What to Do in Cheyenne, WY: The Cowboy State Capital

Thinking about a trip to Wyoming’s capital? This guide covers all the best things to do in Cheyenne, plus what to eat and where to stay!

These days, it seems like everyone wants to be a cowboy. People dream of riding horses, wearing pointy boots, and dancing to twangy country songs in dusty saloons. It’s become a modern-day fantasy fueled by shows like Yellowstone and movies that romanticize the rugged lifestyle of the Old West.

Small towns and outfitters across the West have jumped on that bandwagon, offering “cowboy experiences” designed to give tourists a taste of this Western adventure. But let’s be honest — most of it is just that: fantasy. A quick, often cartoonish approximation of a way of life that’s long gone. That way of life doesn’t exist anymore, right?

That’s where Cheyenne, Wyoming, is different. The hats and spurs aren’t just for show. In Cheyenne, the cowboy lifestyle is alive and well. Here, you’ll find the grit, authenticity, and charm that the Old West once held, without the pretense. So, if you’re looking to experience true cowboy culture, you’ve come to the right place.

We’ve visited Cheyenne three times in recent years: once for a week of pet-sitting, once on a day trip from Denver, and another time when wildfires spoiled our plans of visiting Badlands and Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota, and we took an unplanned tour of Wyoming through Gillete, Casper, and Cheyenne.

Being from Montana, we’re admittedly not usually on the lookout for the cowboy lifestyle when we travel – but we were honestly blown away by all the fun things to do in Cheyenne. This guide covers everything you might want to know about Wyoming’s capital, from its museums and coffee shops to the unexpectedly great outdoor recreation just past the city limits.

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Best Things to Do in Cheyenne, Wyoming

Whether you’re a history buff, an outdoor enthusiast, or someone who loves cowboy culture, this little prairie town has something to offer. Here’s a roundup of the top things to do when you visit Cheyenne.

Get Some Historical Background at the Wyoming State Museum

Wyoming may be famous for its cowboys, but the state’s history has more layers than most people realize. Sure, it’s the “Cowboy State,” but Wyoming also holds the distinction of being the “Equality State.”

Why? Because it was the first state to grant women the right to vote — in 1870, 50 years before the 19th amendment passed. This alone gives Cheyenne a fascinating historical twist that goes beyond the typical cowboy narrative.

The Wyoming State Museum provides the perfect opportunity to learn more about that history, and it’s one of the best free things to do in Cheyenne. While there, you can explore exhibits that highlight not just cowboys and women’s rights, but also Native American culture, frontier life, and Wyoming’s role in shaping the country’s future.

Embark on a Scavenger Hunt for the Painted Cowboy Boots

Walking through downtown Cheyenne, you’ll start to notice one of the city’s more unique elements: giant, eight-foot-tall painted cowboy boots all over the place. These aren’t your ordinary boots, though.

Each one is uniquely designed and hand-painted by local artists, making them a perfect blend of Western flair and modern artistic expression. There are currently 35 boots scattered around the city, each standing as a tribute to local culture and creativity.

There’s even a scavenger hunt! You can pick up a brochure with a map at the Cheyenne Depot Museum (or download it online) to track down each boot. For added fun, an audio tour is available by calling (307) 316-0067 and typing in the boot number to hear a bit of history about each one. But honestly, part of the joy is simply wandering the streets and spotting them on your own.

Explore Cheyenne’s Frontier Days Old West Museum

No trip to Cheyenne would be complete without experiencing Cheyenne Frontier Days, the world’s largest outdoor rodeo, which draws thousands of visitors each July. B

ut if you’re visiting at another time of year, the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum lets you experience the spirit of the rodeo year-round. The museum is right by the rodeo grounds, and you’ll find everything from antique stagecoaches to rodeo memorabilia to Western art.

The museum also provides a behind-the-scenes look at the Cheyenne Frontier Days event itself, showcasing the history of the rodeo and how it became a cornerstone of the city’s culture. If you’re lucky, you may even get to watch a local rodeo practice session or see some of the grounds where the rodeo takes place.

