Wyoming – Eloray

Jackson Hole Valley and the Tetons, Wyoming (Chriselliswest, Wikimedia Commons)

Let’s Visit Wyoming

Join our virtual tour highlighting the top tourist attractions of Wyoming.
For an overview of the state, see: National Geographic Kids. Wyoming

Highlights

Let’s learn more about some fascinating places worth seeing in Wyoming.

Yellowstone National Park (Northwestern Wyoming) is famous for being the first national park in the world. It’s renowned for its geothermal features like Old Faithful, colorful hot springs, and stunning wildlife, including bison, wolves, and bears.
Grand Teton National Park (Jackson) is known for its towering peaks, pristine alpine lakes, and abundant wildlife. It’s a favorite destination for hiking, mountaineering, and photography, offering some of the most beautiful landscapes in the United States.
Devils Tower National Monument (Northeastern Wyoming) is famous for its unique and striking rock formation, which rises 1,267 feet above the surrounding plains. It was the first U.S. national monument, designated in 1906, and is a sacred site for Native Americans.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (Teton Village) is renowned for its world-class skiing and snowboarding. It attracts adventure seekers in the winter and is also a popular summer destination for hiking and mountain biking.
Hot Springs State Park (Thermopolis) is known for its natural hot springs, which feed into the largest single mineral hot spring in the world. The park offers soaking pools, trails, and the chance to view bison herds.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West (Cody) is famous for its five museums dedicated to the American West. Visitors can explore exhibits on Buffalo Bill, Native American history, Western art, and more.
Fossil Butte National Monument (Kemmerer) is renowned for its well-preserved fossil beds, which contain ancient fish, plants, and other creatures from over 50 million years ago. It offers a glimpse into prehistoric life.
Wind River Range (Western Wyoming) is famous for its rugged mountain peaks, expansive wilderness, and excellent opportunities for backpacking, climbing, and fishing. The range includes Wyoming’s highest peak, Gannett Peak.
Cheyenne Frontier Days (Cheyenne) is known as the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and Western celebration. It attracts thousands of visitors each July for rodeo events, concerts, parades, and more.
Fort Laramie National Historic Site (Fort Laramie) is famous for its role as a military outpost and trading center during the 19th century. It was a key stop along the Oregon Trail and remains a well-preserved piece of American frontier history.

Intriguing mysteries and weird facts

Discover these little-known facts about Wyoming.

Wyoming Has the Smallest Population in the U.S.
Despite being the 10th largest state by area, Wyoming has fewer than 600,000 people, making it the least populated state in the U.S. That means more space, fewer crowds, and lots of untouched wilderness.
Wyoming Was the First State to Grant Women the Right to Vote
In 1869, Wyoming became the first state to give women the right to vote, earning it the nickname The Equality State. It was a trailblazer for women’s rights long before other states followed suit.
Yellowstone Is the World’s First National Park
Yellowstone National Park, located primarily in Wyoming, was established in 1872, making it the first national park in the world. It’s known for its geothermal wonders, including the famous Old Faithful geyser.
Wyoming Is Home to a Supervolcano
Beneath Yellowstone National Park lies a massive supervolcano. While it hasn’t erupted in over 600,000 years, the volcanic activity creates the park’s famous geysers, hot springs, and bubbling mud pots.
Wyoming Has More Cows Than People
With a population of about 600,000 people, Wyoming has nearly twice as many cows. The state’s vast open spaces are perfect for cattle ranching, making beef a big part of the economy.
Devils Tower Was America’s First National Monument
Designated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906, Devils Tower in northeastern Wyoming is a unique rock formation that has also appeared in pop culture, including the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
The Coldest Temperature Recorded in Wyoming Was -66°F
The town of Riverside, Wyoming, experienced the state’s coldest temperature ever recorded at -66°F in 1933. Wyoming’s winters can be extremely cold, especially in the mountain regions.
Wyoming Has the Lowest Number of Traffic Lights in the U.S.
Given its small population and vast open spaces, Wyoming has only a few traffic lights. Some counties in Wyoming don’t have a single one.
The Red Desert Has No Rivers Flowing Out of It
The Red Desert in Wyoming is one of the few places in the world where no rivers flow out. It’s a high-altitude desert where water evaporates or drains internally, creating unique landscapes like the Killpecker Sand Dunes.
Wyoming’s Wind Is So Strong It Can Flip Trucks
Wyoming is known for its extremely strong winds, especially in the winter. The wind can be so powerful in some areas that it has flipped semi-trucks off highways, making wind advisories a regular occurrence.

