Best Road Trip Routes in Wyoming

Wyoming's road trips are defined by the incredible contrast between Yellowstone's geothermal landscape, the Tetons' jagged peaks, and the vast empty high plains of the east.

Grand Loop (Yellowstone + Grand Teton + Jackson Hole)
The classic Wyoming road trip: fly into Jackson, drive north through Grand Teton National Park (Jenny Lake, the Snake River Overlook), continue to Yellowstone via the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway. In Yellowstone, complete the 142-mile Grand Loop Road, stopping at Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Mammoth Hot Springs, and the Lamar Valley (best wildlife viewing in the park). Return south through the Tetons. Allow 5–7 days.

Beartooth Highway (US-212)
From Cody east to Red Lodge, Montana via the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (WYO-296) and the Beartooth Highway (US-212). The Chief Joseph Byway descends through the breathtaking Clarke's Fork Canyon; the Beartooth climbs to 10,947 feet on the Montana border. One of the finest 2-day drives in the American West.

Oregon Trail Corridor (I-80 and US-26)
Following the historic Oregon Trail route through Wyoming — from Fort Laramie (the most important outpost on the Oregon Trail) west through Casper (Fort Caspar), Independence Rock (the "Register of the Desert"), South Pass (the low Continental Divide crossing that made wagon travel possible), and on to the Green River. This historical route is best combined with stops at Wyoming State Historic Preservation sites.

Wind River Country Loop
From Riverton through Lander (outdoor adventure capital of Wyoming), Pinedale (access to the southern Wind River Range), the Green River valley, the Flaming Gorge area, and back through the Wind River Basin. The Sinks Canyon area near Lander and the geological drama of the Wind River Canyon south of Thermopolis are highlights.