Take an Underground Tour at the Quebec 1 ICBM Facility

Maybe it’s because I’m from Great Falls, which is also home to an ICBM installation, or maybe it’s because there’s something strangely fascinating about glimpsing the nuts and bolts of humanity’s destruction. Either way, visiting the Quebec 1 ICBM missile facility was one of my favorite things to do in Cheyenne.

The tour starts topside, wandering through Quebec 1’s support facilities – kitchen, communications equipment, and accommodations for the staff not directly controlling the missiles. You’re then escorted to an elevator, which descends 50 feet underground to a massive blast door.

Behind the door is the control room, where a crew of three, using computers from the 1980s (think giant floppy disks), are tasked with launching weapons that could end all life on earth. It’s a bizarre feeling, being down in a bunker, standing beside such powerful equipment.

Note that this is a summer-only activity. Even though the vast majority of the tour takes place underground, the facility is only open May through September.

See an ICBM at F.E. Warren Air Force Base

There aren’t any missiles on the underground tour of Quebec 1, so if you want to get up close and personal with some of the instruments of Earth’s destruction, head to F.E. Warren Air Base on Cheyenne’s western edge. Outside the base’s main gate sit decommissioned Peacecamper, Minuteman II, and Minuteman III missiles.

To learn about their development and deployment in the area, visit the base’s ICBM and Heritage Museum, another of the most unique attractions in Cheyenne. On display are uniforms and relics dating back to its time as an Army outpost in the 1800s, but most come for the Cold War and nuclear weapons exhibits.

Unless you’re active duty military, you’ll need to contact the museum three business days in advance to get a pass (90 days if you’re not a U.S. citizen).

Learn about the Role of Women at the Cowgirls of the West Museum

The Cowgirls of the West Museum takes the typically macho-heavy cowpoke narrative and turns it on its head. In fact, if there’s one thing we learned in Cheyenne, it’s that there’s no space for chauvinism on the frontier. Women played a vital role in building homesteads and working the ranches, as well as in politics, when Wyoming became the first state in the nation to give women the vote.

Sitting in the heart of downtown Cheyenne, the museum paints a vivid picture of the women of the frontier. Interactive displays delve into the hardships of frontier life with a special section honoring rodeo queens and competitive riders. The museum also features artifacts from ranching life, such as tools, letters, and photographs, showing day-to-day life for these incredible women.

It’s not all cowgirls and rodeos, though. The museum also puts a strong emphasis on Native American women in the area, along with the Chinese women who were vital to Cheyenne’s development during the Frontier age. And it’s free!

Stop in the Depot Museum

Along with cattle ranching, the railroads built the town of Cheyenne. That history is embodied in the elegant sandstone of the Cheyenne Depot Museum, which houses interactive displays and captivating photographs from its opening in the 1880s to the last train in 1979.

Admission is $10, so it’s not one of the best things to do in Cheyenne if you’re not a train enthusiast, especially when there are so many other great history museums. Wandering in the first section of the depot is free, though, and it’s worth checking out when you’re downtown.

Nerd Out at the NCAR Wyoming Supercomputing Center

Maybe it’s because this isn’t something you’d expect to see in Wyoming, or maybe I’m just a huge nerd, but visiting a super computer in Cheyenne is pretty cool. The NCAR is a cluster of processors that’s mainly used by universities and research institutions to study weather patterns and climate change.

However, it’s also open to the public, or at least the visitors center is, and it’s free to visit. It’s got interactive exhibits, and you can actually see the computing room and learn what it takes to run such a massive data-crunching machine. This is definitely one of the most unique things to do in Cheyenne, and it’s a must if you have any interest at all in computers, weather, or engineering.

Browse for Records at Ernie November Inc.

Ernie November has that classic record store vibe – bins upon bins of vinyl, Bob Marley tapestries, and the distinct aroma of… patchouli? For those of us who lived through the 90s and early 00s, these stores are a pleasant throwback to a time before digital downloads made music feel so impersonal.

