Source 2026 Wyoming Official Travel Guide - Wyoming Official Travel Guide

Canyons & Towers

2025-12-29 04:34:12

BIGHORN CANYON NATIONAL RECREATION AREA, ©Cameron Evans

Canyons & Towers

ROAD TRIP

Explore the quintessential American West for geologic marvels, evergreen forests,
sprawling prairieland, small towns and, of course, shimmering night skies.

START: Beulah END: Lovell TOTAL DRIVING DISTANCE: Approximately 390 miles

Beulah

» Vore Buffalo Jump, near Beulah

Stop by the small interpretive center to gain insight into how this natural sinkhole was used as a buffalo jump (or trap) by Native American tribes from about 1500 to 1800 A.D.

Sundance

» Sundance White Ranch Park

Tackle the Outlaw Trail by foot or bike for challenging terrain, from rolling to steep. You’ll spot a bounty of wildlife, from mule deer to meadowlarks, on 100 acres near Sundance Mountain.

» Devils Tower National Monument

Hike trails around America’s first national monument, a 1,267-foot striated rock tower that gained fame in Steven Spielberg’s “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” then stay for celestial wonders. Read more on p. 17.

STARGAZING TIPS

Learn about all the best places to spot a shooting star in Wyoming at travelwy.com/stars.

Gillette

» Frontier Auto Museum

See classic cars in a museum filled with retro charm. Stay overnight in Neon Park, where restored campers and a 1920s school bus offer an unforgettable sleepover experience. Sheridan

» Sheridan Main Street

Stroll Sheridan’s thriving Main Street Historic District for its nostalgic feel and local shops. Stop for a delicious meal at Ice Haus Eatery, a food hall serving everything from Philly cheesesteaks to Italian dishes, or try the French-inspired Le Rêve Restaurant and Raw Bar.

Big Horn

» The Brinton Museum

See Wyoming history through the lens of The Brinton, an arts-focused ranch museum that tells the story of Wyoming across the centuries.

Road tripping through Wyoming is the perfect way to explore the state’s fascinating and sometimes remote landscapes. Bring or download a map for when cell service is hibernating. Get more travel tips at travelwy.com/wyresponsibly and turn to p. 11.

Buffalo

» Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum

Browse the personal collection of Jim Gatchell, a pharmacist and historian who served settlers, frontiersmen and members of the Lakota and Northern Cheyenne tribes in the early 1900s.

BONUS

Drive Cloud Peak Skyway, U.S. Route 16, from Buffalo to Ten Sleep, for more exhilarating mountain views.

Ten Sleep

» Rock climbing

Challenge yourself with a Wyoming Mountain Guides-led climb, then relax at Ten Sleep Brewing Co. with a Pack Saddle Porter or Huck n’ Tuck Wheat. They’ve got camping and showers, too.

Worland

» Washakie Museum & Cultural Center

Exhibits on paleontology, archaeology and early settlements portray the relationship between the historical inhabitants of the Bighorn Basin and their environment.

Greybull

» Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite

Inspect the largest dinosaur tracksite in Wyoming, showcasing ancient prints from the Middle Jurassic Period.

BONUS

Have extra time? Detour to Shell Campground in, you guessed it, nearby Shell for comfy cabins, full-hookup RV sites and fully outfitted glamping tents that boast queen-sized beds and electricity!

» Museum of Flight and Aerial Firefighting

Pause for outdoor displays of vintage airplanes to stretch your legs and learn a thing or two about aviation.

Lovell

» Queen Bee Gardens

Stock up on chocolates, truffles, toffee candies and caramels made with Wyoming honey so good you’ll want to eat it on its ooey-gooey own.

» Pryor Mountain Wild Mustang Center

Visit the center to learn about its mustang-preservation efforts, then see wild horses roam the prairie landscape near Lovell with a special PryorWild tour.

GRAND FINALE

Trip Add-On

» Bighorn Canyon/Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, near Lovell

Drive Hwy. 37, a scenic road that passes through the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range, on the way to the spectacular Devil Canyon Overlook. Hike for views of Bighorn Lake, wild horses and the massive multicolored canyon walls. Learn more on p. 58.

CANYONS & TOWERS VISITOR CENTERS

Beulah

Gillette

Buffalo

Sheridan

Greybull

Lovell

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

STATE PARKS & NATIONAL FORESTS

Bighorn National Forest

Thunder Basin National Grassland

Black Hills National Forest

Keyhole State Park

Learn more about Canyons & Towers road-trip towns — and minimize backtracking with the most natural driving route — as you map out your Wyoming adventure at travelwy.com/canyonsandtowers.

CANYONS & TOWERS TRIPADVISOR-APPROVED LODGING

IF YOU LOVE RANCH LIFE …

Paradise Guest Ranch | Buffalo

4.8

“My Dad and I came here to do horseback riding. We had a great time. The scenery was beautiful. A real authentic experience. The staff was super friendly and helpful. We highly recommend coming here to stay or just to do horseback riding. The two-hour trail ride is the perfect time; good for beginners, too. It takes you up to a beautiful clear blue lake!” — Macy L.

IF YOU LOVE HISTORY …

The Historic Sheridan Inn | Sheridan

4.5

“We loved this place! The history, the room, the photos and information about the hotel. Thankful for the helpful staff who helped us get dinner reservations and were so helpful with everything. We stayed in the Rough Riders room, and we slept so peacefully and soundly. Every detail in the room was spot on. We also enjoyed the wonderful egg bake at breakfast. This is a historical gem that is not to be missed.” — Bunny H.

WYOMING HIGH COUNTRY LODGE | LOVELL ©Instagram/wyominghighcountrylodge

IF YOU LOVE ADVENTURE …

Wyoming High Counrty Lodge | Lovell

4.8

“A great getaway! The staff was so friendly and the included breakfast and dinner were very good. They made us sandwiches for our hiking trip. We enjoyed watching all the moose that hung out in front of the lodge most of the day. Our cabin was so clean and comfortable. Each night after dinner there was a nice fire to sit around in front of the lodge.” — Jltibbles

IF YOU LOVE COMFORT …

Arbuckle Lodge | Gillette

4.4

“My husband and I chose Arbuckle at random due to its convenient location in our travels and reasonable rates. We couldn’t be happier with the decision! We highly recommend Arbuckle Lodge to anyone looking for a beautiful, clean and spacious suite, with all the amenities including very friendly and helpful staff. They made a long journey on the road feel a little more like home for the night.” — Corianne C.