This Dreamy Road Trip Will Take You To The Best Fall Foliage In All Of Wyoming
If you’ve been looking forward to the fall foliage in Wyoming all year long, the wait is over! As early as late August, the leaves started changing color. Since the transformation will continue and intensify throughout September and into the first few weeks of October, this is the perfect time to take a fall foliage road trip. We’ve tracked down the best places across the state for optimal autumn colors to create a dreamy fall road trip that shouldn’t be missed.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Since the seasonal change starts on the western side of Wyoming and sweeps eastward, our fall foliage road trip starts in the northwest, moves southeast, and ends up in the northeast corner of the state. Of course, nature can be unpredictable, but August through October is typically the time the leaves change color in the Cowboy State.
A trip like this is one that should be taken leisurely, stretched out over one or two weeks. Not only does that give you time to enjoy the scenery, but it follows the color-change timeline. If you start your journey any time before mid-September, you should be able to catch the foliage across the state near or at the peak of gorgeous autumn glory.
Our fall foliage road trip starts out at Mount Moran in the northwest part of Wyoming. The reflection of the mountain and the trees near the water's edge by Oxbow Bend make a picture-perfect fall scene.
From Moran, head south through Jackson Hole to Pinedale. There, the rusts, yellows, and oranges of autumn beautifully contrast with the forest green of the pines.
Going further south, you'll reach Rock Springs. While the little town isn't surrounded by evergreens like Pinedale is, it does have Aspen Mountain. In the fall, the stately quaking aspens set the mountain ablaze with autumn color.
From Rock Springs, drive east about 80 miles, then turn south on Baggs Road. This will take you to the Battle Pass Scenic Byway, a stunning trip all on its own. The main sight you'll want to see along this part of the road trip is Aspen Alley. These massive stands of aspens are over a century old and put on a spectacular color show every fall.
Once you've passed through Medicine Bow National Forest following the byway, turn north toward Saratoga. The city is a perfect overnight stopping place, and especially beautiful in the fall.
Continue north from Saratoga through Medicine Bow to Casper Mountain. Like many places across Wyoming, quakies and pines dwell side by side. The greenery blends well together in the spring and summer but the yellow and orange of the aspen leaves against the rich deep green of the pines in autumn is downright striking.
Further up north, you'll reach the historic city of Buffalo, tucked in at the foothills of the Big Horn Mountains. Its small-town charm is enough to bring visitors in any time of year, but nothing beats visiting Buffalo in the fall. You don't have to go far out of town to enjoy the brilliant autumn colors - there's a delightful park on the banks of Clear Creek just off main street behind the Occidental Hotel.
This dreamy road trip ends at Devil's Tower in the northeast corner of Wyoming. With an assortment of trees encircling it, the magnificent monolith is a stunning backdrop for the fall foliage as it changes to shades of gold and copper.