I myself do not own a turntable or any vinyls. A carefully curated record collection just isn’t in the cards for a digital nomad, but I wholeheartedly respect the institution of the record store. As artists struggle to get by on streaming royalties and lackluster touring deals (thanks to Ticketmaster), I’m glad there’s a place where fans can still nerd out on merch, congregate with like-minded music lovers, buy tickets, and get stoked for local bands.

It’s especially cool in a smaller city like Cheyenne that you might not expect to have a vibrant music scene (it absolutely does). For more musical adventures, Downtown Vinyl is just around the corner and has some amazing deals in its literal bargain basement.

Browse the Cheyenne Farmers’ Market

Being a major agricultural center, Cheyenne has its fair share of farmers markets. The main Cheyenne Farmers’ Market takes place every Saturday morning from mid-August to mid-October at the Frontier Days Arena, and is a fundraiser for a non-profit fighting poverty in Cheyenne. You can support the cause by shopping for locally-produced meat, preserves, baked goods, produce, and much more.

There’s also the Tuesday market, selling similar items in the Frontier Mall parking lot on Tuesday afternoons from June to October. Then from November to the beginning of May, there’s a biweekly winter farmers’ market at the Cheyenne Depot that sells all kinds of food and crafts and even has live music.

Attend a Free Event at the Library

Skeptical that a mid-sized city’s public library is going to have an event worth attending while you’re on vacation? We were too, but the Laramie County Library maintains an active calendar. We went to a talk about prostitution in 19th-century Wyoming and a fascinating concert by No-No Boy within the same week.

Whether it’s introductory arts and crafts classes, yoga, cultural presentations, or movie nights, the library will probably have something to offer while you’re in town, and the events are always free of charge.

Enjoy Some Family Fun at Flippers Arcade

Whether you’re looking for things to do in Cheyenne with kids or you’re a grown-up who just needs a moment to relax during a big day of travel adventures, it’s hard to beat an hour or two at the pinball arcade.

Flippers has over 20 different pinball games, from super rare machines like “Chicago Fire” to classics we’ve all enjoyed like “Indiana Jones.” Not a pinball aficionado? There are plenty of other arcade games, including Big Buck Hunter, skeeball, and all sorts of redemption games for earning tickets. On Monday nights, you can even play unlimited games for just $10.

Ride Along on the Trolley Tour

Yes, trolley tours can be touristy and corny, but they’re also great for getting the lay of the land and learning a lot about an area in a short period (while riding in a ridiculous vehicle).

During the summer, the Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley Tour departs from the Depot to cruise past some of the city’s most iconic landmarks and historic buildings, all while your guide regales you with tales of the Old West. Tours run twice daily in the summer and on weekends only in the winter. There are also a few special tours around holidays – like the Halloween tour, showcasing the spooky side of Cheyenne.

Take a Self-Guided Tour of the State Capitol

Roughly half of state capitol buildings across the country are considered National Historic Landmarks, and Cheyenne’s is one of them. Having been remodeled in the late 90s, its capitol building is exquisitely beautiful with stained glass ceilings, intricate handrails on the stairs, and marble desk tops.

Plus it’s fun to see where the business of government takes place, even if it’s not your own state. Self-guided tours are available on weekdays during business hours.

Relax Amongst the Greenery at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens

In a dusty cowpoke town, sometimes you need an escape – an escape to somewhere lush and green. Somewhere like the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens. Its subtropical conservatory is a green oasis of plant life curated from various locales around the world, most of which are far wetter and have much milder winters than Cheyenne.

Strolling through the foliage feels like a vacation unto itself, but the nine-acre facility also showcases some of the state’s spectacular native trees and shrubbery in its outdoor gardens. The meditative labyrinth at its center is one of the more calming activities in Cheyenne and a great way to decompress on a busy trip.

The gardens are completely free to visit, so this is a great option if you’re looking for budget-friendly attractions in Cheyenne.

