Wyoming Tourist Sites

• Herds of buffalo are a common sight in Wyoming.Wyoming Bison 4 image by Lee O'Dell from Fotolia.com
  
  Wyoming is America's "Cowboy State" and home to a wealth of natural, cultural and historical attractions. From early American frontier historical sights to millions of protected acres of forest, Wyoming attracts tourists from all around the world. Visitors can visit a score of national parks, including Yellowstone and Grand Teton, as well as rodeos, restaurants, museums and galleries.
  
  

Yellowstone National Park

• Yellowstone National Park--the world's first national park--covers over 2,200,000 acres of forested land brimming with wildlife, natural wonders and exotic plant life in northwestern Wyoming. Established in 1872, millions of tourists have come to experience Native American artifacts, geological highlights, Old Faithful geyser, 1,000 miles of backcountry hiking trails, waterfalls and occasional bear sightings. Many visitors camp at designated campgrounds within the park or stay in nearby hotels and resorts. Visitors can also visit the adjacent Grand Teton National Park just south of Yellowstone in Moran, Wyoming.
  
  Yellowstone National Park Information Office
  
  P.O. Box 168
  
  Mammoth, WY 82190
  
  307-344-7381
  
  nps.gov
  
  

Independence Rock

• Independence Rock State Historic Site is a tourist destination in Evansville, in east-central Wyoming. While Interstate 25 runs right past the site, Independence Rock was also an important stop on the historical Oregon Trail during the 19th-century westward expansion. It is estimated that more than 500,000 pioneers stopped by Independence rock, many of which carved their names into the rock as they forged their way west. Today, visitors can walk around the site, have a picnic and climb to the 7,300-foot summit. This site is open from sunup to sundown every day.
  
  Independence Rock State Historic Site
  
  8700 E. U.S. Highway 20-26
  
  Evansville, WY 82636
  
  307-577-5150
  
  wyoparks.state.wy.us
  
  

Wyoming Frontier Prison Museum

• Wyoming Frontier Prison Museum is a tourist attraction in Rawlins, in south central Wyoming. The prison, which is on National Registry of Historic Places, held around 13,500 prisoners from 1901 to 1981. Visitors can take guided tours through the prison, explore the permanent exhibits on the Wyoming prison system and peruse the jail's adjacent cemetery. The on-site gift shop sells collectibles and historical literature. The museum is open everyday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. with tours starting every half hour.
  
  Wyoming Frontier Prison Museum
  
  500 West Walnut
  
  Rawlins, WY 82301
  
  307-324-4422
  
  wyomingfrontierprison.org
  
  

Lincoln Monument

• Visitors driving along Interstate 80 between Laramie and Cheyenne through the Laramie Mountain Range will undoubtedly notice the Laramie Lincoln Monument, a large bronze bust of Abraham Lincoln. The statue, which consists of 13 separate clay parts bolted together, was created by University of Wisconsin art professor Robert Russin in the late 1950s. The head measures 13 feet alone and sits upon a 35-foot stone. A rest stop has conveniently been built next to the monument for guest and driver use.
  
  Lincoln Monument
  
  136 Forest Service Road 703
  
  Laramie, WY 82070
  
  800-445-5303
  
  visitlaramie.org
  
  

Fort Caspar Museum

• Fort Caspar Museum is a historical site in Casper, in east Wyoming. The fort was built in the late 1800s to secure a main river crossing for the Pony Express, Mormon pioneer trail and the Oregon Trail. Although the original fort has been destroyed, the museum is a faithful reconstruction that tourists can walk through and explore. The museum also houses artifacts, a gift shop and traveling exhibitions. Museum hours are from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. daily from June 1 through August 31, annually.
  
  Fort Caspar Museum
  
  4001 Ft. Caspar Road
  
  Casper, WY 82604
  
  307-235-8462
  
  casperwy.gov