26 Wyoming Facts: Fun Facts About Wyoming You Need To Know

These Wyoming facts will have this amazing state at the top of your ‘Most Interesting State’ list, even though it may be last on the list of USA states alphabetically!

I’m sure there will be a few Wyoming facts that you didn’t know, but once you read them, you’ll be able to impress your friends and family!

These interesting facts about Wyoming will help you understand Wyoming’s people, culture, and history even better.

All in all, Wyoming is a fascinating state with so much to share, and I hope you enjoy these Wyoming fun facts!

26 Wyoming Facts: Fun Facts About Wyoming You Need To Know

Wyoming Is In The Top 10 States By Size in The USA

The first fun fact about Wyoming is that it is the tenth-largest state in the USA. While it may be big, it also has the smallest population of any state.

The total state population is just over 578,000 people. More people live in Oklahoma City than in the whole of the Buffalo State. 

To put that in perspective, there are just under six people per square mile in WY. Only in Alaska are there fewer people per square mile.

Because of its small population, it sits 51st on the list of state economies in the United States.

The Equality State Granted Women Voting Rights First

In 1869, the Land of the Buffalo blazed a trail before any other state by becoming the first state where women over the age of 21 could exercise the right to vote. 

Only in 1920, some 51 years later, was the 19th Amendment passed into law to compel all states to allow women the right to vote. 

Not only did this empower women in the state, giving women equal rights to men, but this progressive move may also have drawn new settlers Into the state.

Its Nickname Is The Equality State

Another interesting fact about Wyoming is its nickname, “Equality State.” 

Because the state became famous for granting women the right to vote, women could also serve on juries and hold public office. 

The nickname “Equality State” stuck, even after other states introduced similar laws and equality standards.

The Equality State Had The First Female Governor

Among the many Wyoming fun facts, this is one of the best. The Cowboy State was the first state any in the United States to have a female governor.

Governor William Bradford Ross died in 1925, and his wife Nellie Tayloe Ross stepped in to finish her husband’s term and was the Governor from 1925 to 1927. 

Nellie Tayloe Ross is recognized as the 14th governor of WY. Even though its nickname is the “Equality State,” she is the only woman to have held this office since then.

The World’s First National Park Was In WY

Another first up its sleeve is that it was also the state that opened the world’s first national park, Yellowstone National Park, which is one of the most visited parks in the US.

Yellowstone is the United States’ oldest national park, established in 1872. 

It is also an incredibly popular destination, with more than 4 million visitors each year. That’s almost seven times the state population!  

With hundreds of species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, it is easy to see why people flock to this amazing Wyoming National Park.

The Highest Point In The State Is Gannett Peak

Gannett Peak stands at a whopping 13,809 feet tall. The peak attracts climbers and mountaineering enthusiasts from all over the country.

The landscape drops by more than 10,000 feet to the state’s lowest point, the Belle Fourche River, which is only 3,125 feet above sea level. 

The Buffalo State Has More Than 117,000 Elk

If you want to impress everyone with your knowledge of interesting facts about Wyoming, this is one of the best. 

Because of the state’s low human population, it makes way for other animals to thrive in their natural habitat. 

In 2021, the estimated number of elk in WY was about 117,000. Keep in mind that in 1980, there were approximately 65,000 elk in the state, meaning the population had doubled in about 40 years. 

While this may be one of those quirky Wyoming facts, it is good for anyone concerned about the environment.

The Hottest The Cowboy State Has Ever Been Is 116⁰F

The hottest temperature on record in the state borders is 116 degrees Fahrenheit and was recorded in 1900. Compared to other Wyoming facts, this one is scorching!

But it’s not known to be a hot state. The average temperature in the Land of the Buffalo is about 45 degrees Fahrenheit. 

The rest of the state has a varied climate, changing from snowy and cold in the north to dry and hot in the south. 

On the opposite end of the scale, the coldest temperature in the state was recorded just 15 years later, in 1933, at -63 degrees Fahrenheit.

The WY State Flower Is The Indian Paintbrush

While there is strength and power in the buffalo, WY’s state animal, there is a delicacy in the state flower, the Indian paintbrush.

