Wyoming Hiking Guide: 10 Best Day Hikes & Backpacking Trails

Wyoming is full of natural beauty. From the dramatic and jagged mountains of Grand Teton National Park to the rare geological structures of Yellowstone to the majestic Wind River Range and beyond, Wyoming is sure to leave you awestruck.

The first time I ever visited Wyoming was during a summer trip while I was in high school. My family planned a trip to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, and I was immediately won over by the mountain landscapes and crisp air.

I’m from the Midwest, so the mountains were unlike anything I had ever seen before. We spent a week exploring the two parks, and I remember thinking that I needed to come back and explore more.

Ever since that trip, I’ve been back to Wyoming at least once per year, discovering the best Wyoming day hikes and backpacking trails across the state.

In this post, you’ll learn everything you need to know about where to find the best hikes in Wyoming, the best time of year to visit, and some tips to help you make the most of your trip.

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Located near Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park, the Cascade Canyon Trail takes you through the stunning Cascade Canyon, a glacially-carved canyon with tall, dramatic Teton peaks towering on each side.

The trail features waterfalls and beautiful views of the jagged mountains from a perspective you cannot see from the park entrance.

It’s also very likely that you’ll see some wildlife, including moose and bears, so keep your eyes peeled and be sure to follow all national park rules on wildlife viewing.

Your journey will start at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center. From there, you can either take the Jenny Lake shuttle boat or hike around the lake via the Jenny Lake Trail, which will add about 4.5 miles.

On the west side of the lake, you’ll find the entrance to the Cascade Canyon Trail. You can hike as far up the canyon as you like. Eventually, the trail will split at a fork at around mile 4.6, which is where most day hikers turn around.

Be prepared for some jaw-dropping views on this hike! The North Rim Trail takes you along the Yellowstone River where you will pass the Upper Falls and Lower Falls, respectively. You’ll end the hike at Inspiration Point, an overlook with marvelous views of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and the Yellowstone River.

What makes the canyon so unique are the vibrant colors formed by hydrothermally-modified rhyolite. The hydrothermal activity caused the rocks to soften, accelerating the erosion process in the canyon.

My family and I completed a small portion of this trail during our trip to Yellowstone. Our main focus was capturing the view at Lookout Point, one of the most iconic overlooks in Yellowstone. I could have sat there for hours admiring the beauty of the canyon and waterfall!

According to the National Park Service, the canyon is about 20 miles long and more than 1,000 feet deep. The Seven Mile Hole Trail continues up the canyon past Inspiration Point if you want to explore further or plan an overnight backpacking trip (permits required).

There is a reason why Jenny Lake is one of the most visited spots in Grand Teton National Park. It is easily accessible and offers some of the finest views of the Tetons.

Since this is one of the most popular hikes in the park with minor elevation gain and moderate mileage, I recommend getting to the parking lot before 10 A.M.

My family and I hiked this trail on our last day in Grand Teton National Park. It was a great way to seal off our visit because we could admire the landscape of the Tetons with a wonderful view from the lake.

The lake itself is beautiful with its tranquil, crystal-blue water. There are many places you can stop to rest or have a picnic on the water. We ended up stopping for a refreshing afternoon nap on the shore of the beach at the end of our hike.

The Cirque of the Towers backpacking loop is located in the Wind River Range, which is about 3 hours southeast of Grand Teton National Park. The route offers some of the most unique and captivating landscapes in the Winds and it’s regarded as one of the best backpacking routes in the Wind River Range. Toward the middle of the hike, you will come across the Cirque of the Towers, an arc of 15 dramatic peaks that loom over the trail below.

My husband and I completed this backpacking trail in July 2022. It was one of our favorite adventures we’ve ever been on because of the challenging terrain and the other-worldly scenery. We completed the trek in three days, which was pretty challenging but doable for experienced backpackers. If you are looking for a less strenuous itinerary, I suggest extending your trip to four days.

We stayed at Shadow Lake the first night and Big Sandy Lake the second night. For an easier journey, you could stay near Lonesome Lake the second night instead (note: no camping is allowed within 0.25 miles of Lonesome Lake).

When you get to the top of Texas Pass, you will cross the Continental Divide. Your breath will be taken away by the panoramic views of the Cirque of the Towers! This vista is the highlight of the hike, so make sure you fully savor it. From there, you will proceed toward Lonesome Lake and Jackass Pass.

At the end of the hike, stop at the Big Sandy Lodge for a burger to reward yourself for your hard work. You deserve it, and the burger is amazing.

While permits are not required for overnight trips, ensure that you are aware of Bridger Wilderness regulations before you visit. While there are not as many bears in this part of Wyoming compared to Grand Teton National Park, it’s recommended to take bear spray to be fully prepared and protected.

