Best Motorcycle Roads & Destinations in Wyoming, United States

1. Introduction

Possessing a relatively cool climate, the state of Wyoming is blessed with mountains and plains which provide plenty of beautiful natural scenery. Because of the diverse terrain, this in turn results in plenty of straight, swerving, looping, rising, and falling highways that cut through Wyoming’s landscape. It is hardly surprising that the vast array of roads in Wyoming attract motorcyclists who seek adventure.

Also referred to as “the Cowboy State,” riding across Wyoming will feel like entering the Old West. While Wyoming lacks a lot of roadside assistance and stops, it has plenty of natural and historical sites that may catch your attention. You may recognize the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains. But there are other attractions accessible to your motorcycle besides just these.

This article will provide directions to the most popular roads and destinations in Wyoming if you are interested in going on a motorcycle tour through this region of the United States.

2. Best Roads and Destinations in Wyoming

Best Roads and Destinations in Wyoming - Best Roads and Destinations

2.1 The Lasso from Sturgis to Devils Towers

Distance: 180 miles
Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
Start: Sturgis, South Dakota
End: Sturgis, South Dakota

If you consider yourself a motorcyclist enthusiast, you should take part in the Sturgis Rally, an annual event which lasts for 10 days and gives riders the opportunity to mingle and demonstrate their motorcycle skills.

The Devil Tower is the United States’ first national monument. A towering butte that is over 1,200 feet tall, you will find yourself in awe of its majesty as you approach the foot of the rock formation. It is also a popular spot for rock climbers as you will spot them trying to scale the cliff faces.

On your return trip, take a stop at the town of Sundance. A member of Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch, the outlaw bearing the name was jailed in the town during the era of the Old West. If you wish for more information, visit the Crook County Museum and Art Gallery.

2.2 Big Horn Mountain Loop

Distance: 249 miles
Time: 5 hours 20 minutes
Start: Buffalo
End: Buffalo

A landmark that may catch your eye upon leaving Buffalo is the Medicine Wheel, a gigantic stone circle with 28 spokes in it. Besides being a visual marvel, no one knows whether it had religious or scientific value to the ancient Native Americans who built it.

As you circle around Big Horn Mountain, you will find yourself in the town of Greybull. Named after a legendary albino bison bull, this town is in close proximity to Shell Canyon and the resting place of dinosaur fossils.

2.3 The Wind River Canyon Run

Distance: 32 miles
Time: 38 minutes
Start: Thermopolis
End: Shoshoni

Before you leave Thermopolis, check out the world’s largest mineral hot spring at the Hot Spring State Park. You can also cross a swinging foot bridge that overlooks the Bighorn River.

Heading into the Wind River Canyon, you will follow alongside the titular Wind River as you pass through tunnels that cut through the canyon walls. If you look for the very top of the 25,000-foot-high rock faces, you may be able to discern the black and pinkish tint.

Drawing closer to Shoshoni, you will reach Boysen State Park. From this position, you will be able to make out the yellow and reddish rock that makes up the Owl Creek Mountains in the distance. If you decide to stop at the Boysen Reservoir, you can try your hand at fly fishing.

2.4 The Southern Caribou National Forest Loop

Distance: 157 miles
Time: 2 hours 58 minutes
Start: Freedom
End: Freedom

Passing through both Wyoming and Idaho, this circles around the southern portion of Caribou-Targhee National Forest. If you are lucky, you will catch sight of the local wildlife watching you from the safety of the trees including black bears, elk, moose, bison, etc.

While there are small towns along the loop, you will spend most of the trip traversing through different kinds of terrain. The difficulty of navigating the roads will differ depending on whether you are riding into the mountains, open fields, or deserts.

2.5 Ashley National Forest to Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area

Distance: 109 miles
Time: 2 hours 2 minutes
Start: Vernal, Utah
End: Green River, Wyoming

Intersecting both Wyoming and Utah, the Ashley National Forest offers plenty of hiking trails through the aspen forests and camping sites open to motor vehicles if you are interested in roughing it out in the wilderness.

The Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is considered the best place to engage in activities in this region. In the Flaming Gorge Reservoir, you may go out on the water to engage in boating and fishing. You can even tour the Flaming Gorge Dam which provides an overview of the Green River which is held back by the structure.

