Rivers and Mountains in Wyoming

According to Abbreviationfinder, with population of 578,759, Wyoming is the 50th largest state among U.S. 50 states, and WY is the two letter abbreviation for Wyoming. Here, we provide a list of major rivers and mountains in the state of Wyoming.

Rivers and Mountains in Wyoming

Rivers in Wyoming

Bear River
The Bear River has a total length of 790 km and flows through the states of Utah, Wyoming and Idaho. The Bear River is created in Utah by the confluence of the Hayden Fork and Stillwater Fork. From there it flows through the southwestern part of Wyoming, from there to Idaho and finally flows back to the Great Salt Lake in Utah. The Bear River is particularly important for agriculture because it is used very intensively for irrigation.

Bighorn River
The Bighorn River is an approx. 742 km long tributary of the Yellowstone River. The source of the Bighorn River is in the Owl Creek Mountains in Wyoming and from there the river flows northeast until it flows into the Yellowstone River. Both the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Areas and the Hot Springs State Park are located on the river.

Gallatin River
The Gallatin River is a tributary of the Missouri River and has a length of approx. 193 km. The Gallatin River, along with the Jefferson and Madison Rivers, is one of the rivers that make up the Missouri at Three Forks. The Gallatin River flows in the states of Wyoming and Montana. The Gallatin River originates from Gallatin Lake in the northwest of Yellowstone National Park. From there it flows principally in a northwest direction, through the Galltin National Forest towards its mouth at Three Forks. It is named after former US Treasury Secretary Albert Gallatin. Due to its course through the Rocky Mountains, the river is a very beautiful to see and one of the top addresses for rafting, but anglers also get their money’s worth here.

Green River
The Green River is a tributary of the famous Colorado River and flows through the states of Wyoming, Utah and Colorado over a length of approximately 1,175 km. The source of the river is in the mountainous region of the Wind River Range in Wyoming and its confluence with the Colorado River is in Canyonlands National Park in the state of Utah. A special feature of the Green River is that it flows through numerous canyons on its course.

North Platte River
The North Platte River is approximately 1,094 km long and is the source river of the Platte River. The North Platte River originates in Colorado near the city of Walden. From there it flows through Wyoming and Nebraska before it flows into the Platte River. In the state of Wyoming, the river is dammed in Glendo State Park to form the Glendo Reservoir. The river, or its course in Wyoming, is known as a very good fishing and rafting area.

Powder River
The Powder River has a length of approx. 603 km and is a tributary of the Yellowstone River. The Powder River originates in the Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming and flows from there to Montana where it flows into the Yellowstone River at Miles City.

Snake River
The Snake River is also known as the Shoshone River and has a length of approximately 1,674 km. It is a tributary of the Columbia River and flows through the states of Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. The source of the river is in Yellowstone National Park and from there the river also flows through the Grand Teton National Park. The Snake River flows into the Columbia River near the city of Pasco. The Snake River flows through numerous deep canyons and forms many waterfalls, such as the approx. 70 m high Shoshone Falls in Oregon.

Yellowstone River
The Yellowstone River has a total length of approximately 1,114 km and is one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. The Yellowstone River rises near Younts Peak in northwestern Wyoming and flows from there through Yellowstone National Park, how could it be otherwise? After crossing the Yellowstone Lake, the river forms the so-called Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, which has a depth of 275 m. The Yellowstone River flows into the Missouri on the border between Montana and North Dakota.

  • COUNTRYAAH: Alphabetical list of all cities, towns and villages in Wyoming, including biggest cities by population and capital city in the state of Wyoming.

Mountains in Wyoming

Wind River Mountains of western Wyoming

The west of Wyoming is defined by the mountain range of the Rocky Mountains. The peaks tower particularly high in the northwest. Then the most important mountains are named.

Gannett Peak
Gannett Peak is located in western Wyoming and is 4,207 m high. It is the highest mountain in the state of Wyoming. The mountain in the Wind River Range is in the wildest area of ​​Wyoming. The Wind River Range runs from the northwest to the southeast and thus forms part of the continental divide. The mountain range limits the Yellowstone National Park in the east and is protected by 3 nature reserves. These are the Bridger Wilderness, the Fitzpatrick Wilderness and Popo Agie Wilderness. The Shoshone and Arapaho Indian Reservation is also located here.

Cloud Peak
With a height of approx. 4,013 m, the Cloud Peak is the highest mountain in the Big Horn Mountains in northern Wyoming. The mountain is in the protected area of ​​the Bighorn National Forest. Climbing the mountain is possible but should never be underestimated. At Cloud Peak is the Cloud Peak Glacier, the last active glacier in the Big Horn Mountains.

Eagle Peak
At 3,462 m, Eagle Peak is the highest mountain in Yellowstone National Park. Eagle Peak belongs to the Absaroka mountain range and borders the Yellowstone National Park in the east.

