Welcome to Wyoming, the “Cowboy State,” where the untamed spirit of the West and scenic nature views blend for unforgettable travel experiences.

From the geothermal wonders of Yellowstone to historic trails that follow in the footsteps of pioneers, Wyoming is a place that promises adventure, relaxation and awe-inspiring moments for every visitor. Whether you’re drawn to the thrill of a rodeo, the tranquility of natural hot springs or the unique challenge of fossil digging, this guide to the 50 best things to do in Wyoming is your gateway to the extraordinary.

Wyoming, often referred to as the “Cowboy State,” is renowned for its breathtaking natural landscapes, rugged terrain and rich cultural heritage. From the majestic peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the vast expanses of pristine wilderness, this state offers an abundance of outdoor adventures and unforgettable experiences. One of the best ways to immerse yourself in the beauty and history of Wyoming is by embarking on one of its many guided tours. Let’s delve into some of the most captivating tours this diverse state has to offer.

Sand Surfing: What It Is & Where to Go

Reminiscent of the sweeping, sunny sand dunes in Saudi Arabia or Peru, Wyoming’s sand dune scene is unmatched—especially when it comes to the opportunity to try sand surfing and sandboarding.

Wyoming Wildlife Watching & Safety Tips

Wildlife lovers flock from across the world just to witness Wyoming’s natural paradise. Hear the call of untamed wilderness beckoning? That’s the rustle of freedom as Rocky Mountain elk, bighorn sheep and bison walk the earth, reminding you that rugged adventure soars out West.

It’s no secret that spirited explorers live for our breath of fresh air—a scenic wonderland where pronghorn antelope and mule deer dance across nearly 100,000 square miles. Discover our guide to responsible wildlife watching so you can explore with confidence and learn how to safely navigate around the grizzlies, black bears and wolves. When you protect our diverse wildlife and precious resources, you’re saving irreplaceable marvels for countless visits to come. Browse our best Wyoming wildlife watching and safety tips below.

Common Wildlife Safety Tips for a Safe Experience

Grizzlies are as beautiful as they are powerful. They are poised to swipe their quickest claws to assert dominance—ready to defend their territory if they feel threatened. Make no mistake: if you don’t practice savvy wildlife safety tips, spectacular animals in their natural habitat can shift to dangerous wildlife in Wyoming in the blink of an eye. Here are some key guidelines to follow to experience all of the magic wildlife viewing has to offer—out of harm’s way.

Maintain a Safe Distance for Wildlife Viewing in Wyoming

When engaging with wildlife in Wyoming, we must remember that we are visitors to their sacred homes. Stressing animals can hurt their ability to survive and place our own safety at risk. This is why Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park guidelines advise remaining 100 yards from predators like grizzlies and 25 yards from other mammals like bison or elk. In cases where wildlife winds its way closer to us than anticipated, it is just as crucial to keep that safe distance. Next time you find yourself stuck in a bison jam on the road (a classic pastime in Yellowstone), please stay inside your vehicle for your own safety.

The wide-open landscapes of Wyoming offer incredible opportunities to view wildlife with a sleek set of binoculars or a spotting scope. These types of optics allow us to view wildlife from afar to better observe their natural behaviors. While touring Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks, we prefer adaptors at EcoTour Adventures, snapping live video footage and photos through brilliant optics.

Pro Tip: Photography enthusiasts will need telephoto lenses to capture images from afar; we recommend at least 400mm of zoom, and don’t forget to crop in while editing.

How to Spot & Respect Dangerous Animals in Wyoming

Staying informed and well-prepared is essential when interacting with dangerous wildlife in Wyoming. Become a strategic observer, and you can learn to recognize rocks that have been flipped over or scratches etching nearby habitats. Master the art of nature’s instincts so that when you see an animal posturing defensively, you’ll be at a safe distance to protect all living beings in sight.

