2025's 9 Most Scenic Wyoming Towns
From jagged mountain peaks to wide-open plains and alpine lakes, the state is filled with breathtaking landscapes that feel untouched by time. While its national parks are world-renowned, Wyoming’s small towns offer a quieter kind of beauty where the wilderness is right outside your window and where scenic views are simply part of daily life. These towns aren't just charming; they’re naturally gifted, each one offering a unique window into the state’s diverse geography. Whether it’s towering cliffs, river valleys, or endless skies, these are the nine most scenic towns in Wyoming for 2025.
Jackson
Jackson is nestled in the heart of the Jackson Hole Valley, surrounded by towering natural formations and wilderness. The dramatic Teton Range rises just north of town, with Grand Teton National Park offering some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in the American West. Rugged granite peaks, alpine lakes, and glacier-carved canyons dominate the skyline, while the Snake River flows through the valley, reflecting mountain vistas in its glassy waters. The surrounding environment shifts with the seasons, from wildflower-filled meadows in spring to fiery aspens in the fall, offering a fresh spectacle at every turn. This high-elevation landscape is home to elk herds, bald eagles, and moose, making it feel like a living postcard of Western wilderness.
Nature is deeply woven into daily life in Jackson. The Snake River offers kayaking, rafting, and peaceful riverside views, while trails through pine forests and sagebrush plains connect hikers to alpine lakes and panoramic vistas. The elk refuge nearby provides a sanctuary for migrating wildlife, and the jagged skyline of the Tetons serves as a constant reminder of nature’s grandeur. Even a scenic drive through the valley reveals open skies that stretch endlessly, often lit by glowing sunsets or the first snowfall of winter. Whether you are hiking to a hidden waterfall or simply watching the light change over the peaks, Jackson is a place where nature takes center stage.
Cody
Cody is framed by sweeping rangelands, red rock cliffs, and the Shoshone River as it winds through northwestern Wyoming. Surrounded by the Absaroka Mountains and vast tracts of open wilderness, the landscape feels both wild and expansive. The terrain shifts from high desert bluffs to forested canyons, offering layers of natural beauty. Deep valleys and rugged ridges define the view in every direction, while wildlife like deer and hawks move across the open plains. Sunrises and sunsets are especially dramatic, painting the sky in fiery shades that light up the cliffs and distant peaks.
The nearby Shoshone National Forest adds another dimension to Cody’s natural setting. As the first national forest in the United States, it protects rivers, trails, and remote highlands that stretch for miles. Hiking through its pine-covered slopes or exploring the South Fork Valley reveals panoramic overlooks and untouched wilderness. Rivers and creeks cut through rocky formations, inviting exploration and reflection. Whether you are seeking the grandeur of mountain views or the quiet vastness of Wyoming’s plains, Cody offers a rugged and beautiful blend of both. It is a place where the landscape tells stories of time, wind, and resilience.
Buffalo
Buffalo sits peacefully at the base of the Bighorn Mountains, a stunning range that rises abruptly from the surrounding plains. These mountains provide a dramatic backdrop to the town, with snowcapped peaks, lush forests, and rushing creeks creating a vivid contrast to the open prairie. Clear Creek runs through town, adding a serene element with its flowing waters and shaded banks. Meadows bloom in summer with wildflowers, while autumn cloaks the hillsides in gold and amber. Buffalo’s location offers constant views of nearby peaks, which seem to rise straight from the horizon.
Just west of town lies the Cloud Peak Wilderness, a pristine corner of the Bighorn National Forest. Trails here climb to hidden lakes, granite cliffs, and alpine tundra, showcasing the diverse ecosystems of this mountainous region. Wildlife, such as mountain goats and eagles, can be seen along the ridgelines, while waterfalls and clear streams add a musical quality to the landscape. Whether walking a trail or simply enjoying the mountain views from town, Buffalo offers a deep sense of connection to Wyoming’s high-country beauty. It is a town where mountains shape every view and nature feels fully alive.
Pinedale
Pinedale is a gateway to the Wind River Range, one of the most remote and dramatic mountain regions in the lower forty-eight states. Towering granite peaks dominate the skyline, offering a sense of scale that is both humbling and beautiful. The area is rich in alpine lakes, with Fremont Lake standing out as a brilliant expanse of deep blue water framed by rugged cliffs and pine forests. Meadows roll gently between mountain spurs, and glacial valleys give way to breathtaking scenic overlooks.
Nature in Pinedale is vast and easily accessible. Hiking trails lead deep into the Bridger Wilderness, where snowfields, streams, and wildflower-filled basins offer endless exploration. Moose, black bears, and eagles roam freely in this protected landscape. The Green River adds another layer of beauty as it curves gently through the region, creating peaceful banks and dramatic canyon views. In every direction, Pinedale opens to views of mountains and sky, making it one of the most visually rewarding towns in Wyoming. It is a place where natural wonders feel untouched and ever-present.
