Few things cure stress like a nice long drive and, when you make the drive in the Cowboy State, you get the added advantage of our amazing scenery. There is an intricate web of backroads and byways throughout the state, and most of them lead to interesting places. Here are just 10 little road trips you can take in Wyoming for a long, scenic drive.
- Alpine to Daniel via US-89 N, US-189 S, and US-191 S
Google Maps
Gracious_Tiger/TripAdvisor Take your time between Alpine and Daniel. The mountains and Snake River scenery are gorgeous and you might want to camp somewhere along the way.
- Pine Tree Junction to Gillette via WY-50 N
Google Maps
Alex Calderon/Flickr The hills near Gillette have a more gentle profile than the craggy mountains in other areas of Wyoming, but it’s pleasant to watch them roll by as you drive.
- Dubois to Double Cabin Campground via North Horsecreek Road
Google Maps
teamtonka/TripAdvisor You’ll never get tired of the scenery on the way to the Double Cabin area in the Shoshone National Forest. Take along your tackle and spend some time fishing when you get there.
- Alcova to Hanna via Kortes Road
Google Maps
Jeremy Thies/Flickr A short side-trip down Fremont Canyon Road to see the breathtaking canyon on your way to Hanna is well worth it.
- Ten Sleep to Shell via US-16 W and US-20 W
Google Maps
Selbe Lynn/Flickr Watching the big Wyoming sky peek through the mountain terrain as you drive has effective stress-melting properties.
- Saratoga to Elk Mountain via WY-130 W and Pass Creek Road
Google Maps
kmoney56/Flickr You won’t be able to get enough of the scenery on the drive between Saratoga and Elk Mountain. It’s best to take a friend along - one of you can drive and the other can watch the sights one way, then switch for the trip back. Try to time it so you can catch the stunning sunset.
- Cody to Brooks Lake via US-20 W and US-287 S or WY-120 E and US-26 W
Google Maps
m01229/Flickr There are two ways to get to beautiful Brooks Lake from Cody, so take your pick. The shortest way will only shave 9 minutes off your travel time, but there are tolls, as it takes you through two National Parks. Alternatively, take the scenic route through Thermopolis, Shoshone, and the Wind River Reservation - or you could take them both, making the entire loop to return to your starting point.
- Moran to Union Pass via US-26 E/US-287 S
Google Maps
Scott D/TripAdvisor The Breccia Cliffs and the Wind River Lake are among the payoffs on this drive.
9.Medicine Bow to Douglas via Little Medicine Road and Cold Springs Road
Google Maps
Sean Leahy/Flickr If you prefer the wide-open spaces Wyoming is known for rather than the mountain roads, you’ll get a good view of them on this drive through the eastern part of the state.
- Kemmerer to Farson via US-189 N, WY-372 E, and WY-28 E
Google Maps
Jimmy Emerson, DVM The Big Sandy River is a highlight on this backroads journey, but everyone agrees that stopping in at the Farson Mercantile for a heaping scoop of huckleberry ice cream is one of the best things about the trip.
That’s just a start. What Wyoming backroads do you enjoy driving along?
Google Maps
Gracious_Tiger/TripAdvisor
Take your time between Alpine and Daniel. The mountains and Snake River scenery are gorgeous and you might want to camp somewhere along the way.
Alex Calderon/Flickr
The hills near Gillette have a more gentle profile than the craggy mountains in other areas of Wyoming, but it’s pleasant to watch them roll by as you drive.
teamtonka/TripAdvisor
You’ll never get tired of the scenery on the way to the Double Cabin area in the Shoshone National Forest. Take along your tackle and spend some time fishing when you get there.
Jeremy Thies/Flickr
A short side-trip down Fremont Canyon Road to see the breathtaking canyon on your way to Hanna is well worth it.
Selbe Lynn/Flickr
Watching the big Wyoming sky peek through the mountain terrain as you drive has effective stress-melting properties.
kmoney56/Flickr
You won’t be able to get enough of the scenery on the drive between Saratoga and Elk Mountain. It’s best to take a friend along - one of you can drive and the other can watch the sights one way, then switch for the trip back. Try to time it so you can catch the stunning sunset.
m01229/Flickr
There are two ways to get to beautiful Brooks Lake from Cody, so take your pick. The shortest way will only shave 9 minutes off your travel time, but there are tolls, as it takes you through two National Parks. Alternatively, take the scenic route through Thermopolis, Shoshone, and the Wind River Reservation - or you could take them both, making the entire loop to return to your starting point.
Scott D/TripAdvisor
The Breccia Cliffs and the Wind River Lake are among the payoffs on this drive.
Sean Leahy/Flickr
If you prefer the wide-open spaces Wyoming is known for rather than the mountain roads, you’ll get a good view of them on this drive through the eastern part of the state.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM
The Big Sandy River is a highlight on this backroads journey, but everyone agrees that stopping in at the Farson Mercantile for a heaping scoop of huckleberry ice cream is one of the best things about the trip.
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