Ride the Bison Train at Terry Ranch Resort

Only a 15-minute drive south of the city, this is an easy stop to add to your Cheyenne itinerary. The Terry Ranch offers a variety of experiences – fishing, horseback riding, and a self-guided nature tour – but most visitors come for the bison train. The 1.5-hour train tour winds its way through the ranch, providing excellent photo ops of the bison and the ranch’s other livestock.

Nothing compares to the majesty of the American Bison, one of the most enduring symbols of the country. Unfortunately, there aren’t many opportunities to see these incredible creatures. If you have the chance, I recommend seeing bison in their more natural state in Yellowstone National Park. However, if that sort of journey’s not in the cards, the Terry Bison Ranch is probably the next best thing.

Have a Lake Day at Curt Gowdy State Park

Wyoming has just 12 state parks (which we have to say is a paltry number, compared to the 55 in our home state of Montana). Fortunately, one of those parks is only 20 minutes from Cheyenne – Curt Gowdy State Park. It’s got hiking and bike trails, nearly 200 campsites, and an enormous Visitor’s Center, plus frequent events in the summer.

With three large reservoirs within its boundaries, the park is also a popular spot for fishing and boating, motorized or not. If you need something to paddle, Gypsy Outdoor Sports at the Visitor’s Center can rent you a kayak, SUP, or canoe. Crystal Reservoir, the most southerly of the three, bans jet skis, so this is probably the best spot for paddling.

The entrance fee to Curt Gowdy is $7 per vehicle for Wyoming residents and $12 for non-residents.

Take a Hike at Vedauwoo Recreation Area

Compared to nearby Colorado, the hiking in southeastern Wyoming looks pretty bland. Vedauwoo Recreation Area, a half hour east of Cheyenne, is a notable exception, though, with its 10 square miles of billion-year-old granite rock formations that look to be from an alien world.

The 500-foot crags are popular with climbers, but several hiking trails crisscross the rock formations and are suitable for all ages and experience levels. It sits at over 8,000 feet in elevation, so bring extra water, wear sunscreen, and allow plenty of time for breaks.

Check Out an Additional Museum in Cheyenne

There are SO many museums in Cheyenne, you’d never be able to visit them all on one trip (nor would you want to, honestly). I listed all of my favorites up above, but if you’re a museum buff or just looking for more things to do in Cheyenne, these are some additional museums to check out:

Nelson Museum of the West

Chock-full of taxidermied beasts, Old West firearms, and Native American artifacts, the Nelson is a great stop for anyone who loves antiques and memorabilia of the Wild West. . Admission is under $5, but it’s only open May-October.

Historic Governor’s Mansion

Home to Wyoming’s governor from 1905 until 1976 – including America’s first female governor in 1925 – the mansion is a beautifully preserved slice of Wyoming history showcasing the furniture, decor, and style of the Chief of State. Self-guided audio tours are free, and can be downloaded to your phone. The mansion is open most of the year, but closed January-March.

Wyoming National Guard Museum

Cheyenne is plumb full of military history, but mostly focused on the federal troops. The WYO National Guard Museum looks at the work and lives of state-level soldiers, and military history buffs will love visiting. Displays of medals, uniforms, and personal equipment line the walls inside the museum, while a trainer jet and artillery pieces sit just outside its walls. The museum is small but free to visit, and it’s open Wednesday to Saturday.

Messenger Old West Museum

If the carriages at the Frontier Days Museum weren’t enough, there are plenty more to ogle over at the Messenger Museum. Located at Cheyenne Storage units, the cavernous warehouse is the private collection of the Messenger family displaying all manner of Frontier-era conveyance alongside bear and wolf mounts. It’s open only on weekdays and is free to visit.

What to Do in Cheyenne, WY, in the Winter

Sure, southeastern Wyoming isn’t exactly known for its skiing, and Colorado is just over the border. But if you’re stuck in the flatlands, don’t worry – there are still plenty of things to do in Cheyenne in the winter, even if it’s not at a world-class ski resort.

