Wyoming contains most of the Yellowstone National Park. The park includes the world�s large collection of geothermal activity, with 10,000 hot springs and geysers. Yellowstone is home to grizzly bears, wolves, free-range buffalo and elk.
The Grand Teton National Park is said to have some of the world�s most beautiful mountain peaks. They thrust from the Jackson Hole valley to nearly 1 � miles into the sky. Both of these national parks are near Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Between the 2 parks and the city the amount of outdoor and indoor activities is limitless.
Wyoming has two National Monuments. Devil�s Tower National Monument is right off the Belle Fourche River between Gillette and the Wyoming Black Hills. The monument, which was featured in �Close Encounters of the Third Kind�, is 1000 feet across and shoots up above the surrounding land by almost 1,300 feet. It has been a major western landmark since the 1800s and is sacred to several Native American tribes.
The other National Monument in Wyoming is the Fossil Butte National Monument. It is a ruggedly impressive butte. The feature, which rises over 1,000 feet above the surrounding land or to a height of over 7,500 feet, contains the fossils of several types of fishes including varieties of perch and herring.
For more information on any of Wyoming�s National Parks and Monument see this page: http://www.ccsd.k12.wy.us/fourth/wyoming/parks.html.
The Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area covers over 120,000 acres in northern Wyoming (and Montana) between Cody and Sheridan. The main attraction is the 71 mile long Big Horn Lake and its related activities of boating, skiing, fishing, and hunting waterfowl. Guided fishing and hunting trips are available. Other popular activities include camping, auto tours, biking, hiking, snow skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and swimming. Nationalparks.com has an interesting site with more information.
The Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is part of the Ashley National Forest. The gorge offers what is quite possibly the country�s best trout fishing. The gorge is fed by the Green River and was made when the Flaming Gorge Dam was built. The area also contains ancient artifact from several Indian tribes. The Flaming Gorge ranger district offers more information.
Wyoming has 6 large National Forests. All of the forests are very beautiful and exciting places. For complete details, including location, activities, and pictures, see this link, http://www.ccsd.k12.wy.us/fourth/wyoming/forest.html.
