Now that the weather is warming up, it’s time to swap out snowshoes for hiking boots! Set aside some time to get out and enjoy the fresh air on these gorgeous Wyoming spring hikes. As always, hiking in Wyoming can be a risky activity, so don’t forget to always carry bear spray in grizzly country; hike in groups when you can, and let someone know your plans before you venture into the wilderness. Truly, though, there’s no better place in the world for hiking than here in Wyoming, so let’s get started with some of the best hikes in Wyoming.

  1. Island and Night Lakes Trail, Shoshone National Forest

AllTrails / Tracie Garfield The beautiful loop trail to Island and Night Lakes is just under 4 miles in Shoshone National Forest, near Cody, WY and close to the Jackson Hole valley area, too. This easy trail is perfect for wildflower spotting and wildlife watching, and the lakes make for perfect picnic spots. For a longer trail in the same area, hike into Titcomb Basin. Island Lake, Wyoming 82925, USA

  1. Turtle Rock Trail, Wallis Recreation Area

AllTrails / Jeff Hauswirth Turtle Rock Loop Trail from Wallis Recreation Area will take you around the northern part of the Vedauwoo rock formation. This 2.8 mile loop trail in Wyoming features a beautiful river and is very lightly trafficked, so you’re sure to have a peaceful walk. There are plenty of opportunities for bouldering or scrambling along the way, and this is one of the coolest places you can visit near Laramie and Cheyenne. Turtle Rock, Wyoming 82052, USA

  1. Taggart Lake Trail, Grand Teton National Park

AllTrails / Jacob Motloch Coming in at just under 4 miles, the Taggart Lake loop trail in Grand Teton is one of the most peaceful trails in Wyoming that you’ll ever take. In the summertime, Rangers lead interpretive hikes here, but in the spring and fall, it’s about as quiet as it gets in the parks. The sight of snow-capped peaks on a warm spring day is breathtaking. Even when the park loop road is closed in early spring, you can access the Taggart Lake trailhead. Taggart Lake, Wyoming, USA

  1. Long Lake, Bighorn National Forest

AllTrails / Kari Watson Hike 5.2 miles out to Long Lake and back in Bighorn National Forest, near Buffalo. This gorgeous trail is one of the best places in Wyoming for birdwatching and wildflower spotting. You’ll enjoy a small river crossing, and see Sherd Lake before you reach the scenic Long Lake. Long Lake, Wyoming 82051, USA

  1. West Tensleep Falls, Bighorn National Forest

AllTrails / Jeff Hartman The quick 1.6 mile hike out to West Tensleep Falls and back is beautiful once the weather warms up. Enjoy these beautiful falls that seem to be perfectly hidden in the forest. West Tensleep Lake, Wyoming, USA

  1. Keyhole Dam Trail, Keyhole State Park

AllTrails / Randy Ward Hike just over 2 miles out and back along the Keyhole Dam trail near Moorcroft, Wyoming. The pretty lake and perfectly groomed trails of Keyhole State Park make this one of the best hikes in the state for the beginning of spring and throughout the warmer months. Keyhole Dam, Moorcroft, WY 82721, USA

  1. Intermittent Spring, Bridger-Teton National Forest

AllTrails / L. Doug The Intermittent Spring outside of Afton is at the end of a trail that’s just under a mile long (1.5 miles out and back). You’ll find a fascinating phenomenon at work here, because the spring turns on and off, almost like a faucet exists behind the mountain. Read more about this Wyoming geologic wonder here. While you’re in Afton, stop at Star Valley Chocolates or Rocky Mountain Seafood for a culinary treat. Periodic Spring Trail, Wyoming 83110, USA

  1. Vedauwoo Trail, Medicine Bow - Routt National Forest

AllTrails / Greg Peoples The rocky, unique Vedauwoo Trail is a short, half mile loop trail that features stunning wildflowers and an unusual rocky formation. These rocks are nearly as old as the earth itself, and you’ll have a blast exploring this one of a kind landscape. Vedauwoo Glen Road, Vedauwoo Glen Rd, Wyoming, USA