Hit the Slopes at Snowy Range Ski Area

It’s not Jackson and it’s certainly not Vail, but at an hour and a half away, Snowy Range is the closest ski hill to Cheyenne. And it’s nothing to sneeze at either.

With an annual snowfall of around 250 inches and 900 feet of vertical drop, Snowy Range is a solid family hill with a few black diamonds to challenge more experienced skiers and boarders. You can’t beat the price either, with ticket prices just a hair over $50.

Go Ice Fishing at Curt Gowdy State Park

What southeastern Wyoming lacks in mountains, it more than makes up for in lakes and ponds, with three reservoirs to choose from at Curt Gowdy State Park. Beneath the ice you’ll find rainbow, cutthroat, brown, and brook trout along with splake and suckers. Just be sure to check the ice before you venture out – it needs to be four inches thick to walk on and a foot or more to drive a vehicle over it.

Get a Workout Cross-Country Skiing at Happy Jack Recreation Area

But what to do in Cheyenne in the winter if you don’t ski or fish? Head to Happy Jack.

This slice of Forest Service land 40 minutes to the west, is the perfect spot for cross-country skiing near Cheyenne. It’s got over a dozen trail loops, many of them short and flat, along with a few challenging slopes for the more experienced Nordic skier.

Trails are groomed daily for classic and skate skiing, but there are a few trails outside the main track that remain ungroomed for snowshoeing and fat tire biking. If you need to rent equipment, Rock on Wheels in Cheyenne is your best bet.

Best Eats in Cheyenne, WY: Restaurants, Cafes, & Breweries

Ask anyone about things to eat in Cheyenne, and they’ll likely suggest a steakhouse. This is Wyoming – it’s beef country, and it’s what’s for dinner. I’m not much for steakhouses, though, so instead I’ll focus on some of the quirkier dining options that you otherwise might not consider when visiting this cattle town.

Get a Bagel & Schmear from Mort’s

Starting with the most important meal of the day and one of my favorite ways to get a carb fix, there are bagels. Mort’s is Cheyenne’s only dedicated bagel shop, and it has a huge selection of unique cream cheese and bagel flavors, allowing for such unconventional combos as an apple cinnamon bagel with artichoke schmeer (if you are so inclined).

Caffeine Up at the Paramount Cafe

Cheyenne has plenty of great spots to get your caffeine fix, but the Paramount Cafe has them all beat when it comes to ambiance. Housed in a turn-of-the-century theater, the Paramount has a more cosmopolitan feel than you’d expect from a Cheyenne coffee shop, with beautiful artwork adorning its walls and live music in the evenings. There’s even a patio where you can savor your cuppa amongst some spectacular murals.

Indulge Your Sweet Tooth at Delectable Donuts

Need something sweeter for your morning meal (…or afternoon, no judgment)? Delectable Donuts is an old-school shop selling perfectly-crisped cake donuts and fluffy-as-a-cloud yeast varieties, but with a few twists like caramel apple glaze and blueberry cheesecake.

Amazing entrepreneurs that they are, the shop doubles as an incredibly highly-rated sushi restaurant. It sounds weird, but there’s not a lot of overlap between peak donut-buying time and sushi-ordering time.

Order a Pie from Bella Fuoco Wood-Fired Pizza

Every city needs a rock-solid pizza shop, and Bella Fuoco is definitely Cheyenne’s. The crust is a perfect pairing of bubbly crispiness with a chewy center, and delicious topping combinations include gorgonzola bacon and hot cherry peppers with italian sausage. There’s also a delightful patio out back for when the weather’s warm.

Walk Up to the Destination Taiwan Food Shack

Blink and you’ll miss Destination Taiwan’s little shack out in the northeast hinterlands, serving up authentic Taiwanese cuisine like pork & leek buns, chive pancakes, tea eggs, and bubble tea.

It’s walk-up only and not much larger than your typical coffee shack (it’s Wyoming’s smallest commercial kitchen), but loaded with unique culinary experiences bursting with flavor. If you go to one restaurant in Cheyenne, make it this one.

