7 Ideal Wyoming Destinations for a 3-Day Weekend in 2025
From Yellowstone to the Bighorn Mountains, there’s always something to do in the Cowboy State. It’s where vast prairies give way to snow-capped mountains, and cowboy culture is in high supply. No matter the week you’ve had, these Wyoming destinations will make you forget all about those workweek woes. Want to soak in a hot spring? Thermopolis has those (some of which are free!). Want to feel like you’re at the top of the world? Cloud Mountain in Sheridan will make your worries seem so very small. When you’re ready to explore Wyoming on your great 2025 road trip, these destinations are worth the detour.
Thermopolis, Hot Springs State Park
Nothing feels better than settling into a hot spring to unwind after a long week. For a slow-paced weekend of hot springs and cold drinks, Thermopolis is sure to soothe your soul. It’s the home to Hot Springs State Park, the world’s largest mineral hot spring. Unlike high-end resorts that lock their springs behind hotels and high rises, the springs at the State Bath House are entirely free! The healing mineral waters are a cozy 104 degrees year-round, surrounded by the beauty of the Bighorn Basin. While most visitors come for the hot springs of Thermopolis, they stay for the other unique attractions scattered throughout town.
The most surprising attraction in Thermopolis is the Legend Rock Petroglyph Site. Accented on the rocks of the park are prehistoric drawings, some of which are 10,000 years old, and are some of the best preserved petroglyphs in the state. The park also has hiking trails that weave through the high desert of the Bighorn Basin region. Nothing tastes better after a hot soak or a hike than a cold brew from One Eyed Buffalo Brewing Company. The best place to stay (especially for the mineral springs) is the Hot Springs Hotel and Spa. A stay at the spa grants you mineral spring access, as well as a pool, a restaurant, and a lounge.
Cody, The Buffalo Bill Center
If your ideal weekend in Wyoming consists of cowboys and rodeos, look no further than Cody. Buffalo Bill, who played a significant role in the city’s founding, is the face of the old American West, and his presence can still be felt in every corner of Cody. The Buffalo Bill Center is much more than a museum; it’s a time capsule celebrating the Wild West. It consists of five sprawling complexes, dedicated to the art, culture, and history of Buffalo Bill, cowboys, and Native Americans of the land. You can also visit Old Trail Town, a collection of historic buildings and ghost-town relics that feels like stepping back in time.
The fun in Cody doesn’t end once the sun goes down! At night, the lights come on over the Cody Nite Rodeo. It all started in the late 1930s, and it’s the longest-running rodeo anywhere in the world. The rodeo features all the classic events, including bull riding, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, and kid-friendly events, allowing the little ones to get in on the action. When you’re ready to hang up your cowboy hat after a thrilling night at the rodeo, the Cody Hotel blends luxurious accommodations with those classic wild west vibes.
Lander, Sinks Canyon State Park
When you long for a slower pace over the weekend, it’s easy to forget your weekday worries amid the intense beauty of the Wind River Basin in Lander. It’s essentially situated in the middle of nowhere in central Wyoming, but that’s the point. It serves as a launching pad to Sinks Canyon State Park, one of the state's most stunning (and often overlooked) parks. Think carved canyons towering over the Popo Agie River, and wide open fields blooming with wildflowers of the Wind River Basin. It’s the perfect destination to unwind, where busy crowds and noisy city streets seem like a galaxy away.
While Sinks Canyon State Park feels isolated, downtown Lander is full of surprises. There’s the Museum of the American West, a modest museum where you can tour relics of the Old West and learn more about the Wind River and Sweetwater Valleys. You can also tour the Fremont County Pioneer Museum, a humble museum with unique pioneer relics and tools. Lander has plenty of cozy accommodations, but nothing holds a candle to the rustic Frontier Lodge. The lodge has all the vibes of an old-timey saloon with all the comforts of home.
Pinedale, Wind River Range
If your ideal long weekend consists of meditative hikes amid some of Wyoming’s most spectacular scenery, you have to check out the hidden gem of Pinedale. Located in western Wyoming in the Upper Green River Valley, where the glacial-carved mountains dominate the skyline. Some of the best hiking trails are in the Wind River Range, located east of central Pinedale. From easy, family-friendly hikes to more challenging full-day treks, the Wind River Range is ripe for adventure. These hikes offer breathtaking views of the Wind River, wide open prairies where the land stretches out for miles, and snow-kissed mountain peaks.