  1. Porcupine Falls Trail, Bighorn National Forest

AllTrails / Jeff Hartman The short (but steep!) hike down to the base of Porcupine Falls in Wyoming is less than half a mile from the trailhead, but it’s still quite an adventure. Take your time descending to the pool at the bottom of the cascade and you’ll find the journey is well worth any effort. You’ll also find Bucking Mule Falls nearby, if you want to add a few miles to your day! Porcupine Falls, Wyoming 82431, USA

  1. Holmes Cave

AllTrails / Melissa DuBois Hike into the mountains to find Holmes Cave! This trail is a quiet, 9.2 out-and-back that’s perfect for an early season trail run or a relaxing day in the wilderness. You’ll spot plenty of gorgeous wildflowers and end up looking right into the mouth of Holmes Cave itself. Holmes Cave Creek, Wyoming 83013, USA

  1. Lake Helen Trail, Bighorn National Forest

AllTrails / Kevin Durkan When you’re looking for sprawling views, the 8.7 mile out and back Lake Helen trail is an amazing destination. The wildflowers along the trail are stunning, and you’re likely to see pollinators this time of year! Bird watching is easy from way up high, and the lake overlook is breathtaking Lake Helen, Wyoming, USA

What parks and forests are you setting your sights on this year? What do you think are the best hikes in Wyoming? For a more challenging foray into the woods, go on an off-grid Wyoming adventure.

AllTrails / Tracie Garfield

The beautiful loop trail to Island and Night Lakes is just under 4 miles in Shoshone National Forest, near Cody, WY and close to the Jackson Hole valley area, too. This easy trail is perfect for wildflower spotting and wildlife watching, and the lakes make for perfect picnic spots. For a longer trail in the same area, hike into Titcomb Basin.

Island Lake, Wyoming 82925, USA

AllTrails / Jeff Hauswirth

Turtle Rock Loop Trail from Wallis Recreation Area will take you around the northern part of the Vedauwoo rock formation. This 2.8 mile loop trail in Wyoming features a beautiful river and is very lightly trafficked, so you’re sure to have a peaceful walk. There are plenty of opportunities for bouldering or scrambling along the way, and this is one of the coolest places you can visit near Laramie and Cheyenne.

Turtle Rock, Wyoming 82052, USA

AllTrails / Jacob Motloch

Coming in at just under 4 miles, the Taggart Lake loop trail in Grand Teton is one of the most peaceful trails in Wyoming that you’ll ever take. In the summertime, Rangers lead interpretive hikes here, but in the spring and fall, it’s about as quiet as it gets in the parks. The sight of snow-capped peaks on a warm spring day is breathtaking. Even when the park loop road is closed in early spring, you can access the Taggart Lake trailhead.

Taggart Lake, Wyoming, USA

AllTrails / Kari Watson

Hike 5.2 miles out to Long Lake and back in Bighorn National Forest, near Buffalo. This gorgeous trail is one of the best places in Wyoming for birdwatching and wildflower spotting. You’ll enjoy a small river crossing, and see Sherd Lake before you reach the scenic Long Lake.

Long Lake, Wyoming 82051, USA

AllTrails / Jeff Hartman

The quick 1.6 mile hike out to West Tensleep Falls and back is beautiful once the weather warms up. Enjoy these beautiful falls that seem to be perfectly hidden in the forest.

West Tensleep Lake, Wyoming, USA

AllTrails / Randy Ward

Hike just over 2 miles out and back along the Keyhole Dam trail near Moorcroft, Wyoming. The pretty lake and perfectly groomed trails of Keyhole State Park make this one of the best hikes in the state for the beginning of spring and throughout the warmer months.

Keyhole Dam, Moorcroft, WY 82721, USA

AllTrails / L. Doug

The Intermittent Spring outside of Afton is at the end of a trail that’s just under a mile long (1.5 miles out and back). You’ll find a fascinating phenomenon at work here, because the spring turns on and off, almost like a faucet exists behind the mountain. Read more about this Wyoming geologic wonder here. While you’re in Afton, stop at Star Valley Chocolates or Rocky Mountain Seafood for a culinary treat.