Dubois
Dubois is surrounded by raw and colorful landscapes that shift between high desert plateaus and rugged alpine terrain. To the north, the Absaroka Mountains form a jagged skyline, filled with volcanic rock formations, pine forests, and steep ridges. South of town, the Wind River Range offers a quieter majesty, with snowcapped peaks and glacier-fed creeks. Red rock buttes and painted hills give the valley a striking contrast, making the terrain feel both ancient and alive.
The Upper Wind River Valley is a corridor of natural beauty. Wildlife is abundant, from elk in the forests to golden eagles soaring above the cliffs. Scenic drives wind through the high country, revealing panoramic views and quiet meadows that burst into bloom during summer. Dubois is a place where the light shifts dramatically throughout the day, casting long shadows and glowing highlights across its diverse landscapes. Whether walking along a ridge or watching storm clouds roll over the mountains, you feel immersed in Wyoming’s natural drama.
Thermopolis
Thermopolis sits along the Bighorn River, surrounded by layered cliffs, river canyons, and hills that glow gold and red in the changing light. The land here tells a geological story, with ancient rock walls rising above calm waters. To the south, the Wind River Canyon carves a path through steep limestone cliffs, offering one of the most visually stunning drives in the state. The contrast between river, canyon, and sky creates a dramatic sense of place.
Beyond the canyon, Thermopolis is home to vast skies, gently sloping hills, and cottonwood groves that add a soft touch to the rugged terrain. Trails along the riverbanks reveal hidden viewpoints, while open landscapes stretch to the horizon. Natural hot springs bubble from the earth, adding steam and mist to the already scenic environment. Though often overlooked, Thermopolis offers a quiet beauty shaped by time, water, and stone. It is a place of stillness and wonder, where the land seems to hum with ancient energy.
Sundance
Located in the northeastern corner of Wyoming, Sundance is surrounded by the lush, forested terrain of the Bear Lodge Mountains. Part of the larger Black Hills region, these mountains offer dense pine woods, rocky bluffs, and rolling hills that feel secluded and serene. Nature here is gentle but striking, with winding trails, flowing creeks, and lookout points that offer sweeping views of tree-covered ridges.
Nearby stands Devils Tower, one of Wyoming’s most famous natural landmarks. This dramatic rock formation rises 1,200 feet from the ground, offering a breathtaking focal point against the open sky. The area around Sundance is rich in trails and scenic drives, where wildlife such as deer and wild turkeys are commonly spotted. With a landscape that feels ancient and sacred, Sundance offers a softer, more mystical take on Wyoming’s wild beauty. It is a place where green forests and sky-high monuments coexist in peaceful harmony.
Alpine
Alpine sits at the meeting point of three rivers—the Snake, the Salt, and the Greys—creating a rare blend of water, forest, and mountain terrain. The Palisades Reservoir stretches just beyond the town’s edge, surrounded by cliffs, pine-covered hills, and quiet coves that reflect the shifting sky. This abundance of water adds life to the surrounding forests and meadows, making the area feel lush and vibrant.
The Salt River Range rises steeply nearby, with rugged peaks and scenic ridgelines offering endless views and outdoor possibilities. Wildlife sightings are common, with bald eagles flying over the river valleys and moose grazing near the shore. Whether you are paddling along the reservoir, walking a forest trail, or simply watching the sunlight dance on the water, Alpine offers a peaceful and dramatic setting. It is a town where every direction holds a different view, and nature feels deeply present.
Lander
Lander lies where the high plains meet the soaring Wind River Mountains, creating a powerful contrast between open space and vertical grandeur. To the west, jagged granite peaks and glacier-fed valleys stretch into the distance. Sinks Canyon, just outside town, is a geologic marvel where a rushing river disappears into the earth, surrounded by cliffs, forests, and winding trails. Both dramatic rock faces and serene woodland scenes define the landscape.
Beyond the canyon, the greater Wind River Range offers lakes, wildflower meadows, and panoramic overlooks that feel untouched and expansive. Mule deer, mountain lions, and eagles move across this rich environment, adding life to the quiet landscape. Trails lead to alpine plateaus and secret waterfalls, while long drives reveal endless skies and rolling hills. Lander is a place where adventure meets peace, and where every path seems to lead deeper into nature’s untouched splendor.
Final Thoughts
Wyoming’s most scenic towns offer more than beautiful backdrops; they are living landscapes shaped by mountains, rivers, forests, and sky. Each of these nine towns reveals a different facet of the state’s untamed beauty, from high alpine terrain to ancient canyons and rolling valleys. Whether nestled beneath granite peaks or beside a tranquil river, these places invite you to slow down and take in the land. With nature at the center of daily life, the towns on this list remind us that the best views are often found far from the crowds. In Wyoming, scenic beauty is not just a setting but a way of life.
