Best Motorcycle Roads & Destinations in Wyoming, United States

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 attracts 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.

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 that lasts for 10 days and allows riders 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, make 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.

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

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 footbridge 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.

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.

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.

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 a collection of scenic drives that you can take advantage of including Jenny Lake Scenic Drive, Signal Mountain Summit Road, and Teton Park 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 wilderness. 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.

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

A loop shared by both Wyoming and Utah, you start by traversing curvy mountain roads that can rise 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.

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. 

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 outcroppings.

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.

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.

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 gently rolling hills and level roads as you draw closer to La Grande.

Motorcyclists below 18 years old are required to wear a three-quarter or full-face motorcycle helmet . Because motorcycle helmets lower the risk of severe or fatal head injuries, it is recommended that both minors and adults wear them. 

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
• Brake system
• Controls
• Headlight
• Tailight
• Brake Light
• Reflector
• Exhaust System
• Muffler
• Left rear-view mirror
• Turn signals (optional)

You can only carry a passenger on your motorcycle if it can carry at least two people safely without affecting the functionality of the vehicle. You must equip both a passenger seat and adjustable footholds.

Because there is no minimum age requirement, technically anyone could ride on your vehicle as a motorcycle passenger. However, a passenger below the age of 18 is required to put on a motorcycle helmet.

In Wyoming, motorcyclists who try lane splitting will not be tolerated.

If you still do not fully grasp Wyoming motorcycle laws, click this link to learn more.

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 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 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.