It’s important to know where you’ve come from in order to know where you are going. That’s an important aspect of history no matter where you live. There are some truly amazing historical places in Wyoming that were pivotal points in shaping the history of the nation. Here are some crucial historic landmarks you should definitely check out in Wyoming.
1. Independence Rock
Flickr/Julie Falk Independence Rock was a landmark along the Oregon Trail and is one of the coolest historical landmarks in Wyoming. Between 1843 and 1869, half a million pioneers set out on this trail and passed this rock on their way heading west; many of them inscribed their names on this rock. The rock was named Independence Rock because it became the goal to reach this point by the Fourth of July. This way they knew they would make it over the Rockies before winter set in. Independence Rock State Historic Site, WY-220, Alcova, WY 82620, USA
2. South Pass
CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=91976 South Pass is made up of two mountain passes on the Continental Divide. The pass consists of a natural crossing point of the Rockies. This was the route for travelers on the Oregon, Mormon and California trails who were heading west. South Pass, Wyoming, USA
3. Heart Mountain Relocation Center
By Jeremykemp at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17981498 The Heart Mountain Relocation Center was an internment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II. It’s located in northwest Wyoming between Cody and Powell. Heart Mountain, Wyoming, USA
4. Oregon Trail Ruts
By Phil Konstantin - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Firefox13 using CommonsHelper. (Original text: self-made), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6405294 The Oregon Trail Ruts are located just south of Guernsey at this historical landmark in Wyoming. This is the site of trail ruts created by wagons traveling along the Oregon Trail. Guernsey Ruts, Guernsey, WY 82214, USA
5. Fort Laramie National Historic Site
Flickr/Ken Lund Fort Laramie was a 19th century trading post and diplomatic site. During the middle of the century, it was a stopping point for travelers along the Oregon Trail and Mormon Trail. It was also a significant economic hub. It was taken over by the United States Army to protect the travelers along the Oregon, Mormon, and California Trails. Fort Laramie, WY, USA
6. Sheridan Inn
By Behemuthm - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18311661 The Sheridan Inn, built in 1893, is a historic hotel that was operated by Buffalo Bill Cody. From 1894 to 1896, he managed the inn for the railroad. Sheridan Inn, 856 Broadway St, Sheridan, WY 82801, USA
7. Wyoming State Capitol
By Matthew Trump - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=171429 The Wyoming State Capitol is located in Cheyenne and was built between 1886 and 1890. It houses the chambers of the Wyoming State Legislature and the office of the Governor of Wyoming. Wyoming State Capitol, 200 W 24th St, Cheyenne, WY 82001, USA
8. Medicine Wheel
By U.S. Forest Service Photo - http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/bighorn/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3358774 The Medicine Wheel is located in the Bighorn National Forest. It’s the site of the Native American medicine wheel that was used for religious and healing purposes. Bighorn Medicine Wheel, Lovell, WY 82431, USA
9. Obsidian Cliff
By Acroterion - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12213799 Obsidian Cliff was a source of lithic materials for prehistoric people. The cliff was formed from volcanic lava. Native Americans used the obsidian to make knives, spears, and arrow tips. Obsidian Cliff is located 13 miles south of Mammoth Hot Springs. Obsidian Cliff, Wyoming 82190, USA
10. Upper Green River Rendezvous Site
By Unknown - Copied from this picture, shown on this National Park Service website, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6318539 The Upper Green River Rendezvous Site is the area where the annual fur trading fair was held. This fair was attended by traders and trappers such as Kit Carson, Native Americans, and Jim Bridger. Green River, WY 82935, USA
What are your favorite historical places in Wyoming?
Flickr/Julie Falk
Independence Rock was a landmark along the Oregon Trail and is one of the coolest historical landmarks in Wyoming. Between 1843 and 1869, half a million pioneers set out on this trail and passed this rock on their way heading west; many of them inscribed their names on this rock. The rock was named Independence Rock because it became the goal to reach this point by the Fourth of July. This way they knew they would make it over the Rockies before winter set in.
Independence Rock State Historic Site, WY-220, Alcova, WY 82620, USA
CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=91976
South Pass is made up of two mountain passes on the Continental Divide. The pass consists of a natural crossing point of the Rockies. This was the route for travelers on the Oregon, Mormon and California trails who were heading west.
South Pass, Wyoming, USA
By Jeremykemp at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17981498
The Heart Mountain Relocation Center was an internment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II. It’s located in northwest Wyoming between Cody and Powell.
Heart Mountain, Wyoming, USA
By Phil Konstantin - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Firefox13 using CommonsHelper. (Original text: self-made), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6405294
The Oregon Trail Ruts are located just south of Guernsey at this historical landmark in Wyoming. This is the site of trail ruts created by wagons traveling along the Oregon Trail.
Guernsey Ruts, Guernsey, WY 82214, USA
Flickr/Ken Lund
Fort Laramie was a 19th century trading post and diplomatic site. During the middle of the century, it was a stopping point for travelers along the Oregon Trail and Mormon Trail. It was also a significant economic hub. It was taken over by the United States Army to protect the travelers along the Oregon, Mormon, and California Trails.
Fort Laramie, WY, USA
By Behemuthm - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18311661
The Sheridan Inn, built in 1893, is a historic hotel that was operated by Buffalo Bill Cody. From 1894 to 1896, he managed the inn for the railroad.
Sheridan Inn, 856 Broadway St, Sheridan, WY 82801, USA
By Matthew Trump - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=171429
The Wyoming State Capitol is located in Cheyenne and was built between 1886 and 1890. It houses the chambers of the Wyoming State Legislature and the office of the Governor of Wyoming.
