Wyoming Travel Guide
The wide open spaces and mountain ranges of the rugged state of
Wyoming are populated by a vast array of wildlife. Animals far
outnumber humans in this, the least populated state in the country.
Wyoming is a mix of Wild West frontier heritage and spectacular
scenery, with a few modern cities and overgrown cowtowns and two
spectacular national parks.Yellowstone National Park is the oldest on the planet. Its
location on top of a volcanic crater has resulted in a unique
landscape of geysers, fumaroles, mud pots, alpine lakes and
canyons. The towering granite peaks of Grand Teton National Park
further south provide endless opportunities for climbers, hikers
and skiers.Known as the 'Cowboy State', towns in Wyoming such as Jackson
and Cody exude the spirit of the Wild West with wooden boardwalks,
rodeos, restored shop-front facades and staged shoot-outs. As
Buffalo Bill's hometown, Cody is well known for its western-style
wares and the Buffalo Bill Historical Center detailing the history
of the American West. Around the sophisticated resort town of
Jackson are numerous guest and working ranches that are a reminder
of the state's history, and everywhere the hat-brandishing cowboy
that is the state insignia preserves the image of the romantic Wild
West. Despite this picture of a rough, male-dominated state,
Wyoming was the first to allow women to vote in 1869. The state has
also recently featured as the spectacular backdrop for the
critically acclaimed film
Brokeback Mountain.Those who enjoy the outdoors will find a wealth of recreational
activities among the breathtaking scenery, especially in the
northwest where visitors can hike, kayak, boat or raft, fish,
climb, camp and ski to their heart's content.
Wyoming Travel Guide
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Wyoming Travel Guide
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Description:
The world's first national park, Yellowstone was established in
1872 and despite its popularity today, most of the park still
remains an undeveloped wilderness of magnificent mountain scenery,
waterfalls, alpine lakes and rivers. It is renowned for its
geothermal wonders and abundance of wildlife. Spilling over into
Montana and Idaho, the enormous park is situated on top of the
Yellowstone Caldera, a collapsed volcanic crater that was formed
600,000 years ago and holds within it the greatest geothermic area
in the world. This unique environment includes features such as
exploding geysers, thousands of steaming fumaroles, hot springs and
bubbling mud pools, and is where the park's most famous attraction,
the Old Faithful Geyser is to be found, drawing thousands of
tourists to witness its regular eruption of steaming water.
Yellowstone is also home to the largest concentration of wildlife
in lower USA, including grizzly and black bears, wolves, moose, and
large herds of bison and elk. The two narrow waterfalls of the
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River cut a striking picture in the
yellow-coloured rock that gives the park its name, with superb
views and hiking trails for all abilities. The large alpine
Yellowstone Lake fills the eastern part of the caldera and offers
opportunities for boating and fishing expeditions in summer. All
places of interest are accessible along the loop roads, but the
intensity of visitors in summer, especially between July and
August, means that one needs to hike away from the main paths to
experience the true wilderness of Yellowstone National Park.
Address:
Postcode:
Telephone:
(307) 344 7381 (recorded information)
Email:
Website:
www.nps.gov/yell
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Description:
Occupying the valley of Jackson Hole, Grand Teton National
Park's identifying feature is the sharp granite peaks of the
impressive Teton Range, with the dramatic Cathedral Group known as
'Les Trois Tetons' or 'The Three Beasts' towering above the valley
floor. At their centre is the Grand Teton, the 13,770-foot (4,197m)
peak that defines the skyline and dominates almost every view
within the park. The mountains are popular with climbers and
hikers, as well as photographers who can capture a variety of
different angles from the park's scenic winding road or on one of
its numerous trails that forms part of a vast network of hikes
starting from the valley floor. Beneath the Teton Range lie a
string of lakes and the scenic Snake River that meanders the length
of the park, offering numerous opportunities to kayak, fish and
raft. The stunning scenery can be easily seen and enjoyed from a
drive through the park, but taking to the mountain trails or
waterways is the best way to appreciate the spectacular views and
experience the beautiful backcountry. A great abundance of large
wildlife roams the valley floor, including moose, elk, bison, and
grizzly and black bears.
Address:
Postcode:
Telephone:
(307) 739 3300
Email:
Website:
www.nps.gov/grte
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Description:
The Buffalo Bill Historical Center is an immense complex
containing five world-class museums and a research library,
including the Buffalo Bill Museum, Plains Indian Museum, Cody
Firearms Museum, Whitney Gallery of Western Art, and the Draper
Museum of Natural History. The Buffalo Bill Museum focuses on the
personal and public lives of William 'Buffalo Bill' Cody within the
American West, with artefacts tracing the years of the Pony
Express, Indian Wars, Civil War and his Wild West Shows. The Cody
Firearms Museum contains the most complete collection of American
weapons in the world, the Whitney Gallery features masterworks of
the West, and the ecosystem of the Yellowstone area is presented at
the Natural History Museum. The Plains Indians Museum highlights
the story of the lives of the Plains Indian people, their culture,
history, values and traditions, and their lives today through one
of the country's largest and finest collections of art and
artefacts.
Address:
720 Sheridan Avenue
Postcode:
Telephone:
(307) 587 4771
Email:
Website:
www.bbhc.org
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Description:
What good's a visit to Cowboy Country without a little trail
riding thrown into the mix? At Mill Iron Ranch, the Wheeldon family
- led by the charismatic cowboy-proprietor, Chancy - boldly claim
to 'run the best huntin', fishin', ridin' and eatin' outfit in
[Jackson]'; and the scores of glowing Internet reviews of the
ranch, suggest that they might just be telling the truth about
that. Offering the 'number one two-hour trail ride in the USA' - at
the end of which, visitors can return to the farmhouse for a bit of
western swing dancing, and a steak dinner 'with all the fixings',
prepared by the Wheeldons themselves - visitors to Wyoming who are
keen to experience a little ranch-life, could hardly do better than
making a trip out to Mill Iron Ranch.
Address:
3495 East Horse Creek Road, Jackson
Postcode:
Telephone:
(307) 733 6390
Email:
kim@millironranch.net
Website:
www.millironranch.net
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