7 Best Wyoming Towns For A Winter Getaway
Winter in Wyoming transforms the state’s landscapes into a striking season of snow-covered mountains, frozen lakes, and quiet forests. From the peaks of the Wind River and Bighorn ranges to the valleys along the Big Wind River, towns and natural areas feature a variety of seasonal activities. Skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, ice fishing, and sled dog races are just a few ways to experience the season.
Small towns like Jackson, Cody, and Dubois combine historic charm with cozy lodging, while scenic backcountry areas and state parks reveal wildlife tracks in the snow and dramatic frozen vistas. Across the Cowboy State, Wyoming’s winter destinations offer a blend of outdoor activities, natural beauty, and serene moments in a landscape transformed by winter.
Jackson
Nestled in the Jackson Hole Valley, Jackson is a mountain town that comes alive once the snow begins to fall. For those planning a winter getaway, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is an ideal base for skiers and snowboarders, offering challenging slopes and deep, powdery snow. Just a short drive away, Snow King Mountain provides family-friendly runs conveniently located near downtown, making it easy to spend a day on the mountain and an evening exploring town.
Other popular activities include sleigh rides through the National Elk Refuge, a seasonal favorite that offers an up-close view of elk herds against the snow-covered Tetons. The rides last about an hour, and reservations are highly recommended. Back in town, the elk antler arches in Town Square provide a picturesque spot for winter photos. Made from antlers collected at the nearby refuge, the arches are illuminated with festive lights throughout the holiday season. In December, Jackson’s WinterFest adds even more charm to the season, bringing the community together for a tree lighting ceremony, live music, ice skating, ornament making, cookie decorating, and outdoor competitions.
Cody
Founded by the legendary Buffalo Bill, Cody blends its Wild West heritage with easy access to Yellowstone National Park’s winter beauty. Snowmobiling tours operate near Cody, but Yellowstone access from the east entrance is closed in winter. For a slower pace, head to Buffalo Bill Reservoir for ice fishing, surrounded by mountain peaks and open skies.
Winter reveals a quieter, more enchanting side of Yellowstone. The park becomes a serene wilderness where bison, elk, and wolves move through clouds of geothermal steam. Two lodges stay open during the season: Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Old Faithful Snow Lodge. Mammoth Lodge, accessible through the north entrance in Gardiner, Montana, serves as a comfortable base for spotting wildlife in the Lamar Valley. To explore the park in greater depth, the Old Faithful Snow Lodge is accessible only by commercial over-snow vehicles, not by standard car travel. Even in the calmer months, Cody keeps its charm. Western-style storefronts, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, and sweeping mountain views create a distinctive atmosphere that complements Yellowstone’s peaceful winter scenery.
Lander
Lander, at the base of the southern Wind River Mountains, provides easy access to rugged wilderness and winter trails. The nearby Wind River Range stretches across miles of untouched backcountry, ideal for snowshoeing and skiing, while Sinks Canyon State Park winds through forests and along frozen cliffs.
The park is named for a unique geologic feature called The Sinks, where the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River disappears into a limestone cavern and reemerges about a quarter mile downstream in a calm pool filled with rainbow trout. During winter, the canyon’s dramatic formations are especially striking.
In December, Lander celebrates the season with community traditions such as the Light Up Lander Parade, which fills Main Street with lights and holiday displays. The Pioneer Museum also hosts its annual Old Fashioned Christmas event, part of the Bailey’s Tire and Auto Children’s Exploration Series, featuring visits with Santa, live music, crafts, and hot cocoa among the illuminated Pioneer Village.
Sheridan
Where the Great Plains meet the Bighorn Mountains, Sheridan ranks among Wyoming’s top winter getaways, combining outdoor adventure with small-town charm. The Bighorn National Forest, for example, offers a variety of winter activities. Nordic ski enthusiasts can explore areas throughout the range. On the north end, Sibley, Cutler, and Antelope Butte provide marked and groomed or packed trails suitable for different skill levels. The south end features Pole Creek and Willow Park, also with maintained trails, while the Powder Pass Area offers a backcountry experience with no designated trails or grooming.
In town, historic Main Street glows with holiday lights, creating a festive backdrop for an evening stroll. The King’s Saddlery and Museum highlights Sheridan’s cowboy heritage, and the WYO Performing Arts & Education Center hosts concerts and plays throughout winter.
Sheridan also celebrates its Western roots with the Sheridan WYO Winter Rodeo, held at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds and organized by Sheridan County Travel & Tourism. Dubbed Wyoming’s wildest winter event, the rodeo features thrilling skijoring races, where horses pull skiers across a snow-covered course.
Pinedale
Tucked beneath the Wind River Mountains, Pinedale offers some of Wyoming’s most scenic winter landscapes. Just outside of town, Fremont Lake stretches across a pristine expanse, making it one of the state’s largest natural lakes. The lake also serves as a hub for seasonal events, including ice fishing competitions that draw anglers from across the region.
During the winter months, outdoor enthusiasts can also head to White Pine Ski Resort, one of Wyoming’s original ski areas. The resort features groomed runs and cross-country trails that wind through forested slopes, offering a mix of recreational options for skiers and snowmobilers. Along the way, wildlife is commonly seen, with moose, elk, and bald eagles frequently spotted in the nearby Bridger-Teton National Forest. Another major winter attraction is the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race, which often passes through the Pinedale area.
Buffalo
At the base of the Bighorn Mountains, Buffalo combines history with outdoor recreation, making it an ideal winter destination in Wyoming. Trails in the Bighorn National Forest, about 30 miles from town near Sheridan, are well-suited for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, or exploring quiet meadows blanketed in snow. Just 45 miles away, Meadowlark Ski Lodge offers slopes on Meadowlark Lake, including a chair lift and a beginner-friendly bunny slope.
The lake also draws anglers for ice fishing during the winter months, allowing skiers and fishers to share the snowy landscape. For climbing enthusiasts, Ten Sleep Canyon, located a few miles from Meadowlark, offers established ice climbing routes with multiple pitches and guide services.
Buffalo’s walkable downtown area boasts historic character, highlighted by landmarks such as the Occidental Hotel, an Old West icon featuring a cozy saloon, and the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum, which showcases frontier life and Indigenous history. Both sites are especially enjoyable in winter.
Dubois
Dubois sits along the Wind River, with the Wind River Mountain Range to the south and the Absaroka Mountains to the north. Trails just outside town provide opportunities for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and dog sledding through forested slopes and open meadows.
About 25 miles away, Togwotee Pass features expansive snowmobiling routes and additional Nordic skiing options. For another thrilling adventure, Continental Divide Dog Sled Adventures runs half-day tours from Togwotee Mountain Lodge from December through March, guided by Iditarod veteran Billy Snodgrass through the Bridger-Teton and Shoshoni National Forests near the Greater Yellowstone Area. A winter visit to Dubois isn’t complete without stopping at the National Bighorn Sheep Center, where bighorn sheep navigate the rocky cliffs year-round.
Wyoming in winter offers a wide range of outdoor activities and cultural experiences across its mountain towns and valleys. In Jackson Hole, ski slopes and sleigh rides create a classic winter scene, while Fremont Lake near Pinedale draws ice fishers and cross-country skiers to its frozen waters. Throughout the state, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, and dog sledding offer opportunities to explore snowy landscapes, complemented by seasonal events such as sled dog races and winter rodeos. Beyond recreational pursuits, historic downtowns, museums, and lodges, Wyoming’s frontier heritage and Western culture are reflected in its historic sites. As winter approaches, these seven destinations showcase the state’s seasonal charm, offering both excitement and history.