Recognizing Signs of Threatening Behaviors

Knowing how to practice mindful wildlife viewing calls for vigilant attention and awareness of your surroundings. If a bear starts huffing or growling at you, consider that animal in predator mode. Rutting season means love is in the air for elk on the ground, but this also means they’re on the lookout to ward off rivals. If you see a bull (a male elk) starting to paw at the earth beneath you while curling its lips, that sound of a sharp bugle call is a sign to back away.

Respecting Wildlife Boundaries: Safe Viewing and Why Not to Feed Animals

Did you know that as recently as the 1970s, bears and other animals were routinely fed in Yellowstone National Park? This practice was phased out due to the danger it posed to both animals and people. We are not meant to be giving the most dangerous animals in Wyoming snacks for the road. These surprise encounters can lead to untold risks, especially with protective mother grizzly bears lingering on the grounds.

Today, we work hard to avoid food conditioning bears and other animals so they don’t seek food rewards from people. Bears that are fed can become more dangerous to people. It’s so unfortunate that they are often removed because of this. The best way to help us keep bears and other animals wild is to resist that urge to feed them. This includes properly disposing of waste and always storing food in a locked vehicle with windows rolled up, in a bear canister or in a bear box. A fed bear is a dead bear walking. 

Bear Safety Tips in Wyoming

Keep your eyes peeled toward the trees, where you may find some black bears climbing up, seeking refuge or devouring an omnivore’s buffet of fruits and nuts. Meanwhile, watch out for a territorial grizzly, who might come charging right at you if they feel threatened to defend their home.

Want to minimize the likelihood of a tense bear encounter? We recommend avoiding hiking at dawn or dusk, right when bears most like to come out, aiming to sidestep the sweltering afternoon heat.

Make noise whenever you’re hiking so bears won’t feel caught off guard. Never let fear jolt you into running, or a bear will see you as prey and give in to the thrill of the chase. Stay calm, stand your ground and slowly back away while softly speaking, asserting your presence in a nonthreatening way. In the case of a bear, slow and steady wins the race.

Things You Should Know: Wyoming is home to both black bears and grizzly bears. While black bears live throughout the state, grizzlies are mainly found in the northwest corner of Wyoming. Taking steps to avoid a negative encounter is especially important when traveling in grizzly country.

Bison Safety Tips in Wyoming

Did you catch a bison raising its tail mid-twitch? This is your tell-tale sign: that wild animal is feeling all sorts of agitated. The National Park Service encourages any wildlife viewing enthusiast to keep about 25 yards between you and any wandering bison to give yourself a protective buffer. If you find yourself too close to a curious bison, again, the last thing you want to do is run. Distance here is your best friend.

Channel your inner zen mentality as you lock calm eyes with that bison, holding visual contact as you slowly put distance between you. Find a large barrier (for instance, on the fly, a tree makes for a timely resource) for extra protection as you inch backward to safety.

General Animal Safety Tips in Wyoming

An easy way to ensure Wyoming wildlife safety throughout your travels: stay on designated trails, carefully marked for smooth navigation. Venturing off-trail not only disturbs natural habitats in all their genuine glory, but you then run the risk of threatening wild animals that, if frazzled, pose unwanted danger to you.

The best way to approach the wildlife here is to remember your role as an observer. Not only is it harmful to feed animals in the Wyoming wild, but it’s also prohibited. If you really want to help the wildlife, let the animals thrive in their element, digesting the nutrients they’re meant to find with their inherent survival skills.

Ethical wildlife viewing means leaving no trace—respecting these one-of-a-kind surroundings as if you’re a human ghost and leaving no trash or food behind. Stand clear from moving around any pieces of this special habitat. If you want to take a souvenir, let it be the memory of the experience.

Listen and Enjoy the Sounds of Nature

With only around 560,000 people, Wyoming is the least populated state in the country. That means it’s easy for the sounds of civilization to fade away when you adventure here.

