Beyond Yellowstone Wyoming’s National Monuments and Protected Landscapes

Wyoming is home to some of the West’s most underrated protected places—where a sacred volcanic tower rises from the plains, fossils preserve a 52-million-year-old lake ecosystem, and a deep-blue reservoir cuts through canyon country.

Long before America’s national parks became go-to road-trip destinations, the federal government began protecting culturally and scientifically significant landscapes. The Antiquities Act of 1906 allows presidents to designate national monuments. That legacy shows up in big, specific stories—Indigenous ties that are still active today, prehistoric life locked in stone, and public lands built for both learning and recreation.

In Wyoming, stories are preserved, just waiting for your next weekend getaway.

America’s First: Devils Tower National Monument

Rising 867 feet above the surrounding landscape, Devils Tower National Monument is a massive igneous rock formation jutting from the plains of northeastern Wyoming. It’s also the first national monument in the country, founded in 1906 for the stories it preserves.

For many Indigenous tribes, including the Lakota, Cheyenne, Crow and Kiowa peoples, the site is sacred. Oral histories and cultural traditions tied to the tower remain deeply important today, and visitors are encouraged to approach the monument with respect and awareness of its significance.

Geologically speaking, the tower continues to spark fascination. Scientists believe it formed from magma that cooled underground millions of years ago before erosion stripped away the surrounding sedimentary rock, leaving behind the striking vertical columns visible today.

Explore the monument on foot with five hiking trails all connected to get whatever perspective of the tower best fits your interests. While hiking, look out for wildlife, especially on the South Side trail, where prairie dogs chatter throughout their nearby colonies. For the birders, it’s not uncommon to spot falcons and eagles as well. And for the more adventurous, the site is world-famous among rock climbers, though many climbers voluntarily avoid climbing during June out of respect for Indigenous ceremonial practices.

Camping is available nearby, and the small community of Hulett offers western charm, lodging and access to the surrounding Black Hills region. Learn more at nps.gov/deto/index.htm.

A World-Class Preserve: Fossil Butte National Monument

Some of the best-preserved fossils in the world are in southwest Wyoming. More than 52 million years ago, this landscape sat beneath a freshwater lake teeming with life. Fish darted through the water while crocodiles, turtles, insects, birds and early mammals inhabited the surrounding subtropical environment. Today, those ancient ecosystems are visible within the rock layers protected at Fossil Butte National Monument.

Head to the visitor’s center, where you’ll find fossils of several species of fish, turtles, insects and plants. And don’t skip a bathroom break here, because you’ll find even more fossil displays. Both the men’s and women’s restrooms include displays of nearly 10,000 coprolites (or fossilized poop, quite appropriately placed) collected in 733 matching sets.

Ranger-led talks and educational programs help bring the prehistoric landscape to life, with a Fossil Preparation Demonstration and summer programs for kids.

Beyond the fossils themselves, the surrounding high-desert landscape offers scenic overlooks and hiking trails. Wildlife sightings are common, and the quiet scenery provides a stark but beautiful contrast to Wyoming’s mountainous regions. Learn more at nps.gov/fobu/index.htm.

Canyon Waters & Wild Country: Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area

Stretching across the Wyoming-Utah border, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area delivers a different side of the state. Centered around a 91-mile-long reservoir along the Green River, the recreation area was created following construction of the Flaming Gorge Dam in the 1960s. Fishing remains one of the biggest draws thanks to populations of trout and kokanee salmon. But truly, the list of activities to do here is practically endless, including boating, biking, hiking, birding, horseback riding (guided or independent), hunting and shooting and a lot of winter sports.

For travelers wanting a slower-paced experience, the scenic drives through the area are unforgettable. Portions of the Flaming Gorge-Uintas National Scenic Byway reveal Ashly National Forest’s sweeping overlooks, canyon vistas and access to interpretive stops. Don’t want to drive? Join the Flaming Gorge Bus Tour, which takes you to lookout stops and places to eat along the way—with ice cream stops included.

Learn more at fs.usda.gov/r04/ashley/recreation/flaming-gorge-national-recreation-area-0.

Plan your Wyoming trip at travelwyoming.com.