Wyoming
Wyoming is a trip built around geysers, wildlife and mountain views, with Yellowstone and Grand Teton as the main draw.
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Wyoming is a large, sparsely populated state in the northern Rocky Mountains of the western United States. Its best-known destination is Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872 as the first national park in the world, which lies mostly in the state's northwest corner. Yellowstone has geysers including Old Faithful, hot springs, and wildlife such as bison and elk. South of it, Grand Teton National Park has sharp peaks rising above valleys and lakes, with the town of Jackson close by.
Wyoming suits travelers who want wildlife, hiking and long drives through open country more than city sightseeing, since the sights are spread far apart. Summer is the main season: most park roads, lodges and campgrounds are open then, while winter brings heavy snow and limited access. Plan at least three or four days for the two parks, and allow more if you add other parts of the state.
Wyoming in five
- Carry bear spray and keep your distanceGrizzlies and black bears live in both parks. Stay 100 yards (91 m) from bears and 25 yards (23 m) from other wildlife, such as bison and elk.Yellowstone
- Book inside-park lodges earlyRooms inside the parks often sell out early. Set your dates before anything else, then look at gateway-town rooms as a backup.Where to stay
- Fill your tank before the park gatesFuel inside the parks is limited, so fill up in Jackson, Cody or West Yellowstone before you enter.Getting around
- Download offline maps before you drive inPhone coverage is patchy across both parks. Save the area in Google Maps or another offline map app while you still have signal.Phones and eSIM
- Check road status before you set your routeSome park roads close in spring and winter. The NPS site lists which roads are open, so check it on the morning you drive.Yellowstone
Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Wyoming, the full guide
Yellowstone National Park
Go for Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and wildlife that includes bison, elk, moose and grizzly bears.
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton is where the Teton Range rises sharply above the Jackson Hole valley, with alpine lakes and the Snake River below the peaks.
Things to do in Wyoming
See all attractions in Wyoming
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- ESTA for Visa Waiver passports; visa for others Read more
- Emergency
- 911 for police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Expected: 15 to 20% in restaurants and bars
- Time
- UTC-7 (Mountain), UTC-6 in summer
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow, quiet
- FebruarySki season
- MarchRoads closed
- AprilMud season
- MayRoads opening
- JuneWildflowers, long days
- JulyFull park open
- AugustWarm, busy
- SeptemberElk rut, fewer crowds
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberRoads closing
- DecemberSnow, quiet
Right now in Wyoming
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
4
- Feels like
- -1°
- Humidity
- 79%
- Wind
- 21 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 27%
Wyoming
02:56 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today6°2°27%Monday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Tue9°0°1%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Wed11°-2°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu13°4°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri12°5°1%Friday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Sat11°4°5%Saturday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sun16°4°0%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 16°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 02:23 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- YellowstoneAbout 2 hours by car to Old FaithfulGeysers, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and wildlife drives.Read the guide
- Grand TetonAbout 30 to 45 min by car from JacksonTeton peaks, Jenny Lake and day hikes.Read the guide
- CodyAbout 1 hour by car from the east entranceMuseums and a Yellowstone base on the east side.
Before you go to Wyoming
Rules for Wyoming, checked
- Stay 100 yards (91 m) from bears and 25 yards (23 m) from other wildlife, including bison and elk. Check nps.gov/yell before you go.Source
- Feeding wildlife is prohibited in both parks under federal park rules, for any animal.
- Stay on boardwalks and marked trails in thermal areas, because the ground can be thin and very hot.
- Visa Waiver visitors must have an approved ESTA before boarding a flight to the US. Check eligibility on the official CBP site.Source
Plan around Wyoming
Geysers, peaks and how to split your days
Read the guideYellowstoneGeysers, bison and the Grand Loop Road
Read the guideGrand TetonTeton peaks, Jenny Lake and day hikes from Jackson
Read the guideGetting aroundDriving, park roads and the gateway towns
Read the guideVisas and entryESTA rules, passports and what to carry
Read the guideWhere to stayLodges inside the parks and gateway towns
Read the guideWyoming FAQ
Is Yellowstone or Grand Teton better?
Yellowstone is better for geysers, bison and long wildlife drives. Grand Teton is better for mountain scenery and shorter hikes from Jackson. The parks sit side by side, so one trip can cover both.
How many days do you need in Yellowstone?
Two full days cover the main geyser areas and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Add a third day for longer hikes or a slower pace.
Do I need a rental car in Wyoming?
For the parks, yes. Public transport between the gateway towns and the park entrances is limited, and the park roads are long.
Can I see bears in Yellowstone?
Often, yes. Grizzlies and black bears live in both parks, but sightings are not guaranteed, so keep 100 yards away and carry bear spray.
Do Europeans need a visa for Wyoming?
Citizens of Visa Waiver countries apply for ESTA before flying in. Other passports need a US visa before travel.
When are the park roads open to cars?
Most park roads are open in summer and early autumn. Many close to cars in winter, so check the NPS road status before you go.