Source 2026 Wyoming Official Travel Guide - Wyoming Official Travel Guide

Desert & Peaks Road Trip

2025-12-29 04:23:36

Discover Wyoming’s vast adventurelands filled with roaming wildlife, dreamy mountaintop vistas and prehistoric gems.

START: Rock Springs END: Teton Village TOTAL DRIVING DISTANCE: Approximately 337 miles

Rock Springs

» Killpecker Sand Dunes

Spend a day sandboarding or ATVing down 100-foot dunes and hiking to Boar’s Tusk — it’s what remains of an ancient volcano. Afterward, stay to gaze up at the swirling Milky Way.

» White Mountain Petroglyphs

Carved into a 300-foot sandstone cliff face, these etchings tell the stories of the early Plains and Great Basin Native Americans who called this area home.

BONUS:

Drive the Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Loop from Rock Springs to Green River at dawn for the best chance to see the herd galloping through the high desert.

Green River

» Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area

Explore the landscape’s natural kaleidoscopic hues with a local guide on a bus tour through Flaming Gorge Country (explorewy.com/flaming-gorge-tour). Then, camp out and watch twinkling stars fill the night sky.

» Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge

Home to more than 200 bird species, keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles, trumpeter swans and even moose, or visit the family-friendly welcome center.

Fort Bridger

» Fort Bridger State Historic Site

Tour restored buildings highlighting the history of this 19th-century fur-trading post, a vital supply stop for wagon trains traversing the Oregon, California and Mormon trails.

Evanston

» Piedmont Charcoal Kilns State Historic Site

Stop by the ghost town of Piedmont, a former Union Pacific Railroad stop, where giant limestone and sandstone kilns once made valuable charcoal that was hauled all the way to Utah.

» Roundhouse & Railyards

Explore one of the only remaining complete roundhouses on the old Union Pacific line between Omaha and Sacramento. Tip: Tours can be scheduled Monday through Friday, but you must do so ahead of time.

Kemmerer

» Fossil Hunting

Feel like a real paleontologist on the ultimate treasure hunt as you dig for fossils at Fossil Lake Safari (known for its intricate fish fossils) or American Fossil (a Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice award winner). Plus, keep what you find as a Wyoming souvenir.

» Fossil Butte National Monument

Investigate 200-plus plant and animal fossils at the year-round visitor center. In warmer months, add a scenic drive, self-guided interpretive hike or ranger program to your road-trip itinerary.

Afton

» Intermittent Spring

Known as the “spring that breathes,” the Intermittent Spring near Afton is one of only three periodic springs in the world that flows on predictable intervals.

BONUS:

Take a detour on the Star Valley Scenic Byway, a picturesque 80-mile stretch of Hwy. 89 beginning at the Idaho–Wyoming border and ending with a descent into the sprawling Star Valley.

Jackson

» Snow King Observatory & Planetarium

Uncover the mysteries of the universe in the first designated International Dark Sky Community. See planetarium shows and fascinating exhibits during the day, then return in the evening for stargazing experiences.

» Million Dollar Cowboy Bar

Head to this iconic, Western-style watering hole for refreshing drinks and hearty cuts of steak, like elk tenderloin and bison flank, along with country dancing and live bands.

Teton Village

» Jackson Hole Via Ferrata

Seeking an adrenaline rush? Scale the mountains of Jackson Hole using a series of iron rungs, ladders and suspended bridges leading to jaw-dropping views of the world below (summer only).

» Jackson Hole Aerial Tram

Glide to the top of Rendezvous Mountain at over 10,000 feet for unforgettable panoramas of the valley and surrounding mountains and a warm waffle from Corbet’s Cabin.

GRAND FINALE

Trip Add-On

» R Lazy S Ranch

Stay a week in a log cabin and fill your days with outdoor adventures, like horseback riding and trout fishing. Find more ways to experience Wyoming ranches on p. 72.

DESERT & PEAKS VISITOR CENTERS

Rock Springs
Evanston
Green River
Jackson

STATE PARKS & NATIONAL FORESTS

Ashley National Forest
Bear River State Park
Bridger-Teton National Forest
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Gros Ventre Wilderness

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Learn more about Desert & Peaks roadtrip towns — and minimize backtracking with the most natural driving route — as you map out your Wyoming adventure: travelwy.com/desertandpeaks.

DESERT & PEAKS TRIPADVISOR-APPROVED LODGING

IF YOU LOVE COMFORT …

Kodiak Mountain Resort | Afton

4.9

“The couple we went with had stayed at Kodiak a few other times and invited us along. Wow, what a cool place! The craftsmanship on the buildings is amazing. Each log was cut locally, hand-hewn and fitted. The cabins are comfortable with modern amenities. The bed was very comfortable (better than my own). The grounds are immaculate. They serve a good breakfast with scrambled eggs or omelets, plus bacon, potatoes, biscuits and gravy, etc.” — bownut11

IF YOU LOVE LUXURY …

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole | Teton Village

4.7

“Fantastic stay with family. First, the staff: Terrific to people. Some of the best hotel staff in the entire U.S. maybe. The concierge put together some terrific guided tours for us: horseback riding and the tram. This is one of those places that will wow you with service. Food at the hotel is top-notch, the beds and rooms comfortable, great pool, spa — it’s the whole package done right.” — Mark H.

IF YOU LOVE HIDDEN GEMS …

Country Cabins Inn | Mountain View near Fort Bridger

4.5

“Very cute, quiet little cabins. They are very clean and the grounds are nicely kept. Love the decorations in each room. The beds are comfortable and the tub is huge and jetted. The people are super accommodating and friendly. We stayed here twice now, because we liked it so much the first time. They are about 10 minutes off I-80 but well worth the drive.” — ArthurMoose

IF YOU LOVE WESTERN CHARM …

The Wort Hotel | Jackson

4.5

“I love historic Western hotels and The Wort is my favorite. Classic rooms with excellent service. The staff was very nice and always helpful. We had steaks cooked perfectly at the restaurant. After dinner we moseyed over to The Silver Dollar Bar for a fun Saturday night in Jackson Hole.” — mark b.