Are you feeling a little cooped up thanks to the Wyoming winter? Well, get out and about and see your beautiful state in the middle of the season! You’ll find some of the most beautiful windshield views all from the warmth of your car.
- Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway
Flickr / Brett Gullborg Start in Shoshone, around mile marker 100 on US 20. As you wind your way north through the Wind River Canyon and Reservation, you’ll encounter some of the most beautiful mountain views in the state. This remote and quiet byway is beautiful after a snowfall. After about 40 minutes of driving, you’ll end up in Thermopolis, where you can warm up in a Hot Spring or visit the Dinosaur Museum.
- Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway
Flickr / Barry Dale Gilfry To travel the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway, follow The Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway, U.S. 14/16/20 along the banks of the North Fork of the Shoshone River. The Wapiti Valley is a breathtaking section of Shoshone National Forest, and you’ll get to see it from both sides of the road if you travel in the winter. That’s because it’s a round-trip drive - the western terminus of the byway is Yellowstone National Park, and the entrance is closed from November to May. The drive is about 45 minutes to the park boundary, so 90 minutes round-trip. Take time to stop at Buffalo Bill’s Pahaska Tepee.
- Chief Joseph Scenic Byway
Flickr / Forest Service Northern Region When the Beartooth Highway closes for the winter, the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway is all but abandoned between Cody and the northern Wyoming border. However, Dead Indian Pass is kept clear in all but the worst weather, and you can enjoy the sprawling view from the top of the pass for most of the year. The Absaroka Mountains are absolutely breathtaking. You’ll spend at least an hour driving this byway.
- Flaming Gorge-Green River Basin Scenic Byway
Flickr / Cliff Hall Just west of Rock Springs, you’ll find the Flaming Gorge and Green River Scenic Byway. US Highway 191 follows the Wyoming- Utah Border and shows off breathtaking high desert and staggering mountain peaks. This is an all day adventure - you’ll spend at least five hours on this 160 mile trip.
- Wyoming Centennial Byway
Flickr / Jo Munday You’ll find the Wyoming Centennial Scenic Byway between Pinedale and Dubois. It’s open year round and includes U.S. 26/287 and U.S. 26/89/191. You’ll cross through ranch lands, badlands, high prairie and more gorgeous landscape. It’s another all day trip, as it takes about four hours to travel between the towns. It’s open year-round, except for immediately after a heavy snow. There are a lot of places to stop along the way, so you’ll love this trip if you plan a weekend of travel and stay in Pinedale or Dubois.
- Star Valley Scenic Byway
Flickr / Tom Kelly The Star Valley is on display as Wyoming’s newest scenic byway. For 80 miles through Lincoln County, you’ll find gorgeous landscapes and scenery from the Idaho border into the Jackson Hole area. Stop for a panoramic overlook from the top of Salt River Pass and wind your way down towards Hoback Junction. From there, head into the town of Jackson and enjoy the scenery of the Tetons.
Of course, Wyoming weather can be unpredictable, so check the forecasts and road conditions before heading out if you’re traveling in winter. These byways can be remote and you won’t often find services available, so let someone know your plans ahead of time and travel with extra emergency supplies.
Flickr / Brett Gullborg
Start in Shoshone, around mile marker 100 on US 20. As you wind your way north through the Wind River Canyon and Reservation, you’ll encounter some of the most beautiful mountain views in the state. This remote and quiet byway is beautiful after a snowfall. After about 40 minutes of driving, you’ll end up in Thermopolis, where you can warm up in a Hot Spring or visit the Dinosaur Museum.
Flickr / Barry Dale Gilfry
To travel the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway, follow The Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway, U.S. 14/16/20 along the banks of the North Fork of the Shoshone River. The Wapiti Valley is a breathtaking section of Shoshone National Forest, and you’ll get to see it from both sides of the road if you travel in the winter. That’s because it’s a round-trip drive - the western terminus of the byway is Yellowstone National Park, and the entrance is closed from November to May. The drive is about 45 minutes to the park boundary, so 90 minutes round-trip. Take time to stop at Buffalo Bill’s Pahaska Tepee.
Flickr / Forest Service Northern Region
When the Beartooth Highway closes for the winter, the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway is all but abandoned between Cody and the northern Wyoming border. However, Dead Indian Pass is kept clear in all but the worst weather, and you can enjoy the sprawling view from the top of the pass for most of the year. The Absaroka Mountains are absolutely breathtaking. You’ll spend at least an hour driving this byway.
Flickr / Cliff Hall
Just west of Rock Springs, you’ll find the Flaming Gorge and Green River Scenic Byway. US Highway 191 follows the Wyoming- Utah Border and shows off breathtaking high desert and staggering mountain peaks. This is an all day adventure - you’ll spend at least five hours on this 160 mile trip.
Flickr / Jo Munday
You’ll find the Wyoming Centennial Scenic Byway between Pinedale and Dubois. It’s open year round and includes U.S. 26/287 and U.S. 26/89/191. You’ll cross through ranch lands, badlands, high prairie and more gorgeous landscape. It’s another all day trip, as it takes about four hours to travel between the towns. It’s open year-round, except for immediately after a heavy snow. There are a lot of places to stop along the way, so you’ll love this trip if you plan a weekend of travel and stay in Pinedale or Dubois.
Flickr / Tom Kelly
The Star Valley is on display as Wyoming’s newest scenic byway. For 80 miles through Lincoln County, you’ll find gorgeous landscapes and scenery from the Idaho border into the Jackson Hole area. Stop for a panoramic overlook from the top of Salt River Pass and wind your way down towards Hoback Junction. From there, head into the town of Jackson and enjoy the scenery of the Tetons.
For more details about each byway, visit the Wyoming DOT Scenic Byways brochure here.
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Address: Wind River Canyon, Wyoming 82443, USAAddress: Cody, WY 82414, USAAddress: Wyoming 296, WY-296, Wyoming, USAAddress: Snowy Range Pass, Wyoming 82055, USAAddress: Centennial Valley, Wyoming 82070, USAAddress: W Flaming Gorge Way, Green River, WY 82935, USAAddress: Star Valley, Wyoming 83128, USA
