Sometimes you just want to hop in the car, turn the music up and get away from it all. There are a lot of roads in Wyoming where you can do this but there is one in particular that stands out among the rest. This road through the Red Desert in Wyoming literally looks and feels as if you are out in the middle of nowhere. You are pretty much guaranteed not to see another living soul except for maybe an animal or two. Check out part of the route on Google Maps.
The road is known as Bar X Road or Sweetwater County Rd. 21. This road snakes through the northwest corner of the Red Desert in Wyoming for 75 miles.
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To get to Bar X Road, take Exit 152 off of I-80. The road is relatively well maintained and will accommodate for 2-wheel-drive vehicles.
The Red Desert contains over 9,000 square miles and is located on the Continental Divide and contains the Great Divide Basin.
The desert consists of alkali flats, sagebrush steppe, dunes, buttes, pinnacles and badlands. This is the largest unfenced area in the United States.
The desert is also home to ferret, prairie dogs, rabbits, grouse, pronghorn, elk, mule deer and wild horses.
Emigrants following the Oregon Trail traveled across the Red Desert. Some of the two tracks still remain in the desert.
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Check out this video of the drive by YouTube user Kyle Murphy.
Before heading out on this road, make sure you have plenty of gas, a GPS and are loaded up with plenty of water. You can drive for miles and never see any signs of civilization.
Are you looking for the most magical place in the West during the holidays? Christmas in Jackson Hole, Wyoming is certainly a sight to see! All year round, Jackson Hole ranks among the best small towns in the U.S. — but during the holidays, this town truly shines. Come with me to marvel at the city’s stunning Town Square all decked out with lights, one of the best places in the state to enjoy an enchanting winter wonderland.
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Jackson is a major town in the state, and Jackson Hole is the name of the valley which extends approximately 80 miles long and 15 miles wide.
Every year, Jackson, Wyoming is home to a beautiful and welcoming Town Square. During the holiday season, it lights up with the spirit of Christmas and everyone on the Square spends weeks preparing for the busy holiday season ...
The most impressive sight is the elk antler arch, strung up with hundreds of twinkling lights. This beautiful holiday light display is one of the things that makes a Jackson, Wyoming Christmas so magical. In fact, people come from all over to experience the holidays here.
And while admiring the incredible lights and decor in Jackson's Town Square is an absolute must this time of the year, there is so much more to do. For example, Christmas in Jackson Hole just wouldn’t be complete without shopping! And while here, you’ll find dozens of boutiques that sell unique and handmade goods, clothing, home products, and so forth. Who says that the only thing to do in Jackson Hole is winter sports?
For some wintertime fun, rent a pair of ice skates and go for a spin on the ice rink in the middle of town! Or, just outside of town, plan a visit to the National Elk Refuge.
The National Elk Refuge is a fantastic place to see wildlife, embark upon a holiday sleigh ride, and more.
You can also make time to visit Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
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Arguably one of the best ski areas in the world, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort draws avid skiers from all over the country and Canada as well.
No matter how you spend Christmas in Jackson, Wyoming, you'll fall in love with the charm of Town Square and all of the winter adventures that surround the area. Just make sure that while here, you give yourself plenty of time to visit several of the town's amazing restaurants. If you are a foodie, this is your kind of place!
What are your favorite things to do in Jackson Hole, Wyoming? Have you ever spent Christmas in Jackson Hole, Wyoming? If you have, be sure to share your favorite photos of the holiday lights in Jackson Hole! If you haven’t yet, be sure to make it a point to visit for a day or even a short getaway before the holiday season is over. You can also learn more about this festive town and see more amazing photos on the Visit Jackson Hole Facebook Page.
Are you counting down the days to Christmas? If so, did you start your holiday shopping? Check out our list of cool holiday gift ideas that are perfect for folks who love to travel.
Wyoming is such a beautiful state. While our high mountain prairie and grasslands are quite a sight to behold, it's no secret that the mountains are what call to most of us. Explore three of the most scenic ranges in the state - the Tetons, the Absarokas, and the Big Horns - on this 3-day road trip in Wyoming:
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Looking for the ultimate mountain adventure trip that showcases the best of northern Wyoming? Look no further than this weekend road trip in Wyoming!
