Our nation's most sparsely populated state sits in the northwestern corner, between Montana and Colorado. It shares traits with both, uniting the wide-open spaces of Montana with the ruggedness and wild-west past of Colorado. (The state license plate is a bucking bronco.) It's a great place to visit any time of year depending on what you want: hiking and wildlife sightings in warmer months, or downhill skiing and snowmobiling in winter.
Wedding Requirements Getting hitched here is easy. Provided both parties are over 18, there is no waiting period and no blood tests required. And the license must be issued in person. Sites abound, from family-friendly dude ranches to historic b&bs and hotels inside the nationals and state parks. Pay tribute to the state's cowboy culture by arriving at the ceremony on horseback, and handing out cowboy hats to your guests for the reception.
Things to Do
Yellowstone The oldest park in our national park system (it was designated in 1872) draws 3 million visitors a year, who come to savor its natural beauty. The park is massive -- think Rhode Island and Delaware combined -- but the majority of it lies within Wyoming's borders, including the iconic Old Faithful geyser. You could spend weeks here, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and fishing. No matter how you choose to enjoy it, keep an eye for the copious wildlife, which includes grizzlies, grey wolves, elk and buffalo. Accommodations run the gamut from pack-in, pack-out campground to RV parks and cozy lodges with all the amenities.
Jackson Hole Yellowstone gets all the fame, but Grand Teton National Park is one of the most stunning sites in the world, home to peaks that reach 13,000 feet. Make your starting point the Jackson Valley, home to the largest airport. On your drive into town, you'll pass The Elk National Refuge, the largest established elk reserve in North America, where up to 9,000 creatures gather in the winter months to ride out the snow. The town of Jackson charms any time of year, thanks to a wide array of restaurants, art-filled galleries, eclectic shops (leather goods are a must-buy) and the landmark Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, which has been serving up cold beer and live country music since 1937. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is loved by skiers and boarders, for its deep powder and rugged terrain. In the summer months, head out into the park for hiking, mountain biking and white-water rafting along the Snake River.
Off the Beaten Path
The Wild West There is no better place in Wyoming to get acquainted with the state's cowboy past than in this northwestern town. Named after frontier soldier-showman Buffalo Bill Cody, it's home to Buffalo Bill Historical Center, where a collection of five separate museums (including the Whitney Gallery of Western Art, the Cody Firearms Museum and the Plains Indians Museum) covers all aspects of the western experience. Visit in summer months and you can catch the Cody Nite Rodeo, which is the nation's longest-running contest (55 years and counting). The sport's best riders converge every July 4th weekend for the Cody Stampede. Cody is just 52 miles east of Yellowstone so it makes a great start or end to a park trip. — Susan Moynihan
