The 15 Best Mountain Trails in Wyoming

From its rolling hills to the beautiful mountain trails, Wyoming is a state full of diverse and majestic landscapes. In recent years it’s become a popular destination for outdoor adventurers from all over the country, who come seeking an escape from their daily lives and the chance to explore some of the best mountains in America. Whether you’re looking for an easy stroll or a more rugged challenge, there are plenty of options available – with something that should fit everyone’s needs!

In this blog post, we’ll be exploring 15 of Wyoming’s most stunning mountain ranges. Read on to find out which one might provide you with your next unforgettable journey into nature!

The Best Mountain Trails in Wyoming

Taggart Lake Trailhead

• Address: Alta, WY 83414, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.8 (451)
• Website: Link

Top 15 Scenic Mountains in Wyoming

Casper Mountain County Park

• Address: Casper, WY 82601, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.7 (99)
• Phone: +1 307-235-9325
• Website: Link
• Opening hours:
  Monday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

  Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

  Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

  Thursday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM

  Friday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

  Saturday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

  Sunday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Reviews:
  Nice and cool at the top of the mountain. This was a very nice summer hike with barely anyone on the trails. Definitely not as scenic as the Bridle Trail Split Rock Loop but it was a hike worth doing. We did the Eadsville Loop that was roughly 4.2 miles and took about an hour and a half. I’d say overall it is a pretty easy hike.

  ✭✭✭✭ By Justin Joswiak (4 months ago)

  Love this place! Quick and easy to get to from casper. Well maintained. Not over populated. Great camping spots. Great hiking trails for all ages. Pet friendly.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Karley (4 years ago)

  The road up was fairly difficult, treacherous at times, but well worth it to stay for three days in a beautiful spot by a stream. Great camping experience

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Scott Blackson (4 months ago)

  Lots of good views and some fun walks. Quite an interesting place.

  ✭✭✭✭ By Simon W (2 years ago)

  So glad this was one of our stops when driving to Yellowstone and Glacier. This park was very nicely kept, we enjoyed a day picnic here and even got to speak to a nice worker named David I believe, who did an excellent job maintaining this park. He was very friendly and told us some other wonderful places to go visit in the area. We hiked a bit and then just rested on a blanket under the trees. We also enjoyed the waterfall at the bottom in the rotary club area.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By PATTY GONDRON (a year ago)

Phelps Lake Loop Trail

• Address: Alta, WY 83414, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.9 (81)
• Website: Link
• Opening hours:
  Monday: Open 24 hours

  Tuesday: Open 24 hours

  Wednesday: Open 24 hours

  Thursday: Open 24 hours

  Friday: Open 24 hours

  Saturday: Open 24 hours

  Sunday: Open 24 hours
• Reviews:
  A great trail, perfect for families. We arrived later in the afternoon, and did not have enough time to hike the entire loop around the lake. We parked at the trailhead parking lot and hiked from the trailhead to the lake, and back. Relatively easy hike, enjoyable for all. We did not see any wildlife on this hike, however there is frequent signage warning for potential bear encounters. The lake is beautiful, and in the later part of the afternoon was quiet, with very few visitors. Be sure to find a spot to dip your toes in the lake. Great memories shared here.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Renee Funk (4 months ago)

  Beautiful hike around the lakes. Walking the rock shoreline was fun with the kids.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By William Ponkowski (2 months ago)

  One black bear showed up near by the parking lot on May 13, 2022. Don’t forget to bring bear spray. Nice trail.

  ✭✭✭✭ By Sabrina Huang (7 months ago)

  We hiked here sept 7 and saw 3 bears. The first bear was 1/2 a mile in and was jogging towards us and scattered away after we yelled / made noise. Nonetheless I was terrified the entire rest of hike and would rate this 0 stars but I feel this lake is hiked FOR the bears so hence the 5. Second bear was 2 miles in on lakeshore (photos). Last was in a tree at bathrooms at trailhead. Be on the lookout! We could constantly hear things walking about

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Alexa Cook (2 months ago)

  Beautiful day hike. Enclosed composting bathrooms at the top. Gives access to death canyon trailhead as well, but was closed due to a friendly bear. Some awesome swimming spots on the trail closest to the dc trailhead near the camping spots.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Zack (a year ago)

Johnny Behind the Rocks Trail System

• Address: 6401 US-287, Lander, WY 82520, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.9 (49)
• Website: Link
• Reviews:
  Always fun to ride in the desert. Definitely recommend mountain biking here if you’re in the area. Trails are easy and flowing.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Megan Brake (4 months ago)

  Go early as it is exposed and gets warm for most of the day. There are singletrack trails of varying difficulty through beatiful desert scenery.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Ben Nielsen (3 years ago)

  We took a road trip from Madison, WI to Logan, UT and decided to take US 20 as much as we could. Loved it. Mostly wide open through lots of beautiful spaces. Johnny Behind the Rocks was one of those places that we saw from the road and it looked so cool, we actually stopped and backed up and stayed for awhile. There’s alot here, more than we had time for, but it was one of the neatest chunks of rock we saw on the whole trip. So take US 20 on your next road trip and stop at this neat little roadside park and take a hike. We did and it was great!

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Jeff Bach (5 years ago)

  Short but fun trails through some beautiful geological features. A must ride if you are in the area for sure. Parking lot is pretty sparse on amenities

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Nick Przybysz (2 years ago)

  It was awesome! Great weather and views. Awesome trails! And the falls we a great place to have lunch!

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By mike landon (3 years ago)

Death Canyon Trailhead

• Address: Alta, WY 83414, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.8 (42)
• Reviews:
  The start of the trail to backpack in the Backcountry we hiked a mountain and had a great time.