Your trip starts off in the incomparable Jackson Hole Valley.
The town of Jackson is in the heart of the valley, and Grand Teton National Park is several miles north of town. You'll also find Teton Village, the National Elk Refuge, the National Museum of Wildlife Art, and countless shops and restaurants around. It's a hard place to leave, but your trip is just beginning!
Spend time in the Teton Range, hiking through Grand Teton National Park, or stopping at the many pullouts to stare in awe at vistas that are unlike any other spot on the planet.
Make sure to wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring plenty of water. These sights are so stunning, you'll never want to leave!
If you take your time traveling through the park, you can see lots of wildlife. Moose, elk, black bears, grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, and pika are plentiful in the Teton area!
If you're lucky, you might even be able to snap a few photographs.
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It's time to head north, though, and to continue your first day of the trip by heading up to Yellowstone National Park.
While "rushing" through the park is never really recommended, you can still see plenty of geyser basins, thermal features, and unique sights as you make your way up to your second mountain range of the day.
Be sure to stop in the Canyon area! The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is a remarkable, memorable natural wonder.
There are lots of places to camp overnight in Yellowstone, but the Canyon campground is enormous and centrally located.
Yellowstone is one of the best places on the planet to watch for wildlife. You'll travel through the Hayden Valley and Lamar Valley, so look for bears, bison, elk, and if you're lucky, wolves!
After spending the night in Yellowstone, let's begin day two! As you make your way out of the park, congratulations, you've made it to your second mountain range! The Absarokas (pronounced ab-sor-kas, or ab-sork-kees, depending on who you ask) start to rise out of the Earth around you. Welcome to the Beartooth Highway.
The Beartooth Highway is one of the most magical drives on Earth! You can take it all the way to Red Lodge, Montana, but on this trip, it's just a short stretch of winding, scenic road until you turn off to head south, down the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway.
The Chief Joseph Scenic Byway takes you down from the Absorkas into the Bighorn Basin, where you'll find a bunch of small towns and plenty of beautiful sights.
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The highlight of this drive is the switchbacked route up to Dead Indian Pass. You'll be driving through the Open Range, so watch out for cowboys and cattle as you make your way up the steep incline.
From the top, take in the view and learn about the heroic efforts of Chief Joseph, who did all he could to save his tribe from unwarranted aggression and destruction.
By the end of your beautiful drive, you'll make it to Cody. This charming, hokey frontier town is packed with famous restaurants, shops, and history. If you get here on time, you can watch a Western shootout in front of the Irma Hotel!
The Irma Hotel building dates back to 1902, and it will make you feel like you've stepped back in time. It attracts visitors from all over the world!
After you spend the night in Cody (and maybe some of the day, too), it's time to head out for your third mountain range in three days - the Big Horns!
Bighorn National Forest stretches for over 1.1 million acres in north-central Wyoming. Many towns in the foothills make for great stops, depending on the route you choose to travel!
Stop in at a Ranger Station to find out current trail conditions, and get a recommendation for your time limit and hiking skills. The trail conditions do change throughout the season, so it's important to get up-to-date details from the Forest Service. Or, from a service like AllTrails+.
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Finally, at the end of your three-day road trip, you'll roll into Sheridan. This idyllic western town is a wonderful spot to spend a few more days or use as a resting spot before heading back home.
Sheridan, Wyoming is also home to some of the best eateries in the state. Chow down on scrumptious home-cooked meals before making your way back home. You'll leave feeling full and happy.
Don't you just love Wyoming's mountain scenery? We can never get enough of it! What do you think of this 3-day road trip in Wyoming? Have you been to any of these places? If you know another hidden gem we should write about, nominate it for a chance to be featured!
Are you looking for more of the best road trips in Wyoming? Check out these exciting Wyoming road trips. From delicious foodie journeys to nature-filled outings, these itineraries are certain to spark your sense of adventure. Pack up the car or rent an RV from RVShare to enjoy the open road.
Not only does Wyoming have stunning mountain views, but many of these scenic areas have hidden lakes that are utterly gorgeous. Here are some of our favorite Wyoming lakes for you to enjoy: