The Best Wyoming Travel Destinations For Retirees

For retirees looking to spend their days traveling, the world is your oyster. The US itself has 50 states to check off your list, and one of those states is the charming, western escape that is Wyoming. Home to Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming offers accessible trail systems, opportunities for mind-blowing scenic drives, and lodging that keeps your comfort in mind. No matter what passion fuels you, whether it be golfing, fishing, or art, seniors will find the best travel destinations and more in Wyoming while still taking into account mobility, health, and personality.

Jackson Lake

Seniors can enjoy peaceful lakeside relaxation with Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park right at their fingertips while staying around Jackson Lake. Getting here is easy with the Jackson Hole Airport, the only airport located inside a National Park in the US, making travel convenient. With its Western charm and a variety of gentle outdoor activities, this slice of heaven is ready to welcome retirees with open arms.

Travelers can take a leisurely sightseeing cruise on Jackson Lake, which offers stunning views and excellent fishing opportunities. The charming summer village of Colter Bay is also worth a visit. In addition, the Snake River is perfect for those who enjoy fishing or rafting at a relaxed pace.

Retirees can hike the paved trails, with a chance of spotting wolves, bears, bison, moose, and more wildlife. Jenny Lake is also the ideal picnic spot, where you will find Jenny Lake Lodge, right next to Jackson Lake.

South of the lakes, at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, seniors with good mobility and a lifetime enjoyment of skiing can take advantage of the different trail levels, or take part in Nordic skiing, also known as cross-country skiing, for a more passive and laid-back adventure. Flat trails and the use of poles make it an easy activity to partake in, and if you have limited mobility, a snowmobile tour might be in order.

Laramie

Retirees will love the slow pace that comes with exploring the history of Laramie, a focal point in America’s railroad past, Native American history, and Western heritage. Here seniors can find the American Heritage Center, with manuscripts, books, archives, and more collected by the University of Wyoming. The university also has an anthropology museum for your enjoyment.

You can drive out to the Ames Monument, which was built by the Union Pacific Railroad Company in 1882. The Historic Laramie Union Pacific Train Depot is another must-see, as is the Ivinson Mansion which includes the Laramie Plains Museum. The Nici Self Museum (in nearby Centennial) contains tons of educational material on Western history, mining history, and railroad history.

The history lessons don’t stop there. Criminology lovers can tour the Wyoming Territorial Prison, built in 1872, or learn about women’s history, especially when it comes to the right to vote, at the Wyoming Women’s History House. Learn about Louisa Swain, the first woman to vote in Wyoming. Or, drive to the Overland Trail, which was used by stagecoaches and wagons. Seniors will also love the town’s offering of self-guided tour brochures, which can be purchased at the visitor center.

The downtown core has plenty of buildings from over a century ago. Buckhorn Bar and Parlor was built in 1900!

Casper

Casper is dedicated to the lifelong golfers. There is absolutely no shortage of the sport, and with such a long list, seniors can conquer one, two, or them all during their trip.

There is the Casper Country Club, which is usually private, but retirees can sign up for tournaments as guests. Three Crowns Golf Club has 18 holes, a large practice facility with a driving range, and the popular restaurant The Refinery. Paradise Valley Country Club has 18 holes, as well as a restaurant and lounge. Casper Municipal Golf Course has 18 holes, as well as an on-site restaurant and bar, called the 19th Hole for an after-game snack.

After a day of teeing off, seniors can dine at The Gaslight Social with live music and beer, or get in some practice at one of two indoor golf centers. The Sandtrap has 78 courses to choose from, and the Range at 5150 has 25, as well as a bar, and plenty of TVs playing the latest sports games. If you are looking to try local brews and spirits, there are plenty of cozy options, including Backwards Distilling Company, Black Tooth Brewing, and Bull Horn Brewing.

Cody

Retired folks can take in the magnificent mountain ranges that are visible from anywhere in Cody. Named after Buffalo Bill, this town is a Western paradise, with easy access to Yellowstone National Park and Buffalo Bill State Park, home to the Buffalo Bill Reservoir. The trails are well groomed for easy navigation as you take in viewpoints such as Cedar Mountain, Pat O’Hara Mountain, and the Absaroka Mountains. Fish on the Shoshone River, home to Yellowstone cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, and mountain whitefish. The historic frontier village at Old Trail Town has boardwalks as well as a senior discount, allowing you to take time to read through all the information, as some pretty famous events went down here.

After a day of exploring, seniors can try something new at Cody Craft Brewing or embrace the Wild West at the Irma Grill and Silver Saddle Saloon. Hit the hay at The Cody Hotel with their hot breakfast and widely accessible grounds with handicapped access to all the amenities and your room. More outdoorsy visitors can stay at Rand Creek Ranch, offering cabins, horseback riding, BBQ dinners, and guided fishing tours.

