The US western state of Wyoming at the foot of the Rocky Mountains is sparsely populated and consists mainly of picturesque landscapes and spectacular wilderness areas. Come along on a journey through the prairies, to cool cowboy towns, and the hot springs and geysers of Yellowstone National Park.
| Capital: | Cheyenne |
| Area: | 253.336 km² |
| Population: | about 0.58 million |
| Location: | West of the USA |
| Nickname: | The Equality State |
| State animal: | Buffalo, meadowlark |
| Time zone: | Mountain: UTC−7/−6 |
Wyoming is the US state where the majestic Rocky Mountains meet the vast, flat Great Plains. As one of the western states of the USA, Wyoming borders Montana, Idaho, Utah, and Colorado, as well as the Midwest beauties of Nebraska and South Dakota.
Once inhabited by numerous Native American tribes, there are only two recognized tribes left in Wyoming: the Shoshone and Arapaho. These two tribes share the 22,000 square kilometers Wind River Reservation.
Wyoming is the state with the smallest population in the USA and the second-most sparsely populated US state. On average, there are only 2.3 people per square kilometer. Only Alaska falls short of this figure in the USA.
About 98% of the people in Wyoming are American citizens, and about 3.5% were born outside the country. The immigrant share is thus far below the American average of 13.7%.
Most immigrants are from Mexico, followed closely by Canada and China. The largest non-American ancestry groups of Wyoming residents include Germans, English, Irish, Norwegians, and Swedes.
Wyoming may be very sparsely populated overall, but it still has a variety of exciting cities. The largest cities in Wyoming, based on population, are:
| City | Population |
|---|---|
| Cheyenne | 64,000 |
| Casper | 58,000 |
| Laramie | 33,000 |
| Gillette | 32,000 |
| Rock Springs | 23,000 |
| Sheridan | 18,000 |
More than 50% of Wyoming's residents live in the state's larger cities and towns.
The climate in Wyoming is surprisingly cold for many visitors. It can be divided into two climatic zones:
A damp and cool weather mix awaits you in the mountainous regions of Wyoming. Between December and March, temperatures here are regularly below zero, and it can get as cold as -40°C on extreme nights. Thanks to the abundant snowfall, the mountain region is a paradise for skiers.
Spring usually arrives late, and there is a lot of rainfall until summer. It only gets really warm and dry in midsummer. Temperatures of up to 35 °C are possible then, but not every summer in Wyoming is like that. Most of the time, you will have to expect surprises.
Winters in the prairies of Wyoming are dry and quite cold, with temperatures as low as -30 °C at night. Between December and February, there is little precipitation. Rain usually returns with spring and stays until just before midsummer. Only then do thunderstorms, storms, and hail decrease, and it gets really warm with over 30 °C. However, even in midsummer, there are still big temperature differences between day and night.
On your trip through Wyoming, between the grassy plains of the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains, and the dry dunes of the Red Desert, you will also see countless wild animals. This includes buffalo, bears, bighorn sheep, red-tailed hawks, prairie falcons, and turtles.
The best time to travel to Wyoming is between June and September when the humid spring slowly gives way to drier summer weather. However, it really only gets dry in midsummer.
Besides fantastic tours through Yellowstone National Park and the Rocky Mountains, a gigantic rodeo spectacle awaits you in Wyoming in the summer. The "Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo" takes place every year at the end of July, lasts 10 days, and offers exciting rodeo action as well as big concerts, parades, and all kinds of Wild West performances.
Note: In the mountainous regions, night frost and snowfall are to be expected even in summer, so you should always have a set of warm clothes with you.
Wyoming is known for its world-class ski resorts, and taking a dip in the hot springs is also especially soothing in the winter.
Book into one of the finest ski resorts in the mountain region and enjoy your western winter with ice fishing, winter sports, glacier hiking, and more. A special winter highlight is the frozen waterfalls throughout the state, as well as the "Cody Ice Festival" in February, where you can learn ice climbing under the guidance of professionals.
The main airports in Wyoming are:
If you are starting from Europe, there are few cheap flight options to Wyoming that will keep you under €800 and under 20 hours of travel time. This is possible, for example, from Munich with SAS or from Paris with United.
Other airlines that will take you to Wyoming include American Airlines, KLM, and Delta Air Lines. Flights from the Asian or African region can rarely be found for less than €1,000. The cheapest of them usually land in Jackson.
The most affordable way to fly to Wyoming is from Canada, where you can get a bargain at around €350.
Remember: If you are not a US citizen or a Green Card holder, you will need a US visa or ESTA to enter the United States.
With an ESTA, you can stay 90 days visa-free in the USA. Apply online now!
Jackson Hole Airport is located at the base of the spectacular Teton Mountain Range, in the heart of Grand Teton National Park. What a beautiful start to your Wyoming vacation! After landing, you have the following transfer options:
The cab pool of the JAC (this is the official abbreviation of the Jackson Hole Airport) offers you rides at fixed prices. For example, from the airport to the golf and tennis resort in Moose you pay $35; to Teton Village, it's $70. To the Town of Jackson/Kelly, you pay $40.
If you're staying at one of the nearby hotels, you can take advantage of the convenient hotel shuttles that pick you up at the JAC. A quick call to your hotel will tell you if they have a shuttle service.
After you make it from the airport to Teton Village, for example, you can hop on a START public bus. Fares vary widely - you can get a ten-ride pass for $42.
We recommend renting a car in Wyoming. There are four car rental agencies at the airport waiting for you to become a customer. To accomplish this, they even offer you a free shuttle service from the airport to their off-airport locations. Ask your airline if they offer special "Fly & Ride" rates that can save you money.
