Want to get away for a long weekend in the winter and go somewhere off-the-beaten-path and AMAZING? Look no farther than Wyoming. When you think of Wyoming, places like Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole might come to mind. However there is a lot more to Wyoming than just the famous places! We’ve got the perfect winter road trip in Wyoming planned for you below.
Here are a few reasons why you should consider a winter trip to Wyoming:
- Small, charming towns that make you feel as though you’ve stepped back into time to the Wild, Wild West
- Fascinating museums such as the National Museum of Military Vehicles (more on that later)
- Home to the world’s largest mineral hot spring (and many other hot springs)
- Far less crowds compared to other neighboring states in the Winter
- One of the best winter destinations for outdoor adventures from downhill skiing, to dog sledding, to snowmobiling, to fat tire biking, to snowshoeing
- Impressive wildlife like bison, bears, moose, wolves, elk, deer, coyotes, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, wild horses and bald eagles
- Breathtaking landscapes covered with snow including mountain ranges, forests, hot springs, rivers, lakes, caves, and plains. Truly a winter wonderland!
Two national parks, five national monuments and recreation areas and 12 state parks. Although Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park are a must, there are many other incredible parks that can’t be missed!
Day 1: Lander, WY
Start your trip by flying into Casper, Wyoming the day before. That is the closest major airport to Lander, which is approximately a 2.5 hour drive away. Alternatively if you’re driving to Wyoming from a neighboring state, you would want to Google directions to Lander. This small, charming town located near the Wind River Range is a great starting point for a winter road trip.
In addition to being accessible to so many outdoor destinations, this city also has a great restaurant scene. There are plenty of lodging options too, such as The Mill House. We loved the modern rustic loft at The Mill House which included 2 bedrooms, a living space, kitchen and beautiful vaulted beam ceilings.
Make sure to eat at Cowfish (an amazing dinner menu), the Lander Bake Shop (lots of yummy pastries and sandwiches), The Middle Fork (awesome for breakfast or brunch) and Mulino Bistro (another great dinner option).
Assuming you arrived in Lander the day before, spend the first day exploring Sinks Canyon State Park, a short 15 min drive from town. Located on the eastern slope of the Wind River Range, this canyon is named for a unique geologic formation, “The Sinks” where the river vanishes underground near the mouth of the canyon. It’s also home to several caves.
There are a few different outdoor activities you can enjoy in Sinks Canyon State Park. Fat tire biking is one option and loads of fun! With several groomed trails to explore in Sinks Canyon, this is one activity the entire family will enjoy. You can rent fat tire bikes in Lander at Gannett Peak Sports or The Bike Mill.
Snowshoeing or Nordic skiing are other options in Sinks Canyon. You can rent equipment in town before hitting the trails. Just make sure to stop at the ranger station in Sinks Canyon to get a list of trails before you go. The Popo Agie trail, Sinks to Rise trail, and the North Slope trail are all good options and fairly easy and short.
In the afternoon, go spelunking in the Boulder Choke cave in Sinks Canyon State Park. Take a 2 hour guided tour through the cave and learn about its history and features.This cave requires a ranger, however as of 2023, this guided tour is still FREE. It will require climbing, shimmying, rappelling and crawling at times, however it’s quite the adventure and very beautiful once you descend deeper into the large chambers of the cave.
Finish the day staying in a cozy yurt for the night at Sinks Canyon State Park. There are several campgrounds that offer yurt rentals, and the best part is that they are heated! The yurts don’t come with a kitchen or bathroom, however there are bathrooms at the campgrounds you can use. Grab dinner back in Lander (or bring it back with you!) before snuggling up for the night.
The yurts are located near the river and the surrounding landscape is gorgeous, so it’s definitely worth the experience of staying in a yurt for a night!
Day 2: Moran, WY
Leave Lander fairly early to make the two hour drive east to Togwotee Lodge, a beautiful lodge nestled in the Bridger-Teton National Forest about 40 min from Jackson Hole, WY. The drive is breathtaking and will take you all the way to the legendary Togwotee Pass (an area covering 2.5 million acres). The snow is bountiful and so are the views of the Absaroka, Gros Ventre, and Wind River Mountains. You will quickly see why people say this area is some of the best snowmobiling in the world.