2.6 Casper to the Heart of the Tetons

Distance: 278 miles
Time: 4 hours 34 minutes
Start: Casper
End: Jackson

After embarking from Casper, the route should be straight and smooth with plenty of open space to help you watch out for danger. When you leave Jackson, you will take a tour of Wyoming’s prominent national forests and wilderness areas including the Wind River Reservation, the Bridger-Teton National Forest, and the Grand Teton National Forest.

If you look to your right, you will see the Grand Teton Mountains. This mountain range has its own collection of scenic drives that you can take advantage of including Jenny Lake Scenic Drive, Signal Mountain Summit Road, and Teton Park Road.

2.7 Happy Jack Road

Distance: 49 miles
Time: 54 minutes
Start: Cheyenne
End: Laramie

As you travel along Wyoming Highway 210, the start of your journey will be relatively peaceful thanks to the flat roads and being surrounded by windmills and ranches.

When you reach the Medicine Bow National Forest, the landscape will drastically change as there will be a lot of untamed wildernesses. This region encompasses the Encampment River, Huston Park, and Savage Run.

Within the area, you can admire or climb up the rock formations near Vedauwoo. When you reach Curt Gowdy State Park, you will have views of the Crystal and Granite Reservoirs nearby.

2.8 Mirror Lake Loop

Distance: 152 miles
Time: 2 hours 56 minutes
Start: Evanston
End: Evanston

A loop shared by both Wyoming and Utah, you start out by traversing curvy mountain roads that can rise up to at least 12,000 feet until you get close to the town of Hilliard. As you approach the state border, the road will begin to even out as you find yourself on farmland.

Upon entering Utah, the landscape will transition to mountainous deserts lined with reddish rock formations and sage brushes. Mirror Lake is located within the Uinta Mountains and is a popular spot for fishing and camping. Take a rod out onto the water and you might just catch a rainbow trout.

2.9 The Beaver Trail Ride

Distance: 45 miles
Time: 53 minutes
Start: Encampment
End: Savery

Following alongside the Encampment River, this route will take you close to the Huston Park and Encampment River Wilderness Areas. The land has plenty of pine and aspen forests plus grassland settings. You might be able to spot deer, elk, or trout depending on which side of the road you are looking at.

As you approach Savery, you will cross over the state border into Colorado briefly before continuing on Wyoming Highway 70. Because of the terrain, this road is closed during the winter.

2.10 Scenic Route from Custer, SD to Devils Tower, WY

Distance: 197 miles
Time: 3 hours 49 minutes
Start: Custer, South Dakota
End: Sundance, Wyoming

A roundabout way to reach the Devil Tower, you will follow a route that crosses back and forth between Wyoming and South Dakota. From Custer, SD to Newcastle, WY, the roads will be going over rolling hills dotted with pine trees and rocky outcropping.

When you get close to Spearfish, SD, you will go around the long sweeping curve that is the Spearfish Canyon Road with high bluffs covered in pine trees.

Be warned that the roads near Aladdin, WY can be coated with gravel which could make for a bumpy ride for motorcycles not specifically designed for off-roading.

2.11 Wyoming Highway 34

Distance: 77 miles
Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Start: Laramie
End: Wheatland

Besides being able to see the Medicine Bow National Forest in the distance, the road is made up of mountains and rocky outcroppings for you to admire. Keep an eye out for any buffalo crossing the roads or grazing on the sides.

This road is best for those looking for leisure as they only have to watch out for long sweeping curves. It is also rich in history as it has plenty of historical sites including the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, the Laramie Peak Museum, and the Fort Laramie National Historic Site.

2.12 U.S. Route 85

Distance: 35 miles
Time: 34 minutes
Start: Torrington
End: La Grange

As you leave Torrington, you should be able to catch sight of Laramie Peak off in the distance. At an elevation over 10,000 feet, this is the highest point in the Laramie Mountains.

As you approach the town of Hawk Springs, you should come across a wildlife refuge that is home to different species of birds including waterfowl, turkeys, and pheasants.

Following along this route, you should see the silhouettes of Bear Mountain and 66 Mountain off in the distance. This half of your journey has gentle rolling hills and level roads as you draw closer to La Grande.

3. Motorcycle Laws in Wyoming

3.1 Helmet Laws

Motorcyclists under the age of 18 are required to wear a motorcycle helmet whenever their vehicles are riding on Wyoming’s roads and highways. Because motorcycle helmets reliably lower the risk of severe or fatal head injuries, it is recommended that both minors and adults wear them at all times.