Take advantage of this rare opportunity to enjoy our beautiful outdoor spaces without speakers or headphones, savoring the sparkling soundtrack of nature in all of its splendor. We highly recommend this wildlife watching tip, for there’s nothing quite like the melody of elk bugling in the fall, the eerie call of a Swainson’s thrush in conifer forests or the enchanting howl of wolves glowing across Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley.

The Benefits of Group Travel for Wyoming Wildlife Safety

One of our top wildlife safety tips in Wyoming: roam the rugged landscape in the safety of a fun group. First, in a group, you have the benefit of more than one set of eyes on the lookout for any sudden wildlife surprises, helping you to keep a safe distance. Second, grizzlies are unlikely to attack groups of people. If you encounter one, be sure to stand next to each other so the bear can see multiple members of the party. There’s safety in numbers—you’re together in solidarity, less isolated and able to share in the joy of thrilling wildlife watching.

Things You Need To Know: Don’t run; it may provoke a chase response. Slowly back away while facing the bear even if it charges, arms raised. Bears frequently bluff charge, stopping short of their target or veering away at the last second.

Staying Alert for Wildlife Safety in Wyoming’s Great Outdoors

It’s wise to practice Wyoming wildlife safety with sound intuition, giving wildlife a “heads up” to your presence so nothing feels startling. Making noise in low visibility areas and being alert to your surroundings (like enjoying the sounds of nature instead of music) can reduce the likelihood of surprising a bear. If bears know people are nearby, they will often move away without conflict. People can also safely move around bears they observe from a distance or retreat to another location. Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park guidelines require people to remain 100 yards from predators like grizzlies and 25 yards from other mammals such as bison or elk.

Food Storage Wildlife Safety Tips in Wyoming

Keeping human food away from bears is key to preventing encounters in bear country. Both the National Park Service and US Forest Service require food storage in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem during months when bears are active. Grizzlies can smell food over a thousand yards away!

Most developed campsites have bear-resistant containers to store food and other odorous items like sunscreen and lip balm. Backpackers must carry bear-resistant canisters or hang food a yard out and three yards above the ground. Additionally, keeping a clean camp, cooking away from sleeping quarters and never storing food in tents will help prevent bears from entering camping areas.

Pro Tip: In addition to properly sealing and placing your food in tightly closed containers, make sure you don’t forget to put away any leftover cooking utensils. Be cautious when using insect repellent, which may ward off unwanted bugs but could beckon a bear over to your campsite.

Outdoor Wildlife Safety Essentials: Knowing How to Use Bear Spray in Wyoming

We always recommend carrying bear spray made of capsaicin powder, the active ingredient in chili peppers. Bears have extremely sensitive mucus membranes, so if one is charging right at you, spray into its eyes, nose and mouth. Research has shown bear spray is up to 98 percent effective when used properly. In contrast, research currently in the press by bear biologist Tom Smith found that 40 percent of people who use firearms to defend against bears are injured or killed.

Another key Wyoming wildlife safety tip to add to your belt: make your bear spray accessible. Place it on your belt at your hip or just a tug away on your backpack strap (not hidden away) so you can pull it immediately from your chest. Remove the safety clip, hold the spray with both hands and angle the nozzle right at the bear that has approached within range. Your goal: create a cloud of protection so a bear must walk through a barrier of peppery mist before it can reach you. In your group, carry multiple cans of bear spray. That way, each of you is poised to grip a canister quickly.

Avoid traveling with bear spray in a hot car or finding out you have to throw it out at a TSA checkpoint before you reach Yellowstone. Learn more about resources for bear spray rental through Bear Aware, a valuable resource to ensure better hiking safety.

Wyoming Wildlife Safety Laws and Regulations

Ahead of your next gleaming outdoor adventure, we recommend becoming familiar with Wyoming’s wildlife safety laws and regulations, carefully established by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD). To protect our incredible wildlife population, follow our specially designated hunting seasons and bag limits, whether you’re seeking out mountain goats or waterfowl.

Remember to ensure all necessary licenses and permits are in place, prioritizing ethical and responsible hunting practices. From observing legal shooting hours to respecting caliber restrictions, each regulation plays a vital role in cultivating a safe and humane atmosphere for all.

