I love the outdoors. I grew up riding horses, going to the lake every summer, and snowboarding in the winter.I love hiking, and while I’ve never actually hunted, I would go on the elk hunt with my family so that I could ride 4 wheelers and hang out by the fire. But as much as I love the outdoors, I also love things that sometimes don’t go hand in hand with the outdoors-like plumbing. My husband and I went to Wyoming a few weekends ago for his family reunion, and while I was excited to spend time at the family ranch, I was not particularly excited to use the outhouse. And while I do like to camp and sleep in a tent, there is a limit to how long I can go without sleeping in a real bed without turning into, well, a monster. I love the outdoors, but I also love having the option of being indoors. And the good news is, there are plenty of options out there to make that happen – especially in Wyoming. It really is the perfect place for someone who loves the outdoors, but also enjoys staying indoors, as long as you’re not going to my husband’s family reunion, that is
Here’s a list of options that allow you to visit Wyoming in style:
- Jackson Hole. With Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park right there, you really can spend the day exploring the outdoors to your heart’s content, and, because there are plenty of great hotels in Jackson, WY, you can still sleep in a bed and have access to plumbing-which, to me, really is the best of both worlds.
- Cheyenne Frontier Days. If you’d like to experience a more urban side of Wyoming, Cheyenne Frontier Days takes place annually at the end of July and consists of rodeos, carnivals, dances, and concerts–which is enough to get your fill of country life without the potential hassle of country living.
- Hot Springs State Park. Another option is to visit the Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis, WY where you can enjoy and relax in both indoor and outdoor mineral hot spring pools that are supported by Big Spring, the world’s largest (single) mineral hot spring. And when you get too hot, you can walk around the beautiful gardens or along the trails that make up this state park.
While my last trip to Wyoming was a little less than stylish, your trip to Wyoming doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of destinations in Wyoming that have the best of both outdoor and indoor living. And to those of you who thrive on the thrill of no plumbing, don’t fret. There are still plenty of outhouses to go around.