Thermopolis

Thermopolis is dedicated to relieving all your stress and worry after 50 years. Spend an afternoon at Hot Springs State Park, where the water stays at a wonderful 104°F and the bathhouse is kept clean. On hotter days, enjoy two outdoor pools in town, or float down the Wind River Canyon, with parts that are known for their leisurely pace and lack of rapids and fast spots.

Broadway Bakery has the sweetest treats for a quick bite before heading to your appointment at The Polish Nail and Spa, or at Cloud Peak Chiropractic and Wellness, where retirees can also sign up for acupuncture treatments. There are also places where you can spend time sweating out your tension in a sauna or stretching it out with gentle and assisted yoga. After, pick up fabulous rocks and crystals at Avas Silver and Rock Shop, or shop the shelves at Nature’s Corner, which has healthy foods, organic items, spiritual and wellness goods, and an on-site cafe.

Hot Springs Hotel and Spa, located right in the Hot Springs State Park, offers cozy rooms perfect for putting on your plush robe. There is also the Fountain of Youth RV Park for retirees who have embraced the RV life, with a large outdoor hot mineral pool where seniors can soak all evening.

Green River

If you love to spend your retirement fishing, you will love Green River. Right near the Flaming Gorge Reservoir, a massive waterbody that extends into Utah, you will find no shortage of opportunities to cast a line on the calm waters.

Seniors can make use of public boat ramps, as well as a public marina where you can pay to dock your boat and have access to electricity, water, and more. Make sure to purchase a fishing license before heading out, and if you plan to journey across the Gorge, purchase a fishing license for both Utah and Wyoming, so you won’t have any trouble. Expect to reel in lake trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, Kokanee salmon, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish both from the shoreline and from your boat. If you don’t have a boat of your own, there is the option to rent, as well as join a fishing charter for an expert experience.

Canyon Village

This tiny slice of paradise is tucked away in Yellowstone National Park, meaning retiree travelers will be surrounded by nothing but stunning natural wonders. The village itself is tiny, only having the basics, but it serves as a perfect base camp for exploration and is accessible by both Cody and Jackson.

Seniors can experience the thermal basins, or take part in guided horseback riding and wildlife viewing, such as the roaming bison. Listen to the roar of the Yellowstone River or the falls in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. The fishing bridge just before Yellowstone Lake is a prime spot for retirees to set up for the afternoon without having to worry about boat traffic and crowded shorelines.

The village has Fountain and Grill, which offers an old-school diner feel, as well as Canyon Eatery, which feels almost like a cafeteria. Canyon Village General Store carries the essentials, and Canyon Falls Lodge Cafe also features an ice creamery for a delicious reward after a day of hiking. Retirees can stay in either Canyon Lodge and Cabins for maximum comfort, or at Canyon Campground, which has amenities such as showers, an amphitheater, and easy access to the village as it’s just across the road. All of these town amenities have accessibility options, so you don’t have to gamble with your safety. This includes first-floor restrooms, ramps, benches, and handicapped parking.

Sheridan

Sheridan is a place of whimsy, bringing together art forms and creating a safe space for artists, musicians, actors, and crafters. Here, retirees can spend their trip browsing the many shops, theaters, galleries, and historic sites.

Best Out West Antiques curates only the best antiques, from magnificent art pieces to furniture and clothing. The town has several galleries, many of which are located right on Main Street, making them accessible and easy to check off your list. Two popular stops are Bozeman Trail Gallery and SAGE Community Arts. Lovers of music can embrace their talent at Morris Music Store, and those who enjoy quilting can find all the material they could dream of at Quilter’s Fix. If you have spent your life painting, perhaps you will consider signing up for a paint-and-sip class at the Paint Post.

Live music is always in session at Whitney Center for the Arts, featuring the Kinnison Hall. Their schedule offers piano concerts, choir, opera nights, and even plays. If you wish to sit down to more performing arts shows, Carriage House and WYO Theater are home to amazing shows within their historic walls. Depending on when retirees visit, attend the Collective Arts Festival in August, which has music, dancing, poetry, and artisan booths. Concerts in the Park take place all summer, with lots of space for lawnchairs and a flat terrain. The Farmers Market is open every Thursday in the summer, and the Rocky Mountain Leather Tradeshow is an intimate event held in May.

Whether retirees are hoping to dust off their boots and wear their best hat, pack a bag of camping supplies, brag to their friends about the fish they caught, hit the slopes, or golf a perfect game, find just what you are looking for in Wyoming. With plenty of fabulous resort, cabin, and campground options, as well as delicious restaurants and award-winning breweries and distilleries, it will be the trip you talk about for years to come.