Wyoming

Overview

Wyoming is famous for cowboys and the stuff of western films. It is a Rocky Mountain state with an average elevation of nearly 2000metres. It is bounded by six states, with the plains of Montana to the north and the famous Black Hills of Dakota to the east. The Continental Divide crosses the state from Yellowstone, in the northwest, and on through the Bridger Teton National Forest, where you can see the highest point of the state, Gannett Peak at 4207 metres. Having circled the Great Divide basin, this great watershed passes into Colorado to the south.

The spectacular scenery offers a wealth of recreational activities for lovers of outdoor pursuits, or those who would just like to sit and stare in wonder. Yellowstone is a vast high volcanic plateau, with geysers, hot springs and bubbling mud pots. Herds of bison, elk and other animals roam free, not forgetting the possibility of seeing a bear. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River offers wonderful vistas of waterfalls and brightly coloured rocks.

Grand Teton National Park is also a must for every tourist. Jagged snow capped peaks are reflected in the many lakes and the occasional moose may be seen. Jackson just to the south of the park is the main centre for tourist activities. There is plenty of skiing and snowmobiling in winter and miles of beautiful trails. Float trips on the Snake River make for an exciting water adventure. The Jackson area is also home to the National Elk Reserve, where...more

History

Pierre Verendrye was probably the first European to explore Wyoming in 1743, when he visited the Bighorn Mountains. It was not until after Lewis and Clark?s famous 1805 expedition through Montana, to the north, that trappers, traders and explorers began to enter the state. Fort Laramie, at the gateway to the Rockies had started as a fur trading post in 1834, but with the increasingly hostile Sioux Indians, it grew to be a large military complex.

Once the gold rush to the west started in 1849, the Oregon Trail brought thousands of people across what is now Wyoming. The trail followed the Platte River from Nebraska in the east, crossing the river, first by ferry and later by a bridge, at Casper. It then followed the Sweetwater River and eventually crossed the continental divide at South Pass. From Fort Bridger the trail heads north along the mighty Snake River and on into Oregon. Remnants of the deeply rutted trail can be seen today.

In the late 1860?s Indian hostility grew as the Union Pacific Railway crossed the south of the State and increasing numbers of settlers moved in, to claim what had been tribal lands. The ?Wild West? lived up to its name as cowboys and huge herds of animals had good times and bad. The stock ever multiplied but in the terrible winter of 1886/87 one sixth of the herds were lost. Cattle rustling became a major problem and conflicts continued into the 20th, century until 1910, when oil and coal...more

When to Go

Essentials