We’re fortunate to share Wyoming’s wild landscapes with a diverse assortment of North American wildlife. We hope you take these tips for safe and fun wildlife watching in Wyoming and run with them (like a wild antelope). WY Responsibly when you visit and make dazzling memories you’ll never forget. We look forward to seeing you!

Wyoming: one state, one area code – 307. Each year on March 7, Wyomingites and folks far and wide who share a love for the Cowboy State celebrate all of their favorite things about Wyoming.

Calling all little ones! The Cowboy State is an incredible family vacation destination featuring tons of furry friends, amazing outdoor sights and plenty of room to roam. Education is made exciting with hands-on history, fossil digs, dinosaur adventures and cowboy-style celebrations. Whether you love the West or you’re simply looking for a unique getaway for the whole gang, these are ten fun facts about Wyoming for kids that you may not know.

1. Hot Springs, Geysers & Yellowstone for Kids

Did You Know? Wyoming is home to many natural wonders, including 173 hot springs and many geysers. Wondering what gives these fun features their blazing temperatures? These springs are created deep underground when super-hot rock makes water bubble and turn into steam. This steamy water rises up through cracks in the earth and forms a pool on the surface. A geyser is made the same way, but sometimes, that hot water builds up a ton of pressure under the rock. When that pressure is just right, it shoots up and bursts out like a water fountain.

Explore More: Part of the fun of Yellowstone for kids is taking in these eye-catching beauties, and this grand national park has no shortage. Check out the steaming Grand Prismatic Spring with its vivid orange and blue hues, then head over to Old Faithful for a water show to see firsthand how the world-famous geyser lives up to its name.

2. Fluffy, Fuzzy & Feathered Friends

Did You Know? From towering mountain ranges to tall, wild grasslands, the Cowboy State is a great place to see wild animals in their natural habitat, especially ones you may not see in your backyard. Spot a moose in a marsh munching on twigs, observe prairie dogs as they scamper about and find the biggest elk herd in the United States. Don’t forget to pack your binoculars for a bit of bird watching in Wyoming, and you could spot everything from the golden eagle to the Western meadowlark, which happens to be the state bird.

Explore More: Thanks to people who work hard to care for them, Wyoming animals are often found scattered across the state, living in places that make them happy. Moose like to hang out in groups near the mountains and are often seen in the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest and the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Visit a real prairie dog town near Devils Tower and the Belle Fourche River, and spy an elk where they love to live in the Yellowstone National Park area or on a tour of the National Elk Refuge in Jackson.

REMEMBER: Wyoming animals are beautiful, majestic and often downright adorable, but they are wild and can be dangerous to humans. Always keep your distance, and do not approach any animal you see on your adventures.

Find out more about wildlife viewing safely here.

3. A Bison or a Buffalo?

Did You Know? If there is one creature that screams “Wyoming animal,” it’s the bison — it is the state’s official mammal, after all. Weighing up to 2,000 lbs and standing around 6 feet tall, the bison is as wild and free as the Cowboy State itself. You might wonder, “What’s the difference between a bison and a buffalo?” While people often think they mean the same thing, the bison lives in North America, while the two types of buffalo live in Asia and Africa. The bison also has smaller horns, a hump on its neck, and a more territorial personality than their distant buffalo cousins.

Explore More: While exploring Yellowstone, Hayden Valley is an excellent spot to see free-range bison residing there, often without even getting out of your car. Adventuring elsewhere in the state? Grand Teton National Park is a great place to see some bison with a gorgeous mountain view behind them, and the famous Terry Bison Ranch Resort in Cheyenne provides visitors with an exciting train tour and the opportunity to feed their bison herd.

REMEMBER: While Bison may look like cuddly, furry cows, they are massive and sometimes aggressive. Ensure that there are at least 25 yards between you and the bison at all times so they don’t get scared and feel the need to charge.

Click here for more wildlife viewing destinations.

