Carter G. Walker - Moon Wyoming

Bison roam in Yellowstone National Park.

Grand Teton packs a punch, particularly when it comes to mountain splendor. Twelve peaks in the Teton Range soar above 12,000 feet. While there are only 100 miles of roads in the park, there are twice as many miles of trails, leaving hikers endless options for adventure. Favorite landmarks include picturesque Jenny Lake, vast Jackson Lake, drive-to-the-summit Signal Mountain, and serene Oxbow Bend.

Wyomings northwest corner is far more than a gateway to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Jackson Hole is a destination in and of itself, with glitzy galleries and boutiques, gourmet eateries, luxe accommodations, and a sensational art scene in immediate proximity to world-class ski resorts and white-water rafting. The National Museum of Wildlife Art and the National Elk Refuge are major draws for animal enthusiasts. In Cody the cowboy is still king, and the sun rises and sets on the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and its five museums. Farther south, outdoor enthusiasts will find hot springs and mountain meccas.

Where the prairies meet the mountains, cowboy culture comes alive. This is where youll find dude ranches and Sheridan, one of the most charming and authentic Western towns in the state. The spectacular Cloud Peak Skyway Scenic Byway climbs into the mountains toward the pictograph-rich Medicine Lodge State Archeological Site and more mysterious Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark. The isolated and enigmatic Devils Tower National Monument draws climbers, geologists, and Native Americans who consider it a sacred site.

Southern Wyoming contains everything from sweeping deserts, sand dunes, and wild mustang herds to lush river valleys and green mountains. The southwest corner is noted for fabulous recreational opportunities along the Green River and in the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. Its also home to three of the states largest cities: capital Cheyenne, synonymous with its legendary Frontier Days rodeo, college town Laramie, and onetime frontier town Casper.

Summer is the easiest and busiest time to travel the roads, both front- and backcountry. Thoughtful planning and advance reservations, particularly for hotels and campgrounds, are essential. Hotel rooms are particularly hard to find during local events such as Frontier Days in Cheyenne.

Rates for accommodations are generally lower and rooms more available when snow is on the ground, except around ski areas, but winter road travel can be challenging because of the inevitable storms and possible closures.