Tourism

Pledge to adventure responsibly Courtesy of the Wyoming Office of Tourism

We’re all longing for space to be wild and free. Wyoming offers that safe haven for visitors. But it comes with a responsibility. We encourage all who visit to join us in caring for the health of our natural spaces, the wildness of the outdoors and the well-being of ourselves and our neighbors.

Enjoy natural spaces responsibly

Wyoming’s wide-open spaces make for epic camping and hiking. But before you set out, here are a few things to know. • Avoid overcrowding: Outdoor recreation is more popular than ever right now, causing overcrowding in some of Wyoming’s most beautiful areas. So what do you do if you show up to a trail and the parking lot is packed? Instead of joining the crowd, know what other options are around. Be ready to seek different trails and lesser-known experiences. You can find ideas here. • Keep it clean: Almost half of Wyoming’s 98,000 square miles is publicly owned, including many undeveloped areas that have no bathrooms or garbage facilities. It is up to all of us to do our part in keeping these spaces clean. Take all trash with you when you leave, don’t burn glass and metal in your campfire and bury human waste at least 100 feet from water sources. • Be fire aware: Help prevent human-caused fires by following basic best practices. Respect fire bans in place, choose a campsite with a pre-existing fire ring whenever possible and never leave your fire unattended. Make sure you have plenty of water available to put out your fire; you’ll need to completely extinguish it at night and before you leave camp. • Stick to the trails: Ride, hike or drive only on designated trails to help reduce impacts and protect wildlife. Planning to do some off-roading? The state of Wyoming requires a permit to use trails and roads that are part of Wyoming’s state off road vehicle program.

Co-exist responsibly

Wyoming’s wildlife is plentiful and powerful. Please consider these tips so we can all peacefully co-exist. • Staying safe: For the safety of wildlife and visitors, please keep a safe distance from all wildlife, not just the animals that seem scary to you. It’s recommended to stay at least 25 yards away from elk or bison and 100 yards away from bears and wolves.

Find more information here on wildlife safety and best watching spots. • Respecting wildlife: Wyoming is filled with some of the largest and longest migrations in the world. To keep it that way, we ask visitors to respect habitats by not altering campsites, trails or developed recreation sites. • Fishing: If you plan to enjoy Wyoming’s incredible fishing, be sure to visit here for licenses and boat inspection information.

Be part of a responsible community

The spirit of the west is wild and welcoming. But it’s not reckless. Together, we follow these key guidelines. • Be healthy: Please respect posted signs and announcements for health and safety guidelines and requirements so we can continue to enjoy our community spaces.

Be flexible: Many government agencies and visitor centers are operating with reduced staff and resources due to COVID-19.

Planning ahead – especially for those new to the outdoors – and being flexible can help reduce the demands on these smaller crews and enhance your travel experience in Wyoming.

Be an early bird: Early birds avoid the crowds. Visit the parks during non-peak hours (before 9 a.m. and after 3 p.m.) and seasons (April and May, September and October) for a more intimate experience.

Be prepared: Wyoming’s open roads and beautiful scenery were built for road trips. But there are a few things to be aware of. Keep an eye out for wildlife unexpectedly crossing the road.

Bring a map (especially in areas where cell service is inconsistent). And make reservations – for camping or a hotel stay – ahead of time so you don’t have to scramble at the last minute.

This is currently a requirement for all Wyoming State Park campsites. n