Day 1: Fishing, Paddleboarding, and Exploring Laramie
Breakfast at 17th Street Cafe
Fuel up for your outdoor adventures at 17th Street Cafe. This cozy, locally-owned cafe serves classic homemade American and Southwestern-inspired meals. Try one of their savory omelets or a spicy chorizo breakfast burrito. Their large menu has something for everyone!
Pick Up Rentals From Fast Haus Ski & Bike
You’ll start your outdoor adventure with a day on nearby Lake Hattie. Fast Haus Ski & Bike offers stand-up paddleboard (SUP) and inflatable kayak rentals through their website. Book online in advance.
While downtown, consider grabbing your pack lunch for this day from Big Hollow Food Co-op. There’s a large selection of healthy, local foods as well as a small fridge by the front that often has pre-made lunch.
West Laramie Fly Store
On your way to Lake Hattie stop at West Laramie Fly Store, a local favorite. Inside you’ll find walls of flies, fishing gear, and supplies. Grab some food for a pack lunch to eat at the lake.
Fishing Lake Hattie with Frisky Fish Outfitters
Make your way to Lake Hattie on Highway 130. Scenic and serene, the lake holds Rainbow Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Cutthroat, and more! Those wanting a guided experience can meet Frisky Fish Outfitters for a day of fun fishing with an expert. Captain Jon Coonrad is dedicated to providing a great experience out on the lake. His years of expertise and knowledge of the area make him a sought-after guide, so book in advance!
Paddleboarding
After you’re done fishing, take your paddleboards out for a relaxing afternoon on the water. Take in the scenery of Sheep Mountain to the west and the clear blue water around you.
Didn't get enough fishing? On your way back to Laramie, make an optional stop at the Laramie River-Monolith Public Access Area.
Downtown Laramie
Laramie’s charming downtown is the perfect place to unwind after a day of fun. There’s something for everyone, with award-winning breweries, six restaurants featured in Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and retail stores you won’t find anywhere else.
Retail
Shop like a local for outdoor gear and one-of-a-kind finds. From unique clothing made in house to quality new and used gear, Laramie’s local sporting goods stores have everything you could want and more for your outdoor adventures.
Atmosphere Mountainworks
Known for their colorful block design, the clothes at Atmosphere Mountainworks are sewn in-store! Locals love Atmosphere for their one-of-a-kind style and quality gear.
NU2U and NU2U Sports
Shop quality used sporting goods and apparel at NU2U Sports and in the outdoor section of sister store NU2U. Retro and vintage outdoor gear can be found upstairs at their 5th St. location.
Basecamp
An outdoor adventure store selling equipment, clothing, and accessories for a variety of mountain pursuits.
All Terrain Sports
This local bike shop sells a wide variety of sporting goods, as well as trail maps for some of the most popular local trails in the Laramie area.
Freeflow Outdoors
Hunters and anglers will love this welcoming full-service archery pro shop, fly shop, and outdoor gear store. Browse their high-quality selection and chat with the experts, who love to swap hunting and fishing stories!
Pedal House
A full-service bike shop with a selection of bicycle accessories and bikes. Their friendly staff is happy to help with anything bike-related, from picking out a helmet to tune-ups and repairs.
Wyoming River Gear and Paddle House
Upstairs in The Pedal House you’ll find another great store, Wyoming River Gear & Paddle House. Shop new and used paddling and whitewater equipment.
Late Afternoon Hike at Pilot Hill
Pilot Hill connects the city of Laramie directly to Medicine Bow National Forest with nine square miles of trails through a diverse natural landscape. Trails range in difficulty from easy to extremely difficult, meaning there is something for everyone. Pilot Hill maps (recommended) can be found online or at the Laramie Area Visitor Center.
Dinner at Altitude Chophouse and Brewery
Altitude offers award-winning original brews and sophisticated cuisine. Their menu is made up of creative dishes, fresh cuts of beef, and their microbrews which have won over 25 awards at regional brewfests. Altitude has received national and international recognition and has been featured in Wyoming Homes and Living Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens and Via Magazine. The local brewery is also one of five listed on Visit Laramie’s Brewery Tour.
Day 2: Turtle Rock, Tie City, and Woods Landing
Breakfast at Night Heron Books and Coffeehouse
The extensive drink menu at Night Heron has something for everyone, with a variety of locally-roasted coffees, teas, and smoothies to choose from. They pride themselves on serving artisanal baked goods, inviting you to “join us in savoring the art of baking” on their website. Try their Egg, Cheese, Sun Dried Tomato, and Pesto bagel sandwich or a spicy Mayan Mocha with habanero and cayenne!
Turtle Rock Loop
Drive east of Laramie to Vedauwoo Recreation Area. Turtle Rock Trail is a 2.8-mile loop around the unique Turtle Rock formation. Hikers get a great view of Vedauwoo’s iconic Sherman Granite rock formations. The trail is generally considered easy and is a great option for families. Along the way you may spot moose in beaver ponds to the side of the trail in some spots. The loop takes you through interesting geological formations, wooded areas, and wetlands. Along the way you might spot moose in beaver ponds to the side of the trail! The Vedauwoo Picnic Area has trail access as well as toilets.
Vedauwoo’s breathtaking rock faces are popular among climbers. More experienced climbers bringing gear can switch out this part of the itinerary and spend the morning climbing instead.
