The Best Things to Do in Wyoming This Christmas
Christmas in Wyoming is one of the most wonderful times of the year. With the holiday season in full swing, the Cowboy State transforms into a hub of festive fun, complete with dazzling light displays, cozy accommodations and seemingly endless opportunities for adventure in the great outdoors. Whether you’re visiting solo or traveling with the whole family in tow, we’ve got you covered with our roundup of the best ways to spend Christmas in Wyoming—where the spirit of the West meets the spirit of the season.
For Family Fun
Spending quality time with family is one of the most important parts of the holiday season, but finding activities for the whole crew to enjoy together can sometimes be challenging. Thankfully, we go big on festive family fun here in the West, which makes it easy to plan an unforgettable family vacation in Wyoming this Christmas.
Winter is prime wildlife-watching season in Wyoming, when our resident animals—including bison, elk, deer and moose—become more visible against a backdrop of bright, white snow. Head out by snowmobile or cross-country skiing along Casper Mountain’s 26 miles of groomed trails and see how many you can spot (remember to always keep a safe and respectful distance).
If you prefer to stay cozy and warm, make an early-morning trip to Hot Springs State Park near Thermopolis to catch a glimpse of that icon of the West: the bison. To help the resident herd through the long winter months, park staff feed them a dietary supplement at 8:30 a.m. each morning. It’s an ideal opportunity to see the mighty Monarch of the Plains, without ever having to leave the warmth of your vehicle. Afterward, spend an hour or two at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center (open from 10 am to 5 pm during the winter months), where kids will enjoy getting up close and personal with the state’s original wild inhabitants: the dinosaurs.
And for a family-friendly Wyoming vacation that’s truly unforgettable, book a stay at Old Faithful Snow Lodge in Yellowstone National Park. Accessible in winter by snow-coach shuttle, the Lodge offers spacious duplex-style cabins ideal for family travel. Enjoy puzzles and board games by the lobby fireplace, go skating on their outdoor rink or book a guided tour into the park during its most spectacular season. It’s the perfect way to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with each other, with plenty of activities that are sure to please kids, grownups and kids at heart.
For Nostalgia Seekers
The holiday season in Wyoming can feel a lot like stepping back in time. From the tinkling of sleigh bells in the snow to small-town streets alight with Christmas cheer, it’s a dream destination for the nostalgic at heart.
Enjoy a holiday season straight out of those golden days of yore with a horse-drawn sleigh ride—a Wyoming winter tradition for more than a hundred years. Climb aboard a candy-red sleigh and glide effortlessly through the mountainous landscapes of the National Elk Refuge while you keep your eyes peeled for wildlife sightings. Or, go dashing through the snow along the Snake River with Jackson Hole Vintage Adventures, then finish your ride with hot chocolate, appetizers or even fireside fine dining.
For a Christmas season worthy of classic cinema, you won’t want to miss the Old West Holiday celebration in Cheyenne. The beloved annual festival sees the town’s historic downtown transform into a Western winter wonderland where Santa’s favorite spots are open for all to enjoy. Join in Rudolph’s Reindeer Games at Flipper’s Family Arcade, raise a glass to the season at the Old West Holiday Saloon, or pay a visit to Santa himself at the Whipple House on 17th Street.
Afterward, take a tour of festive Americana through the decades at Tinsel Through Time, one of our favorite Wyoming Christmas events held annually at Cheyenne’s Historic Governors’ Mansion. Explore the colonial-revival mansion decked out in all its holiday glory. Several historically decorated Christmas tree exhibits offer a window into decorating and gifting trends from decades past and may leave you feeling as if you’ve stepped inside a Norman Rockwell painting.
Of course, it wouldn’t be the holidays without plenty of food, drink and festive revelry. Historic establishments like Saratoga’s Hotel Wolf and Restaurant, The Irma Hotel in Cody and Million Dollar Cowboy Bar in the heart of Jackson’s town square serve up delicious local flavors in spaces that immerse you in visions of yesteryear. At The Irma and Hotel Wolf, you can even stay the night in beautifully restored historic rooms that blend vintage charm with contemporary comfort.
For Outdoor Enthusiasts
December’s blanket of fresh, powdery snow transforms Wyoming into a wonderland of winter adventure, complete with ten alpine ski areas and over 2,500 miles of snowmobiling trails. But for true lovers of the outdoors, there’s nothing quite like the state’s acclaimed ice-climbing scene to take the holiday fun to dizzying new heights.
From the Lake Louise Ice Gully near Dubois to the South Fork Valley just outside of Cody, Wyoming is known for technically challenging, visually spectacular climbing routes that are among the best in the country—including one of the largest icefalls in the lower 48. Specialized outfitters and world-class instructors ensure you’ll have everything you need for a successful climb. And if you’re new to the sport or just want to brush up on your skills, the man-made Teton Ice Park at Snow King Mountain Resort in Jackson is ideal for learning the basics in a safe, beginner-friendly setting.
After conquering the icefalls, it’s time to kick back, relax, and shake off winter’s chill. Where better to do that than with a dip in a natural mineral hot spring? These warm, healing waters can be found across the state, from Astoria Hot Springs Park in Jackson Hole all the way to Saratoga, where private, teepee-covered pools and resort-style amenities await. It’s the perfect place to soak away your holiday stress while still reveling in the majesty of the great outdoors.
For a slightly more rugged experience, head to Granite Hot Springs in Jackson. Nestled within a forest of towering spruce, pine and fir, the site features a 104-degree, waterfall-fed soaking pool overlooking Granite Creek. From early December onward, winter conditions make the hot spring accessible exclusively by ski, snowmobile or dog sled—ideal for die-hard outdoorsy types looking to truly earn that soak.
For Cozy Celebrations
Crackling fires, cups of hot cocoa and twinkling lights to brighten the long, dark nights—there’s a reason this time of year is affectionately known as cozy season. And a winter wonderland like Wyoming makes an incredible backdrop for your very own Christmas celebration, especially with a cabin rental at a place like Kodiak Mountain Resort. Located in the heart of scenic Star Valley, their traditional log-style cabins are anything but rustic, with gas fireplaces, large soaking tubs and 55″ smart TVs. (Though who needs television when you’ve got sweeping views of the Salt River Range?)
Even downtown gets a little cozier during the holidays, when our Christmas spirit shines its brightest. So bright, in fact, that the historic trolley tours in both Cody and Cheyenne offer special tours of their towns’ most festive light displays all season long. As a matter of fact, you’ll find spectacular holiday light installations in cities and towns across the state, from Healing Park in Casper to the Holiday Light Trail in Laramie.
Looking for somewhere to do a little last-minute holiday shopping? Explore one-of-a-kind vendors and locally made wares on Wyoming’s charming main streets, from Evanston to Rock Springs and beyond. Especially beautiful at this time of year, historic Main Street in downtown Sheridan is known for its Christmas Stroll, which will make you think you’re on the set of a Hallmark Christmas movie. Shop a unique selection of made-in-Wyoming goods for everyone on your gift list this year. Or pick up a few treasures just for you—it’s the season of giving, after all.
Have a Merry WY Holiday
Whether you’re dreaming of family fun, a winter adventure or an extra infusion of Christmas cheer, you’ll find no shortage of unforgettable things to do in Wyoming this holiday season. So what are you waiting for? Explore our curated travel itineraries that take you from Green River to Gillette, Cody to Cheyenne and everywhere in between, and experience the magic of the holiday season here in the last bastion of the West.
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