Wyoming - Outside the Parks
Sequim88
Many visits to every corner of Wyoming
28 May 2009
based on 1 vote
Wyoming has much more to offer than just the two national parks!
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Explore locations featured in this Traveler List:
Thermopolis, Wyoming, Manila, Devils Tower, Saratoga, South Pass City, Kemmerer, Rawlins, Cody
- Category: Best of
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Traveler type: Sightseeing, Active/Outdoors, Never been before
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Appeals to: Singles, Families with small children, Families with teenagers, Seniors, Students, Budget travellers , Active/adventure, Tourists
- Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Tags: scenery, vistas, nature, history, geology, hot springs, fossils, waterparks
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| Hot mineral springs, water parks, world class dinosaur center, Wind River Canyon rafting - this place could make a great vacation all by itself. A great destination with kids. |
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2. Snowy Range Scenic Byway - Wyomig Hwy 130 - Laramie to Saratoga
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| One of the most spectacular scenic drives in North America. Lakes dot the base of amazing cliffs. Panoramic vistas far into Colorado. Open from May into Sept. |
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3. Independence Rock State Historic Site
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| Stopping place on Oregon Trail where pioneers carved name and dates. Walk to the top for best examples of carvings. Respect the history and leave no marks of your own. West of Casper on WY-220. |
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4. Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area
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| Deep blue lake meanders in steep walled gorge of vivid red and tan hues. Scenic views at southern end in Utah section near Dutch John. |
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5. Devil's Tower National Monument
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| Interesting geologic formation in a very scenic area. You deserve a close encounter with this amazing natural feature. |
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6. Ten Sleep Canyon
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| One of the largest escarpment canyons in the world. US-16 west of Powder River Pass in the Bighorn Mts. Colorful rock formations dotted with evergreen shrubs and TenSleep Creek rushing below. One of the best canyon drives anywhere. |
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| Twin to Ten Sleep Canyon on US-14 west of Granite Pass in the Bighorn Mts. Very similar features along Shell Creek. Includes 120 foot Shell Falls. |
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| Scenic town at the foot of the Medicine Bow Mts. (see Snowy Range Byway). Town has odor free hot spring with free pool for soaking or access at Saratoga Inn & Spa. World class trout fishery. Two excellent restaurants (Silver Saddle & Wolf Hotel). Abundant wildlife, especially Pronghorn Antelope. |
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9. South Pass - Historic Area
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| Where the Oregon Trail pioneers crossed the continental divide. WY-28 south of Lander. Wagon wheel ruts clearly visible along the old route. Wide open rise over the divide avoided treacherous mountains. Great views of Wind River Range to the north. |
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10. Vore Buffalo Jump - near Devils Tower
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| Natural sinkhole used by Indians for centuries to drive buffalo over the cliff edge. Bones at bottom are over 20 feet deep. Ongoing archeological research site and visitor center. Now $4 for adults. I-90 exit 199 on WY-111, 1 mi E. on north frontage road. |
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11. Fort Bridger Historical Park - 20 miles east of Evanston
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| Fort and trading post on Mormon Trail established by mountain man and guide Jim Bridger. Many restored buildings. Museums and reconstructed trading post. |
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12. Fossil Butte National Monument - US-30 12 miles west of Kemmerer
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| Abundant well preserved fossils of plants, reptiles and fish from when the area was sub-tropical. Exceptional in variety and preservation. No dinosaurs (newer era) but better than average condition. Lots of kid activities. |
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13. Wyoming Frontier Prison - Rawlins
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| Historic prison with a brutal past. Take a seat in the gas chamber. View water gallows where water slowly dripping from a bucket eventually caused trap door to trip while the prisoner listened and waited. |
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| Along with the Red Desert this large bowl like basin sits astride the Atlantic-Pacific continental divide. The scarce precipitation in his area drains to no ocean. Notable mostly for expansive vistas, alkili ponds and ring of mountains. |
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| Heavily eroded and ravined alien landscpae (as used in movie 'Starship Troopers') alongside US-20/26 west of Casper. Facilities no longer are in operation but interpretive sign is there. Good for a quick stop and pictures if on that route anyway. |
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| Old West flavor and history in a heavily tourist dependent town. Lots to do and see including art galleries and museums including Firearms Museum. PRCA Rodeo 1st week of July. |
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Compliment Sequim88
