9 Unique Things to do as you Road Trip to Yellowstone National Park

Wyoming is a beautiful state that offers so much diversity in scenery, history, and local attractions. Most people think of the Grand Tetons or Yellowstone National Park but this blog post shares our favorite spots that you may not have heard of. So the next time you are wanting a roadtrip that takes you off the beaten path... reference this article!

Beulah

As you hit the Wyoming state line on Interstate 90 going west, you will come to the sleepy town of Beulah just off exit 205. There you will find a yummy little steakhouse, Buffalo Jump Steakhouse, that is worth the stop if you are in need of a bite to eat! The original part of building was a general store dating back to the 1890's!

Once you finish up your meal, make time to see the Vore Buffalo Jump just down the road. The Native Americans from 1500 to 1800 AD drove herds of bison over the cliff and into the sinkhole. When the cave collapsed it plugged the water source below so it is now just rocks, bones, and sediment. The building was erected in 2010 to protect the archaeological dig. You can either check out the site for free or you can spend $9 and ​enjoy a 40 minute tour to learn about the site and its history in more detail!

Camping

If you enjoy camping while road tripping, make time to spend a night in the Black Hills National Forest near Sundance. You can either go to a campground with some amenities and pay a fee ($10 per night) or you can boondock and enjoy some privacy and gorgeous views for free!

Big Horn Mountains

After a good night's rest, head back out to I-90 west and make your way to Buffalo. It is the last town before you hit the Big Horn Mountains. I suggest stopping by the Visitors Center to not only grab some brochures for the main attractions in Wyoming but they also have some cool stickers to adorn your water bottles or vehicle!

The Big Horn Mountains are so very beautiful and offer a ton of outdoor activities all year round. If you are looking for a couple longer day hikes or an overnight backpacking excursion check out Lost Twin Lakes, an out and back 13.4 mile round trip trail that is moderately difficult but absolutely gorgeous! When I was there last we woke up to see two adult moose and their baby standing in the morning mist nibbling on grass about 10 yards from our tent!

Another favorite is the Sherd Lake Loop, which is a lollipop trail that takes you to some gorgeous parts of the Cloud Peak Wilderness. The trail is about 10 miles long. It is recommended to pick up a map since some areas of the trail are easy to lose. There are a ton of creek crossings so it's great if you have dogs since you wouldn't need to carry extra water for them.

After you stretch your legs in the Cloud Peak Wilderness, get back onto Highway 16 and enjoy the beauty of the drive! When you see a sign for "Old Hwy 16" (which is now called Highway 435) on the left hand side of the road, take that and enjoy a leisurely, and slow, drive down the road. Note that the road is closed November 15th - June 15th each year. This is the absolutely best way to drive through the mountains if you are wanting stunning overlooks and serene views! Just give yourself amble time since it is a very windy and a rather narrow road.

Ten Sleep Fish Hatchery

Once you get to the bottom of the Big Horns you will pass by the Ten Sleep Fish Hatchery. It is a charming local attraction that has been around since 1939 and is not only free but a great place to stretch your legs and learn about how three different species of trout are raised. The eggs raised at the facility are stocked in area waters with reasonable public access.

Gebo Ghost Town

Your next stop is the Gebo Ghost Town which is just a few miles outside of Kirby, WY. Coal mining began in the area in the 1880's and it later became known as the Gebo-Crosby Coal Mining District. By 1907 Gebo was a thriving town but by 1938 mining in the area had pretty much come to a halt. There are about 8 stone houses still standing from the era and you can still see the foundations of other homes as well. But hike at your own risk since there is a lot of garbage left in the area including barbed wire. If you are off of the path it is easy to step on something unexpected in the tall grasses.

Hot Springs State Park

Lastly, hit up Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis. Though it smells slightly of rotten eggs due to the mineral hot springs, you must take a dip in the pools at the State Bath House! You can enjoy a 20 minute dip in the 104 degree waters for free and even enjoy a hot shower! If you are easing any aches or pains, this is a must stop! You can go back every 2 hours to soak if you so desire!

From Thermopolis, you aren't too far from Cody and then the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park! As you enter the park and begin a new journey filled with rugged countryside and wildlife galore, remember that there is much more to Wyoming than just the National Parks!

​​Blog post written by Amy Karras
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