Day Trips

Medicine Bow National Forest
Just west of Cheyenne, the Medicine Bow National Forest offers a variety of recreational opportunities and natural attractions, including the Vedauwoo Recreation Area and the Snowy Range Ski Area.      (307) 745-2300.

Snowy Range Ski Area
Located about 80 miles west of Cheyenne. Downhill and cross-country skiing; snowmobiling in the winter. Summer hiking and scenic drives. (307)745-2300. Click Here 

Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site

Listed on the National Register, this imposing stone structure was built in 1872 and held the most violent and desperate outlaws (including the notorious Butch Cassidy) during the dramatic time of Wyoming's Territorial days and early Statehood. Now a museum, visitors can walk into the strap-iron cells where convicts were locked up, worked and lived.

The Historic Site not only focuses on crimes, convicts and confinement but also agriculture science. The University of Wyoming acquired the site in 1903 for a research experiment station and, for 86 years, used science to advance farming and ranching methods. Located on 197 acres, the site offers restored historic buildings, museum exhibits, special events, a picnic area and visitor center with a gift shop.

The site is at 975 Snowy Range Road, 45 miles west of Cheyenne located just off I-80 at exit 311. Open daily 8am-7pm May 1 - October 31. (307)-745-3733 or www.wyomingterritorialprison.com

Fort Laramie National Historic Site
Located 80 miles north of Cheyenne. Fort Laramie was built in 1834 as a fur trading post. The military acquired it in 1849 and used it as a post from 1849 to 1890 to guard the wagons along the various trails that went through the area. Open year round. (307) 837-2221. Click Here

Oregon Trail Ruts & Register Cliff/Guernsey, Wyoming
Ruts carved into sandstone by wagon trains heading west along the Oregon Trail are located west of Gurnsey, and 80 miles North of Cheyenne. Register Cliffs was a resting point along the Oregon Trail where travelers stopped for the night and carved their names in the sandstone cliffs. Self-guided tours of both sites. (307) 777-6323.

Curt Gowdy State Park
Located 26 miles west of Cheyenne along Highway 210. Excellent for camping, boating, hiking and fishing. (307) 632-7946.  Click Here

Vedauwoo Recreation Area
Known for spectacular granite rock formations. The Vedauwoo Recreation Area is located in the Medicine Bow National Forest, about 25 miles West of Cheyenne. Sightsee, hike, mountainbike, or picnic in these awesome rocks. (307) 745-2300. Click Here

Ames Monument
Ames Monument is a truely unique state historic site west of Cheyenne, about 25 miles. The monument is a 60 foot pyramid built in 1883 as a monument to Oliver and Oakes Ames, who were instrumental in the construction of the first transcontinental railroad. (307) 777-6323 or (307) 632-7946.