Visiting Wyoming

Wyoming is warming up, the summer season is here for visits to Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park and Wyoming’s state parks and monuments. Visitors to northeast Wyoming, be sure to add Devils Tower National Monument to your itinerary. The tower is an amazing natural landmark, north off Interstate 90 between Sundance and Hulett. Summer means rodeo in the Cowboy State, from Cody's Nite Rodeo to the National High School finals rodeo in Rock Springs there's rodeo excitement across the state. It is also the season to celebrate Wyoming’s old west heritage and culture at events like Butch Cassidy Days in Laramie - it's the season for a Wyoming getaway.

Founded by Buffalo Bill Cody, Wyoming’s city of Cody is the eastern gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Cody destinations, including the Whitney Gallery of Western Art, Plains Indian Museum and Buffalo Bill Museum, offer visitors a glimpse into the rich history and heritage of the Cowboy State.

Called the Rodeo Capital of the World, Cody Nite Rodeo is a summer tradition. June through August brings the lights up at the Cody Stampede, at 8pm each evening for the Cody Nite Rodeo. The stampede grounds also host the Wrangler 2012 Million Dollar Tour, with PRCA pro rodeo coming to Cody in July - one of nine stops on the Million Dollar Gold Tour Series. Catch top rodeo contestants from across the US, competing for the big purse July 1st through 4th at the Buffalo Bill Cody Stampede Rodeo. Bull riding fans Join Xtreme Bulls action June 30th, also at Cody’s Stampede Rodeo Park.

Music fans don’t miss a visit to Cody for the 25th Annual Yellowstone Jazz Festival. The 2012 festival is July 12th and 13th. Among the performances, enjoy Friday evenings jazz vocalist Sunny Wilkinson, and the Yellowstone Big Band on the Lawn, at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center.

Rock Springs hosts the 2012 National High School Finals Rodeo, July 15th through the 21st. Come see more than 1500 cowboys and cowgirls from across the US, Canada and Australia in the world’s largest rodeo. With 13 performances over seven days, Rock Spring’s Sweetwater County Events Complex is filled with action with Rodeo’s up and coming stars.

The historic Wyoming Territorial Prison in Laramie, now managed by Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources, offers several events on its summer schedule, for a getaway to southeast Wyoming. The 2012 Butch Cassidy Days festival is June 23rd and 24th. A fun family event, kids enjoy the stick horse rodeo, money grab and rounding up escaped prisoners. Living history interpreters recount the legacy of Laramie’s Territorial Prison and there are craft and food vendors to fill the day.

Wyoming runners and athletes have a 2012 summer filled with fun challenges. Laramie hosts the Wyoming Marathon Races on Memorial Day weekend, followed by the Casper Marathon June 3rd. Sheridan hosts the 2012 Bighorn Mountain Wild and Scenic Trail Run June 14th through the 17th. The trail celebrate their 20th Anniversary along with the 10th anniversary of the Bighorn Trail 100 Miles Endurance Run. An extreme challenge for the best of runners, this out and back race features a breathtaking course through rugged Bighorn Mountain trails and roads.

Wyoming Hotel Map