What is Wyoming known for? Is a trip to Wyoming worth it? Well, this article explores the most famous landmarks in Wyoming. This way, the next time you visit, your days will be full of incredible things to do.
The history of Wyoming is a long and storied one. Wyoming was first inhabited by Native American tribes, followed by European settlers in the 1800s. Wyoming was admitted to the Union in 1890 and has since been home to several significant historical events.
Today, Wyoming is known for its natural beauty and many historical landmarks, attracting visitors from all over the world. Wyoming has something for all travelers, from impressive natural wonders to iconic buildings and structures.
And in this piece, we look at its most famous landmarks and what makes them so unique. Here are some of the most famous landmarks in Wyoming to visit.
Most Famous Landmarks in Wyoming to Visit
1. Devils Tower National Monument
Address: 60 WY-110, Devils Tower, WY 82714
The Devil’s Tower, also known as Bear Lodge Butte, is one of Wyoming’s most visited tourist attractions, attracting upwards of 500,000 visitors annually. The monument is 867 feet from base to summit and is 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River.
Located in the Black Hills, this impressive tower is known for its immense size and unique shape, making it one of the most famous landmarks in the state. President Theodore Roosevelt established the building as the United States’ first national monument in 1906.
Devil’s Tower National Monument has been used in several movies, including Close Encounters of the Third Kind and, recently, Transformers: Age of Extinction. In Transformers, the tower has been digitally added behind Optimus Prime and Bumblebee fighting Megatron! Ker-smash!
The best thing here is that you can enjoy a self-guided audio-driving tour of the Black Hills to this world’s wonder. This gives you the freedom to drive and sightsee at your own pace and liking – sightseeing in Wyoming at its best.
2. Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is a famous US national park in parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. The park was the first national park in the United States, and its protection act was signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872
The park covers an area of about 3,500 square miles, making it roughly 150 times the size of Manhattan. Yellowstone is home to many natural wonders, including Old Faithful Geyser. This geyser erupts every 60 minutes with a spray of hot boiling water that can reach heights up to 100 feet.
Yellowstone National Park has over 300 rivers and streams within its boundaries. These rivers are home to hundreds of fish species, like trout and salmon, and beaver dams that create ponds for swimming. You might even see some bison grazing along their banks.
Booking a guided tour is the best option for the best sightseeing of Yellowstone National Park, its geysers, rivers, and other attractions. You can get the most out of the park’s unique features with a professional tour guide.
See Related: Best Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park
3. Fossil Butte National Monument
Fossil Butte National Monument is located in Wyoming and is known for its fossils. The fossils can be found throughout the park on trails or roadsides where they have been exposed to erosion over time. The fossils in this area are among the most abundant in the world.
The park is also home to wildlife like deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn antelope. So, if you want to witness firsthand some of the best-preserved fossils in history, visiting Fossil Butte National Monument is a pretty good idea.
4. Independence Rock State Historic Site
Independence Rock was designated a National Historic Landmark on January 20, 1961, and is now part of the Independence Rock State Historic Site. Currently, its owned and operated by the state of Wyoming.
If you visit the Independence Rock State Historic Site, a footpath surrounds the rock’s base, allowing you to glimpse the entire stone. There are also interpretive exhibits, emigrant inscriptions, and trail ruts, which tell the story of this trail. Hiking is also allowed on this massive rock, an excellent chance for those seeking hiking activities in Wyoming.
5. Ames Monument State Historic Site
There is never a shortage of incredible things to see in Wyoming, and Ames Monument features among the top sites to check out when visiting. The monument was designed by Henry Hobson Richardson and was completed in 1882, marking the highest point of the First Transcontinental Railroad.
The town of Sherman was built up around it, but then Union Pacific moved its tracks southward, and Sherman became a ghost town. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
See Related: Best & Fun Things to Do in Casper, Wyoming
6. Wyoming State Capitol
The Wyoming State Capitol building is home to the state government of Wyoming. Built between 1886 and 1890, the capitol is located in Cheyenne and contains the chambers of the Wyoming State Legislature as well as the office of the Governor of Wyoming. The building was designated a US National Historic Landmark in 1987.
It was constructed from sandstone quarried near Rawlins, Wyoming, and Fort Collins, Colorado, giving it a unique exterior look. The interior is decorated with marble and murals depicting scenes from early Wyoming history. In other words, it is an architectural beauty that you’ll love touring.