4. Carefree Cowboy Adventures

Did You Know? Wyoming isn’t known as the Cowboy State for nothing — the wide open countryside has tipped its hat to ranchers and cowpokes since the pioneer days. As a matter of fact, one of history’s most famous cowboys, William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, called the state home. After being a hero in the military, he went on to create Buffalo Bill’s Wild West, a grand performance that included some of the best roping and riding cowboys in the West. Many believe this was the start of the rodeo we know and love today.

Explore More: Rodeo is the state sport of Wyoming, so it’s very easy to find bull riders, calf ropers, cowboys and cowgirls doing tricks on horseback. Known as “Daddy of ’Em All,” Cheyenne Frontier Days is ten days of rodeo fun for the whole family. Another must-see cowboy stop is the city named after the man himself: visiting Cody means catching both the Cody Stampede Rodeo and the Cody Nite Rodeo, among the best activities in Wyoming for kids.

5. Mine for Excitement

Did You Know? Mining has played an important role in Wyoming’s history, as many early settlers came to the state looking for iron, copper, gold and coal in boom towns that sprang up all over the state. Most of those mines closed over time, but coal has stayed strong even to the present day. Over 30% of the coal used to produce power across the country comes from Campbell County, Wyoming, which has earned it the title of the energy capital of the nation.

Explore More: Bringing the family to Power Country makes for one of the most unique things to do in Wyoming for kids. Stop in for a tour of the Eagle Butte Coal Mine in Gillette and make memories while getting a closer look at this exciting process.

6. The First in the Nation

Did You Know? One of the coolest things about Wyoming is that it has so many “firsts” in its history. For example, the first national monument in the U.S. is Devils Tower National Monument, an enormous piece of rock that stands 867 feet high and is a popular attraction for hiking, rock climbing and snapping an amazing selfie. With its green trees and peaceful waters, the Shoshone National Forest near Cody was the first to be given that special title by the government, and the big and beautiful Yellowstone was America’s first national park.

Explore More: Yellowstone is an awesome place for family adventures. It’s got mountains, meadows, animals and rocks that are so amazing you won’t believe your eyes. Once you’ve seen the incredible Devils Tower, stop by the Trading Post to grab a snack and a souvenir to take home with you. Pack a picnic for your day in the Shoshone National Forest, or enjoy the outdoors with a relaxing day of fishing on the water.

7. Say Hello to the Triceratops

Did You Know? By now, you know some of the Wyoming animals you can be on the lookout for during your visit, but you might not expect to see a dinosaur on vacation. Guess what? Wyoming is one of the few states in the country with a state dinosaur — the triceratops, a plant-eating dino that could grow 30 feet long and weigh up to 6 tons. According to where their bones were found, the triceratops made themselves at home in Wyoming 65 million years ago, and paleontologists still find their skeletons today.

Explore More: Come get your hands dirty looking for your special dinosaur bones and fossils at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis or the Tate Geological Museum at Casper College. Want to see genuine triceratops bones for yourself? Pop by the display at the University of Wyoming Geological Museum in Laramie to get a bird’s eye view of what those former Wyoming residents really looked like.

8. Less People, More Space

Did You Know? Want to know a fun fact about Wyoming? It’s got the smallest number of people in the whole country. That means more space for awesome outdoor family fun: no big crowds, no long lines — just lots of room to explore. Hit the trails, enjoy the views, and climb the peaks in the summertime. When the snow falls, you can ski, snowboard or snowshoe across the peaceful mountains.

Explore More: With 109 mountain ranges, eight national forests and ten National Park Service sites, Wyoming is like a giant playground. You have your pick of where in the state you wander to find your space. Remember to put safety first and use a guide service or outfitter before venturing into any unsafe territory. If you feel like chilling out and watching the scenery roll by from the car, there are scenic byways for that.

9. Digging Up the Past

Did You Know? Wyoming is like a treasure chest for fossils, rocks and remnants from long ago. Why? Because way back when there were many more forests and lakes than there are today. When those things disappeared, they left behind bits of the past just waiting to be discovered.

