The Wyo Lasso Trip

9 Days circling Wyoming

The wild, untamed west awaits in Wyoming. Even though it's America's 10th largest state, it's the least populated, with only about a half million residents scattered among a few small cities, towns, and the vast expanses in between. There's no better place to get away from it all on a road trip, and when you include a little slice of Nebraska and South Dakota, you're on a great adventure into the West!

Day 1

Arriving and exploring near Salt Lake City

The trip begins and ends in Salt Lake City. After my arrival, I had some time to look around the Wasatch Mountains, so I headed through Cottonwood Canyon to Park City.

Day 2

Headed east: Flaming Gorge, then some dirt roads

Truly, this day took me into the middle of nowhere. After my visit to Flaming Gorge, I took a patchwork of dirt and paved roads across the southwestern side of Wyoming, occasionally dipping into Utah and Colorado.

Day 3

The Snowy Range, and into Nebraska

The first half of this day was spent in the extraordinary Snowy Range, which is north of Denver and west of Laramie and Cheyenne. After hiking and exploring, I drove through those two towns, and on into Nebraska.

Day 4

Western Nebraska - more interesting than you'd expect

On Day 4, I explored Scotts Bluff National Monument, and some very interesting geological formations, before heading north into South Dakota.

Day 5

A good day in the Badlands

From my base in Rapid City, I drove east into Badlands National Park, where there was enough to see to fill the entire day.

Day 6

Exploring the Black Hills

This day was spent driving the scenic roads that criss-cross the Black Mountains, south of Rapid City. I saw Wind Cave, Crazy Horse, Mount Rushmore, and took in the scenic Needles Highway.

Day 7

Back into Wyoming

The highlight of this day was Devil's Tower National Monument, but there was also plenty of great scenic driving as I left the Black Hills and headed into the vast emptiness of Wyoming.

Day 8

Scenic byways on the way to Yellowstone

I took some great scenic roads on this day, as I made my way across north-central Wyoming, headed towards Yellowstone National Park.

Day 9

Beartooth Highway and northern Yellowstone National Park

The weather didn't cooperate with my effort to drive one of the most scenic roads in the world, but I still had a nice drive, and a beautiful afternoon in Yellowstone National Park.

Day 10

Final day: more of Yellowstone, then back to Salt Lake City

I spent every available minute enjoying the northern side of Yellowstone National Park, before bailing out, and heading back to Salt Lake City for an evening flight home.