Wyoming’s rugged beauty, sparse population and clear skies make it a wonderful place to be when the summer air starts to cool, and the Aspens turn from green to gold. For folks who love the outdoors, there’s plenty to do in the Cowboy State’s shoulder season. Here are our favorite fall activities in Wyoming.
Fall is the time which brown trout make their annual spawning runs—which means they’re bigger and more aggressive than any other time of the year. This is why fall is the best time of year to hook a monstrous brown. Head to the Miracle Mile section of the North Platte River, and contact Wyoming Anglers to give you the run-around of where to find the most successful fishing.
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The Teton’s themselves may be capped with snow, but the aspens on their slopes, or around Jenny Lake and Jackson Lake, are still wearing their golden autumn coats. Grab a kayak to the get the most of these sweeping mountain-water-foliage vistas. Leisure Sports in Jackson Hole can set you up with a boat and all the gear you’ll need.
Corn mazes have become an autumn staple in the country’s agricultural states, and Wyoming is no exception. Take a weekend afternoon and put your brain to work, trying to figure out the path that will lead through this 10-acre corn maze. Or just let your mind and feet wander as you walk and worry about getting out later.
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Is there a better way to enjoy the cooler autumn air and rugged Wyoming scenery than from the saddle of a mountain bike? Even if there is, hitting the single track at Curt Gowdy State Park is still a way to guarantee a fabulous fall day. Don’t have a bike? You can rent one on the way at Rock on Wheels in Cheyenne.
Anyone who has visited Yellowstone knows how crowded it can be in the summer. Fall is the perfect time to witness all the splendor and wildlife of the national park—but without all the throngs of people. Fishing season is open through early November, as is the Lewis Lake Campground. Mammoth is open for camping year-round.
Explore all that autumn has to offer in the Wind River Range from the saddle. Green River and Bridger-Teton Outfitters offers a number of trail riding options, ranging from two hours to multi-day excursions for new and experienced riders. Check out the other amenities that this place has to offer, such as hunting and fishing. Expect a day of excitement and breathtaking views.
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Wyoming, with its altitude and lack of light pollution has some of the nation’s darkest skies. Wyoming Stargazing and Jackson Hole Center for the Arts host free public stargazing events the second Friday of every month, year-round. Fall is the perfect time to take advantage of this NASA-sponsored program because the summer crowds have thinned and the skiers have not yet arrived. Besides, the weather is wonderful.
At the annual Organ Trail 5K/10K Run in Douglas, runners must dodge zombies who will try and remove both caution tape flags that runners must wear over the course of the race. If you make it to the finish “safe house” with at least one flag still attached, you’re a “survivor”—if not, you’re a zombie snack.
Every November, the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds hosts the Tribute to the Great American Rodeo and Concert. It’s a full day watching bull riding, bareback bronc riding, barrel racing and tie-down roping, capped off with a concert from a national act. Put on your boots, head down to the arena and cheer on your favorites.
Get some of the best fall foliage views in the state when you head to the Wyoming portion of the Continental Divide Trail. This trail goes from the Canada to Mexico, with almost 550 miles of terrain going through Wyoming. The trail brings you incredible views of various territories, including the western slopes of the Sierra Madre Mountains where every autumn the aspens explode into brilliant golds. This trail brings you to the steaming geysers Yellowstone National Park, as well as to the teams of wild horses at the Great Basin. They don’t call this trail scenic for nothing, as there are plenty of gorgeous vistas along the way.
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