Notable People

Here are 10 famous men and women from Wyoming.

Famous Men

Jackson Pollock (1912–1956) was born in Cody, Wyoming, and became one of the most famous abstract expressionist painters. He is known for his unique “drip” painting technique that revolutionized modern art.
Dick Cheney (1941– ) was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, but grew up in Casper, Wyoming. He served as the 46th Vice President of the United States under George W. Bush and was known for his influential role in U.S. foreign policy during the Iraq War.
Buffalo Bill Cody (1846–1917) was born in Iowa, but spent much of his life in Wyoming. He was a famous showman and bison hunter who founded the town of Cody, Wyoming, and became an icon of the American Wild West through his traveling Wild West shows.
Matthew Fox (1966– ) was born in Abington, Pennsylvania, but raised in Crowheart, Wyoming. He is a well-known actor, best recognized for his roles as Jack Shephard in the TV series Lost and Charlie Salinger in Party of Five.
Curt Gowdy (1919–2006) was born in Green River, Wyoming, and became a legendary sportscaster. He is best known for calling games for Major League Baseball, the NFL, and college sports, earning him a spot in the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame.

Famous Women

Nellie Tayloe Ross (1876–1977) was born in Missouri but became the first female governor in U.S. history when she was elected Governor of Wyoming in 1924. She later became the first female director of the U.S. Mint.
Ashlynn Yennie (1985– ) was born in Riverton, Wyoming, and is a film and television actress, best known for her role in the cult horror film The Human Centipede and its sequels.
Mildred Harris (1901–1944) was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and was a silent film actress. She became famous for being Charlie Chaplin’s first wife and for her acting roles during the early years of Hollywood.
Liz Cheney (1966– ) was born in Madison, Wisconsin, but raised in Wyoming. She is a prominent U.S. politician, and served as a U.S. Representative for Wyoming. She gained national attention for her role in the Republican Party and her opposition to former President Donald Trump.
Shoshana Bean (1977– ) was born in Olympia, Washington, but raised in Wyoming. She is a Broadway actress and singer, known for starring in Wicked and for her powerful vocal performances in musical theater.

Date of Ratification of the Articles of Confederation/
Admission to the Union

July 10, 1890 (44th)

State Capital and Government

Wyoming State Capital Building in Cheyenne (Jamesmartin111, Wikimedia CCA 1.0)

Cheyenne
Government of Wyoming

Area and Total Population

Area: 97,093 square miles

Total Population: 584,000

Major cities and their population

City	Population
Cheyenne	65,000
Casper	59,000
Gillette	34,000
Laramie	32,000
Jackson	11,000
Cody	10,000

Education

Educational Resources

Twinkl. Wyoming

Fairs and festivalshttps://www.twinkl.com/teaching-wiki/wyoming

Wyoming State Fair

Flag

The state flag of Wyoming consists of a dark blue field bordered by white and red. In the center is the white silhouette of a bison bearing the state seal. The flag was adopted on January 31, 1917.

The red symbolizes the Native Americans and the blood of pioneers who gave their lives. The white is a symbol of purity and uprightness. The blue is the color of the skies.

Geography

Location

Google map of Wyoming

Glimpses Into History

Painting of Fort Laramie by Alfred Jacob Miller (1810- 1874) (Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, Wikimedia Commons)

Breathtaking Landscapes

Check out these amazing landscapes and wildlife of Wyoming.

National Landmarks and Historic Sites

Wyoming Historic Sites

National Monuments

National and State Parks

National Park Service. Wyoming
State Parks of Wyoming

Sports

NCAA (National Collegiate Athletics Association) Division I Teams

University of Wyoming Cowboys. Laramie

State Motto

“Equal Rights

State Nicknames

The Equality State
The Cowboy State

State Symbols

See: State symbols. Wyoming

Seal

Three years after becoming a state, Wyoming adopted its seal in 1893. At the bottom of the seal a pedestal is found with a shield having an eagle atop it. In front of the shield is a star containing the number 44, signifying that Wyoming was the 44th state admitted to the union.

At the base of the shield are written the date 1869 (the year that the Wyoming Territory was created) and 1890 (the year of statehood).

A woman stands between two columns. On the left, she is flanked by a cowboy. At her right side stands a miner. A ribbon lists the main industries of the state, namely, livestock, grains, mines and oil. On top of each column is a lamp symbolizing learning. The woman holds a banner reading “Equal Rights,” commemorating Wyoming’s dedication to women’s suffrage.

License Plate