Wyoming is such a beautiful state. While our high mountain prairie and grasslands are quite a sight to behold, it’s no secret that the mountains are what call to most of us. Explore three of the most scenic ranges in the state – the Tetons, the Absarokas, and the Big Horns – on this long-weekend trip that’s sure to entice any adventurer.
Looking for the ultimate mountain adventure trip that showcases the best of northern Wyoming? Look no further!
Google Maps Find our Wyoming Mountain Road Trip Map here.
Your trip starts off in the uncomparable Jackson Hole valley.
Flickr / Jim & Robin The town of Jackson is in the heart of the valley, and Grand Teton National Park is several miles north of town. You’ll also find Teton Village, the National Elk Refuge, the National Museum of Wildlife Art, and countless shops and restaurants around. It’s a hard place to leave, but your trip is just beginning! Jackson, WY, USA
Spend time in the Teton Range, hiking through Grand Teton National Park or stopping at the many pullouts to stare in awe at vistas that are unlike any other spot on the planet.
Flickr / Pedro Szekely
If you take your time traveling through the park, you can see lots of wildlife. Moose, elk, black bears, grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, and pika are plentiful in the Teton area!
Flickr / Pedro Szekely
It’s time to head North, though, and to continue your first day of the trip by heading up to Yellowstone National Park.
Flickr / Maarten Otto While “rushing” through the park is never really recommended, you can still see plenty of geyser basins, thermal features, and unique sights as you make your way up to your second mountain range of the day. Yellowstone National Park, United States
Be sure to stop in the Canyon area! The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is a remarkable, memorable natural wonder.
Flickr / Atibordee Kongprepan There are lots of places to camp overnight in Yellowstone, but the Canyon campground is enormous and centrally located.
Yellowstone is one of the best places on the planet to watch for wildlife. You’ll travel through the Hayden Valley and Lamar Valley, so look for bears, bison, elk, and if you’re lucky, wolves!
Flickr / Pedro Szekely
After spending the night in Yellowstone, let’s begin day two! As you make your way out of the park, congratulations, you’ve made it to your second mountain range! The Absarokas (pronounced ab-sor-kas, or ab-sork-kees, depending on who you ask) start to rise out of the Earth around you. Welcome to the Beartooth Highway.
Flickr / Tim Lumley The Beartooth Highway is one of the most magical drives on Earth! You can take it all the way to Red Lodge, Montana, but on this trip, it’s just a short stretch of winding, scenic road until you turn off to head south, down the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway. Beartooth Highway, Wyoming, USA
The Chief Joseph Scenic Byway takes you down from the Absorkas into the Bighorn Basin, where you’ll find a bunch of small towns and plenty of beautiful sights.
K. Magaraci
The highlight of this drive is the switchbacked route up to Dead Indian Pass. You’ll be driving through Open Range, so watch out for cowboys and cattle as you make your way up the steep incline.
K. Magaraci
From the top, take in the view and learn about the heroic efforts of Chief Joseph, who did all he could to save his tribe from unwarranted aggression and destruction.
K. Magaraci Wyoming 296, WY-296, Wyoming, USA
By the end of your beautiful drive, you’ll make it to Cody. This charming, hokey frontier town is packed with famous restaurants, shops, and history. If you get here on time, you can watch a western shootout in front of the Irma Hotel!
Flickr / Kent Kanouse Cody, WY 82414, USA
After you spend the night in Cody (and maybe some of the day, too), it’s time to head out for your third mountain range in three days - the Big Horns!
Facebook / U.S. Forest Service - Bighorn National Forest
Bighorn National Forest stretches for over 1.1 million acres in north-central Wyoming. There are many towns in the foothills that make for great stops, depending on the route you choose to travel!
Facebook / U.S. Forest Service - Bighorn National Forest Bighorn National Forest, Wyoming, USA
Stop in at a Ranger Station to find out current trail conditions, and get a recommendation for your time limit and hiking skills. The trail conditions do change throughout the season, so it’s important to get up to date details from the Forest Service.
Facebook / Visit Sheridan, WY
Finally, at the end of your three day road trip, you’ll roll into Sheridan. This idyllic western town is a wonderful spot to spend a few more days, or to use as a resting spot before heading back home.
Facebook / Visit Sheridan, WY Sheridan, WY 82801, USA
Don’t you just love Wyoming’s mountain scenery? We can never get enough of it!
Google Maps
Find our Wyoming Mountain Road Trip Map here.
Flickr / Jim & Robin
The town of Jackson is in the heart of the valley, and Grand Teton National Park is several miles north of town. You’ll also find Teton Village, the National Elk Refuge, the National Museum of Wildlife Art, and countless shops and restaurants around. It’s a hard place to leave, but your trip is just beginning!
Jackson, WY, USA
Flickr / Pedro Szekely
Flickr / Maarten Otto
While “rushing” through the park is never really recommended, you can still see plenty of geyser basins, thermal features, and unique sights as you make your way up to your second mountain range of the day.
Yellowstone National Park, United States
Flickr / Atibordee Kongprepan
There are lots of places to camp overnight in Yellowstone, but the Canyon campground is enormous and centrally located.
Flickr / Tim Lumley
The Beartooth Highway is one of the most magical drives on Earth! You can take it all the way to Red Lodge, Montana, but on this trip, it’s just a short stretch of winding, scenic road until you turn off to head south, down the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway.
Beartooth Highway, Wyoming, USA
K. Magaraci
Wyoming 296, WY-296, Wyoming, USA
Flickr / Kent Kanouse
Cody, WY 82414, USA
Facebook / U.S. Forest Service - Bighorn National Forest
Bighorn National Forest, Wyoming, USA
Facebook / Visit Sheridan, WY
Sheridan, WY 82801, USA
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