There are few hiking trails within Devil’s Tower National Monument because of its small size, but Red Beds Trail is one of the most popular for its exceptional views of Devil’s Tower.

This trail is a longer, and slightly less crowded, alternative to the Devil’s Tower Trail that loops closer to the monument. I recommend completing this trail clockwise to avoid a steep incline toward the end.

According to the National Park Service, the geological history of Devil’s Tower is a bit of a mystery. There are multiple theories of how the tower came to be. However, one thing that geologists do agree on is that the tower began as magma (lava) underneath the Earth’s surface.

One of the most intriguing features of the tower is the columns, a feature of igneous rocks formed by magma or lava.

If you like a good challenge and rewarding views, this is a great trail for you. It takes you to the summit of the highest peak in the Snowy Range: Medicine Bow Peak at 11,940 feet.

At the bottom, you might be rewarded with some vibrant wildflowers and lake vistas. At the top, you’ll enjoy remarkable views of the Snowy Range, a section of the Medicine Bow mountains that are a part of the Rocky Mountains, which continue into Colorado.

As you get closer to the peak, the trail gets steep and it’s a bit of a rock scramble so I suggest taking sturdy hiking shoes and perhaps some trekking poles.

Most hikers do the trail clockwise to avoid some of the more strenuous climbs.

The Teton Crest Trail is one of the most coveted trails by backpackers across the US and beyond. The multi-day hike features wildflowers, wildlife, alpine lakes, and views of the Tetons that are inaccessible from the most populated trails in the park.

You will need a permit to complete this backpacking route, and the permit process is incredibly competitive. You can book your camping spots in advance or reserve a walk-up reservation the day before your hike.

I tried to book a permit online to complete the hike this summer, but the spots were all booked up just a couple of minutes after the reservations opened up. I didn’t want to risk it with the walk-up permit, so I decided I’ll try again another year. This hike is definitely still at the top of my bucket list!

Cloud Peak is the tallest mountain in the Cloud Peak Wilderness and Bighorn National Forest, sitting at 13,171 feet above sea level.

The trail takes you to the summit and back. At the top, you’ll see stunning views of alpine lakes and rocky peaks. On one side of the summit, there is a cirque where Cloud Peak Glacier sits, the only glacier in the Cloud Peak Wilderness.

Most people complete this backpacking trip within 2 days. The first 8 miles of the hike is a steady incline, followed by 3.5 miles of a tough boulder climb.

Phelps Lake is a loop trail that leads you around the perimeter of the lake. The trail offers excellent views of the lake overlooking Death Canyon and Prospectors Mountain.

On the north side of the lake, there is an overlook called Phelps Lake Overlook that provides wonderful views of Phelps Lake. If you are feeling ambitious, you can also extend your hike onto Death Canyon Trail where you’ll go deeper into the canyon with mountains towering over either side of the path.

Bear sightings are very common on this hike, so pack some bear spray and follow all national park rules on wildlife viewing.

To get the most scenic experience, I recommend hiking this trail counterclockwise.

The trail up to Delta Lake is a strenuous out-and-back hike with a tough boulder climb during the last half mile toward the top. This part of the trail is unmaintained, and there is no obvious path, but there are cairns that hikers have left in place to help guide you along the way. There also may be some ice toward the top depending on the time of year, so bring some grippy shoes and/or micro spikes.

When you get to Delta Lake, be prepared to see one of the prettiest lakes in Grand Teton National Park. The scenery at the top is 100% worth the effort it takes to get there, as you’ll be looking over the serene Delta Lake with dramatic peaks in the background.

Stop here for a picnic and savor the view. The turquoise blue water looks inviting, but it is extremely cold, so you may want to hold back from taking a full swim and just stick your toes in.

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Best Time of Year to Hike in Wyoming

Generally, the months of June through September are the best months for hiking in Wyoming, depending on the yearly snowpack.

For the high-elevation trails, the best time to visit is mid-July through September because the snow should be mostly melted by then and it doesn’t usually start snowing again until October.

If you plan to visit during the transition to the off-season (May and October), you’ll see much fewer crowds but the weather may be more unpredictable, as it may snow during these months. Ensure that you check the weather beforehand and come prepared with the proper winter clothing.

If you don’t mind cold temperatures and snow, you can visit Wyoming during the winter to do some snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or downhill skiing. The snow creates an added touch of beauty to Wyoming’s mountains during this time of year. Make sure you check road closures and national park services beforehand because many roads and services will be closed during the winter months.

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Tips for Hiking in Wyoming

First time in Wyoming? Here are a few tips to make your trip more enjoyable and safe:

What are your favorite hikes in Wyoming? Have you done any of these ones listed? Which ones are on your bucket list? Let us know in the comments!

Check out more of Kaylee’s work at The Urban Outsider