Explore More: Grab a shovel and treat the gang to one of the most incredible things to do in Wyoming for kids. The American Fossil Quarry in Kemmerer doesn’t just let you dig but also lets you take your fantastic fossil finds home. If you want to see what other people have dug up in the Cowboy State, take a trip back in time to the Fossil Butte National Monument while you’re in town.

10. Rip-Roaring Roundups

Did You Know? Nothing says cowboy country like a day on the ranch. Wyoming had a cattle boom in the late 1800s, and the open, rolling environment is perfect for keeping a herd comfortable. These days, there are thousands of farms and ranches across the state, with nearly 30 being dude or guest ranches where cowpokes can come for a visit.

Explore More: The oldest dude ranch in the United States is Eatons’ Ranch in Wolf near Sheridan, and it is still open today for all-inclusive getaways. Take a look at 7D Ranch in Cody for activities for the whole family, including archery, horseback riding, dancing and more. Giddy up!

In the season finale of Howdy Neighbor, our hosts set out to uncover the epic winter landscapes of Yellowstone National Park. Along the way Shawn and Jim encounter a variety of wildlife, explore the iconic thermal features of Old Faithful geyser basin, catch a ride on a historic snow-coach, and try their hand at Ice Fishing. This is Yellowstone National Park as you’ve never seen it before.

Open skies, open spaces, and the wildly wonderful Western backdrop make the Cowboy State an incredible place to visit, but for many famous people from Wyoming, it’s more like a way of life. Whether they call it their birthplace or moved later in life, many famous faces have called Wyoming home, and the spirit of the state has followed them throughout their careers. From famous outlaws in history to modern-day actors and musicians, this is a list of 12 people you should know from Wyoming.

Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid

Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid were the monikers of Robert LeRoy Parker and Harry Longabaugh, respectively, two Wild West bank and train robbers that became two of the most famous outlaws in history. While neither was born in Wyoming, they spent a lot of time and committed many crimes across the Cowboy State with their band of bandits, the Wild Bunch. They spent time in Meeteetse, Buffalo, Dubois and Cody, did time in Laramie and Sundance, and frequently hid out near Kaycee at the world-renowned Hole-in-the-Wall Hideout before eventually escaping to Argentina.

Kinch McKinney

While not one of the most famous outlaws in history, Kinch McKinney carved out his own Wyoming legacy throughout his life. During the Wild Bunch era, McKinney was a known cattle hustler who led a gang of fugitives, but his most infamous activities were not what landed him in the penitentiary but how he got out. McKinney was an escape artist (an attempted one, at least), going so far as to take a sheriff hostage in the courtroom and to help stage a riot to break out of the Wyoming Territorial Prison in Laramie in 1892. After many tries, he eventually escaped, only to be caught and brought back to face his punishment.

These days, you can visit the site of his prison break at what is now the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, a museum that honors what was the state’s first prison and the characters it housed. While in Laramie, take a scenic hike around Vedauwoo, stroll through a vintage mansion at the Laramie Plains Museum, or grab a healthy bite at Sweet Melissa’s.

Fun Fact: There is a Kinch McKinney Spring in Five Fingers Butte, Sweetwater County, in southwestern Wyoming.

Curt Gowdy

Calling all sports lovers: if you watched or listened to major sporting events during the 70s or 80s, you are likely familiar with Curt Gowdy. Covering everything from major league baseball to NASCAR, Gowdy was a comforting and familiar commentator on Boston Red Sox games early in his career and was well-liked for his friendly demeanor in that role. His other primary passion, however, was the great outdoors.

Born in Green River and raised in Cheyenne, the Wyoming native was an avid hunter and fisherman, which extended into his career with the launch of his Emmy-winning show “The American Sportsman.” The program featured Gowdy taking celebrities on outdoor adventures and ran on ABC for over 20 years. Located at the midway point between Cheyenne and Laramie, Curt Gowdy State Park was named for him in the 1970s, a high honor for famous people from Wyoming. With three reservoirs perfect for trout fishing, ample hiking trails, wildlife viewing and camping, the park embodies all of the things that Gowdy treasured about the Cowboy State.

