Wyoming is a fascinating destination in the USA. As hundreds of years ago, adventurers are drawn to the Wild West, who still hunt herds of bison on horseback, hike through the canyons or climb bizarre rock formations of the Rocky Mountains, meet bears and moose or push their limits on survival tours.
The fascinating nature of Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is one of the top ten sights in the USA. Steaming geysers and bubbling mud holes stretch over an area of over 9,000 square kilometers. Every few minutes, water fountains shoot meters high into the sky and make visitors gasp. The water runs down the rocks and nourishes the algae. The caves shine emerald green. The sulphur turns the stones yellowish and the earth’s crust appears pinkish-red. This creates a special kind of play of colours. At the Mammoth Hot Springsund, on the wooden walkways around Old Faithful, tourists from all over the world jostle. But true connoisseurs put on their trekking shoes and set off for the hinterland of the national park. Lonely hiking trails, fascinating waterfalls and untouched nature await you here.
The breathtaking mountain world of the Grand Tetons
History says that the Grand Teton Mountains were formed 9 million years ago because the earth simply broke open and shifted the pointed rocks to the side. What remained were the mountain peaks lined up next to each other with seven three-thousand-metre peaks, one four-thousand-metre peak and a steppe-like valley. The mountains attract with their extraordinary vegetation. Below the massive rocks stretches a lush green area of bushes and lush forests with meter-high conifers. The mountains are also famous for their barren mountain meadows, the icy cold and shimmering blue mountain lakes and the glaciated mountain slopes. Here is actually still the eternal snow and from October onwards loneliness reigns here. In summer you can pitch your tents in the campgrounds. Places are limited and should be reserved in advance, preferably at the beginning of the year.
Encounter moose and bears in Cascade Canyon
Wyoming’s wildlife is one of a kind. The further away you get from the tourist trails, the greater the probability of encountering a bear. As a tourist, you should be aware that these animals may look cute, but they are dangerous. Therefore, it is better to observe them from a safe distance. Bears are omnipresent along the streams of Cascade Canyon. They look for fish here and bathe in the cold water. Many bears have lost their shyness of humans. The principle here is: Leave me alone, then I’ll leave you alone! At Jenny Lake you can experience moose in the wild. After sunrise, they walk among the trees on the south side of the lake. The Discovery Trail leads directly to Lake Jenny and is peppered with boards that provide information about all of the area’s wildlife.
Pure nature in the Thunder Basin National Grassland
The forest area in the northeast of the state stretches between the Black Hills and the Big Horn Mountains. Here, visitors can experience Wyoming’s nature up close. There are no campsites, but you are allowed to camp in certain areas. Hikers from all over the world come here to wander through the remote areas for days. The whole area is also a magnet for anglers and hunters. The Thunder Basin National Grassland is very fertile and brings together almost all of the wild plants that are native to Wyoming. As a result, wild animals find the best feeding opportunities here. From muskrats to porcupines to rabbits and marmots, you can observe numerous animals here. The streams are full of trout and eagles make their rounds in the sky. Together with the adjacent Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest , the area has an area of over 12,000 square kilometers and extends across the border into Colorado.
Quaint small towns and warm hospitality
You won’t find the world-famous metropolises in Wyoming. Cozy small towns such as Buffalo, Lovell or Cody dominate here. Teddy Roosevelt was already drawn to Buffalo. Even today, visitors can stay at the historic Occidental Hotel, where the American president once stayed. The town in western Wyoming is known for its typical restaurants and is a popular destination for skiers in winter. Lovell stands for the famous Wild West. Like a Western film set, the Bighorn Canyon stretches out in front of the city with its deep gorges and herds of wild horses. Visitors experience even more Wild West feeling in Cody. It’s where the state’s most exciting rodeos take place, and in the evening, people dance to traditional cowboy music. In Old Trail Town , Cody shows its original side with an 1890 border building and numerous western attractions for tourists.
When winter arrives in Wyoming
True enthusiasts are drawn to Wyoming in winter. Then entire areas are transformed into snow paradises and the play of lights creates a unique magic. You can discover the loneliest areas by dog sled or explore a dreamlike landscape with a snowmobile. The Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail is the best trail in the USA for snowmobilers. But skiers and cross-country skiers also get their money’s worth. Powder-covered and steep slopes make Wyoming one of the best ski and snowboard areas in the entire Northwest. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort attracts experienced skiers, and the Snowy Range Ski Resort also offers slopes for beginners. If you prefer to discover the snowy landscape in comfort, you can board a horse-drawn sleigh in Grand Teton Mountain. Adventurers experience the pure thrill of ice climbing along the frozen waterfalls. At the lakes, people meet for traditional ice fishing.
