Best Road to Travel South to North Yellowstone

Visit Laramie on your Drive to Yellowstone

Past Leah Veinbergs

Yellowstone National Park is an unequalled natural wonder, and well worth visiting. On the way to Yellowstone, stop in Laramie. Located on Interstate lxxx in southeastern Wyoming, it is chock total of opportunities to relish civilisation and nature. As yous are planning your summertime route trip to Yellowstone, consider stopping in Laramie for a fun and relaxing respite from the drive. Here are our suggestions for thebest driving routes to Yellowstone plus sightseeing and stops along the way. And of grade, Visit Laramie!

Routes to Yellowstone through Laramie

So, how do yous get to Laramie, Wyoming? Laramie is right on the way to Yellowstone if you lot are coming from south or east of Wyoming.

Driving From the South

There are ii ways to approach Laramie (and Yellowstone) from the south. The about standard route is to take Interstate 25 north from Denver, CO to Cheyenne, WY and so go west on Interstate 80. Even so, there is some other slightly faster (depending on traffic) and more than scenic route as well. For this route, head north on Interstate 25 merely exit for Fort Collins on Hwy. 14/ 287 and go on northward to Laramie on Hwy. 287.

Driving From the East

If you are approaching Wyoming from the east, it is pretty simple. Hop on Interstate eighty and head west until yous hit Laramie.

Driving Laramie to Yellowstone

Through Lander, WY

View of Tetons (photo credit: National Park Service)

The most direct (and scenic) route from Laramie to Yellowstone is to go through Lander, WY. For the direct route, you lot will head w on Interstate lxxx from Laramie to Rawlins. For the most scenic road during summertime, nosotros highly recommend taking a detour across the Snowy Range Breathtaking Byway, aka Hwy. 130, westward from Laramie toward Saratoga before reconnecting with Interstate 80 to Rawlins. From Rawlins, head northward on Hwy. 287. Continue through Lander on Hwy. 287. Eventually, yous will merge with Hwy. 191, a beautiful drive through Grand Teton National Park. It will take you all the way to Yellowstone's South Entrance. There is a $35 entrance fee to drive through M Teton National Park.

Through Casper, WY

For a slightly longer road with no additional fees, you tin also travel to Yellowstone via Casper. Leave Laramie going northwest on Hwy. 30. In Medicine Bow travel north on Hwy. 487 until it junctions with Hwy. 220. Then travel north on Hwy. 220 toward Casper. From Casper, go northwest on Hwy. 26 to Thermopolis. From Thermopolis, take Hwy. 120 towards Cody. Cody is but about an hour away from Yellowstone's Eastward Entrance.

Things to Do in Laramie

Why stop in Laramie? Laramie is a unique gem among Wyoming towns. It possesses all the western amuse and natural beauty Wyoming has to offer, while still providing rich cultural and educational opportunities.

The University of Wyoming Campus (photo credit: Leah Veinbergs)

Academy of Wyoming

Office of what makes Laramie unique is the fact that it is home to Wyoming's only iv-yr university. The University of Wyoming draws a wide diversity of international, cultural, artistic, and bookish enterprises to Laramie in the grade of museums, restaurants, and other businesses.

The campus itself is certainly worth touring. Initially founded in 1886, the beautiful and stately buildings are surrounded by shady cottonwood and pine trees. Yous can download the Historic Campus Walking Bout Brochure. Several museums are located on campus, as well as restaurants, sporting events, and frequent concerts.

Museums at the University of Wyoming

The University of Wyoming itself houses a treasure trove of museums and other opportunities for educational enrichment. Most of the museums are free of charge.

UW Art Museum (photo credit: Leah Veinbergs)

The UW Geological Museum is a fantastic space showcasing minerals, fossils, and the skeletons of several prehistoric creatures. The centerpiece is the 75-foot Apatosaurus skeleton.

The stunning architecture of the UW Art Museum encompasses a varied and irresolute drove of paintings, sculptures, and art experiences.

The Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium is yet another terrific way to spend time on campus. This cute planetarium does regular shows depicting the solar system, constellations, and many other topics.

UW also has an Anthropology Museum. This museum has diverse displays defended to hunter-gatherer societies from around the globe, as well as local indigenous people.

Other Laramie Museums

Laramie Plains Museum (photo credit: Leah Veinbergs)

The Laramie Plains Museum at the Ivinson Mansion is another "tin't miss" local museum. This museum of local and general Wyoming history is located in the exceptionally well-restored Ivinson Mansion. The 3-story mansion was built past the notable Ivinson family in 1893. The museum besides includes lovely grounds, a gift shop, and a borderland schoolhouse.

Of grade, we tin't forget the Wyoming Territorial Prison. This historic site was formerly both a territorial and federal prison that housed the notorious Butch Cassidy. Today you can tour the prison cells and extensive grounds.

This isn't even all of the museums that Laramie and the area take to offer. To read more most the above-mentioned museums, likewise as some boosted gems, check out The Best Laramie Museums and Historic Sites and Top 5 Museums for Kids in Laramie.

