkhole where Plains hunters drove bison for centuries, with perhaps 20,000 animals' remains below. A small interpretive center is on site. About 3 hours from Sheridan.

• Aladdin General StoreBig Day Trips

  Aladdin

  An 1896 mining-era general store and post office in a tiny town of about 15 people, a quirky stop on the way to the Black Hills. About 3 hours from Sheridan.

• Bighorn Lake (Horseshoe Bend)Lakes & Fishing

  Lovell

  The 71-mile reservoir of Bighorn Canyon — boating, swimming, and a marina at Horseshoe Bend, wrapped in red canyon walls and wild horses.

Questions we answer every week

The calendar that shapes a trip

• Sheridan WYO Rodeo and World Championship Indian RelaySheridan · annual, four nights Wed–Sat in mid-July

  The 97th year and the single biggest week in Sheridan. Performance dates July 14-17, 2027 are CONFIRMED by the organizing committee; rodeo week runs July 12-18. Sub-event timings (Boot Kick-Off, pancake breakfast, Sneakers & Spurs 5K, Main Street Parade, carnival, Sunday polo) are NOT yet published for 2027 — do not quote times for them. If a guest's stay touches this week, everything books out and rates peak. Book 90+ days ahead. Tickets only at sheridanwyorodeo.com.

• Don King DaysBig Horn · annual, Labor Day weekend

  38th year — steer roping, old-style bronc riding, and championship polo at the Big Horn Equestrian Center. The most authentically Wyoming event on the calendar and a perfect shoulder-season draw. Pairs with a stay in Big Horn or downtown Sheridan.

• Sunday Polo at Big Horn Equestrian CenterBig Horn · annual, Sun afternoons all summer

  Free Sunday-afternoon polo all summer with the Bighorns behind the field. Bring a blanket and a cooler. The easiest 'wow, this place is special' win we can hand a guest.

• Sheridan Farmers MarketSheridan · annual, Thursday evenings in summer

  Thursday-evening market on Grinnell Plaza — produce, makers, food trucks, live music. The best free night out downtown in July and August.

• Longmire DaysBuffalo · annual, late July (verify)

  Buffalo is the real-life setting for Craig Johnson's Longmire novels, and each summer the town throws a multi-day festival with cast appearances, author talks, and Western events. Huge for Johnson County — a reason to book Clear Creek Crossing or the Buffalo cabins. Verify exact dates; they shift year to year.

• Occidental Bluegrass JamBuffalo · weekly, Thursdays 7–9pm year-round

  Free live bluegrass every Thursday in the historic Occidental Saloon. Walkable from the Buffalo stays — the definitive Johnson County evening.

• Third Thursday Street FestivalSheridan · annual, 3rd Thursday May–Sep

  Main Street closes for music, vendors, and food on the third Thursday of each summer month. Easy, festive, walkable from any downtown stay.

• Antelope Butte Winter SeasonBighorns · annual, snow-dependent

  The community ski hill spins its lifts once snow allows — the anchor of a Sheridan winter trip. Best rates of the year on stays; pair with Antelope Butte turns by day and the Mint Bar by night.

• Big-Game Hunting SeasonRegion · annual (per WY Game & Fish units)

  Elk, deer, and antelope seasons fill the fall. This is a core Wyo Stays audience — surface hunting-friendly cabins, early-coffee logistics, and guide connections. Confirm dates/units at wgfd.wyo.gov.