What Is Wyoming Known For? 11 Things Wyomingites Love About Themselves

There’s plenty to America’s least-populated state that makes it the unique place it is. Since Wyoming has such a small population, you’ll find that Wyomingites are fiercely loyal to their state! They have a pretty good reason — Wyoming has so much to offer visitors and locals alike. Here are 11 things that Wyoming is known for, that the locals love!

1. Wyoming Is Home to the True American Old West

If you want to see what life was like in early America, Wyoming is the state to visit. You can explore old western towns and unique places like the Sheridan Inn (which Buffalo Bill Cody used to partly own!) and other historic areas. The great thing about Wyoming is that there is no shortage of history and culture, which is evident as soon as you begin to explore.

2. It Has Supported Women’s Rights from the Very Beginning

Wyoming has always been progressive and forward-thinking when it comes to women’s rights. It was the first state to allow women the right to vote in 1869. Then, 56 years after that monumental law was passed, the state’s citizens voted in the first female governor. Nellie Tayloe Ross served from 1925-1927 and led the way for other female U.S. politicians. 

3. The National Parks There Are Truly Amazing

Yellowstone National Park is the most famous national park in the United States, and for good reason! The Old Faithful is a natural wonder that spurts water up to 180 feet every hour and a half! There are a few other geysers, the largest hot spring in America, and many neat geothermal features.

If that somehow doesn’t impress you, head on over to Grand Teton National Park, right next to Jackson. It’s named after the Teton Range of mountains, of which you can catch some amazing views. With over 300,000 acres of wilderness to explore, you’ll have plenty to do in the park.

4. Wyoming Is Nicknamed the Equality State

If you can’t tell, Wyoming has always supported equality. Wyomingites are proud to have made not just one, but two advances in women’s rights for America. To remember and show off their history, they chose the name The Suffrage State, but later changed it to The Equality State.

5. It’s the Least Populated State

Out of all the United States, Wyoming has the smallest population. Though it’s 9th-largest state, Wyoming has just 563,626 residents. That’s 40,000 fewer people than Washington, D.C., which is the 2nd-least populated. It has the 2nd-lowest population density after Alaska, which is a feature that many Wyomingites love. 

6. Wyoming Is the Cowboy State

You’ve probably realized already that cowboys and the Old West have a lot to do with Wyoming’s history. But Wyomingites love keeping the culture and history alive. A cowboy on a bucking horse is the official trademark of Wyoming and it appears on the U.S. Mint’s commemorative quarter for the state. Because of the emblem and the state’s rich history, it has gained the unofficial nickname The Cowboy State.

7. The Capital Is Cheyenne

If you think of Wyoming, usually two big places come to mind: Yellowstone and Cheyenne. Cheyenne is a unique place — a mix of Wild West and big city, with an equally special culture. It’s certainly worth a visit, but consider checking out the city during its annual Cheyenne Frontier Days festival, a rodeo and western celebration that brings in tons of visitors each year.

8. The State Parks Are Pretty Great Too

Wyoming is a pretty chilly state, it has regular snow in the winter and the temperature will easily dip below freezing. But it also has something that makes all of that better — hot springs. Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis is a free park to visit. It has multiple natural hot springs that you can soak in and enjoy, and even better, the minerals in the water are known for their healing properties! It’s the largest mineral hot spring in the world, and so worth the visit!

9. Mining Is a Big Deal

Wyoming has always had a big mining industry, with plenty of coal, natural gas, and oil. Aside from the resources, it also has many minerals like gold and copper. It has the highest amount of uranium deposits of any U.S. state. Because of this, Wyoming has the highest percentage of workers in the agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting, and mining industries as compared to the rest of the U.S.

10. About Half of Wyoming Is Federally Owned

The U.S. has different parts that are owned by the federal government. This means that the land is usually managed as a park or other wildlife area and the public is able to enjoy it. Wyoming has the 6th-largest percentage of federal land, mainly because of the seven national parks. 

11. It’s Not Uncommon to See a Horse or Two

One of the most unique things about Wyoming is that residents will often use horses for transportation. They’ll take them into town, to the local store, and down the road. With the price of gas lately, they might just be onto something!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Cavan Images/iStock via Getty Images