For relaxing by the water, Fremont Lake is only a few miles from downtown Pinedale. As one of the largest natural lakes in Wyoming, it’s the perfect spot to set sail, fish, or swim in its calming waters. When you want to learn more about this untouched stretch of land in Wymoning, check out the Museum of the Mountain Man. It’s a beautiful museum dedicated to the mountain men who explored the region in the 1800s. When you’re ready to relax after a long day of exploring, the Gannett Peak Lodge is a newly refurbished lodge where the views are almost as amazing as the accommodations.
Evanston, Bear River State Park
Hidden away in the lower western edge of Wyoming near the Utah border is Evanston, a unique community that’s well worth the drive. Its biggest attraction is the Bear River State Park. If you’re fascinated with the wildlife of Wyoming, Bear River State Park is a fantastic spot to admire herds of bison and elk in large enclosures. The trails of the park are flat and accessible, perfect for families, and wind through sprawling meadows of the high plains.
What makes Evanston truly unique, however, is its rich Chinese heritage. During Wyoming’s railroad era, Evanston had a thriving Chinese immigrant community. There are relics still standing today of its heritage, like the Chinese Joss House Museum. It weaves the tale of Evanston’s past with traditional Chinese religious and cultural artifacts like incense burners, altars, ornate lanterns, and carved woodwork. If you’re interested in the railway industry, the historic Roundhouse and Railyards complex is worth visiting. It was once a railroad facility that serviced steam locomotives, but today it is a community space and museum. After a long day discovering the hidden charm of Evanston, the best place to hang up your hat is at the cozy accommodations of the retro Prairie Inn, a throwback to 1960s roadtrips!
Mammoth, Mammoth Hot Springs
The town of Mammoth may be small, but its attractions are spectacular. Located in the northwestern edge of Wyoming, it has hot springs, breathtaking views of Yellowstone National Park, and historical landmarks. One of the best scenic (and often overlooked) spots in Yellowstone is the Mammoth Hot Springs. They are a geological wonder, but they aren’t for soaking! The waters are always around 170 degrees Fahrenheit, so it’s best to admire them from a distance. Steam rises year-round over the springs, especially in the cooler months, creating a thick fog that feels otherworldly. Over thousands of years, the water has created tiered terraces of mineral deposits that look like frozen waterfalls on a distant planet.
The waterfalls may be Mammoths' central appeal, but there’s so much more to discover in the area. If you want to learn more about Yellowstone, Historic Fort Yellowstone gives visitors a glimpse into the early days of the national park. Once a U.S. Army fort in the late 1800s, the fort protected the lands of Yellowstone before the creation of the National Park Service. Once the NPS was established, the fort became an administrative office and visitor center. After a long day of discoveries, you can grab a bite to eat at the Mammoth Dining Room and stay the night at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins.
Sheridan, Bighorn National Forest
Sheridan is at the base of the Bighorn Mountains in northern Wyoming, where cowboy culture meets outdoor adventure in all the best ways. Sheridan’s biggest claim to fame is its proximity to the Bighorn Mountains, which are unique for their diverse terrain. Sheridan is the launching pad to Bighorn National Forest, with access to challenging hikes up Cloud Peak, or more accessible hikes that weave through open prairies. One of the most exciting attractions near Sheridan is the Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site. It offers stunning hikes through carved mountains, flourished with well-preserved petroglyphs dating back thousands of years.
In town, you can fuel up at Cowboy Cafe (known for its bison burgers and satisfying portions) before taking a tour of the Trail End State Historic Site, a sprawling mansion that lends insight into Old West affluence. There was a more polished side to the Wild West outside of gunslingers and nomadic cowboys. This massive mansion shows the opulent side of the Wild West, and you can tour its impressive gardens and grounds. One of the most unique places to stay in Sheridan is the Mill Inn, a former flour mill converted into a rustic hotel in the 1990s.
Wyoming is a place where the air smells fresh and clean, and the wide open roads make the journey almost as satisfying as the destination. From the breathtaking Bighorn Mountains views of Sheridan to the rugged terrain of the Wind River Range in Pinedale, hidden treasures in Wyoming are just waiting to be discovered. The Mammoth Hot Springs of Yellowstone feel like stepping on a distant planet, and the Legend Rock Petroglyph Site of Thermopolis echoes voices from thousands of years ago. Wherever you go, these breathtaking Wyoming destinations are sure to make your weekday worries seem very small.
