Wyoming – A Place of Wonder

Here in Wyoming, the wind is strong but the people are stronger. It is not an easy life in this state. Although, if you can handle the long winters, strong winds, and other unpredictable weather patterns it is a life like no other. Summer is my favorite season in this state – the days are long and the sun is strong. Just driving down the road you can smell burning ditches and fresh cut hay fields. You will see hillsides blanketed in green and dotted with wildflowers while the mountains still hold on to the last bit of winter snow.

During the last month or so whenever I have a couple days to spare, I find myself heading in different directions with only a vague idea of where I intend to stop. This has led me to some late nights, a night testing out my car camping skills, and adventures to the mountains cut short by a violent thunderstorm. Here are some of the places I have ventured to, in hope to inspire you to take your own adventures and find new places to see.

Big Horn Canyon-

Venturing onto Highway 37 from Lovell leads towards the Big Horn Canyon area. The first side road option is to Horseshoe Bend Campground and Marina. Down this road, there is a smaller dirt road that leads to a day use parking area. This article is mainly about great places in Wyoming but a quick 15-minute drive north into the neighboring state of Montana and on the right will be Devil’s Canyon Overlook. A parking lot with a short walk around the edge this location offers a breathtaking view that will be sure to remind you of how small we are in a big world. The water was muddy and the wind was fierce but it was still nothing short of amazing.

Going towards Horseshoe Bend Campground and Mariana there is a dirt road leading to a day use arking area near these lovely red rocks. A great place to walk around and get some fresh air.

Going into the red rocks.

Devil’s Canyon Overlook- The water still runs a murky brown and on this day the wind seems to be a little more aggressive that day adding to the feeling of being small compared to this canyon.

The stairs coexist nicely with the land at the overlook.

Another perspective at Devil’s Canyon Overlook.

Torrey Lake-

Torrey Lake is a quiet place with a free camping site located about 9 miles from Dubois down Trail Lake Road. There are no hookups for campers but there is a restroom making it is a great place to spend a night or two alongside the water. There usually isn’t very many people around the lake and when there is there still seems to peace throughout the area and respect for other campers. Torrey Lake is the largest of three side by side lakes, the other two being Trail Lake and Ring Lake. Ring Lake being home to Ring Lake Ranch. Going past the lakes leads to a few other camping site and ends and Glacier Trail Trailhead. Another key feature is if one is willing to wander off the road there are petroglyphs all around in the Torrey Basin Area.

Sunset at Torrey Lake

Sheep wagon nestled into the tree off of Trail Lake Rd.

The first camping trip in The Red. Successfully fit my best friend and I and our two dogs. Hammocks are great next to the campfire and easy to pack in and out.

Crazy Woman Canyon Road-

This road is definitely one of my favorite drives in Wyoming. But this narrow, steep and winding road is not for those who do not have the comfort level or proper kind of vehicles (Trust me, I tried taking my old Pontiac Grand Prix down and ended up having to turn around because of a steep hill that I wasn’t quite sure I would be able to get back up again). The road is 13.2 miles long, winding alongside Crazy Woman Creek and some large rock faces this road would also be great with ATVs or a day trip on horseback, vehicles larger than an SUV are not permitted Access to this road can be from US 16 that runs through the big horn mountains or off of Old Highway 86, not too far from Buffalo.