FEW PLACES PRESENT AS ICONIC an interpretation of the American West as Wyoming.
The High Plains roll in from the east, encompassing ranch land and rodeo country. Isolated mountain ranges spring up, the vanguard of the Eastern Rockies — the Bear Lodge Mountains, the Sierra Madre, the Bighorns, the Laramie Mountains, the Winds. And then, in the northwestern corner of the state, you have some of America’s most cherished places — the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone.
From pristine wilderness to small-town adventure bases to abundant wildlife, Wyoming is a celebration of the American landscape. Below are 30 images that best demonstrate that fact.
1
Mormon Row, Grand Teton National Park
On the western edge of Wyoming, just south of Yellowstone, the Teton Range runs from north to south like the world's most impressive border wall. In the late 1890s, Mormon settlers arrived and put down stakes, and today the remnants of these homesteads, protected within Grand Teton National Park, provide some pretty incredible photo opps. Seen above is the John Moulton barn.
Photo:Scott Sporleder
2
Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park
Of all of Yellowstone's attractions, the Grand Prismatic Spring may be my favorite. One of the largest hot springs in the world, it's certainly the most picturesque, its vivid perimeter colors a result of bacterial colonies that feed off minerals in the water. Find the spring in the Midway Geyser Basin, along the Firehole River.
Photo:Scott Sporleder
3
American Bison, Lamar Valley, Yellowstone
Around the turn of the 20th century, when the American bison was all but extinct, there was only one place you could find the animal roaming freely in the US: Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone has been at the forefront of the species' resurgence, and today the Lamar Valley is one of the best places in the world to see them, in addition to the park's other wildlife.
Photo:Scott Sporleder
A focal point of Grand Teton National Park, Jenny Lake sits at the feet of the main peaks and, when the water is still, casts reflections of this remarkable landscape. Visitors can boat on the lake, and many hiking trails originate from its shores.
Photo:Billy Gast
5
Devils Tower
In northeastern Wyoming, Devils Tower rises from the hills like a beacon. Some geologists believe the igneous formation—basically hardened magma—is all that remains of an ancient volcano. The tower features prominently in the lore of Native American peoples of the region and is sacred to several tribes.
Photo:Space][rucker
6
Lower Yellowstone Falls
North of Yellowstone Lake, the Yellowstone River makes a dramatic entrance into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, flowing first over the Upper Falls and then, a quarter mile on, forming the Lower Falls seen above. At 300+ feet tall, it has twice the height of Niagara. Multiple viewing platforms are open to the public, including the one visible at top right.
Photo:trent roche
7
Elk, Yellowstone
Bison, bears, wolves, elk—Yellowstone is one of the best places in the world to see big mammal species in the wild. In summer, the park is home to several elk herds, totaling from 10,000 to 20,000 individuals.
Photo:Scott Sporleder
The eastern portions of Wyoming are dominated by the High Plains, where you might get a view like this.
Photo:Scott Sporleder
9
Wildflowers and Tetons
Wildflowers spotted near Jackson, with the Tetons in the background. Fertile soil is what drew the first settlers to this area in the 1800s.
Photo:Louise Palanker
10
Bighorn National Forest
The Bighorns are one of several mountain ranges in the state that together mark the boundary of the Eastern Rockies. Two scenic highways cut through Bighorn National Forest in north-central Wyoming—this is Highway 16.
Photo:Ron Reiring
11
Ranch horses
Wyoming is home to wild horses—good places to see them include the Pryor Mountains near Bighorn Lake, and in the southwest of the state where the Green River becomes the Flaming Gorge Reservoir. These horses were photographed on a ranch.
Photo:Adam Bailey
Morning Glory Pool is another popular and well-photographed feature of Yellowstone. Usually placid, it can erupt as a geyser as a result of seismic activity.
Photo:CheWei Chang
13
Wyoming road trip
From the plains to the forests to the mountains, Wyoming is a killer destination for a road trip. Check out our 5 itinerary suggestions.
Photo:Scott Sporleder
14
Lone bison, Lamar Valley
In 1902 there were as few as 20 bison remaining in Yellowstone. Today, the park population numbers in the thousands.
Photo: Neal Herbert, Yellowstone National Park
15
Island Lake, Bridger Wilderness
The Wind River Range extends from the area around Lander northwest towards the Tetons and contains most of Wyoming's tallest mountains (40+ peaks higher than 13,000ft). The picturesque Island Lake, shown above, sits at the foot of Fremont Peak, the state's third tallest, and makes for an excellent backcountry base camp.
Photo:Steve Schroeder
16
Jackson rodeo
Wyoming is a rodeo state, tracing the tradition back to working cowboys who'd gather to show off their skills. Cheyenne Frontier Days, held each year in July, is the premier event, but towns like Cody, Lander, and Sheridan are also great rodeo destinations. The event above took place in Jackson.
Photo:alh1
Trails run up and around the Grand Prismatic Spring, providing views like this.
Photo:Scott Sporleder
19
Grizzly, Swan Lake Flats
Several hundred grizzly bears reside in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, making it America's best-protected habitat for these large mammals. Not everyone who visits Yellowstone will see a bear, but chances are better here than pretty much anywhere else.
Photo: Jim Peaco, Yellowstone National Park
20
Yellowstone sunset
Steam from the geysers mixes with the light of a setting sun to create an iconic view of Yellowstone.
Photo:Tom Babich
21
Beartooth Highway
US Route 212, an All-American Road known as the Beartooth Highway, straddles the Wyoming-Montana border and has been called "the most beautiful drive in America." The 68-mile scenic stretch is easily combined with a trip to Yellowstone.
Photo:Scott Sporleder
22
Lower Yellowstone Falls
The trail along the north rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone gives several vantage points from which to see the Lower Falls.
Photo:abhisawa
23
Sunset on the plains
It doesn't take a mountain range to create beautiful scenery in Wyoming.
Photo:Mason Moir
24
Bison in snow, Lamar Valley
Bison have been living in Yellowstone since prehistoric times and are well suited to all seasons in this part of the country.
Photo: Neal Herbert, Yellowstone National Park
25
Fremont Peak, Wind River Range
At 13,745ft, Fremont Peak is the state's third-tallest mountain. It's located deep in national forest land, meaning that to climb it usually requires a three- to five-day expedition.
Photo:Douglas LeMoine
26
Winter in Yellowstone
Peak visitation in Yellowstone is May to September, but around 100,000 people do arrive in the winter months. Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and wildlife viewing are popular activities.
Photo:AirHaake
27
Worlds collide
Yellowstone's geothermal springs help feed its rivers, at some places creating a confluence that allows for bathing in water that's not too hot, not too cold.
Photo:llee_wu
28
Jackson Hole powder day
Most of the downhill skiing in Wyoming takes places in and around the Tetons at big-name resorts like Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee, though smaller lift-serviced mountains are scattered around the state.
Photo:najarich
29
On top of the world, Big Horn Mountains
With all its wild country and opportunities to explore, it's easy to find your own top of the world in Wyoming.
Photo:Charlie Coffey
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