Pay a visit to Gowdy’s birthplace of Green River and take a trip back in time at the Sweetwater County Historical Museum, be on the lookout for animal life at the Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge and find the perfect locally-made gift at Red White Buffalo.

Jackson Pollock

Famous for spearheading the popularity of abstract expressionism, Cody, Wyoming-born Jackson Pollock is one of the most prolific painters of that post-WWII movement, leading the charge in redefining painting techniques and challenging artistic boundaries. Best known for his unique painting style, called “drip painting,” Pollock’s work was heavily influenced by Surrealism. His vibrant and complex pieces are now on display worldwide, from the Museum of Modern Art in New York to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice and beyond.

Pollock isn’t just a brilliant artist — he is one of the most famous people from Wyoming. Despite moving to Arizona in childhood, it is long believed that Wyoming and the Western scenery impacted his creative development. That inspiration was reciprocal, as his influence can be seen echoing through Western art today. 

If you’re looking to find your inspiration in the city of Cody, don’t miss The Whitney Western Art Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, an immersive day on the frontier at the Museum of the West at Old Trail Town or a glimpse of the Wyoming landscape on a Cody Trolley Tour.

Chris LeDoux

Accomplished musician, rodeo star, and all-around good guy, Chris LeDoux was Wyoming’s cowboy. While the Air Force moved his family around the country in his childhood, he came to call Kaycee home, and his adult life landed him at the top of the list of celebrities who live in Wyoming. While performing at rodeos and becoming a world champion bareback rider, LeDoux began selling his tapes to the audience, eventually putting out over 30 records throughout his career. In short, he was the quintessential cowboy who made it big.

While LeDoux’s life was tragically cut short in 2005, his spirit lives on in Kaycee, a city that serves as a hub for the late man’s fanbase and anyone who wants to explore and learn more about him. Chris LeDoux Days is a rodeo and festival that takes place there annually in June, and there is a park that bears his name, one that was christened with a “Good Ride Cowboy” statue of him in 2010.  

Ned LeDoux

Scored by a soundtrack of aching guitar riffs and rich, twangy vocals, the cowboy life is closely intertwined with country Western music, which runs in the family of Kaycee native Ned LeDoux. Son of famed bareback rodeo rider and country singer Chris LeDoux, Ned is second in a family full of celebrities that live in Wyoming. With a local legend dad, Ned has been performing most of his life but began recording and releasing his own tunes in 2015. While Ned carves out his own musical legacy, it appears that the Cowboy State and the country scene at large are embracing him with the same warm reception.

Unsurprisingly, Ned’s hometown of Kaycee has long been a cowboy haven, especially in the frontier days when the outlaws roamed the land. To explore a little Wild West bandit life for yourself, check out the Hoofprints of the Past Museum, explore the red canyons of the Outlaw Cave Campground, and enjoy an afternoon at the Chris LeDoux Memorial Park.

Jim J. Bullock

With a long list of acting credits and over 30 years of laughs, comedian Jim Bullock has built quite a name for himself in the entertainment industry. At the dawn of his career, he was a regular fixture on the “Hollywood Squares” game show and had a recurring part on “Alf.” With a 6-year role in the classic sitcom “Too Close for Comfort,” cult hit movie “Spaceballs,” and kid’s TV favorite “Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide,” chances are good that you have seen him on either the small or silver screen.

However, you might not know that this go-to funny man was born in Casper, putting him on the long list of famous people from Wyoming. Home to myriad venues for enjoying the arts, check out the upcoming shows at Casper Events Center when you arrive, plan a day surrounded by Dali and Picasso at the Nicolaysen Art Museum or look for interior inspiration from the days gone by at the Historic Bishop Home.