Motorcycle Laws in Wyoming - Best Roads and Destinations

When picking out a motorcycle helmet, make sure that it satisfies the criteria of both the U.S. Department of Transportation and Wyoming’s state standards. The two types of headgear that should accomplish this are the three-quarter and full-face helmets. They should have the following features to maximize protection and visibility:

Has a Department of Transportation (DOT) sticker
Can be fitted around your head snugly
No visible signs of damage
Has a face shield with no scratches (Full-face helmet only)
Requires separate eye protection with no scratches (Three-quarter helmet only)
Has a hard and durable outer shell that is shatter-resistant
Gives you a clear, peripheral view
Can be fastened with a neck- or chin-strap
Allows airflow without fogging up
Can allow you to wear sunglasses or goggles underneath

3.2 Required Safety Features

Even if your motorcycle never gets involved in a collision, the primary components can eventually become faulty due to overuse. While periodic inspections are not heavily enforced in Wyoming, it is recommended that you check your motorcycle’s parts to confirm they are in working order. You never know when you may find a broken piece that requires maintenance while giving your motorcycle a check-up.

Here is a list of the motorcycle equipment that must be working properly to ensure your travels through Wyoming go smoothly:

Horn
Wheels
Tires
Handlebars
Front & Rear Brakes
Controls
Headlight
Rear light
Brake Light
Turn Signals
Exhaust System
Muffler
Rearview Mirrors
Fenders
Footrests

3.3 Lane Splitting Laws

In Wyoming, motorcyclists are not allowed to engage in any form of lane splitting. That means you cannot ride on top of the dividing lines in between traffic lanes. Even if adjacent rows of vehicles have come to a stop, you are not allowed to ride in between them. It is also illegal to try and pass a larger vehicle in front of you while both of you are traveling in the same lane.

However, motorcyclists are entitled to utilize the entire space within the lane they are currently traveling in. Only two motorcyclists can share a lane at a time so long as they keep a distance of two abreast and both riders consent beforehand.

3.4 Passenger Laws

You can only carry a passenger on your motorcycle if it is designed to carry at least two people safely without affecting the functionality of the vehicle. You must equip both a passenger seat and adjustable footholds. The passenger can either be seated in a driver’s saddle that can fit two people, a separate saddle positioned at the rear, or a sidecar.

Because there is no minimum age requirement, technically anyone could ride on your vehicle as a motorcycle passenger. However, your passenger is required to put on a motorcycle helmet if he/she is below the age of 18. To check whether it is safe for your passenger to ride on your motorcycle, see if he/she is able to take directions well and is able to reach the footholds without difficulty.

4. Motorcycle Luggage for Wyoming Touring Trip

Having motorcycle luggage guarantees you have easy access to commodities and emergency items even when on the road. Any food, water, clothing, or repair tools you manage to fit into your motorcycle luggage could prove useful if you run into trouble when miles away from the nearest town or rest stop.

Motorcycle Luggage for Wyoming Touring Trip - Best Roads and Destinations

Because a motorcycle is smaller and sleeker compared to four-wheel vehicles, any belongings you plan to bring with you through Wyoming will have to be stored in motorcycle luggage that is compact. It will also need to be secured on a section of your motorcycle where it will not impede your ability to handle your ride. Depending on the terrain and weather, the materials of your motorcycle luggage must be able to ward off rain, snow, or debris to prevent damage to its contents.

Based on your preferences, you can pick the motorcycle luggage that possesses the utilities you need:

5. Parting Words

Best Roads and Destinations

The best part about exploring Wyoming is not just the fact that you get to spend quality time with your motorcycle. It is the anticipation of wanting to know what awaits you on the highways you travel and at the destinations you try to reach. Reading descriptions about the attractions, wildlife, and layout of the roads will give you a rough idea of what to expect in Wyoming. But that hardly determines everything that you will experience during your motorcycle trip through Wyoming.

While visiting one of Wyoming’s small towns, you may befriend other motorcyclists when you were originally hoping to find a restaurant. Or a highway running through Wyoming that seemed smooth at first glance actually proved harrowing for your motorcycle to navigate.

Even if you meticulously plan out your intended route and determine which locations you want to visit in Wyoming, unexpected events can happen that could derail your motorcycle trip. But rather than lament over the places you did not manage to get to, appreciate the fact that you got to see enough of Wyoming because your motorcycle carried you far enough.