10 Wyoming Day Trips That Are Even Cooler During The Winter

Of course Wyoming's oldest and most iconic national park deserves a mention on our winter day trips list. Treasured throughout the rest of the year for its unrivaled natural wonders, this geological park is surprisingly overlooked post-tourist season. Which is a shame! (Although regular sub-zero temperatures could have something to do with keeping the crowds at bay.) While drive-through traffic to Yellowstone is closed in the winter, private snowmobile and snowcoach tours are available to take sightseers into the depths of the park for stunning views rarely seen. Wildlife are at their most free, geysers are at their most unique, and the waterfalls… well, you'll just have to see it all for yourself!

Learn more about exploring Yellowstone in winter.

When there's such a bevy of wintertime things to do in Jackson, how could we not give this small town getaway its own mention? This Teton-ringed valley is a true glittering wonderland for winter enthusiasts of all types, although if you want to spend most of your time skiing, one of the area's incredible ski resorts is the place to be. But even if you don’t want to hit the slopes, there are a million ways to indulge in après-ski adventures. After shredding powder at Rendezvous Mountain or at Snow King Mountain Resort, eat your way through the bevy of delicious local dining options, stroll through the scenic Town Square (stopping to take a selfie at the iconic antler arch downtown), or even kick back and pamper yourself at the stunning Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa. There's something for everyone here.

Come for the hundreds of spectacular elk grazing and wintering, but stay for the magical sunsets! (And the sleigh rides, of course.) Wyoming's National Elk Refuge is a stunning conservation area just a short drive from Jackson Hole that offers magical Teton views in every direction, as well as unparalleled opportunities to see wildlife of all shapes and sizes in their natural habitat. A drive down the main Refuge Road allows visitors to explore the area from the safety and warmth of a vehicle and ensures a safe distance from these magnificent creatures. Horse-drawn sleigh rides are also available to reserve typically mid-December through April. Be sure to check out the Visitor Center too while you're there!

Visit the National Elk Refuge website to learn more and plan your visit.

No matter the season, the Tetons are without a doubt one of western Wyoming's most breathtaking natural wonders. In winter, the views get an extra dose of magic as each peak radiates colorful, snow-capped beauty and as the scenery comes alive with wildlife and delightful alpenglow. With a frosty layer dusting the valley, there's a quiet lull that lets sightseers experience this majestic landscape the way it was meant to be.

Learn more about exploring Grand Teton National Park in winter.

If a day trip to Wyoming's unofficial hot springs capital sounds like the perfect way to immerse yourself in Wyoming's winter beauty, then you're in luck! Wyoming is home to dozens of hot springs, but Thermopolis' Big Springs is uniquely the largest in the country (although not quite in the world, like advertised). Multiple hotels, pools, and spas are just waiting for visitors to dive in and experience a relaxing 104-degree soak. Depending on the timing of your visit, some pools may be closed; however, the State Bath House is open year-round.

But Thermopolis also has much more to offer than just its beloved healing waters. The landscape of Hot Springs State Park is equally phenomenal come winter, its snow-blanketed expanse reminiscent of Yellowstone as the steam rising from the water creates a gentle haze in every direction. Bison roam freely and can be safely observed from Buffalo Pasture Road and Big Spring Drive. Historic side trips in the area include Smokey Row Cemetery and Sneider’s Point Overlook. The surrounding landscape is also hiding a trove of dinosaur bones and prehistoric petroglyphs, which makes this underrated small town and its Dinosaur Center an absolute must-visit. While you're at it, take a drive down Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway to add even more winter beauty to your visit.

Consistently ranked as one of the best winter towns in Wyoming, Casper is chock full of things to do when the seasons change. For powder-loving enthusiasts, a scenic drive around Casper Mountain is a gorgeous adventure in itself. Here, sledders can dive into a wonderland of fresh snowfall at elevations of more than 7,000 feet or explore dozens of miles of groomed trails. While in the area, head to the Casper Mountain Trails Center to experience even more winter activity options.

If staying a little warmer is your idea of a good time, Casper is also home to literally dozens of museums, and exploring your way through each of them is sure to make those winter blues a distant memory. From the Tate Geological Museum (where visitors can meet Dee, Casper's own resident woolly mammoth) to the Casper Planetarium (for drinking in those crisp, clear winter skies) to the Nicolaysen Art Museum, there's plenty for the whole family to enjoy.

If you haven't already paid a visit to Wyoming's pinnacle desert icon in all four seasons, add it to your bucket list! The short and easy 1.3-mile trail to the base of the tower will be well worth it to experience this snow-dusted monument up close. But for the adventurous, multiple other trails offer more diverse views of the monument and vibrant scenery of the region, such as the Valley View Trail. However, do note that the weather is unpredictable here especially in winter, and conditions can change rapidly.

Learn more about hiking, climbing, and exploring Devil's Tower National Monument.

This sweeping desert landscape is wildly underrated compared to its mountainous counterparts farther north, but it definitely deserves some extra attention. Especially during winter! As one of the last high-elevation deserts left in the U.S., Wyoming's Red Desert in winter is vast, beautiful, and wild in all the right ways, stretching as far as the eye can see. Wind, water, and time have crafted a number of geological marvels here, from sandstone towers and shifting dunes to plunging canyons and natural basins. But in winter the stark landscape gets a powdery makeover, with ribbons of snow and sand weaving their way across the desert. Desert critters and unique frozen sculptures create a unique landscape that glows underneath some of the clearest, quietest winter skies you can imagine.

Consistently rated as one the greatest all-American drives, and certainly one of Wyoming's most iconic, the Snowy Range Scenic Byway is a gorgeous shortcut that crosses the Medicine Bow Mountain Range and slices through the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. Stunning glacial lakes and vibrant pines loaded with snow are just a few of the highlights (there are some incredible hikes here if you're craving a detour!). Fantastic views from 8,000 feet above the valley floor offer spectacular panoramic overlooks of this underrated slice of the state. Depending on the weather, the byway typically shuts down from early winter to spring, but if you time your visit just right, you can still catch some majestic, snow-covered views before the pass closes or when it reopens in early spring. Be safe out there, though!

Hiking the Continental Divide in Western Wyoming is a bucket list hike for many adventurers. But how about snowmobiling it instead? For serious snow-enthusiasts, the 270-mile Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail is definitely a dream come true, although it'll definitely take longer than one day to complete! The trail is divided into Northern and Southern sections, stretching from Lander in the south to Yellowstone in the north, crossing the Divide four times. Togwotee Pass is considered one of the most memorable and scenic points on the route, but you'll encounter some phenomenally diverse terrain to suit every rider, from alpine forests and towering mountain ranges to endless valleys and everything in between. Take note: due to the northern portion of the trail crossing into Yellowstone, guides and permits are required.

Ready to blaze a few trails? Visit the Wyoming Parks website to learn more.