The Indian paintbrush is a flower that is native to the United States and is also known by the name Castilleja linariifolia.

The flower was selected as the state flower because of its local abundance in the state, its beauty, and its association with the Native American people. 

The WY State Tree Is The Corronwood

The state tree is the cottonwood tree. The cottonwood is a member of the willow family and is most common on the eastern plains and along rivers and streams.

Cottonwood is the name used for several species of fast-growing, short-lived trees in the state. They are abundant in the state and can grow up to 100 feet tall.

They are called cottonwood trees because of the cotton-like mass surrounding their seeds. 

There Are Many Ghost Towns In The Cowboy State

If you are looking for a spooky ghost town, the Cowboy State has many to offer. The most popular is South Pass City.

The changing economy over the decades has meant many towns sprung up to support the railroad, mining, and ranching, but as these industries have changed, some of the towns that supported them had to be abandoned. 

South Pass City was one of these, which had a population of 2,000 people. Founded in 1867, the gold rush drew people to the city, but by the 1870s, the gold rush had ended, and the town was abandoned. 

Many buildings have been restored, and the town has become a popular tourist destination. 

WY’s Capitol Dome Is Made With Real Gold

The Capitol Dome is not only the civic center of the state government, but it also has the bonus of shining brighter than any other building surrounding it because it is plated in real gold. 

This, and other Wyoming facts, really help the state to shine! 

The building was built between 1887 and 1900. It was originally built with a copper dome to reflect the sun for all who looked at it, but after time the dome tarnished. 

The solution was to cover the dome in a thin layer of gold to always reflect the sun! 

The Equality State Has Many Natural Wonders

Within the borders of WY, many natural wonders attract tourists and visitors from all over the world.

The Yellowstone Caldera is the largest supervolcano in the United States. 

The Grand Teton Mountains are a spectacular 25-mile stretch of mountains in the Rocky Mountain Range that also holds Grand Teton Peak. 

Devil’s Tower is an igneous rock butte that stands 867 feet from base to summit. It rises 1,267 feet above the Belle Fouch River in the northeastern part of the state. 

These natural wonders are inviting attractions for outdoor enthusiasts. 

Wyoming Is Abundant In Minerals

WY produces the largest amount of coal in the United States. An interesting fact about the state is that it is abundant in coal, oil, and natural gas. 

From these natural resources, natural gas, petroleum, and bentonite (a volcanic ash clay used in construction, detergents, cat litter, and even some foods) are produced.

The Biggest Landowner In The State Is The Government

Almost half of all the land in the state is owned by the United States Government. 

This is because large pieces of land are taken up by state parks, like Yellowstone National Park, national forests, and as public lands for grazing, mining, and other uses. 

Also, an interesting fact is that because of the Homestead Act of 1862, many pieces of land were given to settlers to live on and improve, but because many of the tracts were unsuitable, they were abandoned and reverted back to government ownership.

The Equality State Has Six Neighbors

One of the Wyoming facts that surprises many people is that even though it is roughly in the shape of a square with four sides, six states share a border with it. 

To the north, it borders with Montana. To the east, Nebraska and South Dakota are the neighboring states. On the west is Idaho, and on the south, Colorado and Utah share that border.

WY Was Once Claimed By The Spanish Empire

Up until 1848, the Southwestern parts of the state were claimed by the Spanish Empire. 

During the Mexican-American war, parts of WY were considered part of the Spanish Empire, as well as other parts of neighboring states.  

At the end of the war, the land was ceded to the United States, and the borders of Montanna were drawn up. 

WY Is A Treasure Chest Of Dinosaur Fossils

Another of our fun facts about Wyoming is that it stands out amongst other states when it comes to the number of dinosaur fossils to be found!

WY is the dinosaur fossil-hunting capital of the US. Since the mid-1880s, the southeastern sections of the state have been known to have many fossils and dig sites.

There are so many fossils that some people have even used fossilized bone fragments to build cabins! This is one of the Wyoming facts that must be seen to be believed!

