ENCHANTING PUBLIC LANDS 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 DEVILS TOWER NATIONAL MONUMENT, JASON HATFIELD. 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 breathtak-ing 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. TravelWyoming.com 71
Wyoming Official Travel Guide 2018 Wyoming OTJ: Page 71
