Best Wyoming Tours & Trips

Wyoming is one of the least crowded states in the country, but it holds two of America's most visited national parks. A trip to Wyoming usually means one thing for most travelers: Yellowstone and Grand Teton. But the state offers more than geysers and mountains; it has frontier history, small towns with real character, and wide-open roads that make for a good driving trip. This guide covers what to expect on Wyoming tours, when to go, how to get around, and which stops are worth your time.

The weather is the biggest factor in planning trips to Wyoming, since road access to the parks changes dramatically by season. The best time to visit is usually in the summer, especially from July to August.

Summer (June to August): This is peak season. Daytime highs sit around 75-81°F, with cooler nights near 50-55°F. All park roads are open, wildflowers are blooming, and you can raft the Snake River or catch a rodeo in Cheyenne. The tradeoff is crowds; Yellowstone's main loop gets busy by mid-morning, so early starts help.

Fall (September to November): Temperatures drop to a range of roughly 40-65°F. Aspen groves turn gold, elk become more active and vocal, and crowds thin out noticeably after Labor Day. Many park facilities and some roads start closing in late October, so check dates before booking if you're aiming for this window.

Winter (December to February): Most interior park roads are closed to regular vehicles from November through April, with temperatures often dropping below 10°F and sometimes much lower. The north entrance near Gardiner, Montana, stays open year-round. Winter visitors typically use snowcoaches or snowmobiles for guided access, and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort draws skiers during this stretch.

Spring (March to May): Snow lingers at higher elevations while valleys thaw out. This is calving season for bison and elk, so wildlife viewing near Mammoth Hot Springs can be excellent. Trails at lower elevations open first; higher routes may stay snowed-in into June. Pack layers, since temperatures swing widely between morning and afternoon.

Wyoming has no major international airport, so most travelers fly into a nearby hub and drive in.

Airports: Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) sits closest to Grand Teton and Yellowstone's south entrance, though fares run higher than other options. Salt Lake City (SLC) in Utah is a popular budget alternative. It's about a four-hour drive north to the parks. Cody Regional Airport (COD) covers Yellowstone's east entrance but has limited seasonal service. Denver is another common starting point for road trips into the region.

Getting Around Once You're There

There's no public transit connecting the parks or towns, so a rental car is necessary for independent travel. Distances are long, and gas stations can be sparse outside towns, so fill up when you can. If you'd rather skip the driving and logistics, guided Wyoming tours that include transportation from cities like Denver, Las Vegas, San Francisco, or Salt Lake City are a practical option; they typically bundle transport, lodging, and entry passes into one price.

Entry Passes: Yellowstone and Grand Teton each require a separate entrance fee unless you buy the America the Beautiful Annual Pass, which covers both, plus other federal sites for a year. Buy passes online ahead of time or at entrance stations; both cash and cards are accepted.

Jackson: Jackson is the most popular base for visiting Grand Teton and Yellowstone's south side. It has a walkable town square, restaurants, and easy access to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. It's also the priciest option for lodging, especially in summer. Cody: Named after Buffalo Bill Cody, this town near Yellowstone's east entrance has a more low-key, Western feel. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is the main draw, alongside rodeo events held through the summer.

Cheyenne: Wyoming's capital sits in the southeast corner of the state, farther from the parks but worth a stop for its rodeo culture, especially during Cheyenne Frontier Days in late July.

Salt Lake City: While technically in Utah, SLC functions as a major gateway city for many Wyoming trip itineraries thanks to its airport and four-hour drive to Jackson.

Yellowstone National Park: The world's first national park is the centerpiece of most itineraries. Old Faithful erupts roughly every 90 minutes, the Grand Prismatic Spring offers striking color from its mineral-rich water, and the Lamar Valley is one of the best spots in the country to see wolves and bison in the wild.

Grand Teton National Park: Just south of Yellowstone, Grand Teton is known for its sharp, glacier-carved peaks rising directly from the valley floor. Jenny Lake and Jackson Lake both offer good hiking and canoeing, and the Snake River is popular for float trips.

Buffalo Bill Center of the West: Located in Cody, this museum complex covers Western history, firearms, natural history, and Native American culture across five connected museums.

Beartooth Highway: This scenic drive connects Cody to Yellowstone's northeast entrance through dramatic high-altitude terrain. It's seasonal, typically open late May through mid-October, and considered one of the best road trip routes in the country.

Devils Tower: A striking rock formation rising 867 feet from the surrounding plains, sacred to several Native American tribes, and a popular stop for climbers and photographers.

A few practical notes: tap water in Wyoming towns is safe to drink, but backcountry water from lakes and streams needs filtering or treatment before use. Cell service is limited inside the parks, so download offline maps beforehand. And because distances between stops are long, building in buffer time for wildlife traffic jams, a real thing in both parks, will keep your schedule realistic.