The 6 Top Places To Visit In Wyoming This Fall

Given its location in America’s Mountain West region, Wyoming’s fall colors are among the most attractive in the country. Here, kaleidoscopes of color produced by the stunning golds and yellows of aspens, with an occasional spark of red and orange from less-common maples, transform the plains and mountains into a scenic backdrop that attracts leaf-peepers from far and wide. Best of all, these dramatic displays can be enjoyed while visiting some of the Cowboy State’s most charming communities that serve as ideal bases for fun leaf-peeping getaways. Whether you’re here for a day or a weekend, these six small towns are the perfect mix of authentic Wyoming hospitality and Mother Nature's splendor.

Jackson

When it comes to Wyoming’s leaf-peeping must-visits, Jackson holds the top spot for fall color enthusiasts. Situated where the Snake River winds through valleys lined with massive cottonwood groves, aspens, willows, and mountain ash, this colorful display can be enjoyed by following the many lake- and canyon trails within Grand Teton National Park.

Schwabacher Landing is your best bet for maximum exposure, a four-mile hike along the Snake River past beaver dams, with a backdrop of colorful cottonwoods and willows. The park’s Oxbow Bend is another photo-worthy stop. One of the most iconic fall scenes in the American West, you’ll want to frame Mount Moran surrounded by golden aspens in the reflections they cast on the Snake River.

Jackson's autumn cultural calendar adds further fun to the season. The Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival in early September, considered the best art festival in the Rocky Mountain West, attracts the nation's top wildlife and landscape artists for 12 days of celebrations. Another plus is the town’s proximity to Yellowstone National Park, another great spot to view those fall colors.

Cody

September and October see Cody’s golden aspens at their peak, making this historic Western town a Wyoming fall must-visit. You’ll see the best displays of aspens, willows, and riverside vegetation along the North Fork of the Shoshone River corridor: simply follow U.S. Highway 14/16/20 west toward Yellowstone's East Entrance. This cacophony of color just so happens to coincide with Cody's Rendezvous Royale, a nationally recognized art show and auction of contemporary western art.

Other highlights include educational seminars, studio tours, and the much-anticipated Patrons Ball as the grand finale. The event also features the Annual Cody Art Walk in Downtown Cody. It’s the perfect excuse to book a night or two stay at Chamberlain Inn, a historic hotel that’s perfect for exploring the town’s art and autumn colors.

Dubois

Located in the scenic Wind River Range, Dubois is fun to visit pretty much any time of year. Fall, however, shows off the surrounding scenery in stunning fashion when the Wind River Valley becomes a spectacular corridor of golden cottonwoods and nearby peaks come alive with brilliant colors from their aspen groves. You’ll also spot plenty of wildlife, in particular bighorn sheep. To see one of the country’s largest herds of these majestic creatures, head to Whiskey Basin for its hiking trails.

You can also learn a lot about them at the National Bighorn Sheep Center. In addition to its role as an educational facility for schoolkids, it’s a launching point for wildlife viewing tours. Lasting up to four hours, these fascinating excursions will get you up close to these impressively horned animals. And for a dose of Western whimsy, visit the Giant Jackalope at the Exxon Country Store for a fun photo.

Saratoga

In addition to its therapeutic hot springs, Saratoga is also popular for its fall colors. You can follow the North Platte River Valley (aka, the "Good Times Valley"), famous for its blue-ribbon trout fishing experiences, right through town, where you can enjoy excellent views of the Sierra Madre and Snowy Mountain ranges. Time your visit for October and you’ll enjoy the sight of a ribbon of gold crossing through town as massive cottonwoods and willows along the riverbanks reach their peak.

Saratoga Hot Springs Resort is a must-stay here and is also the scene of many of the town's best autumn events. Highlights include the annual Oktoberfest celebration at Snowy Mountain Brewery with its craft beers, hearty seasonal fare, and good times. There’s also a fun Haunted Hayride at the end of October that’s worth booking.

Alpine

With a name like Alpine, you know this small Wyoming town is going to be one of the best places to view fall colors. Located at the dramatic confluence of the Snake, Salt, and Greys Rivers where they enter Palisades Reservoir, the eight-mile section known as the Snake River Canyon is the prettiest spot to view the colors. There’s also the added benefit of frequent wildlife sightings (look out for mountain goats, moose, bald eagles, and even bears and elk). Great fishing, and exciting class III rapids for kayakers and whitewater rafters are also a big draw.

If you prefer not to have to walk too much, Highway 89 runs alongside the river and makes for an especially scenic autumn drive. Canyon walls rise dramatically above the river, framing galleries of golden cottonwoods, crimson mountain maples, and bright aspens, with plenty of spots to stop for a memorable selfie. The Greys River is also fun to explore, and flows into Murphy Lakes, a pretty spot that’s accessible via an eight-mile drive on Greys River Road from Alpine.

Centennial

One of Wyoming's tiniest towns, Centennial, has a small population of just 364 souls and has access to some of the state's most spectacular high-altitude fall displays. The highlight here is the Snowy Range Scenic Byway, a route that travels through this 1876 community of rustic cabins and Old West buildings along the Centennial Valley and the Little Laramie River. Climbing into the mountains just outside town, it directly leads to the Centennial Snowy Range Visitor Center, where you can load up on maps and useful info about the route and the region.

The climb itself is impressive, with this 29-mile byway reaching 10,847 feet above sea level as it passes Mirror Lake, Lake Marie, and Medicine Bow Peak. The east and west sections of the byway are extremely pretty in fall, with the winding path through Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest featuring gorgeous views. And consider a getaway at the Mountain View Historic Hotel and Cafe for an authentic Western overnight stay.

The Bottom Line

After reading through this list of the best small towns in Wyoming for lovely displays of fall foliage, we’re confident you’ll want to hop in your car and make your way to the Cowboy State to witness the spectacle. But as lovely as their fall colors are, these six communities also prove that Wyoming is worth visiting for its genuine hospitality and authentic cultural events and traditions, too. Time it right, and that autumn foliage might just prove to be the icing on the cake.