Wyoming State Capitol, 200 W 24th St, Cheyenne, WY 82001, USA
By U.S. Forest Service Photo - http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/bighorn/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3358774
The Medicine Wheel is located in the Bighorn National Forest. It’s the site of the Native American medicine wheel that was used for religious and healing purposes.
Bighorn Medicine Wheel, Lovell, WY 82431, USA
By Acroterion - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12213799
Obsidian Cliff was a source of lithic materials for prehistoric people. The cliff was formed from volcanic lava. Native Americans used the obsidian to make knives, spears, and arrow tips. Obsidian Cliff is located 13 miles south of Mammoth Hot Springs.
Obsidian Cliff, Wyoming 82190, USA
By Unknown - Copied from this picture, shown on this National Park Service website, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6318539
The Upper Green River Rendezvous Site is the area where the annual fur trading fair was held. This fair was attended by traders and trappers such as Kit Carson, Native Americans, and Jim Bridger.
Green River, WY 82935, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Historical Places in Wyoming June 23, 2022 SKS What’s the most beautiful hike in Wyoming? Cloud Peak If you are looking for the most beautiful hike in Wyoming, look no further than Cloud Peak in the Big Horn Mountain Range. This hike is a difficult one, clocking in at nearly 23 miles, but those 23 miles are filled with nothing but endless beauty. Along the way, you will cross through mountains, lakes, rivers, and forests, giving you views into some of the most beautiful places Wyoming has to offer. Cloud Peak is over 13,000 feet tall, (the third tallest mountain in Wyoming) and from the top, you’ll have a view looking over the incredible trail you have hiked that goes on for miles. What is the most popular lake in Wyoming? Jenny Lake Jenny Lake is the most popular lake in Wyoming and it’s easy to see why. Surrounded by an 8 mile loop trail going around the entirety of the lake, Jenny Lake is absolutely stunning. Whether you want to do the entire 8 miles, or just a little bit of the trail before turning around, there is really nothing like walking along this beautiful body of water surrounded by the mountains rising up around you in all directions. Located in the incredible Grand Teton National Park, Jenny Lake is known as the “centerpiece of the park” and is a sight you do not want to miss. What are the most highly rated kid-friendly hikes in Wyoming? Devil’s Tower Trail The best kid-friendly hike in Wyoming, and perhaps the whole country is Devil’s Tower Trail in the Devil’s Tower National Monument. This trail is less than 1.5 miles long but will take you to this incredible rock formation that rises over 850 feet tall and is unlike anything you’ve seen before.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Historical Places in Wyoming
June 23, 2022
SKS
What’s the most beautiful hike in Wyoming? Cloud Peak If you are looking for the most beautiful hike in Wyoming, look no further than Cloud Peak in the Big Horn Mountain Range. This hike is a difficult one, clocking in at nearly 23 miles, but those 23 miles are filled with nothing but endless beauty. Along the way, you will cross through mountains, lakes, rivers, and forests, giving you views into some of the most beautiful places Wyoming has to offer. Cloud Peak is over 13,000 feet tall, (the third tallest mountain in Wyoming) and from the top, you’ll have a view looking over the incredible trail you have hiked that goes on for miles. What is the most popular lake in Wyoming? Jenny Lake Jenny Lake is the most popular lake in Wyoming and it’s easy to see why. Surrounded by an 8 mile loop trail going around the entirety of the lake, Jenny Lake is absolutely stunning. Whether you want to do the entire 8 miles, or just a little bit of the trail before turning around, there is really nothing like walking along this beautiful body of water surrounded by the mountains rising up around you in all directions. Located in the incredible Grand Teton National Park, Jenny Lake is known as the “centerpiece of the park” and is a sight you do not want to miss. What are the most highly rated kid-friendly hikes in Wyoming? Devil’s Tower Trail The best kid-friendly hike in Wyoming, and perhaps the whole country is Devil’s Tower Trail in the Devil’s Tower National Monument. This trail is less than 1.5 miles long but will take you to this incredible rock formation that rises over 850 feet tall and is unlike anything you’ve seen before.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Cloud Peak
If you are looking for the most beautiful hike in Wyoming, look no further than Cloud Peak in the Big Horn Mountain Range. This hike is a difficult one, clocking in at nearly 23 miles, but those 23 miles are filled with nothing but endless beauty. Along the way, you will cross through mountains, lakes, rivers, and forests, giving you views into some of the most beautiful places Wyoming has to offer. Cloud Peak is over 13,000 feet tall, (the third tallest mountain in Wyoming) and from the top, you’ll have a view looking over the incredible trail you have hiked that goes on for miles.
What is the most popular lake in Wyoming?
Jenny Lake
Jenny Lake is the most popular lake in Wyoming and it’s easy to see why. Surrounded by an 8 mile loop trail going around the entirety of the lake, Jenny Lake is absolutely stunning. Whether you want to do the entire 8 miles, or just a little bit of the trail before turning around, there is really nothing like walking along this beautiful body of water surrounded by the mountains rising up around you in all directions. Located in the incredible Grand Teton National Park, Jenny Lake is known as the “centerpiece of the park” and is a sight you do not want to miss.
What are the most highly rated kid-friendly hikes in Wyoming?
Devil’s Tower Trail
The best kid-friendly hike in Wyoming, and perhaps the whole country is Devil’s Tower Trail in the Devil’s Tower National Monument. This trail is less than 1.5 miles long but will take you to this incredible rock formation that rises over 850 feet tall and is unlike anything you’ve seen before.
