27 Famous Landmarks in Wyoming Not to Miss

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Located in the Mountain West region of the United States, Wyoming is a beautiful destination to visit. If you've been considering a trip to the area and want to answer the question "What is Wyoming famous for?" you've come to the right place!

Wyoming is famous for its many national parks, including the renowned Yellowstone National Park. It's also known for its variety of cultural and historical landmarks.

Famous landmarks in Wyoming include the Bighorn Medicine Wheel, the Oregon Trail Ruts, and attractions in Yellowstone, like Grand Prismatic Spring. Keep reading to discover all the incredible places to see in this Western state!

• 27 Wyoming landmarks

27 Famous Wyoming Landmarks

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is a world-famous landmark that's found in Wyoming. While primarily located in Wyoming, parts of the over two million-acre park spill into Montana and Idaho. The park is managed by the National Park Service, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was the first National Park in the country.

Yellowstone has various geological features, including geysers like Old Faithful and vast canyons. Notably, the park is home to the Yellowstone supervolcano, whose activity is responsible for many of the area's geological attractions.

During a visit, you can also see a vast array of plants and wildlife. Animals you may spot include bears, bighorn sheep, and bald eagles. If you want to see lots of wildlife, the best time to visit Yellowstone National Park is in the spring as animals emerge from hibernation and new creatures are born.

South Pass City Historic Site

South Pass was an important part of the Oregon and California Trails. It also acted as a route for fur trappers looking to get to the Rocky Mountains.

There are also two other historical sites in the area, the English Tunnels and the Carissa Mine. The English Tunnels were first used in 1888 to search for gold mines. The Carissa Mine was a thriving gold mine located in the Sweetwater Mining District.

Today, you can tour all three historical sites and learn more about life around South Pass City in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Independence Rock State Historic Site

One of many natural Wyoming state landmarks is Independence Rock. This geological feature is a granite rock that's 130 feet high, 850 feet wide, and 1,900 feet long.

The landmark is also called the "Register of the Desert." Those passing through on the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails would carve their names on the rock face.

It was named "Independence Rock" by travelers who reached the rock on Independence Day. Today, you can still see many of the names and messages carved into the rock over 150 years ago.

Grand Teton National Park

Another spectacular national park in Wyoming is Grand Teton National Park. Established in 1929, the park surrounds the Teton mountain range and Jackson Hole. The park features beautiful alpine terrain complete with pine trees and alpine lakes.

It's also filled with wildlife, including black bears, bison, and elk. Hiking, backpacking, or wildlife watching in Grand Teton National Park are some of things to do in Wyoming that have to be on your bucket list!

Upper Green River Rendezvous Site

The Upper Green River Rendezvous Site is located in Daniel, Wyoming, and is marked by a historical marker. It was also designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

The site formerly held a fair-like event where traders and fur trappers would meet. This trading place was used between 1825 and 1840. If you visit today, you can learn a bit more about the site and enjoy views of the surrounding valley.

Wyoming State Capitol

Located in the state capital of Cheyenne, the Wyoming State Capitol was constructed in 1890. It's a Renaissance Revival-style building designed by architect William DuBois.

This famous landmark in Wyoming remains the seat of government for the state and houses various political offices, including that of the Governor of Wyoming.

Tours of the structure are offered, during which you can learn about political history and admire the stunning architecture, complete with carvings and stained glass windows.

Devils Tower National Monument

Devils Tower is a Laccolith Mountain that's part of the Black Hills. It's considered sacred by Northern Plains Indians and has many Native American names, including "Bear House."

The mountain got the name Devils Tower in 1875 when explorers in the area misinterpreted a Native American name to mean "Bad God's Tower," leading to the name Devils Tower.

Devils Tower sits within a national park, and visitors can view the geological feature while following scenic hiking trails.

Old Faithful Geyser

One of the most well-known geological features in Yellowstone National Park is Old Faithful Geyser. The cone geyser erupts with water every 45 minutes to two hours.