Grab a Bag of Momos from Durbar Nepalese & Indian Bistro

Sure, it’s in a strip mall sandwiched between a trampoline park and a party store, but sometimes that’s where you find the best food, especially in Wyoming. I think Durbar serves some of the best food in Cheyenne, with all your standard Indian dishes like tikka masala, kormas, and curries.

But most importantly (if you ask me), they also make Nepalese momos. Steamed or fried and filled with chicken or vegetables, these dumplings are a little piece of heaven.

Have a Pint at Freedom’s Edge Brewing Company

You’ll find a half dozen breweries and distilleries in Cheyenne, and they’re all great, but I have a special place in my heart for Freedom’s Edge. The squat cinder block building has the look of an old mechanics garage, and there are dollar bills pinned to the ceiling (you’ll have to ask a regular how the customers get them up there).

It’s got a good vibe, and their chili ale is probably the best spicy beer I’ve had anywhere. They don’t serve food though, so if you need some sustenance, head over to Accomplice Beer Company in the old train depot.

Best Day Trips from Cheyenne

With so many attractions in Cheyenne, you’re unlikely to be short on entertainment. However, the city is also an excellent jumping off point for adventures throughout northern Colorado, western Nebreska, and southern Wyoming, including our favorite Cheyenne day trips. These are all within a two-hour drive:

Laramie, WY

Perhaps the hippest town in Wyoming, Laramie is consistently rated as one of the coolest college towns in the U.S. Yeah, we’re surprised too. Even if you’ve long since left the hazy days of your early 20s, though, this town of just over 30,000 is chocked full of quirky fun.

It’s home to the old Wyoming Territorial Prison, where many a horse thief eventually found themselves. Then there’s a massive pyramid commissioned by two railroad tycoon brothers as a testament to their own greatness. There’s even a weird 30-foot-tall bronze and granite bust of Abraham Lincoln.

Denver, CO

Denver is undoubtedly one of our favorite cities, with so much street art, amazing restaurants and breweries, not to mention the spectacular outdoor opportunities on the edge of the city.

Plus, if you’re like me and watched every episode of “How Stuff Works”, you’re going to love this city. There are free tours of all sorts of factories like the Denver Mint, Hammonds Candy, and Celestial Seasonings Tea in nearby Boulder. While it used to be free, the Coors Brewery tour in Golden now costs $20, but you do get nearly three beers worth of samples, so it’s definitely worth it.

Scottsbluff, NE

Wondering what could possibly be fun about Nebraska? Well for one, runzas. They’re a little sandwich pocket unique to the Cornhusker State and perhaps the best regional fast food restaurant we’ve encountered anywhere.

Runza aside, though, the town of Scottsbluff has some fascinating Oregon Trail history, incredible views at Scottsbluff National Monument, and even a lighthouse and sandy beach on a nearby lake.

Rocky Mountain National Park

If you haven’t been, RMNP should be at the top of your national parks priority list (alongside Glacier, Rainier, and Canyonlands, if you ask us). It’s the type of national park you could spend an entire summer at, but if you only have a day to enjoy it, drive Trail Ridge Road. Topping out at 12,100 feet, it’s America’s fourth-highest paved road and the highest in the National Park System.

Places to Stay in Cheyenne, Wyoming

When it comes to accommodations, Cheyenne runs the gambit. There are dozens of chain hotels, many of them very budget-friendly with rooms for under $100. There are also a few luxury-minded B&Bs and short-term rentals that cater to the wealthier cowpokes.

It bears repeating, though, that if you’re coming for Frontier Days, it’s best to book six months in advance. Rooms are still eye-wateringly expensive, but at least you’ll have a place to stay. Try booking the week before, and you’ll find every hotel room is spoken for and modest Airbnbs run $500 or more per night.