Looking Across Lake Owen (photo credit: Leah Veinbergs)

Natural Wonders

Yellowstone isn't the but amazing natural landscape in Wyoming. Stop in Laramie to whet your appetite for natural dazzler. The Laramie area has then many slap-up opportunities to relish the outdoors, camping, picnicking, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and wildlife watching.

While Laramie is literally surrounded past outdoor hazard, three areas stand out. The beginning is Short Gowdy Land Park. If you are arriving in Laramie via Interstate fourscore, y'all tin detour in Cheyenne to Happy Jack Road to feel this beautiful surface area. Curt Gowdy has 3 huge reservoirs for boating, fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. It too has miles of hiking trails and wonderful campsites.

Vedauwoo Recreation Area (photo credit: Leah Veinbergs)

The second area is on Interstate fourscore, just a little closer to Laramie. Vedauwoo Recreation Area has breathtaking rock formations that transform it into an alien landscape. Vedauwoo is renowned for its rock climbing but also has bully hiking trails and campsites.

The 3rd expanse is due west of Laramie, the stunning Snowy Range Surface area of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. This huge national forest is home to abundant wild animals (some of the best moose habitat in the state), a myriad of lakes and rivers, and astonishing hiking and camping opportunities. At that place is also the Snowy Range Scenic Byway which follows Hwy. 130 over the Snowy Range from Centennial to just south of Saratoga. If you are planning to get to Yellowstone via Lander, you tin can caput north on Hwy. 130 afterwards traversing the Byway to reconnect with Interstate 80.

For more details nearly the amazing wild animals, hiking, and outdoor chance surrounding Laramie read Local Favorites—Laramie Hiking Trails and Nature Activities for Kids and Families.

LaPrele Park (photo credit: Leah Veinbergs)

City of Laramie

If you are looking for a fun place to have a meal or stretch your legs, stop in Laramie. Laramie has a vibrant downtown with lots of shops and stores. It also has many cute parks and light-green spaces. Hungry? Laramie restaurants offer diverse cuisine that is ever delicious.

Downtown

In the downtown area of Laramie, yous can enjoy i of the historical or mural walking tours. There are many great opportunities to shop at apparel, antiques, or art stores. There are fantastic restaurants, bars, breweries, and coffee shops. On Fridays, in the summer at that place is a smashing Farmer's Market with delicious produce, nutrient trucks, music, and artisan wares.

Places to Eat

Delicious artisan sandwiches at Alibi (photo credit: Alibi Woodfire Pizzeria and Bakery)

Laramie has then many restaurants and eateries to choose from. For classic steakhouse fare that is always fresh and delicious try Distance Chophouse and Brewery or Wyoming's Rib & Chop House. If you are craving a sports bar temper with delicious nutrient, you lot can't beat The Library or Lovejoy's. For a more unique twist, sample the vegetarian dishes at Sweet Melissa  or the artisan sandwiches and pizza at Alibi. At that place are too the international options presented by Corona Village, Anong's, or Mizu Sushi.

To satisfy a sweet tooth, Big Dipper Ice Cream has delicious ice creams, sorbets, and gelatos. The Sugar Mouse is an adorable tea shop with traditional British treats, cupcakes, and more. To come across more than great places to eat view our Where to Dine page.

Where to Stay in Laramie

Need to break up the road trip and stay a nighttime? Finish in Laramie overnight. Laramie has a fantastic diverseness of hotels, motels, camping, and cabins to brand your overnight stay perfect. There are literally besides many to list.

Camping virtually Rob Roy Reservoir (photo credit: Leah Veinbergs)

Camping and Cabins

As mentioned above, in that location are many fantastic campgrounds in Curt Gowdy Country Park, Vedauwoo, and Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. The Woods Service besides offers cabin rentals.

Hotels & Motels

Laramie has many hotels and yous are sure to find one to adapt both your needs and your budget. If you are looking for a quick cease with a budget-friendly price, consider the Laramie Valley Inn. Or, if you lot desire to bask a few more than amenities, the Hampton Inn, Quality Inn & Suites, Americinn, and Days Inn all have indoor swimming pools, fettle centers, and free breakfast. For a chip of luxury, stay at the Hilton Garden Inn or the Holiday Inn. Observe the full listing by clicking hither.

Beyond Laramie

The Mountainview Historic Hotel and Cafe (photo credit: visitlaramie.org)

The expanse around Laramie provides additional lodges, hotels, and cabins. In Centennial, the gorgeous and historic Mountainview Historic Hotel and Cafe is a perfect place to stay while exploring the Snowies. Also in Centennial are the Old Corral Hotel & Steakhouse and the Mountain Meadow Cabins. For more than information on these and other slap-up places to stay please visit our Where to Stay folio.

Without a dubiety, Laramie is the perfect stopover on the mode to Yellowstone. With so much to practise, and then many great restaurants, and and then many wonderful places to stay Laramie is really a destination on its ain. Stay in Laramie a while and enjoy all that nosotros have to offer!

Note: Leah Veinbergs is an independent writer and the author of the weblog Two Niggling Time. She is contracted by Visit Laramie. Views and opinions expressed here are her own and do non reverberate those of the Albany County Tourism Board.

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