Few places balance small-town charm with wild-west adventure quite like Cheyenne, Wyoming. Surrounded by sweeping prairie, granite ridges, and glittering reservoirs, Wyoming’ s capitol offers year-round outdoor fun just minutes from downtown. Whether you’re into hiking, biking, paddling, or simply soaking up Western sunsets, Cheyenne makes the perfect long-weekend getaway.
This story was created in partnership with Visit Cheyenne.
Day 1: Discover Cheyenne’s Urban Parks and Greenways
Kick off your Wyoming adventure with a morning along Cheyenne’s Greenway Trail System. More than 45 miles of paved paths connect parks, businesses, and neighborhoods. Locals love the Dry Creek and Sun Valley Greenways for their mix of open prairie and shaded sections, ideal for a casual bike ride or brisk walk to get to know your surroundings and soaking up the Cheyenne views.
Next, head to Lions Park, the heart of outdoor life in Cheyenne. Rent a kayak or stand-up paddle board to float across Sloan’s Lake, or stroll to the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, a solar-powered oasis filled with native blooms and desert-adapted plants. It’s a serene spot to picnic, birdwatch, or stretch your legs after traveling.
Continue your exploration at Holliday Park and its famous Big Boy locomotive, or follow the Greenway to Mylar Park where you might spot pronghorn grazing on the open hillsides. Cap off the evening downtown with dinner and a craft beer flight at Freedoms Edge Brewery, located right down the street from the historic train depot. Grab a nightcap at one of Cheyenne’s eccentric bars like Sanfords.
Day 2: Adventure Awaits at Curt Gowdy State Park
Day two calls for a scenic drive to start the day. Just 30 minutes west brings you to Curt Gowdy State Park, one of Wyoming’s most beloved outdoor playgrounds. The park’s mix of rolling prairie and granite outcrops is a dream for hikers, bikers, and paddlers alike.
Start with a morning ride or hike on the Stone Temple Circuit, part of the park’s award-winning IMBA mountain-bike network. For a moderate hike with a big payoff, take the Crow Creek to Hidden Falls Trail, where a shaded canyon leads to a small waterfall perfect for cooling off in summer.
As things warm up in the afternoon, rent a kayak or paddle board and hit Granite Springs or Crystal Reservoirs, whose calm waters and scenic cliffs make them ideal for a picnic paddle. Anglers can try their luck with rainbow trout, while birders might spot bald eagles or great blue herons gliding above the shoreline.
Pro tip: Stick around through golden hour—the light bouncing off the red rocks and water is truly spectacular and it’s a great time to see wildlife.
Afterward, head back to Cheyenne for a refined dinner at one of Cheyenne’s foody gems like The Metropolitan or Little Bear Inn.
Day 3: Scenic Drives and Western Wildlife
For your final day, take to the open road with a drive along Happy Jack Road (WY-210), a scenic byway linking Cheyenne to Laramie. The route winds through rolling grasslands and pine-covered ridges, with plenty of pullouts for short hikes, wildlife viewing, and panoramic photo stops.
Before you get back to real life, make a detour to Vedauwoo Recreation Area, famous for its dramatic granite towers and world-class rock climbing. Even a short stroll through the boulder fields offers jaw-dropping views of the ancient Sherman Granite formations. The three-mile Turtle Rock loop trail is a personal favorite to explore this wild place!
On your return to Cheyenne, make sure to stop at Terry Bison Ranch for a fun, family-friendly finale. Take the small train through the bison pasture, try guided horseback rides perfect for beginners, or enjoy a Western-style meal and some live music to cap off your vacation.
Planning Tips
- Best time to visit: May – October offers warm days, wildflowers, perfect hiking weather, and stunning sunsets.
- Where to stay: Downtown Cheyenne’s boutique hotels and B&Bs keep you close to dining and nightlife, while Curt Gowdy State Park offers scenic campsites for star-filled nights.
- Don’t forget: Cheyenne sits almost 1,000 feet (305 meters) in elevation higher than Denver, making it the second highest state capital in the US! To drink plenty of water and use sunscreen during your stay. Bring layers—high-plains weather changes quickly!