Tie City Trailhead
Used in the winter for cross-country skiing, this popular trailhead leads to a network of trails used for hiking and biking in the warmer months. Trails vary in difficulty and length, but all offer views of the beautiful Medicine Bow National Forest. Many are accessible to mountain bikes, giving visitors the option to bring their own or rent one in Laramie.
Return to Laramie & Lunch at Sweet Melissa Café
Sweet Melissa Café is a favorite of locals and visitors alike! Described as “Comfort Food for the Homesick Vegetarian”, their creative menu offers delicious vegetarian and international cuisine with something for everyone to enjoy. Start with an appetizer of cauliflower wings or try their Mac n Cheese of the day! Guy Fieri pays the Café a visit in Season 35, Episode 5 of the hit Food Network show Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives to rave about Melissa’s vegan dishes! Follow along his culinary journey through Laramie on our Foodie Tour. Attached is Front Street, a cozy tavern with equally tasty drinks and mocktails.
Medicine Bow Rail Trail
Head to Woods Landing on Highway 230. You’ll spend the afternoon exploring the Medicine Bow Rail Trail, a 21-mile long expanse of maintained trails with 6 trailheads: Dry Park, Lake Owen, Lincoln Gulch, Woods Creek, Vienna, and Pelton Creek. The trail system was built in the former location of the Hahn’s Peak and Pacific Railroad, and remnants of the old railroad can still be found there today among the aspen and evergreen trees.
Woods Landing
For night 2 of this itinerary, you’ll stay at a rustic cabin nestled in the woods. Historic Woods Landing Resort is central to many of Southeast Wyoming’s best attractions, including the Rail Trail. Grab something to eat at Woods Landing Bar and Cafe and enjoy live music at the Woods Landing Dancehall.
Day 3: Horseback Ride and Snowy Range Byway
Horseback Ride with E&H Guiding
After grabbing breakfast at Woods Landing Bar and Cafe, meet up with E&H Guiding for a private horseback trail ride. They offer one and two hour rides, as well as a cattle drive experience for more experienced riders.
Centennial and Centennial Visitor Center
You’ll spend day 3 on the Snowy Range Scenic Byway. At the base of the Snowy Range is charming Centennial, WY. Stop by Country Junction and the Friendly Store while you’re in town for great souvenirs and a pack lunch for a picnic.
The Centennial Visitor Center is just out of town on your way up the mountain. The staff has up-to-date information about trail conditions and knowledge of the area, so stopping here before your Snowy Range adventure is highly recommended. The visitor center sells maps, shirts, water bottles, first aid kits, books, and more! There are also free guides and pamphlets.
Snowy Range Scenic Byway
Drive the length of the byway to Libby Flats Observation Area. You can use our tour brochure or follow our byway itinerary (keeping in mind that you will be driving back the same way).
Libby Flats Observation Area
The highest point on the byway at 10,000 feet above sea level is marked by a stone observation deck. Climb the stone staircase for incredible 360 degree views. From here you can see Medicine Bow Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park, and the Sierra Madre Mountains.
Snowy Range Observation Point
Take in the beauty of Medicine Bow Peak and the Snowy Range Mountains from the observation point. Miner’s Cabin, a short loop trail leading to the Red Mask Mine, starts here. Interpretive signs describe the mining equipment and old miner’s cabin along the trail, as well as the high-altitude flowers and trees you’ll see along the way.
Eat Lunch at Mirror Lake Picnic Area
A little further up the road is Mirror Lake. Aptly named, the clear water reflects the surrounding mountain faces and the bright blue Wyoming sky. Mirror Lake Picnic and Fishing Site offers 15 picnic tables and lakeside fishing access. Eat your pack lunch here, then take a short walking trail to nearby Lake Marie. Across from the Lake Marie parking area is a quick trail to Lake Marie Falls.
Lakes Trail
Start on the Lakes Trail from Lake Marie. You’ll hike past Mirror Lake and continue to Lookout Lake. You’ll get even closer to the base of the Snowy Range, with especially stunning views of a peak known as “The Diamond”. Deposits of snow hang on to the sheer mountain face year-round. You may even see a tiny iceberg floating around the lake left over from the winter freeze. After enjoying the view from the lake, return to the trailhead and drive the way you came to Lewis Lake Picnic Area.
Lost Glacier Lakes Trail
This moderately difficult 1.8 mile trail takes hikers near 9 lakes and ends at Brooklyn Lake Campground. Groups with multiple cars can park at the beginning and end of the trail; there is no public transportation available back to Lewis Lake. There are routes off of the main trail to the Telephone Lakes and Lost Lake.
Set up Camp at North Fork Campground
This is a large, RV-friendly campground near the North Fork and Little Laramie Rivers. Set up camp here before making the ten minute drive back to Centennial for dinner. For the best experience, book online in advance at recreation.gov.
Dinner at Bear Bottom Bar and Grill
To reward yourself for a long day of hiking, grab a burger or a pizza with a refreshing cold beverage at this family-friendly local restaurant. Eat outside on the rooftop deck or the backyard picnic tables.
Stargazing
The national forest is a fantastic place to view the milky way. Wyoming’s wide open dark skies are perfect for stargazing, with minimal light pollution outside of populated areas. Return to your campsite and wait for the sun to set, or find a safe spot to view the night sky further down the road.