Beautifully diverse and full of quiet, sweeping landscapes, the eastern part of Wyoming is all too often overlooked in favor of the towering mountain ranges and national parks of the west. It’s a shame because this quiet, sun-soaked region has so much to offer! While well-known for being home to the state capital, Southeast Wyoming is also packed with a diverse array of outdoor adventures and activities, including prehistoric fossil dig sites, numerous stops on Wyoming’s dinosaur trail, plenty of larger-than-life natural wonders, and even waterfalls, beachy lakeshores, and national forests galore. To get you started, we have a short and sweet weekend getaway planned out that only takes a few hours of drive time, and comes complete with a number of extra sights, detours, and recommendations that can be tailored to your preferences. Pack plenty of snacks and embark on this fun, off-the-beaten-path road trip through Southeast Wyoming!

From national parks and campgrounds to waterfalls, canyons, and more, there is so much to love about America’s natural splendor — and June, designated as Great Outdoors Month, is the perfect time to get outside.

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Point to point, this journey stretches from Cheyenne to Laramie, but you can certainly reverse the order if you choose. Check out the official Google map.

Stroll Through the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens

Fountains, foliage, flora, fish … the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens is a crowning jewel of Wyoming’s capital city and a must-visit for every Wyomingite. Here you’ll find numerous walking paths winding through multiple garden ecosystems and whimsical art displays, ranging from desert cacti to tropical hibiscus and everything in between.

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Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, 710 S Lions Park Dr, Cheyenne, WY 82001, USA
Egbert Winslow/GoogleMaps
Some of the gardens you'll find here include the Children's Village, with butterfly gardens and hands-on displays for all ages that little hands are welcome to touch. Explore Discovery Pond, travel the Garden Labyrinth, relax on a quiet bench and enjoy the gentle hum of pollinators, or linger in any of the historic Rotary Century Plazas. The Shane Smith Grand Conservatory at the heart of the gardens is an impressive sight and an undeniable focal point. This marvelous piece of architecture features a lush, tropical plant collection, an orangerie, and multiple floors of jungle-like foliage - plus a rooftop deck!

Craving even more beauty? Keep exploring your way to Lions Park where you can enjoy a delightful Tree Walk or settle in for a spell to enjoy the calm waters of Sloan Lake.

Make a Splash at Curt Gowdy State Park

Sun’s out, boats out! Wyoming has a dozen state parks to its name, but Curt Gowdy State Park near Cheyenne is an undeniable diamond in the rough… especially when it comes to getting out on the water.

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Curt Gowdy State Park, 1264 Granite Springs Rd, Cheyenne, WY 82009, USA
Curt Gowdy State Park/Facebook
Less than half an hour from downtown Cheyenne, Curt Gowdy State Park is an outdoor lover's paradise. Fascinating rock formations, hidden waterfalls, and over 35 miles of trails are just the start! In fact, we definitely recommend checking out the Stone Temple Trail while you're here! But when temperatures shoot up, there's no denying that right on the water is the best place to be.

Boat, dip, fish, paddle - this fantastic Wyoming park has three equally fantastic reservoirs to choose from to suit all of your warm weather and water-loving wishes. Choose from Granite Springs Reservoir, Crystal Reservoir, or North Crow, depending on whether you feel like casting a line, lounging on the shore, or diving in. But if your need for speed is calling, Granite Reservoir is the largest and is sure to deliver. For your evening accommodations, choose from any of the fantastic tent and RV sites within Curt Gowdy, or delve into the many dispersed camping areas along Happy Jack Road.

If Wyoming's unpredictable weather doesn't cooperate with camping on this adventure, head back to downtown Cheyenne to stay at the lovely Little America Hotel and Resort. While you're in town, you'll also want to fuel up - so check out Hathaway's Lounge and Restaurant and the fabulous patio garden dining area at the hotel, or head offsite to dig into carnivorous favorites at Cheyenne's infamous Rib & Chop House.

Monkey Around at Vedauwoo

Day two of this road trip beckons with even more fantastic outdoorsy activities.

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Vedauwoo Climbing Area, Buford, WY 82052, USA
Alex Radovic/GoogleMaps
Whether you're coming from your hotel or a campground, our outdoor lovers road trip wouldn't be complete without stopping at Wyoming's most fascinating climbing area! This fantastic geologic wonder boasts towering granite sculptures intermixed with rugged pine and aspen. In fact, it's home to some of the oldest rock in North America! Geologist circles refer to these unique formations as monadnocks or tors, while the name Vedauwoo itself comes from the Arapaho word “biot o’wu” which means “earth-born.” Hike, climb, play, and grab an official map from the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest Supervisor’s Office to make sure you explore every unique facet of this Wyoming treasure!

Pro Tip: if you feel like extending your adventure, Vedauwoo even has campsites available on a first come-first served basis.

Dine at Turtle Rock Coffee and Café

Kick back and dig into some refreshing eats at this namesake café after a hard day at play.

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Justin Shafran/GoogleMaps
Turtle Rock Coffee & Cafe, 270 N 9th St, Laramie, WY 82072, USA
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One of the most iconic formations in Vedauwoo is Turtle Rock - aptly named due to its unique bulbous shape. After you've had your fill of rock scrambling at Vedauwoo (including the Turtle Rock Trail!), travel west toward Laramie and you'll find Turtle Rock Coffee and Café tucked away in a darling little bungalow. It's one of the sweetest stops in Laramie! This hidden gem boasts not just incredible coffee (although you might need a pick-me-up after all that rock scrambling), but also fantastic soups, sandwiches, and pasta too - plus a phenomenal garden patio. It's the perfect way to end a fun day spent in Wyoming's great outdoors.

Sleep in the Real Wyoming at Deerwood Station

Just outside of Laramie, Deerwood Ranch awaits. Here, wrap up your road trip with a restful night of sleep immersed in the quiet beauty of Wyoming’s great outdoors, but from the comfort of a warm bed and all the creature comforts of home.

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Wide open spaces, wild horses, and unobstructed beauty await at Deerwood Station Guest Cabin in Laramie. This fantastic family cabin sits on the banks of the Middle Fork of the Little Laramie River and offers panoramic views of the mountains, all from the privacy and seclusion of the treasure Deerwood Ranch. The morning sunrises here are simply phenomenal, and we highly recommend opting for a private ranch tour and wild horse viewing. This is the real Wyoming!
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This quick weekend road trip is only a small taste of the numerous outdoor activities and adventures that Southeast Wyoming has to offer, but no doubt once you begin to explore the area, you’ll fall in love as much as we have! In fact, did you know that Cheyenne is often considered to be the Railroad Capital of America?

While you’re out traveling and exploring the Cowboy State this season, don’t leave your accommodations to the last minute! Check out some of our favorite Wyoming vacation rentals and hotels around the state.

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