In Wyoming, you are near the legendary Yellowstone volcano and in the middle of the monstrous Rocky Mountains, and among beautiful national forests and canyons. Here are the most beautiful places in Wyoming:
Yellowstone National Park hosts nearly 4 million visitors from around the world each year. Amidst sparkling lakes, hot springs, waterfalls, and canyons, Old Faithful is a beloved old friend in the park. The beautiful geyser sprays its hot fountains into the air so reliably that park rangers can predict the time of the next eruption to the minute. Yellowstone is also world-famous for its wildlife of bison, elk, wolves, and bears. Be amazed by the colorful springs, breathtaking views, and hundreds of great hiking trails!
The majestic peaks of the Teton Range will inspire you with their incomparable beauty! The almost 4,300 m high mountain Grand Teton and the endless trails through the pristine nature make hiking, biking, and camping here an unforgettable experience. On your tours through the park, you can observe moose, wolves, bears, and bald eagles.
Tip: Take a boat trip along the beautiful Snake River or kayak across Jenny Lake.
Bighorn Canyon is the place to be if you love seeing bald eagles and wild horses in a breathtaking setting. Don't miss the Devil Canyon Overlook with its very special view, and be sure to have a picnic on your way through the beautiful trails. There are also great campsites between steep rock walls!
Tip: You can canoe or kayak through the canyon to get up close and personal.
The beautiful and quiet Buffalo Bill State Park is located at the gates of Yellowstone National Park at the large Buffalo Bill Reservoir in a beautiful mountainous landscape. Here, you will find perfect conditions for camping in nature and a great view of the mountains. Hike along the water and enjoy the spectacular sunsets.
The thermal waters of Hot Springs State Park, near the small town of Thermopolis in Hot Springs County, are an almost otherworldly sight. Take a stroll along the Sidewalk or the swaying suspension bridge over the springs. You can also ride a railroad through the park or take a paddle down the Big Horn River.
Devils Tower in the Black Hills of Wyoming is a sacred Native American landmark. Does it look familiar? That could be because it was used as a UFO landing pad in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." On your way through the Black Hills, you can circle the volcanic rock giant once. By the way, most of the Black Hills are located in the neighboring state of South Dakota.
The colorful canyons of Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area are surrounded by a beautiful reservoir formed by the Green River. Here, you can paddle, swim, fish, hike, and horseback ride in the unique natural beauty. In winter, you can also book off-road adventures with a snowmobile. Don't miss the sunset when the canyon shines in its most beautiful colors.
The following places in Wyoming are must-sees and should be on your travel list:
Amidst the stunningly beautiful landscapes of the US state of Wyoming, green metropolises and enchanting small towns await you. Here are our city highlights in Wyoming:
On the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, you'll find the western town of Casper. Experience the culture of the Old West up close and personal: museums, western clothing stores, western-themed restaurants, and a thriving rodeo scene are waiting for you. You can also take a trip to Casper Mountain.
These are some of the places you don't want to miss in Casper:
Jackson is the gateway to Grand Teton National Park and an ideal starting point for outdoor activities. Plus, the old Western town has become an entertaining mix of stores, museums, galleries, restaurants, and cafes.
These are the places you should see when you're in Jackson:
Enjoying a romantic small-town atmosphere with a Western flair, you can stroll through museums in Cheyenne, take a historical city tour, explore the green surroundings, or learn to ride a horse on a ranch. Special highlights here include cowboy dinner shows and the ten-day Rodeo Cheyenne Frontier Days.
These are the places you should see in Cheyenne:
The former Wild West town of Laramie is a popular place to live for University of Wyoming students and offers visitors a deep insight into the history of the US West. It's also an ideal base for outdoor pursuits in the mountains.
These are the places you should see in Laramie:
On a road trip through the US state of Wyoming, you won't be able to stop marveling! The scenery here at the foot of the Rocky Mountains is stunningly beautiful.
Soak in hot springs, learn about Native American tribes, see bison, bighorn sheep, and wild horses, and be awed by colorful canyons, outrageous geysers, and majestic mountains.
With stops in the many small cowboy towns, you can completely immerse yourself in the Wild West on your road trip through Wyoming.
Wyoming is a US state full of beautiful photo opportunities. Who wouldn't want to put them in their Instagram account? Here are our top 5 Instagram hotspots in Wyoming:
If you're visiting the US state of Wyoming and someone offers you "prairie oysters," brace yourself. Here are our food highlights in Wyoming:
We bet you haven't heard these exciting facts about the US state of Wyoming:
Wyoming is one of the most beautiful states in the US to live in! Maybe these facts will help you get a foothold in the place of your dreams:
Wyoming's major industries, and therefore its largest employers, include coal, oil, natural gas, and the production of bentonite, a natural clay made from volcanic ash.
Other major industries can be found in real estate, construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism.
Drivers, salespeople, teachers, and retail managers are for hire in Wyoming.
Good news: Living in Wyoming is cheaper than the US average in most places. You'll have between a 1% and 5% lower cost of living here.
Plus, the commute time between job and home is remarkably short, averaging 15 minutes, which means people in Wyoming can afford to live where their employers are located.
Only in the towns of Gillette and Cody, things are a little different. Here, the cost of living is a few percent higher than the average in the United States.
The sales tax in Wyoming is a moderate 4%.
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So be sure to enter the US government's annual lottery, even if you're trying to get your Green Card through a US employer at the same time.
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