Your Ultimate Guide To Spring Attractions And Activities In Wyoming
Will Suphan
Author
Spring in Wyoming is such a beautiful thing. It’s the time of year when wildflowers spread across the landscape, and buffalo raise their new young, and it still retains the charm of the American Old West. We’re lucky to have such glorious places for Wyoming spring activities like Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and idyllic towns like Jackson Hole. If you don’t live here already, come visit during the spring and let this guide show you the 12 best things to do in Wyoming in Spring.
Flower Blooms In Wyoming
With all of our rolling hills and majestic mountains, you can be sure we have some of the most mesmerizing fields of wildflowers in America. This Western landscape captures the imagination like no other place. Seeing these blooms is one of the best free things to do in Wyoming in spring.
1. Pat O’Hara Mountain Trail
Like many places in Wyoming, the Pat O’Hara Mountain Trail is rather remote, but the scenery is well worth the effort. Rolling hills fade into the distance and as you explore, you’ll find wide patches of vivid wildflowers. As you look off into the distance, you can see it still much like it must have looked to Native Americans years ago. It remains one of the most raw and unspoiled areas in the USA.
2. Leigh Lake Trail
If you don’t want to hike up a mountain but want to see Wyoming wildflowers in all their glory, check out the Leigh Lake Trail near Alta. There are two trail options: a 7.1-mile trail that goes to the lake and a 2.9-mile out-and-back trail. Both have an abundance of wildflowers and you’ll have stellar views of the Grand Teton range.
Botanical Gardens In Wyoming
If you need a more accessible option to see wildflowers as well as many other types of plants, then we’re glad to have botanical gardens that show foliage from all over Wyoming and the rest of the world. Visiting these gardens is one of the best family things to do in Wyoming in spring, and here are two of the best of them.
3. Cheyenne Botanic Gardens
This gem can be found in the city of Cheyenne, and the Shane Smith Grand Conservatory has three foliage-laden floors with natural sunlight coming in through the glass ceilings. It’s a fantastic place to bring the kids to foster a love of nature. Plus, they’ll adore the Paul Smith Children’s Village where there are fun things for them to interact with as well as impressive gardens to explore.
4. High Plains Arboretum
Managed by the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, the High Plains Arboretum is west of Cheyenne and is a wide expanse of wildflowers, trees, and wildlife. There are 60 species of trees from all over the world and an apple orchard. It was once the USDA Cheyenne Horticultural Field where shrubs, flowers, and trees were tested for survival on the High Plains. It makes for a fabulous day trip!
Parks To Visit In Wyoming This Spring
If there’s anything we have in Wyoming that truly rivals the rest of the country, it’s our National and State Parks with some of the most mind-blowing views to be had anywhere. They’re splendid places to visit year-round and as the time of snowmobiling, snowboarding, sledding, and snowshoeing comes to a close, the time of boating, rafting, mountain biking, kayaking, and hiking begins and visiting these three parks is among the most fun things to do in Wyoming in spring.
5. Yellowstone National Park
Everyone’s heard of Yellowstone National Park and it is popular for a reason. The views here are easily as awe-inspiring as places like the Grand Canyon or Mt. Shasta. This is where you can see the world’s most famous geyser, Old Faithful. The whole geyser basin has about 500 geysers and it is just one minuscule portion of this vast park which will leave you in awe of the natural beauty of Wyoming. The Mammoth Hot Springs, the Grand Prismatic Spring, and Yellowstone Lake should not be missed. Be sure to stop in the visitor center for some excellent educational exhibits.
6. Grand Teton National Park
Just south of Yellowstone is the achingly beautiful Grand Teton National Park. The alpine peaks, rushing waterfalls, and varied wildlife have to be seen in person. Not only is this park home to the most magnificent mountain range and one of the most breathtaking national forests but the National Elk Refuge can be found here as well. The Bridger-Teton National Forest is like something from a fairy tale and Jenny Lake is so pristine and peaceful. Be sure to also check out the nearby National Museum of Wildlife Art.
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7. Devil’s Tower National Monument
Many people know this place from the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind, but the film and pictures don’t do it justice. When you stand at the base of Devil’s Tower, you’ll realize how utterly massive and imposing it is. It can render you speechless. This natural wonder is thought to be formed from a burst of magma and this tower of igneous rock is partially surrounded by a field of huge rocks that have fallen from it over thousands of years. Be sure to put this on your bucket list! It’s certainly one of the best cheap things to do in Wyoming in spring.
Spring Hikes In Wyoming
With all this natural majesty in Wyoming, we are certainly not short on gorgeous hiking trails. We’re lucky to have wildlife like elk and bighorn sheep, beautiful recreation areas, and hikes with fantastic views that can be full-day treks or just a couple of hours. Get your hiking boots on and get ready to explore three of the best spring hikes in Wyoming.
8. Stone Temple Circuit
Located in the Curt Gowdy State Park, the Stone Temple Circuit trail is such a photogenic hike with rolling hills filled with wildflowers, occasional copses of trees, and wide open blue skies during the spring. You’ll find otherworldly rock formations dotted throughout the area and it’s just a lovely hike all around and would be just the place for some horseback riding.
9. Five Springs Falls
If you’re looking for a short hike with a great payoff, go to Five Springs Falls and see a stunning landscape as you hike the 0.4-mile out-and-back trail where you’ll see some small but beautiful waterfalls and get dazzling views of the valley below. It makes for an excellent day trip from Cody.
10. Lunch Counter Trail
The Lunch Counter Trail is a hidden gem as well as a short and easy hike with stupendous views of the Snake River. You may see some whitewater rapids, especially in spring. This 10-minute hike is a terrific way to see a massive amount of natural beauty while not taking up a whole lot of time.
Spring Picnic Spots In Wyoming
When the wildflowers are blooming and wildlife is more abundant, what better way to spend a spring day than with a sweet little picnic? It’s one of the most romantic things to do in Wyoming in spring and is a great way to simply relax and take in your surroundings while having a lovely meal and wonderful conversation. Here are two magnificent spring picnic spots in Wyoming.
11. Trout Lake
An idyllic place for a picnic is Trout Lake inside Yellowstone National Park. A short stroll from the road will bring you to the lake’s edge where you can lay out a blanket and have a wonderful meal while gazing at the lake and the amazing mountain views.
12. Jenny Lake
What better way to have a picnic than to have a view of a pristine lake and the towering Grand Tetons? Jenny Lake has a trail circumnavigating it and you can set up a picnic pretty much anywhere along it. You’ll see some of the clearest waters of any lake and the mountain views are simply incredible. It’ll be a picnic you’ll talk about for years.
This guide will give you a great head start to your spring adventures. If you’d like to see even more astounding spring locations, go on one of these magnificent road trips that you’ll never forget:
These 10 Road Trips in Wyoming Will Lead You To Places You’ll Never Forget
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