This geothermal phenomenon draws approximately four million people every year. If you're visiting this iconic park, a trip to Old Faithful must be included on your Yellowstone itinerary!

Guernsey State Park

Guernsey State Park is one of many famous landmarks of Wyoming that's a must-visit for nature lovers. Located near the border with Nebraska, the park covers 8,631 acres.

In the park are a variety of hiking trails that wind through forests and past lakes. There are also lakeside campgrounds for those that want to spend the night surrounded by nature.

Guernsey Ruts

The Guernsey Ruts, also known as the Oregon Trail Ruts, are found just outside Guernsey State Park. This National Historic Landmark marks the site of preserved ruts made by wagons traveling along the Oregon Trail in the 1800s.

This site features the best-preserved set of Oregon Trail ruts in the United States. Near the ruts, you'll also find the Women Pioneers of the Oregon Trail monument that pays homage to women who traveled the westward route.

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Buffalo Bill Center of the West

An interesting cultural landmark in Wyoming is the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. This complex of five museums, plus a library, was created in 1917 to preserve the legacy of Buffalo Bill Cody.

At the museums, you'll find artifacts relating to the soldier and showman. There are also exhibits on the Wild West and the history and culture of Plains Indians.

In addition, you can explore an art gallery and a natural history museum that mainly focuses on ecology and wildlife in Wyoming.

Fort Bridger State Historic Site

Fort Bridger is one of many 19th-century historical landmarks in Wyoming that was originally a fur trapping post. Established in 1842, it was also an important stop on the Westward Expansion Trails as travelers would stop in the area for supplies.

Additionally, a military outpost was established in 1858 during the Utah War. Fort Bridger State Historic Site is now a living history museum, with replicas of 19th-century homes and businesses and exhibits on the site's history and its uses.

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Cheyenne Depot Museum

The Cheyenne Depot Museum is a fascinating attraction covering the history of the railroads in Wyoming. The museum is housed within the Union Pacific Railroad Depot, built in 1887.

The depot building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006.

At the museum, you'll find exhibits on the importance of the railroads, the building's history, and railroad innovations throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

Heart Mountain Relocation Center

During World War II, the United States government sadly imprisoned Japanese Americans in internment camps. The Heart Mountain Relocation Center in Wyoming was one of them.

This act was part of Executive Order 9102, which was signed into law after the Pearl Harbor Attack. The reasoning for this was that the government feared that Japanese Americans would side with Japan and the Axis Powers over the United States and the other Allies.

The site today is called the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center and acts as a memorial to those held there. You can reflect on this tragic part of US history and learn more about the Americans forced into the camp.

Fort Laramie National Historic Site

Constructed in 1834, Fort Laramie is another of the 19th-century historic sites in Wyoming. Fort Laramie was originally a fur trading post but became a military fort in 1849. It was abandoned in 1890.

Almost 80 years after its abandonment, in 1966, the Fort Laramie site was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Visiting today allows you to explore the area and learn about the fort's history as a trading site and a military base.

Killpecker Sand Dunes

A fun landmark for outdoor and adventure activity enthusiasts is Killpecker Sand Dunes. The dunes in Sweetwater County are a protected area managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

Things to do at Killpecker Sand Dunes include riding ATVs or dune buggies and hiking. You can also look out for wildlife, with the area being home to rare desert elk that can only be seen here. The park is also home to Boar's Tusk, a geological feature that's the core of an ancient volcano.

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Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole is a landmark town in Wyoming and one of the most well-known places in the state. It's a popular winter sports location and features three main ski and snowboard spots: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Grand Targhee Resort, and Snow King Mountain Resort.

Along with enjoying snow sports, you can find lots to see in the town's ski village. An interesting feature in Town Square is an arch made from shed elk antlers. The shedding process happens naturally, with the antlers collected from the nearby National Elk Refuge.

There's also an art gallery and great apres-ski bars and restaurants. In the summer, visitors head to Jackson Hole to hike and spot wildlife.