John Buck

Kemmerer native John Buck shook up the world of baseball in the late 90’s and went on to have a successful career across teams in the MLB. From his growing batting average to his incredible defensive sensibilities, Buck became an in-demand player during team drafts, and his talents took him all across the country. From Houston to Kansas City and Seattle to Los Angeles, many teams benefitted from his unique playing style prior to his official retirement from the sport in 2015.

If you want to visit the city where home plate dreams were born for Buck, get ready for a charming, small-town vibe with deep industrial roots in Kemmerer. Don’t miss out on seeing remnants of the past at Fossil Butte National Monument, keep your eyes peeled for ghost towns left abandoned by miners and visit the flagship JCPenney store in town.

Penny Wolin

Accomplished American photographer Penny Wolin has had a long and enviable career spanning decades, but her life began in the city of Cheyenne. Bringing her creativity from behind the lens into the physical world, she has published three books of her work. Wolin has received grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, photographed big names like Dolly Parton and George Burns, and featured her work in the Smithsonian Institution, among other esteemed organizations.

Wolin’s Wyoming foundations resound through her work to this day. If you seek out the wonder of the Cowboy State’s capital city for yourself, pop by the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens to ponder the natural world, plan your arrival at the Union Pacific Railroad by way of the Cheyenne Depot Museum and keep the vintage train on the track by visiting the Big Boy Steam Engine.

Pretty Lights

Contrary to other reports, wildly popular EDM producer Pretty Lights was born Derek Vincent Smith in Sheridan, Wyoming, long before taking the music industry by storm. What was once a joint effort became a solo project for Smith in the early aughts, and by 2010, Pretty Lights was cranking out new beats and performing across the country. Now Grammy-nominated, Smith curates his unique sound without samples, making a soul and hip-hop-infused electronica recorded and produced exclusively to give him that signature sound.

If you dance your way to Sheridan, get ready to find some pretty lights of your own. Enjoy a cowboy-style cocktail at the world-famous Mint Bar, take a shine to some tasty craft beer at Luminous Brewhouse and enjoy a live performance vintage-style at the WYO Theater.

Matthew Fox

A gifted stage and screen actor, Matthew Fox grew up on a ranch in the heart of Wind River Country. He may be best known for his role as Dr. Jack Shephard in NBC’s smash hit series “Lost,” which he played for all six seasons. Some may know him best as Charlie Salinger from Fox’s “Party of Five” in the 90’s. Whatever you know this Golden Globe and SAG Award nominee from, his staying power is impressive and has extended to film and live theater since he retired from television in 2010.

Fox’s family moved from Pennsylvania to the small town of Crowheart, Wyoming, where he spent his childhood. If you’re looking for a quiet, rural spot to get some space on your next getaway, Crowheart’s striking natural landscape is the place to escape the crowds. While you’re there, take in the Crowheart Butte rising stark against the horizon.

Ian Munsick

If you think the Cowboy State is fertile ground for creativity surrounding life, love, and wide open spaces, you’d be correct. Sheridan native Ian Munsick doesn’t just talk the talk — he was born to a father who loved to fiddle and grew up on a working ranch, enveloped by the environment that perfectly frames the Western experience. Now a critic favorite, Munsick has released his second album on Warner Music, praised for its reinvention of country western music with an infusion of blues, roots and pop.

To find yourself in the very landscape that serves as Munsick’s muse, pop by Sheridan and lose yourself in the nearby Bighorn National Forest. Then, explore an old-time ranch at The Brinton Museum, and dive into area history at the Museum at the Bighorns.

Wild horses embody the spirit of the American West, and Wyoming is home to thousands of these majestic creatures. From safety tips to the best places to view mustangs, this is your guide to creating a memorable adventure in the Cowboy State.

Immerse yourself in Wyoming’s wine culture, from scenic vineyards to the craftsmanship behind each bottle. Tucked between rugged mountains and vast prairies, these locally-owned wineries have created idyllic spaces to savor the flavor of the Wild West.