Every year, Rand McNally rates road trips across the country and compiles the best of them into a handy guidebook. Recently, the distinguished mapping specialists rated an epic road trip circling the Continental Divide as the best road trip through Wyoming, and we couldn’t agree more! You’ll want to schedule plenty of time for this exciting adventure, so you get the full effect of the state’s beauty and are able to enjoy the numerous sights and attractions along the way. According to Travel Wyoming, once you’ve completed the loop, you will have crossed the Rocky Mountain Continental Divide more than a few times – and it’s sure to be a trip you’ll never forget.
This loop over and around the Continental Divide covers about 500 miles and shows off some of the most impressive scenery in the state.
You could complete it in one day, but you'll have more fun and will have a better chance to appreciate the stunning Wyoming scenery if you stretch it out over several days.
The first leg of the trip takes you 177 miles from Jackson to Cody.
The first stretch of the trip is the longest. You'll start out in Jackson and head northeast to Cody. It's over 175 miles, but much of the path is through Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. During your stopover in Cody, visit the Museum of the Plains, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, or take in a rodeo - if you're there anytime between June and August, there's one every night.
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Leave Cody and head down to the tiny town of Meeteetse, just 40 miles away.
Once you leave Cody, you also leave the beaten path. Your next stop will be in the tiny, charming town of Meeteetse. Here, you can visit museums, historic sites, an awesome chocolatier, and it's the home of Black-Footed Ferret Recovery Program.
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After Meeteetse, travel 44 miles and you'll find yourself in the bubbling town of Thermopolis.
Thermopolis may be a one-stoplight-town, but it's also where you can enjoy a soak in the free bath house at Hot Springs State Park. The travertine terraces and other calcium carbonate formations will amaze you, and you should be sure to visit the dinosaur center. If you have time and the gear, Thermopolis is also a good spot for rafting on the Bighorn River.
Next head out from Thermopolis and make Shoshoni your next stop, 32 miles away.
With its proximity to Boysen Lake, fishermen love Shoshoni. It's the walleye capital of the state, so bring your tackle box and your pole and see if you can catch dinner.
With all there is to do in Riverton, you may want to make it one of your overnight stops. Riverton is actually located inside the boarders of the Wind River Reservation, so there is a ton of history and culture to take in. Spend some time at the casino, where there's more than just gaming going on. Be sure to catch at least one performance by the Native American dancers.
Dinner is the star in your next town, when you travel 12 miles between Riverton and Hudson.
Hudson is a classic tiny Wyoming town. What it might lack in big-city amenities, it makes up for in character and charm. Stop by Svilar's Steak House for one of the best steaks you'll ever taste before heading down the road.
It's a short drive to Lander from Hudson, and you'll be there after just 13 miles on the road.
Lander is fairly close to Sink's Canyon State Park, and the Popo Agie River runs through the town. Several gold mines and ghost towns dot the area around Lander. The city itself, however, offers a variety of things to do including museums, art galleries, and historic sites.
The quaint little town of Dubois, Wyoming is where you'll find such western treasures as Native rock art, wildlife viewing, and historical museums. Take a hike on local trails and learn fascinating facts about Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep at the National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Center.
Finally, complete the loop by driving 86 miles from Dubois back to your starting point in Jackson.
The last leg of the trip is the second longest one, but it takes you back to the beginning. A small town with a big city personality that offers lots to do including hiking, biking, skiing, art galleries, museums, world-class dining, stagecoach rides through the city, and more, Jackson isn't a bad place to end up.
Have you circled the Continental Divide? What other epic road trips have you taken in Wyoming? Don’t forget to tell us all about your favorite Wyoming destinations right here, so we can check them out and feature them!
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Best Road Trip Through Wyoming
Kim Magaraci|September 23, 2020
What are the best small towns in Wyoming?
Some of the best small towns are the ones you'll encounter on the road trip above. Meeteetse is an off-the-beaten-path destination with a charming downtown, Thermopolis is the hot spring capital of the world, and Lander captures the hearts of everyone who passes through.
What is Wyoming known for?
Wyoming is known for being a rural and beautiful state. You'll find jagged mountains, rolling hills, endless forests, and wild rivers in all corners of the state. It may be the one place in the country where you'll find natural wonders everywhere you go!
What are the weirdest places in Wyoming?
Some of the strangest places in Wyoming are the spots where thermal features have taken over. Yellowstone is home to more geysers and hot spots than the rest of the world combined, and Thermopolis is home to the world's largest mineral hot spring! You can also find strange formations at Fossil Butte, Boar's Tusk, Bears Den, and the Vedauwoo.
