Wyoming Travel Guide
The ‘Cowboy State’ of Wyoming in the western region of the United States is aptly nicknamed. Dominated by the mountains and rangelands of the Rocky Mountain West as well as the High Plains prairies in the east, Wyoming is the 10th largest state in size while being the least populated.
The climate in Wyoming is classified as semi-arid continental, which means that it is drier and windier than most of the rest of the United States and prone to temperature extremes. Severe weather conditions are common, with thunderstorm activity occurring primarily between late spring and early summer. Wyoming is one of the leading states in hail damage and is most susceptible to tornadoes in the southwest portion of the state.
Nevertheless, visitors arrive year round in pursuit of the natural beauty of its landscape, reminiscent of the Wild West. In Yellowstone and Grand Teton, outdoor recreation in the form of hiking, camping and wildlife watching is on offer while pioneer history can be found in Cheyenne, Laramie and Douglas.
In the capital and most populous city of Cheyenne, the Cheyenne Botanic Garden is a popular oasis for travelers. Local as well as exotic plants are on display in great variety year round, with something always in bloom and waiting to be photographed. Musical and cultural events are often hosted at the garden depending upon the season.
Frontier Park in the north part of town hosts the Frontier Days Old West Museum. Old coaches and wagons used by the first settlers to arrive in the region are on exhibit. During the last week of July every year, the Frontier Festival takes place and hundreds of thousands of spectators arrive to watch the rodeos and cowboy shows, chuck wagon races and parades as well as a re-enactment commemorating a historic battle between Sioux Indians and the United States Cavalry.
In Laramie, a wilderness triangle of sorts exists between the Medicine Bow National Forest, Routt National Forest and Thunder Basin National Grasslands, encompassing nearly three million acres of untamed outdoor opportunities including fishing, hiking, camping and winter skiing.