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Steve Dempsey (5 months ago)

  Did a quick hike from Death Canyon Trailhead to Phelp’s Lake and back. Think it was only 2 miles or less roundtrip. The trailhead was packed with at least a hundred cars. We arrived there fairly late as we had come from central WY so lots of folks were on their way out and we snagged a spot pretty close to the start of the trail.

  The hike was beautiful and easy. The biggest hurdle was waiting for a bear to finish eating berries above the trail, poop on the trail and then cross down to eat more berries – this was about a 15 min or so wait. And then further down the trail almost to the lake we saw another bear. Made lots of noise the whole way down and back up – kept the kiddo between my husband and self.

  Phelp’s lake too was beautiful. Jumped in and had a nice cool down. Sandy beach, logs next to the water to sit on, trees for shade, very few people – what more could you ask for?

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By Suwei Wu (2 years ago)

  We started our 4-day Teton Crest Trail backpacking trip here. The shuttle (Teton Mountain Taxi) dropped us off a mile before the trailhead because the rest was a dirt road. Phelps Lake is easily accessible from here, and there’s a very nice resting spot right at the crest. We didn’t see or run into any wildlife.

  ✭✭✭✭ By Vipul Singh (3 months ago)

  Great hike for groups, youth, and people looking for some amazing views.

  The Road up the the Death Canyon trailhead is paved half way, the rest of the road is a very bumpy, pot holed, dirt road. I drove it with my Ford Explorer and had no problem getting to the trailhead. I did not need to put it in 4 Wheel drive. But if the road was super muddy or if there was snow on a road you would definitely want it. I did see cars (non-high clearance vehicles) at the trailhead. If you are gutsy and good dodging the biggest ruts and bumps you can get there in a car.

  The first mile of the trail wanders through the forest providing views of…the forest. But at the mile 1 point you come to Phelps Lake Overlook, which has a stunning view of the lake, especially if you catch it on a day so calm and clear as I did. Phelps lake was a mirror of the sky surrounded by a forest of pine. So stunning.

  From this overlook I hiked another .7 miles down the large switchback to the Phelps Lake/Death Canyon fork. Look to your right here and you will see a good little waterfall. I went straight and headed into Death Canyon. The trail is good and well maintained, but there was one section that was inundated with water. Not sure if this occurs year round or just when run off is happening. There were plenty of rocks to step on to avoid getting my boots wet. I went up the canyon 2.2 miles to the Patrol Cabin. The elevation gain was about 2,000 vertical feet (a good hearty ascent). The river was gushing and pouring down the canyon. The cliffs rose above me like mountainous cathedrals. I had to stop multiple times just to take it all in and look back down the canyon to see the view of Phelps lake. Beautiful. Once I got up to higher basin the trail leaved off and meandered passed the then lazy river, meadows, and rock fields (that were filled with Marmots, some of which were carrying around their newborns!) The patrol cabin was a great place to rest and turn around to head back down. There are two trails that continue on past the Patrol Cabin. Each goes on and on for miles. I have not hiked them….yet.

  This is bear country. Know the rules and be careful. A couple hikers passed me on their way down warning me of a black bear that was just past the Patrol Cabin. I didn’t see that one, but the warning did put me on alert. I saw another black bear later on my hike down by Phelps Lake.

  After hiking back down Death Canyon I took the Phelps Lake fork to go down to the lake. About a quarter of the way around the lake on the north side is a large boulder that juts out into the lake. It is about a half mile from the fork in the trail. The rock makes for a perfect “cliff” jumping spot into the freezing cold lake. No kidding, I took me a few tries before my body was able to breath again after jumping in. The drop is a fun heart pumping 20 feet. If rock jumping is not your thing, then it also provides a great view across the lake up into Death Canyon.

  Rather than hiking backup to Phelps Lake Overlook and over to my car, I continued down around the north side of the lake and over to the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center, where I was picked up and taken back to my car. This was approximately another 2.6 miles. Making my hike a total 9.2 miles. The hike took me about 8 hours.

  I found this to be a very memorable hike, with fantastic views, a good amount of physical challenge, and one I would happily do again. In fact I would recommend this canyon over Cascade Canyon if you are up for the steeper elevation gain. Enjoy!

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By WeSee Here (4 years ago)

  It’s nature… what’s not to love? People, the people who leave their trash, mark up the trees, take things, harass wildlife, and make it so the park isn’t enjoyable for others. I love this place with my whole heart and soul. Let’s keep it beautiful for everyone. The most beautiful trail is called Death Canyon. And I don’t know why!

  ✭✭✭✭✭ By lauren fuller (3 years ago)

Green River Lakes trailhead

• Address: Cora, WY 82925, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.8 (35)

Mount Washburn Trailhead 4K9

• Address: Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.8 (30)

Heart Mountain Ranch Preserve – Trailhead

• Address: Unnamed Rd,, Cody, WY 82414, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.3 (19)

Corner Mountain Trailhead

• Address: Medicine Bow National Forest, WY-130, Centennial, WY 82055, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.7 (17)

Lone Star Trailhead OK1

• Address: Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.9 (13)

Sepulcher Mountain Trailhead 1K1

• Address: Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.5 (11)

Elephant Back Mountain Trailhead

• Address: US-20, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.8 (10)

Wilkins Peak Trails TH

• Address: Scotts Bottom Rd, Green River, WY 82935, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.4 (7)

Cloud Peak Wilderness

• Address: Buffalo, WY 82834, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 5 (6)

Shadow Mountain North Trailhead

• Address: Bridger Teton National Forest, Forest Rd 30335, Jackson, WY 83001, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 3 (4)

Cedar Peak

• Address: Cody, WY 82414, United States
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.7 (3)

Thank you for reading! If you have any additional information on the best scenic mountains in Wyoming, please leave a comment above. We would love to hear from you!