Bison Burgers Are Big In The Land Of The Buffalo

For the adventurous eaters out there, The Land of the Buffalo offers fantastic bison burgers. 

Bison meat has a different flavor than beef, and people often choose bison burgers because they are lower in fat and calories while being higher in protein.

Bison burgers have become one of the favorite foods across the state among locals and visitors. 

But it doesn’t end with delicious bison burgers. WY is also known as a place to eat chokecherries, elk, jerkies, and lamb.

Wyoming Has Dozens Of Islands

You may not believe this Wyoming fun fact, but within the borders of the state, there are thirty-two islands, that’s right, islands! 

Even though it is a completely landlocked state, in the lakes and rivers across the state, there are 32 named islands. 

Most of these are in the Jackson and Yellowstone lakes, and a few are in the Green River. Some of the islands are inhabited, but most are not. 

Cheyenne Was One Of The World’s Richest Cities

You wouldn’t think so today, but in the 1880’s Cheyenne, WY, was one the richest cities in the world! 

The thriving gold rush and a booming cattle industry, all connected by a railway line, made Cheyenne attractive to many wealthy people. Unfortunately, this is one of our Wyoming facts that is no longer true. 

The mineral wealth of the state caused miners and gold prospectors from all over the world. The success of many of these made the city wealthier. 

WY Is The Second Most Healthy And Happy State

The Cowboy State comes in as the second healthiest and happiest state in the US. Only Hawaii ranks higher for happiness and health. 

In multiple surveys, it scores high as a great place to live, with a happiness index well above other states.

Some of the factors that contribute to it being the second happiest and healthy state are the abundance and beauty of the natural surrounding environment, the low population density, the strong sense of community in towns and cities, the low cost of living compared to other states, and a large portion of the state have good access to healthcare.

There Is A 3/4 Mile Sculpture Trail In The State

An interesting fact about WY is that you will find a place where art and nature trails meet. 

The National Museum of Wildlife Art has a three-quarter-mile-long trail with numerous life-size sculptures to admire as you walk. 

Along the trail, you will find full-sized moose and buffalo that have been set up to look like they are galloping through the mountains and the hills. 

Some are difficult to tell apart from the real thing, except they don’t move. 

Cheyenne Is Called The Rodeo Capital Of The World

Cheyenne, WY, hosts the annual Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. This outdoor rodeo has become so popular that it has become the largest in the United States. Because of this, Cheyenne claims it is the rodeo capital of the world.

The Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo has been a continuous annual event since 1897. It attracts people from all over the world to enjoy the sights and sounds of a spectacular rodeo.

The Cowboy State Has Been Home To Many Outlaws

The Cowboy State was at the heart of what was known as the Wild West. 

A fact that some people may not be proud of is that because of the wide open spaces and settlers moving in and out of the territory, it was the perfect place for outlaws in the 1800s. 

The lawlessness in the western US territories meant some of the most well-known outlaws, such as Bill Mc Coy, Butch Cassidy, and the Sundance Kid, called it home at one time or another. 

Even though some may not be proud of this history, these Wyoming facts are still true! 

Laramie Hosted A World Record Swing Dance

The largest organized swing dance in recorded history took place in Laramie.

On the 30th of April 2015, a whopping 1,184 dancers gathered on the Laramie campus of the University of Wyoming to participate in the record-breaking dance. 

The swing dance was attended by a Guinness Book of World Records representative who confirmed that the record was a success. 

This is one of those fun facts about Wyoming that will have you dancing in the streets!

Quick Fun Facts About Wyoming

Wyoming’s largest airport is Jackson Hole Airport, with more than 500 employees.

Devils Tower National Monument is America’s first national monument, which was proclaimed on September 24, 1906.

Some famous people from Wyoming: Jackson Pollock, Jim Beaver, James Norman, Lynne Cheney, and Dana Perino.

That concludes our post for today! I hope you enjoyed exploring these fascinating details about Wyoming. Remember to spread the word about this article on your social media. Also, if you’re aware of any other intriguing facts about Wyoming, feel free to share them in the comments. I’m eager to hear from you!