2017-01-07 01:45:47
Scenery straight out of an adventure magazine and welcoming towns make this area ideal for a variety of getaways. Thermopolis’ soothing hot springs and dinosaur fossils, Casper’s Oregon Trail history and Douglas’ curious natural rock bridge are just a few of the region’s many gems.


HOT SPRINGS STATE PARK
Families love the herd of buffalo wandering the park grounds in Thermopolis and the Star Plunge pool’s water-slides, whilst couples migrate to the State Bathhouse, featuring indoor and outdoor soaking pools.

NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAILS INTERPRETIVE CENTER
Step back in time through interactive exhibits in Casper to experience the hardships and victories of those who ventured west in the 1800s on the Oregon, Mormon, California and Pony Express trails.

AYRES NATURAL BRIDGE
Discover a 30-metre-long natural rock arch spanning La Prele Creek west of Douglas. Hike a mini-trail that leads to a view of the bridge from above, as well as picnic tables that offer a break from the road.
OREGON TRAIL RUTS
See actual tracks near Guernsey and Torrington left by the countless wagons that passed along the Oregon Trail carrying settlers from the East to new homes in the West, and tour restored buildings at the largest military post on the Northern Plains at nearby Fort Laramie National Historic Site, established as a private fur-trading post in 1834.

STAGECOACH MUSEUM
Uncover the town of Lusk’s beginnings as a busy homesteading area and pioneer history through relics from the 19th and 20th centuries, and view an authentic stagecoach that was used on the Cheyenne to Black Hills Stage and Express Line carrying passengers and gold.
THE WYOMING DINOSAUR CENTER
More than 30 mounted skeletons in Thermopolis illustrate Wyoming’s prehistoric past, including the Archaeopteryx dinosaur specimen — one of only 10 in the world.
Follow the path of America’s pioneers on your way to the country’s first national park.
WHEATLAND TO GLENDO STATE PARK
Head north on Interstate 25 through Wheatland, where options for outdoor fun include golfing, fishing and boating.Visit Oregon Trail Ruts National Landmark — where ruts carved into stone tell the stories of thousands of pioneers following the Oregon Trail in the mid-1800s — on your way to Fort Laramie National Historic Site, a 1835 fur-trading stop turned military post.
GLENDO STATE PARK TO CASPER Get wet and wild at Glendo State Park, a haven for boaters, anglers and swimmers. En route to Casper, stop in Douglas to see souvenirs from 100 years of Wyoming State Fairs, historic apparel and other fascinating artefacts at Wyoming Pioneer Memorial Museum.
The Laramie Mountains and Medicine Bow National Forest surround your next destination — Glenrock — making it a perfect hub for fishing, camping and mountain biking. Make your way to Ayres Natural Bridge, a natural bridge over La Prele Creek just 8 kilometres off Interstate 25.
CASPER TO THERMOPOLIS
Located at the state’s heart, Casper is Wyoming’s adventure capital and second largest city. Visit the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center, Fort Caspar Museum and Historic Site, Tate Geologic Museum or Nicolaysen Art Museum.
From Casper, deviate from the interstate and go northwest on Hwy 20.Known as one of Wyoming’s best walleye and trout fisheries, Boysen State Park is surrounded by the Wind River Indian Reservation. Beginning in the nearby town of Shoshoni, the Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway puts you face-to-face with the windswept West.
THERMOPOLIS TO CODY
In Thermopolis, discover ancient creatures at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center or take a dip in the world’s largest single-mineral hot springs at Hot Springs State Park. Nearby Legend Rock State Petroglyph Site invites visitors to view more than 300 petroglyphs spanning thousands of years.
On your way to Cody, drive to Meeteetse, an 1890s-era town with three intimate museums: The First National Bank Museum, Meeteetse Museum and Carles Belden Western Photography Museum. Don’t miss Meeteetse Chocolatier, featuring the decadent creations of Tim Kellogg, a saddle bronc rider and cowboy turned chocolatier.

CODY TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
Northwest of Thermopolis is the town of Cody, named after the famous Wild West showman Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody and host to nightly summer rodeos, gunfight reenactments and historic factoids at Buffalo Bill Center of the West and Museum of the Old West at Old Trail Town.
Then, veer onto the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway, which starts about 40 kilometres west of Cody and follows the north fork of the Shoshone River through the scenic Wapiti Valley to the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park.
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Park To Park
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