Hotels in Cheyenne, WY

Given the popularity of Frontier Days and the fact that it’s the commercial and political capital of the state, there are certainly plenty of Cheyenne hotels to choose from. These are listed from cheapest to most expensive:

My Place Hotel Cheyenne

Like other My Place Hotels, this is something of an extended-stay-lite. Rooms are spacious and comfortable with a full-sized refrigerator, microwave, and stovetop, but lack pots, pans, and utensils for cooking (they sell them in the hotel store). That probably sounds useless to anyone unaccustomed to this setup, but experienced roadtrippers bringing their own supplies can save money by cooking their own food.

Plains Hotel

Most of the hotels in Cheyenne were built in the last couple decades and are owned by giant national chains, but not the Plains. This independent gem dates back to 1911, and the beautifully restored lobby exudes that historic charm. The rooms could use an update, but if you spring for one of the suites, the vintage furniture is pretty snazzy.

Prairie Rose B&B

Those looking for a more personal touch will love this little house on the prairie north of the city. It’s a full-service B&B with a host (Ellyn) who’ll regale you with all manner of stories about the area. The breakfast is top-notch, and the furnishings make for a homey feel you won’t get from the chain hotels downtown.

Cheyenne Airbnb & VRBO Rentals

For a truly unique Cheyenne experience, skip the hotels and search for more bespoke accommodations on VRBO or Airbnb.

Luxury 3-Bedroom House: An expertly-designed home that was once the abode of Wyoming governor, with an interior straight out of Yellowstone

Budget-Friendly Downtown Studio: A cute space with just enough room for a couple, within walking distance of Cheyenne’s best restaurants and shops

The Barndemenium: Room for five, in a modernist twist on a hundred-year-old dairy barn

Cottage Near the Capitol: All the comforts of home in a chic two-bedroom home, half a mile from the capitol building and Wyoming State Museum

Camping in Cheyenne, WY

If you’re searching for budget-friendly accommodations, there are plenty of Cheyenne campgrounds to choose from, offering both RV and tent sites. Several of them are within a half hour drive, making them nearly as convenient as a hotel at a fraction of the price.

Curt Gowdy State Park

Only 25 miles west of Cheyenne, this is one of the closest options for camping near Cheyenne. It’s actually halfway between Cheyenne and Laramie, making it a good spot to basecamp if both towns are on your itinerary. Sites run a little over $18 for Wyoming residents and double that for non-residents.

There are three reservoirs within the park boundary, so bring a boat or at least some fishing gear if you visit Cheyenne during the summer. The historic Hynd’s Lodge on the north end of the park hosts concerts, plays, and other types of events.

Vedauwoo Campground

Thirty-five west of Cheyenne, Vedauwoo is ideal for roadtrippers wanting to spend more time in nature or take advantage of the incredible hiking in this area. It’s all first-come, first-served, so be sure to check in early on a Friday if you want a weekend spot.

Vedauwoo Dispersed Camping

If you’re traveling in an RV or have a camp toilet and don’t need the facilities of a campground, FS Road 700 right behind Vedauwoo offers nearly 100 dispersed campsites free of charge. Just be sure to bring plenty of water.

As with the campground and other accommodations in Cheyenne, every site will be taken during Frontier Days if you’re not there several days in advance.

Getting to Cheyenne, WY

Getting anywhere in Wyoming can be a challenge, but Cheyenne is nowhere near as remote as other towns like Casper or Jackson. Cheyenne even has an airport – though the only flights are to Denver, which is actually a relatively short drive.

There’s also a shuttle from Denver International Airport to Cheyenne that costs $60 each way. You’ll need a car to get around town, though, so it’s probably better to fly into Denver, rent a car there, and drive the hour and forty-five minutes (when there’s not unbearable traffic) up to Cheyenne.

Map of Cheyenne, Wyoming

There are so many things to see in Cheyenne that we thought a map might be helpful for finding all the hotels, restaurants, and sights mentioned in the post.

Click here for an interactive version of the map!

If you were wondering what to do in Cheyenne (and thinking there might not be much), we hope you’re pleasantly surprised by how much this town has to offer – we sure were!

What else do you want to know about visiting Cheyenne, Wyoming?

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