2017-11-09 02:20:57
LET THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE WEST EXCITE YOUR SOUL. WY INDEED “My favorite spot to [see the tower] is on the outer Red Beds Trail … that being said, every day that I got up to talk with staff or engage with visitors in the tower base parking lot area, I find myself standing in the lot, looking up and drifting off in reverie.” — Tim Reid, superintendent at Devils Tower National Monument and 30-year National Park Service veteran. Wyoming’s stunning public lands beckon travelers from around the world. The state has six national monuments, recreation areas and historic sites — all of which have storied pasts, treasured landscapes and beautiful vistas at every turn. From fishing, hiking and camping to fossil hunting and rock climbing, the destinations also support a bounty of activity options for every type of traveler. DEVILS TOWER NATIONAL MONUMENT Located in the northeast corner of Wyoming in the Black to Yellow region, Devils Tower is America’s first national monument and gained fame as the filming site for Steven Spielberg’s “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” The 1,267-foot striated rock tower can be seen from miles away and attracts nearly 400,000 visitors every year. More than 25 Native American tribes in the area also regard it as a sacred site — take note of the prayer bundles in the trees surrounding the tower. Things to See & Do: The tower’s impressive height and collection of parallel cracks make it a rock climber’s paradise. If you’d like to climb one of its 200 distinct routes, you must register at the visitor center or climbing office. Other ways to experience Devils Tower include camping, hiking, ranger-led tours — check out the guided full-moon walks that begin at dusk — and educational programs. FOSSIL BUTTE NATIONAL MONUMENT The aptly named Fossil Butte National Monument has some of the world’s best-preserved fossils, including those of fish, insects, plants, reptiles, birds and mammals. The geologic formation rises 1,000 feet above Twin Creek Valley, 10 miles west of Kemmerer in southwest Wyoming’s Salt to Stone region. Things to See & Do: Hike two-and-a-half miles along the Historic Quarry Trail to learn about the monument’s unique geology and see the historic fossil quarry; or try the one-and-a-half-mile-long Nature Trail for a stroll through sagebrush and a spring-fed aspen forest. A stop at the visitor center to see the more than 300 fossils on display to the public — including a 13-foot alligator and the oldest articulated bat — is a must. BIGHORN CANYON NATIONAL RECREATION AREA Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area in northern Wyoming’s Black to Yellow region encompasses many diverse landscapes and ecosystems, including coniferous forests, mountains, deep canyons, broad valleys, lakes and wetlands. Visitors are drawn to the sapphire waters of Bighorn Lake and the breathtaking vistas that reveal themselves on more than a dozen hiking trails. Things to See & Do: Boating, kayaking and canoeing on Bighorn Lake are all excellent ways to encounter the colorful scenic splendor of Bighorn Canyon. Stop at the visitor center near Lovell to gain an understanding of the cultural and natural history of the area and hop on the two-mile-long Mouth of the Canyon Trail to catch coveted glimpses of the canyon and the Pryor and Bighorn mountains. FLAMING GORGE NATIONAL RECREATION AREA Tucked in the Salt to Stone region in the state’s southwest corner, Flaming Gorge’s towering red-rock formations and lush greenery are a mesmerizing sight. Fed by the waters of the Green River, Flaming Gorge Reservoir is the area’s biggest attraction and has 375 miles of shoreline, ranging from low flats to cliffs over 1,500 feet high. Things to See & Do: Rent a boat and cruise around the 91-milelong reservoir; local marinas offer everything from houseboats to fishing boats. Low light pollution makes Flaming Gorge an ideal spot for stargazing — constellations and planets are lovely viewed from the water. Fishing is also a popular year-round activity, and rainbow and brown trout are found throughout the reservoir, particularly in the spring and fall. FORT LARAMIE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE & OREGON TRAIL RUTS NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK Originally established as a private fur-trading fort in 1834, Fort Laramie was once a haven for gold seekers and weary westward-bound emigrants and eventually became one of the largest military posts on the Northern Plains. While the “grand old post” closed in 1890, the historic site in the Park to Park region continues to attract history buffs and visitors of all ages year-round. Nearby, the Oregon Trail Ruts outside of Guernsey immortalizes emigrants’ journeys. At the site, you can see some of the best-preserved wagon tracks remaining along the entire length of the Oregon–California Trail. Things to See & Do: Fort Laramie’s riverside setting looks much like it did when the post was active from 1834 to 1890. Thanks to conservation efforts, some buildings dating as far back as 1849 are still very much intact. Other structures have been restored and refurbished to their historic appearances, including the Commissary Storehouse and Calvary Barracks, and offer visitors a look into the past. After learning about the fort’s role as a crossroad to America’s westward expansion, make your way to the Oregon Trail Ruts — just 15 miles away. WY NOW? Daily during the summer months, Fort Laramie National Historic Site comes to life as the park staff — dressed in period clothing — share fascinating stories and facts about the fort. Stop at the visitor center for details. For more, visit TravelWyoming.com/national-parks.
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