Spend the day with a guide on snowmobiles exploring over 600 miles of trails all over Bridger-Teton National Forest. They know the terrain like the back of their hand and offer outings for all skill levels. If you’re looking for a self-supported adventure, you can count on well-marked trails and help from outfitters in the area.
From the amazing scenery to the unbelievable powder, snowmobiling here is the perfect mix of adrenaline and serenity that keeps people coming back for more, and dreaming of Togwotee Pass all year long. And trust us, you will want to return!
Stay in one of the rustic cabins at Togwotee Lodge for the night. They have several different options to fit your budget and even a couple of restaurants on site!
Day 3: Dubois, WY
Before leaving Togwotee Lodge, go dog sledding in the morning. This adventure is something the whole family will be talking about for a long time! Togwotee Mountain Lodge works closely with Jackson Hole’s Continental Divide Dog Sled Adventures providing tours to lodging guests. There are over 170 sled dogs whom are eager to whisk into the woods in this experience of a lifetime. Guides will teach you how to guide the dogs yourself – or, you can just sit back and enjoy the views.
After you return from dog sledding, head to Dubois, WY located about 45 minutes and tour the new National Museum of Military Vehicles, a fascinating museum with tanks and other military vehicles. This award-winning military history museum opened in 2020 and has nearly 500 fully restored military vehicles, artillery pieces, naval vessels and aircraft dating from 1897 to the present with a current emphasis on the American experience in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
The focus of the museum is to tell the stories of how these vehicles were used and to remember the valor of service members who fought, and sometimes died, in them. The museum also houses a large, historically significant, firearms collection. This museum is extremely well done and definitely worth spending a couple of hours in!
After you finish at the museum, drive two hours to the town of Thermopolis and stay at the Best Western, a beautiful, historic hotel located near hot springs. Thermopolis is best known for Hot Springs State Park, a Wyoming state park that features natural hot springs at a temperature of 134 degrees Fahrenheit. The park offers several areas where you can see the colorful mineral water that pours from these hot springs and its effects on the landscape.
Day 4: Thermopolis, WY
In the morning drive through the park to spot bison grazing in the pastures. During the late fall and winter months, the park bison are fed a daily supplement. This feeding usually occurs at 8:30 a.m., so if you’re driving through the park at this time, you will have this unique opportunity to view the “Monarch of the Plains,” up close. Please remember that bison should be viewed only while you remain in your vehicle.
Later in the morning, explore the boardwalks and the rainbow-colored mineral terraces of Hot Springs State Park. There are several viewpoints and a suspension footbridge that crosses the Bighorn River that you can walk across known as the “The Swinging Bridge.” In the Winter, the mineral terraces above the river can freeze creating this frozen waterfall look. It’s quite magnificent!
In the afternoon go visit the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in town, a great place to see real dinosaur fossils. This world-class facility displays one of the largest and most unique fossil collections in the world and their dig sites have some of the richest fossil-bearing strata in the western United States! Definitely worth spending an hour or two.
Grab lunch at the One Eyed Buffalo Brewing Co in Thermopolis and then make a pit stop at Merlins Hideout, a famous leather shop that has created fur jackets and leather goods for movie sets, such as Quentin Taratino’s film, “The Hateful Eight”.
Finish off the day relaxing in some hot springs, such as Star Plunge Hot Springs, a must while visiting Thermopolis. These hot springs feature several pools, a few slides (indoor and outdoor), and even a steam cave! If you have more time, you can also visit the other hot springs in town–Hellie’s TePee Pools and Spa or The Hot Springs State Park Bath House (which is free).
If you have extra time, you could extend your road trip and spend a few days in Jackson Hole (ideally after Day 2) and then head to Yellowstone. One thing is for certain–you will not only have an unforgettable winter trip, you will want to come back to Wyoming again and again.
After all, it really is the perfect winter road trip in Wyoming.