WYOMING

MEMORIES

WELCOME TO WYOMING

Jennie and I want to take this opportunity to welcome you to Wyoming and to our nation’s oldest national park. We are eager to help you discover what we love about our state. We know Yellowstone well, from Old Faithful to the remotest parts of the Thorofare and the Bechler River. These are just some of the gems of Yellowstone National Park, which is celebrating its historic 150th anniversary. While you may be aware that Yellowstone was the fi rst national park in the world, you should also know that 96% of the park is located in Wyoming. Many of the more than 4 million annual visitors to the park arrive by car, where they are aff orded the opportunity to get a fi rsthand taste of our beautiful state. Relax and enjoy what you can fi nd here. Most visitors to Yellowstone never get farther than half a mile from the road, and yet the magic of this national treasure, and its spiritual horsepower, is best experienced the farther from pavement that you get. Yellowstone’s setting, like that of a fi ne diamond, is equally wonderful. We would be remiss not to let you know about some of our lesser-known, equally precious spots like Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area to the east of the park and Grand Teton National Park and Togwotee Pass to the south. If you are willing to step off the beaten path, you will be rewarded with expansive views; rugged mountain ranges like the Bighorns or the Wyoming range; abundant wildlife in our national forests; and the unique fl avor of authentic rural communities. Remember, Wyoming’s state park system is second to none. Buff alo Bill, Hot Springs, Boysen and Sinks Canyon State Parks off er a wealth of recreational opportunities, including camping, boating, fi shing and hiking. And don’t forget, there are some wonderful rodeos, museums, homecooked foods and great things to do almost anywhere you go in big, wonderful Wyoming. Jennie and I would like to formally congratulate Yellowstone on its sesquicentennial anniversary. I hope that Wyoming’s warm Western hospitality accompanies you throughout your Yellowstone adventure and wherever your travels take you in our state. Enjoy, and fi nd out for yourself why the writer Wallace Stegner said, “National parks are the best idea we ever had.” Sincerely,

abundant wildlife in our national forests; and the unique fl avor of authentic rural communities. Remember, Wyoming’s state park system is second to

Mark Gordon Governor of Wyoming