Periodic Spring Trail, Wyoming 83110, USA

AllTrails / Greg Peoples

The rocky, unique Vedauwoo Trail is a short, half mile loop trail that features stunning wildflowers and an unusual rocky formation. These rocks are nearly as old as the earth itself, and you’ll have a blast exploring this one of a kind landscape.

Vedauwoo Glen Road, Vedauwoo Glen Rd, Wyoming, USA

The short (but steep!) hike down to the base of Porcupine Falls in Wyoming is less than half a mile from the trailhead, but it’s still quite an adventure. Take your time descending to the pool at the bottom of the cascade and you’ll find the journey is well worth any effort. You’ll also find Bucking Mule Falls nearby, if you want to add a few miles to your day!

Porcupine Falls, Wyoming 82431, USA

AllTrails / Melissa DuBois

Hike into the mountains to find Holmes Cave! This trail is a quiet, 9.2 out-and-back that’s perfect for an early season trail run or a relaxing day in the wilderness. You’ll spot plenty of gorgeous wildflowers and end up looking right into the mouth of Holmes Cave itself.

Holmes Cave Creek, Wyoming 83013, USA

AllTrails / Kevin Durkan

When you’re looking for sprawling views, the 8.7 mile out and back Lake Helen trail is an amazing destination. The wildflowers along the trail are stunning, and you’re likely to see pollinators this time of year! Bird watching is easy from way up high, and the lake overlook is breathtaking

Lake Helen, Wyoming, USA

We love hiking and exploring in Wyoming, but it’s important to enjoy your outdoor recreation responsibly. Read about the principles of Leave No Trace, and commit to keeping our wild areas protected and pristine for years to come.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in Wyoming May 18, 2022 Kim Magaraci What are the best hikes in Wyoming in the spring and summer? Above, you’ll find several of our favorite hikes in Wyoming for springtime. If you’re looking for more suggestions, why not check out the most popular trail in Grand Teton National Park, the hike to Cascade Canyon? Other great hikes not mentioned above include the hike to Curt Gowdy’s Hidden Falls, the trek around Devils Tower, and the hiking trails around Casper Mountain. Are there any kid-friendly hikes in Wyoming? If you’re looking for easy or kid-friendly hikes in Wyoming, it’s best to prepare ahead of time! Many of the most popular hikes in Wyoming can be challenging for new hikers or children. Our favorite family-friendly hikes in Wyoming include the hike to Bradley and Taggart Lake, listed above, and the hike to the natural waterslide in Sinks Canyon State Park. Some other fun, easy hikes in Wyoming include the hike to Fairy Falls in Yellowstone and the trek to Afton’s Intermittent Spring.

The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in Wyoming

May 18, 2022

Kim Magaraci

What are the best hikes in Wyoming in the spring and summer? Above, you’ll find several of our favorite hikes in Wyoming for springtime. If you’re looking for more suggestions, why not check out the most popular trail in Grand Teton National Park, the hike to Cascade Canyon? Other great hikes not mentioned above include the hike to Curt Gowdy’s Hidden Falls, the trek around Devils Tower, and the hiking trails around Casper Mountain. Are there any kid-friendly hikes in Wyoming? If you’re looking for easy or kid-friendly hikes in Wyoming, it’s best to prepare ahead of time! Many of the most popular hikes in Wyoming can be challenging for new hikers or children. Our favorite family-friendly hikes in Wyoming include the hike to Bradley and Taggart Lake, listed above, and the hike to the natural waterslide in Sinks Canyon State Park. Some other fun, easy hikes in Wyoming include the hike to Fairy Falls in Yellowstone and the trek to Afton’s Intermittent Spring.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Are there any kid-friendly hikes in Wyoming? If you’re looking for easy or kid-friendly hikes in Wyoming, it’s best to prepare ahead of time! Many of the most popular hikes in Wyoming can be challenging for new hikers or children. Our favorite family-friendly hikes in Wyoming include the hike to Bradley and Taggart Lake, listed above, and the hike to the natural waterslide in Sinks Canyon State Park. Some other fun, easy hikes in Wyoming include the hike to Fairy Falls in Yellowstone and the trek to Afton’s Intermittent Spring.