With more than 18 million acres of public lands and the lowest population density of any state in the United States, Wyoming has room to roam—and then some. The variety of landscapes across the state can’t be beat. Picture: rugged mountains, dense forests, deep canyons, mesmerizing badlands, and blue-ribbon rivers. There’s something for every kind of adventurer, which is why Wyoming was the perfect setting for an outdoor adventure challenge.
Here’s how it went down: Last summer, three teams of Ford Bronco ambassadors set out to explore Wyoming as part of an adventure-fueled competition. Each team put their outdoor skills to the test on some of the best mountain biking, rock climbing, fly-fishing, and cultural spots across the state—all in the name of keeping Wyoming wild. And to help protect and share these amazing places, the Bronco Wild Fund donated $70,000 to nonprofit organizations aligned with the spirit of the challenge. Of course, Outside caught all the action on camera. Watch the full series here. Here are a few highlights from the teams’ big adventures—and how to take advantage of Wyoming’s wild side yourself.
Mountain Biking
Thanks to a growing mountain biking community and a wide variety of bike-friendly terrain, you’ll find plenty of options for mountain biking in Wyoming. Check out all the places where the Wildly Wyoming teams hit the dirt.
Central Wyoming
Once almost exclusively known in the outdoor community for its climbing, Lander has become a hot spot for downhill adventures in the high desert. Just outside of town, Johnny Behind the Rocks Trail System offers 12 miles of beginner to intermediate trails. Pedal through scrubby sagebrush and a forest of pinyon pine with views of the Wind River Range to the west.
Closest town: Lander, Wyoming
Where to camp: Popo Agie Campground
Rentals and repairs: Gannett Peak Sports
Northern Wyoming
Can’t decide if you prefer rides with forest or desert vibes? Shell Canyon Mountain Biking Trails offer the best of both worlds on a variety of multiuse trails. Check out the 10.6-mile Bench Trail, which starts out with a forested downhill section and then challenges riders with an uphill pedal through a desert canyon.
Closest town: Greybull, Wyoming
Where to camp: Shell Creek Campground
Rentals and repairs: Joyvagen Bike Shop
Western Wyoming
Of course, you could hit up the lift-serviced Jackson Hole Bike Park when you’re in the Jackson area. But if you’re out there to earn your turns, head to Bridger-Teton National Forest. You’ll find plenty of public access trails with varied terrain for all levels on the forest’s 3.4 million acres.
Closest town: Jackson, Wyoming
Where to camp: Kozy Campground
Rentals and repairs: Teton Mountain Bike Tours
Rock Climbing
Looking for beta on the best rock climbing in Wyoming? The state is home to iconic climbing locales in the Tetons and the easily recognizable Devil’s Tower. But there are plenty of lesser-known places to explore. The Wildly Wyoming crew did just that.
Central Wyoming
For an unbelievable assortment of routes, check out Sinks Canyon State Park. The climbing here caters to everyone from true beginners (with routes as approachable as 5.6) to experts looking to challenge themselves (routes up to 5.14c). As for rock variety, Sinks Canyon routes offer a mix of sandstone, limestone, and granite for climbers to explore.
Closest town: Lander, Wyoming
Where to camp: Popo Agie Campground
Guided climbing: Wind River Climbing Guides
Looking for an adventure-climbing experience? Head to Fremont Canyon. Carved by the North Platte Rivers, the gorge isn’t light on scenic views. And the granite walls left behind after centuries of erosion make for fun climbing opportunities, with a nice mix of beginner sport routes and challenging trad climbs up to 5.12.
Closest town: Casper, Wyoming
Where to camp: Cottonwood Beach Campground
Guided climbing: Wyoming Mountain Guides
Northern Wyoming
For beginner- and intermediate-friendly sport climbing, head to Steamboat Point. With 16 bolted routes—with a maximum rating of 5.10—the Steamboat Point crag is a great place to sharpen your skills and build confidence—and the scenery isn’t too bad either. Enjoy sweeping views of Cloud Peak Wilderness and Tongue River Canyon from the wall.
Closest town: Sheridan, Wyoming
Where to camp: Tongue River Campground
Guided climbing: Bighorn Mountain Guides
Fly-Fishing
With 27,000 miles of rivers and streams, there’s no shortage of amazing places to go fly-fishing in Wyoming. Not sure where to start? Check out the fishing hot spots that made the Wildly Wyoming cut.
Central Wyoming
For drift-boat fishing in central Wyoming, the North Platte River is the place to be. Spend the day on the water catching rainbows, browns, and cutthroats on the only floatable waterway in this part of Wyoming. Of course, you can always opt for waders or fish from the shore too.
Closest town: Alcova, Wyoming
Where to camp: Pete’s Draw Campground
Guided fishing: Cowboy Drifters
Western Wyoming
In the western part of the state, the New Fork River is a top choice for fly-fishing. Rent a boat for the day to float the river as it winds through sprawling meadows and past sagebrush-covered banks. Don’t let the scenic views distract you from the prize—the river is filled with trout.
Closest town: Pinedale, Wyoming
Where to camp: Slate Creek Campground
Guided fishing: Wyoming Fishing Company
Northern Wyoming
Looking for a hidden gem where you’ll have the river to yourself—or close to it? The Wyoming section of the Bighorn River is a lesser-known fly-fishing spot that’s brimming with rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout.
Closest town: Thermopolis, Wyoming
Where to camp: Doyle Campground
Guided fishing: Bighorn River Outfitters
Wyoming is the last bastion of the West, where bold, independent and curious spirits are encouraged to forge their own way to adventure both big and small. Discover museums, state parks, rodeos, breweries, national treasures and more as you make your way across the Cowboy State. Come to Wyoming and experience our majestic nature and abounding culture for yourself.
The post 9 Ways to Experience the Wild Side of Wyoming appeared first on Outside Online.
