Last summer, we had an unforgettable family adventure in southeast Wyoming — full of wild landscapes, friendly competition, and plenty of new experiences! Splitting into two teams – Team Mountain Goat (Mom & Little Bro) vs. Team Bison (Dad & Big Bro), we took on some of the best outdoor activities Wyoming has to offer, from archery and rock climbing to fly fishing and horseback riding. Over the course of three days, we traveled west from Cheyenne to Saratoga, making incredible memories along the way. Follow along for an overview of our epic itinerary!
Archery at Curt Gowdy State Park
We kicked off our adventure with archery at Curt Gowdy State Park, a stunning park with a two-mile trail featuring 28 archery targets. We met up with Dan Conrad from Cheyenne Field Archers, who not only guided us through the course, but also gave us some solid tips to improve our aim. Most of us had shot a bow before, but Dan’s coaching helped refine our technique and added to the competition intensity! It was so much fun to see the kids get into the challenge, celebrating each point they scored by hitting the target.
In addition to archery, Curt Gowdy State Park offers over 35 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and camping. The park also features three reservoirs—Granite Springs, Crystal, and North Crow—providing opportunities for fishing, boating, and other water activities.
Rock Climbing in Vedauwoo Recreational Area
Next up was rock climbing in the Vedauwoo Recreational Area, an iconic Wyoming climbing spot known for its unique rock formations. This area, named by the Arapaho people, means “earth-born,” and it’s easy to see why— it feels like a playground carved by nature itself. Our guide, Slim Murray from Wyoming Mountain Guides, set us up with gear, gave us a safety briefing, and then brought us to a beginner-friendly route. Then, it was go-time!
For some of us, this was the most nerve-wracking challenge—both physically and mentally. While we had visited a climbing gym once or twice before, we had never climbed in the great outdoors! Slim’s encouragement and expert guidance made all the difference. The view from the top of the climb was magnificent! By the end, we all felt like champs for pushing past our comfort zones! Whether you’re a seasoned climber or a total beginner, Vedauwoo is an incredible spot to test your skills and take in breathtaking views.
Sweet Treats in Laramie
After all this adventure, we stopped at The Sugar Mouse Cupcake House in Laramie for a well-earned sugar break. Laramie is home to the University of Wyoming and is known for its outdoor recreation, museums, and historic downtown. Ruth Williams, the owner of The Sugar Mouse Cupcake House, is originally from Essex, England, and named the bakery after a favorite British candy. In her charming, British-inspired bakery, Ruth sells over twenty flavors of cupcakes, British sweets, and gifts. The menu even features traditional English lunches and classic cream teas. Every child receives a sugar mouse, and our boys decided to save theirs as a souvenir! While we didn’t have time for a full tea service, we picked up a few cupcakes— our favorites were the red velvet and chocolate raspberry— and some coffee to go. It was the perfect little treat before heading out for more Wyoming fun.
Fly Fishing on the Encampment River
This part of the trip was a family favorite! We met up with Andrew O’Neil from Free Flow Outdoors and Anthony Natale from 307 Llama Company—plus their friendly llamas.
As we hiked to a prime fly fishing spot along the Encampment River, the llamas carried our gear and some snacks, so that we could focus on our hike and our beautiful surroundings.
None of us had fly-fished before, but after a quick lesson (and some initial tangles), we started getting the hang of casting and even caught some fish! Who caught the most fish? You’ll have to watch our Wildly Wyoming Family Challenge episode to find out….but we all reeled in at least one!
Fly fishing was a scenic and relaxing adventure that we all enjoyed. The river was peaceful, the air crisp, and the whole experience felt like something out of a storybook. And the llamas? They were the cutest hiking buddies—calm, curious, and each with their own quirky personality.
Horseback Riding at Vee Bar Guest Ranch
A trip to Wyoming wouldn’t be complete without some time on horseback. At Vee Bar Guest Ranch, just 20 minutes west of Laramie and 2 ½ hours from Denver, we met owner Kari Kilmer, who introduced us to our horses. We set off on a scenic ride through the wide-open Wyoming landscape, taking in the fresh mountain air and beautiful views. Unlike typical trail rides, we didn’t ride in a nose-to-tail line, which is something unique to this ranch. After the ride, we spent some time at the ranch learning to lasso (let’s just say we won’t be roping cattle anytime soon, but it was fun trying!). Check out more from our experience here!
Scenic Stop in Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest
Driving through Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, we stopped at Mirror Lake —and wow, was it worth it. The reflections on the water were breathtaking, and the peaceful atmosphere made it the perfect place to take a break. We took a short little hike, skipped some rocks, and soaked in the views. If you’re traveling through this area, definitely add this area to your list!
In addition to hiking, biking, and camping, you can also go horseback riding, fishing, and hunting in Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. In the winter, you can go snowshoeing, snowmobiling, skiing, and snowboarding!
Relaxing at Saratoga Hot Springs
After all that adventure, we wrapped up our trip with some well-deserved relaxation in the town of Saratoga—one of Wyoming’s top hot springs destinations! There’s something so magical about soaking in warm natural springs under the open Wyoming sky. The two places we soaked in town included:
- Saratoga Hot Springs Resort: Book a stay or spa service to enjoy their pool or a private teepee-covered soak (first come, first served).
- Hobo Hot Springs: Free and open 24/7, this spot by the North Platte River offers pools and riverbank soaks. It’s family-friendly, and we saw groups of all ages enjoying the sunset here.
Beyond hot springs, Saratoga offers hiking, fishing, and more in the stunning Elk Mountain and Snowy Range Mountains. We loved this area and highly recommend it—10/10!
Check out more hot spring inspiration here from our trip with Visit Wyoming!
Final Thoughts:
From archery and rock climbing to fishing, Southeast Wyoming gave us an unforgettable experience packed with adventure, excitement and stunning scenery. The Wildly Wyoming Challenge was the perfect way to explore, test our limits, and create lifelong memories together. Whether you’re into high-adrenaline activities or looking to immerse yourself in nature, Wyoming has something for every family. We can’t wait to come back and explore more!
Want to see us in action? Watch our Wildly Wyoming Family Challenge, created in partnership with Visit Wyoming, here.
Feeling inspired? Start planning your own Wyoming adventure! Check out Wyoming’s awesome travel guide pages here, Wyoming Family Vacations | Things To Do In Wyoming With Kids.
To replicate our itinerary, below is a summary with links:
Day 1: Archery at Curt Gowdy + Rock Climbing at Vedauwoo
Day 2: Sugar Mouse + Fishing + Medicine Bow
Day 3: Vee Bar Guest Ranch + Hot Springs
*While this post and the experiences described are sponsored by Visit Wyoming, the opinions expressed in it are my own.