Bighorn National Forest

Bighorn National Forest is one of the must-visit famous places in Wyoming for lovers of the outdoors. The park covers over one million acres and features trails, prairies, lakes, and valleys formed by glacial activity. You can see the Bighorn Mountains too.

When in the area, you can also visit Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Located 30 to 50 minutes from the park, just over the border in Montana, you can see a stunning canyon and follow more hiking trails.

Bighorn Medicine Wheel

The Medicine Wheel in Bighorn National Forest is one of the most fascinating landmarks in North America. It's also another of Wyoming's National Historic Landmarks, having gained its status in 1970.

The Native American archaeological feature was first studied in 1902. To this date, it has not been connected to one particular Indigenous tribe. It features stones arranged in a circle of about 82 feet in diameter, with other stones connecting to the center.

Oregon Trail Historic Byway

The Oregon Trail Historic Byway, also known as the Oregon Trail Scenic Byway, takes you along the route pioneers took in the 1800s. The trail runs through Wyoming, as well as other surrounding states.

As you follow the trail, you can learn more about the Westward Expansion and those that followed the Oregon Trail for a new life.

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Ames Monument State Historic Site

Opened in 1880, the Ames Monument is a pyramid structure that marks the highest point on the First Transcontinental Railroad. The monument was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and became a National Historic Landmark in 2016.

Visitors can see the attraction at any time of the year and can learn a little more about its significance when in the area. The Ames Monument is one of the fascinating historical places in Wyoming you must plan a trip to!

Grand Prismatic Spring

Grand Prismatic Spring is another of the world-renowned attractions found in one of the best parks on the West Coast, Yellowstone National Park. The hot spring is the largest in Yellowstone. It's also the largest hot spring in the United States and the third-largest worldwide.

The approximately 200-330 feet in diameter spring is known for its bright yellow rings and turquoise waters. Visitors to the area can follow trails that allow them to marvel at this geological wonder.

Wind River Indian Reservation

The Wind River area of Wyoming has the seventh-largest Indian reservation in the United States. The Wind River Indian Reservation covers over two million acres. This reservation is home to two tribes, the Northern Arapaho Tribe and the Eastern Shoshone Tribe.

Visitors are welcome at the reservation but must join a guided tour. You'll learn more about each tribe's culture and history on a tour.

National Elk Refuge

The National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole is an important landmark that helps preserve Wyoming wildlife. The 25,000-acre refuge was established in 1912 to protect the wildlife habitats here, mainly the large elk herd in the area.

Other animals in the park include bison, wolves, bighorn sheep, and cutthroat trout. If in Jackson Hole, you can visit the park and hike trails. You can also admire the glacial landscape and, of course, spot animals.

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Old Trail Town

Old Trail Town is one of the historical sites in Wyoming that allows you to learn more about the American Wild West. The living history museum features a replica of the town Buffalo Bill planned, Cody Town.

When exploring this "ghost town," you can go inside 1890s buildings, including homes, shops, and saloons. Just a few notable sites include the original cabins of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Bridger-Teton National Forest

Located close to the Idaho border and just below Yellowstone National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest is an over three-million-acre park and forest. Notably, it's the fifth-largest national forest in the country.

You can follow miles of trails at the park through pine, spruce, and fir forests. These routes will also take you past sparkling lakes and mountain ranges. The forest is home to many animals, too, like bighorn sheep, elk, and moose.

Fossil Butte National Monument

Fossil Butte National Monument comprises some of the most well-preserved fossils in the world. These include fossilized insects, fish, mammals, and plants.

You can see 300 of these incredible fossils at the Fossil Butte visitor center. At the center, you can also learn more about how the fossils show what life was like millions of years ago in the area. Hiking trails and scenic drive routes surround the visitor center too.

In Summary

Wyoming is a unique place to visit with lots to see and do. Outdoor enthusiasts will find many natural landmarks to check out, from Yellowstone National Park to Bighorn National Forest. Other landmarks range from historical Wyoming monuments like Fort Bridger to bustling mountain towns like Jackson Hole.

This article was edited by Loredana Elena.

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