14 Off The Radar Spots In Wyoming You Need To Explore
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Lisa Jensen
Author
Most people visiting Wyoming come and hit the major attractions like Yellowstone, the Tetons, and Devil’s Tower. The reason they’re so popular is legit; they’re all pretty spectacular. Wyoming is a big state, though, and we have more to offer than the attractions on the typical tourist circuit. There are heaps of off the radar spots all around the state that are amazing in their own right. If you want to explore the hidden Wyoming, here are 14 awesome places to get you started.
The great thing about putting a water park in Thermopolis, Wyoming, is that it can stay open all year long. Actually, Star Plunge does close for 3 weeks after Thanksgiving for general maintenance, but then it opens back up just in time for the holidays and, yes, that includes the water slides and outdoor pool as well as the indoor pool. Read more about it in our full article here. Warning: bring cash or a checkbook. They don't take cards of any kind at Star Plunge.
One of the most amazing historical and geological sites in Wyoming is about 45 miles east of Riverton. There, just off WY-136 East is a hidden trail that leads to Castle Gardens. It's a collection of sandstone outcroppings carved by eons of Wyoming wind that have made the stones look like a castle. What's more, the stone walls are etched with petroglyphs that are thousands of years old. Learn more in our full article here.
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Sometimes you can find the best food at off the radar spots. From the outside, you wouldn't even know Pitchfork Fondue is a restaurant. This barbecue joint is hidden inside the Pinedale Rodeo Grounds and is typically only open in the summer and as far into the fall as the weather will allow. However, they do cater year-round. Click here to read more in our full article.
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This enchanting inn was built over a century ago out of lodgepole pines and stone harvested nearby. All these years later, it's still open and renting out rooms, and is as magical as ever. Want to know more? Click here for our full article.
Wyoming is hiding a desolate region as windswept and arid as the Western Desert in Egypt. The Red Desert is just over 8 miles west of Wamsutter on the Lincoln Highway, and it is hiding a secret of its own. It's home to a thriving population of wildlife, and you can read more about it in our full article here.
Visitors and Wyoming natives alike love the beauty of the Teton/Yellowstone area in the northwest part of the state, but south of Jackson Hole is the captivating Star Valley. Laid out at the foot of the Salt River Range and once known as the "Star of All Valleys," it's dotted with quaint small towns and brimming with breathtaking scenery. Read more in our full article here.
Picturesque Leigh Lake at the base of Mount Moran boasts one of the most beautiful beaches in the state, but you have to hike a bit to get there. With sandy shorelines perfect for picnicking and gorgeous views, it's worth the time and the effort. Want to see more? You can find our full article here.
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There are ample opportunities for hiking in the Cowboy State, but how many trails lead to a unique spring that breathes? The water runs in fluctuating stop-start intervals that last about 18 minutes each, and it happens to be one of only three springs of this kind in the entire world. Read more about it in our full article here.
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The ample geothermal mineral waters in Wyoming are ideal for soaking in, and in the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed a delightful outdoor swimming pool that's fed by one of those mineral streams. Perched on a hillside, the view from the pool and the surrounding deck is a breathtaking panorama of the Bridger-Teton wilderness. The pool is open most of the year, even in the winter but once the snow falls, you have to snowmobile or snowshoe in. Want more info? You'll find it in our full article here.
If you make that trip to Granite Hot Springs, be sure to notice your surroundings. The Gros Venture Wilderness area it's located in is one of the most beautiful untamed spots in the state. It's filled with meadows, geological features, and all the wildlife you could hope to see. Read more about this hidden gem in our full article here.
Anyone who has hiked the Mystic Falls Trail would likely tell you that the Garden of Eden can be found in Wyoming. Once you've visited, you'll probably agree that it's at least as close to the legendary paradise as anyone in the 21st Century will come close to. With wildflowers, a river, and a captivating waterfall, this hike should be on every bucket list. Go here to read our full article and learn more.
Southwest of Lander just off HWY-131 is one of the state's most fascinating and underrated parks. Sinks Canyon is at the base of the southern part of the Wind River Mountains, and it features a list of attractions including the Popo Agie River, which disappears inside a cave and reappears in a pool further down the canyon. Learn more in our full article here.
There is a passel of lakes in Wyoming, but Island Lake is not only one of the more picturesque, but is also one of the more difficult to reach. It's not impossible, but you will have a 10-mile hike ahead of you if this destination is on your must-see list - and it should be! There are meadows, mountains, and forests to explore, and a lake that's just as good for fishing as it is for taking gallery-quality pictures. Read more in our full article here.
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Many of the miles you'll drive throughout the Cowboy State are beautiful to the point of distraction, but this underrated scenic byway shouldn't be missed. At only 78 miles long, there's a lot of scenery packed into this short stretch of Wyoming including mountain passes through forested areas, wide open spaces, lakes, streams, and overlooks. There's a full article here where you can learn more.
What off the radar spots do you like to visit in Wyoming?
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