A reasonable accommodation is also abundant, and you can book one of the friendly hotels in the area, like Downtown Cheyenne.
7. Hole-in-the-Wall Pass
Hole-in-the-Wall is a mountain pass in Wyoming. The key was named for a narrow gap in a rock wall. Back in the day, the outlaw’s Hole-in-the-Wall Gang and Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch and others would meet at this location and nearby log cabin to hide from the law.
Now, this log cabin is preserved at the Old Trail Town Museum in Cody, Wyoming. This is one of the most significant Wyoming landmarks in the history of the Old Wild West. And as such, history enthusiasts will find the place quite charming.
See Related: Best Things to Do in West Yellowstone, Montana
8. Wind River Canyon
Wind River Canyon is also among the most famous landmarks in Wyoming. Visitors come from all over to drive along the Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway to see this natural wonder, home to many different kinds of wildlife and an abundance of natural resources.
The canyon contains rock formations as old as 3 billion years, making it one of the oldest canyons in North America. The Byway begins in the town of Shoshoni at milepost 100. The route ends just north of the city of Thermopolis at milepost 134. The total drive time is about 40 minutes.
See Related: Best Things to Do Near Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone
9. Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the United States. It’s famous for its mountains, including the Grand Teton. The park is located in northwestern Wyoming and was established in 1929.
Grand Teton National Park has over 1,000 miles of hiking trails to explore. These include 500 miles of backcountry trails starting at Jenny Lake Visitor Center or Colter Bay Campground, weaving through alpine meadows, forested areas, and lakeshores.
The backcountry trails meet up with other trailheads on lower elevations, where you can catch a shuttle bus back to civilization. Some of the other main trailheads here include the Signal Mountain Lookout (8 miles), Moose Entrance Station (21 miles), Gros Ventre Junction Trailhead (17 miles), Colter Bay Campground (28 miles), and Jenny Lake Visitor Center (19 miles).
For excellent accommodation near Grand Tenon Park, try Bentwood Inn. It has all the amenities to ensure you have the best time visiting the park.
10. Buffalo Bill Center of the West
The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is a museum complex in Cody, Wyoming. It comprises five museums that feature incredible American West art and artifacts. These include the Whitney Western Art Museum, Buffalo Bill Museum, Draper Natural History Museum, Cody Firearms Museum, and the Plains Indians Museum.
The center was founded by William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody to preserve the American West history. And if you are a history buff, you’ll undoubtedly appreciate these museums’ abundance of art, artifacts, and history.
The center’s history can be traced back to 1917 and has since become one of Wyoming’s main tourist attractions. All five museums are housed in a seven-acre building, hosting over 50,000 art pieces that detail the region’s history.
Each museum is unique and presents different pieces of artifacts. As such, touring this place gives you a comprehensive view of how the American West came to be.
In addition to the museums, the complex also houses a research library. Now, this is another absolute marvel. It contains over 30,000 books, 400 manuscript collections, and a fantastic half-million or more photographs. It would take you an eternity to browse through all of them.
11. Oregon Trail Ruts State Historic Site
The Oregon Trail Ruts State Historic Site allows visitors to check out some of the best-preserved evidence of settlers’ migration out West.
These Oregon Trail Ruts can be combined with Fort Laramie and Independence Rock for an excellent historical tour of this part of Wyoming. It gives you a chance to follow in the footsteps of these pioneers. If you wish to visit one of the most historic landmarks in Wyoming, this is one of them.
FAQ
What are the two most famous landmarks in Wyoming?
Yellowstone National Park is the most prominent landmark in Wyoming. However, the Devil’s Tower National Monument is also significant and nationally recognized.
How many are National Historic Landmarks in Wyoming?
As of writing, There are 27 National Historic Landmarks in Wyoming. The first two were designated on December 19, 1960. The most recent designation was on December 23, 2016.
What is the best time to visit Wyoming?
Summer is typically the best time for outdoor activities like hiking and camping. This season goes from the end of June to the end of September.
However, these months are busier, resulting in large crowds and higher accommodation prices. Winter can be a great time to see some of Wyoming’s fantastic mountain landscapes covered in snow, especially for those more into wintertime activities like snow-shoeing, skiing, and snowmobiling.