Surrounded by granite outcrops, open prairie, and forested trails, Cheyenne offers plenty of ways to get outside, making it a natural jumping-off point for a wide range of outdoor experiences beyond Wyoming’s national parks. Just as importantly, that same landscape shapes the city’s dining and drinking scene, reflected in local ingredients and a strong sense of place.
Explore Curt Gowdy State Park
Fishing at Curt Gowdy State Park
Courtesy of Visit Cheyenne
About 25 miles west of Cheyenne, Curt Gowdy State Park brings together water and granite outcrops to create one of the region’s most versatile outdoor playgrounds. At its center are three reservoirs: Granite, Crystal, and North Crow. For anglers, these waters are well stocked with brown and rainbow trout and kokanee salmon.
On calmer days, the reservoirs are equally appealing for stand-up paddleboarding, with Granite and Crystal being the most popular launch sites. If you’re traveling without your own gear, Rock On Wheels makes getting on the water simple. Reserve an inflatable stand-up paddleboard in advance and pick it up at the shop before heading out.
Meanwhile, mountain bikers come for the park’s roughly 35 miles of trails, which have earned a reputation as some of the best in Wyoming. Routes like the nearly six-mile Canyons Trail and the Stone Temple Circuit Loop wind through rocky ridgelines and pine forest, mixing flowy singletrack with more technical sections.
Go climbing and hiking at Vedauwoo Recreation Area
A climber scaling the granite rocks at Vedauwoo Recreation Area
Courtesy of Visit Cheyenne
Part of Medicine Bow–Routt National Forests & Thunder Basin National Grassland, Vedauwoo Recreation Area is home to massive granite formations that rise from the high plains in rounded stacks and arches, shaped over more than a billion years by wind and water. The result is a natural haven for hikers and climbers, with trails weaving through boulder fields, meadows, and pockets of pine forest.
For a gentle introduction, the roughly three-mile Turtle Rock Trail loops past boulders, slabs, and cliffs with minimal elevation gain, winding through an aspen grove and offering plenty of close-up views of the formations.
Visit Medicine Bow–Routt National Forest
Head into Medicine Bow, where the high plains give way to rugged peaks, alpine meadows, and dense conifer forests. In the warmer months, you’ll find ample opportunities for hiking, fishing, and camping, while fall brings a wash of golden aspen.
Come winter, the landscape welcomes snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Keep an eye out as you go, as sightings of moose, elk, and mule deer are all part of the experience here.
Check out the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens
The Cheyenne Botanic Gardens
Courtesy of Visit Cheyenne
Set within Lions Park, the nine-acre Cheyenne Botanic Gardens may seem unexpectedly green against the surrounding plains, with a mix of themed gardens that include classic rose beds and water-wise xeriscapes, each highlighting how plants adapt to Cheyenne’s dry climate. The Grand Conservatory anchors the experience, where tropical plants like mango, banana, and papaya trees grow beneath soaring glass walls, creating a warm escape even in the middle of winter. At the center of the grounds, the Paul Smith Children’s Village adds a more interactive element, with hands-on exhibits and installations that blend play with environmental learning.
Walk and bike the Greater Cheyenne Greenway
To experience Cheyenne on foot or by bike, the Greater Cheyenne Greenway is an easy place to start. This paved, multiuse trail system acts as the city’s connective thread, linking parks, neighborhoods, and open spaces.
Stretching nearly 50 miles, the Greater Cheyenne Greenway makes it easy to hop on from multiple access points and tailor your route as you go, passing some of Cheyenne’s key green spaces, including the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, Lions Park, and Holliday Park—all ideal places to pause for a break or a picnic.
Dine local in Cheyenne’s restaurants
The interior of Railspur
Courtesy of Visit Cheyenne
Just as the surrounding prairie, forests, and waterways shape Cheyenne’s outdoor experiences, they also influence what ends up on the dining table, making the city’s culinary scene equally worth exploring.
Meals at the Met
Courtesy of Visit Cheyenne
The Metropolitan Downtown, often referred to as “the Met,” is housed in a restored 1930s former drugstore, blending historic character with a contemporary edge. Green velvet banquettes and brass accents create a vintage cocktail-lounge vibe. The menu focuses on New American fare, with familiar dishes reworked, like bison and beef bolognese or grilled cheese with house-made tomato bisque, alongside pastas, seafood, and steaks.
For something more classic, Rib & Chop House leans into hearty, steakhouse staples: hand-cut steaks, slow-cooked ribs, seafood, burgers, and comfort-driven sides. The atmosphere is warm and family-friendly, making it an easy, reliable choice locals return to again and again.
Set in a repurposed industrial space along an old rail spur, Railspur brings a more energetic, offbeat feel. The menu draws on global influences, offering birria tacos, bison lettuce wraps, and deep-fried pierogies, while highlighting locally sourced meats. A playful cocktail program, rotating beers, and even a morning coffee service round out the experience.
Go wine tasting and visit distilleries
Pine Bluffs Distilling barrels
Courtesy of Visit Cheyenne
Local spirits, craft beers, and carefully sourced ingredients also reflect the region’s geography and agricultural roots. Pine Bluffs Distilling is built around a simple idea: keep everything local. The grains behind its whiskeys and bourbons, including wheat, rye, corn, oats, and barley, are grown nearby, sometimes just a few miles away, and all spirits are produced in-house. Awards, including a double gold for its straight rye at the American Distilling Institute’s 2025 International Spirits Competition, highlight the quality.
In downtown, Wagonhound Wine Co. takes a relaxed, social approach to wine. Part tasting room, part gathering space, it’s meant for lingering rather than rushing through a flight. The calendar is full of events, including art walks, seasonal celebrations, wine 101 classes, and silent book club nights.
Book a room at the Little America Hotel & Resort
By the pool at Little America Hotel & Resort
Courtesy of Visit Cheyenne
Located just outside Cheyenne, Little America Hotel & Resort trades downtown density for wide-open space. Spread across 80 acres, it feels more like a retreat, with views stretching toward the Wyoming prairie.
Many of the spacious 188 guestrooms overlook landscaped gardens or open grassland. For longer stays, suites add separate living areas, kitchenettes, and oversized tubs.
With walking paths, a nine-hole golf course, and a heated outdoor pool, there are ample activities without leaving the grounds. Dining is also easy—and delicious. Head to Hathaway’s Restaurant for a sit-down meal, Carol’s Cafe for casual breakfast and coffee, and Hathaway’s Lounge for local beers and classic cocktails that highlight regional spirits.