Grand Teton
The Grand Teton is 4,199 m high, making it the highest mountain in the Teton Range and the second highest mountain in Wyoming. The Grand Teton can be recognized by its shape and is probably the most beautiful mountain in the Grand Teton National Park. The Grand Teton is difficult to climb, if not quite as difficult as Mount Moran.

Laramie Peak
The Laramie Peak is 3,132 m high and is located in southeast Wyoming. The mountain is part of the Laramie Mountains and is owned by Wyoming. The mountain and its flora and fauna are protected by the Medicine Bow National Forest nature reserve. The ascent of the mountain is difficult but can be done. There are also guided tours with the United States Forest Service.

Mount Moran
Mount Moran is a 3,842 m high mountain in the mountain range of the Teton Range in the far northwest of Wyoming. The mountain is located in the Grand Teton National Park. Mount Moran is best known for the Geltscher located on it, such as the Skillet Glacier. Climbing the mountain is very difficult and should only be undertaken by experts, as there is no tourist infrastructure.

Mount Washburn
Mount Washburn is located in the middle of Yellowstone National Park and rises to a height of approximately 3,122 m. Due to its central location, it is very popular with tourists as it stands for wonderful views. If you dare to climb, you can also visit the fire watchtower on the top of the mountain.

Absaroka Range
The Absaroka Range is a mountain range in the south of Montana and northeast of Wyoming and is one of the Rocky Mountains. The Absaroka Range has a length of approx. 240 km and a width of approx. 80 km. The mountain range is named after the Absarokee tribe. The Absaroka Range limits Yellowstone National Park to the east. The highest point in the Absaroka Range is Francs Peak with a height of 4008 m. Much of the Absaroka Range is covered by nature reserves such as Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, North Absaroka Wilderness, Teton Wilderness, Washakie Wilderness, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Custer National Forest, Gallatin National Forest and Shoshone National Forest.

Big Horn Mountains
The Big Horn Mountains are a mountain range in the south of Montana and northeast of Wyoming and are east of the Rocky Mountains. The Big Horn Mountains have a length of approx. 120 km and a width of approx. 50 km. The highest peak in the Big Horn Mountains is the Cloud Peak with a height of 4,013 m. Much of the Big Horn Mountains are covered by nature reserves such as the Bighorn National Forest and Cloud Peak Wilderness. In Montana, the Big Horn Mountains are located in the Crow Indian Reservation area and are bordered to the north by the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. The Big Horn Medicine Wheel can also be found in the Big Horn Mountains. The mountain range is known for the film Brokeback Mountain, which takes place in this region but was shot in Canada.

Lakes and reservoirs in Wyoming

Wyoming is considered a fairly dry region in the United States. Overall, water is less than 1% of the state. The most important lakes are:

Yellowstone Lake
Yellowstone Lake has an area of ​​354 km² and is located in Yellowstone National Park, the largest lake of which it is. The lake reaches a maximum depth of 122 m and is formed by the Yellowstone River. The lake was formerly known as Lake Eustis or Sublette’s Lake. The landscape around the lake is unique, but bathing in the lake is more difficult than expected because the lake has a very low water temperature. However, it is possible to rent boats and use it to explore the lake. Fishing is also possible with a license.

Jackson Lake
Jackson Lake in northwest Wyoming has an area of ​​approximately 103 km² and is located in the Grand Teton National Park. The lake is fed by the Snake River. The maximum depth of the lake is about 134 m. The lake is actually a natural lake but was enlarged in 1911 by the construction of the Jackson Lake Dam. The water temperature is very low even in midsummer and therefore Jackson Lake is not exactly inviting for a swim.

Bighorn Lake
Bighorn Lake is a reservoir located in northern Wyoming and southern Montana. The lake covers an area of ​​approximately 50,893 km² and has been dammed up by the Yellowtail Dam since 1966. This dam is used for energy generation but also for flood control over the Bighorn River. The lake is in the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area.

Glendo Reservoir
The Glendo Reservoir is a reservoir in southeastern Wyoming and has been dammed by the Glendo Dam since 1958. The dam is used to generate energy and the lake is in Glendo State Park. The lake is a local recreation area for good opportunities for water sports and fishing.

Wind River Indian Reservation

The Wind River Indian Reservation is located in western Wyoming and borders the Firtzpatrick Wilderness in the west. The tribes of the Eastern Shoshones and the Arapqahos live here on an area of ​​approx. 8,995 km². This makes the reserve the seventh largest Indian reservation in the United States. A total of approximately 24,000 people live here, but not all of them are native Americans. The reserve was founded in 1868, then covering an area of ​​12,000 km². There are many lakes and historical buildings in the reserve. But casinos can also be found here.

Grand Teton National Park
The Grand Teton National Park is in western Wyoming. The park is located south of Yellowstone National Park and is named after the Teton mountain range, which runs north / south through the park. To the east of the mountains are the wide plain “Jackson Hole” and the mountain lake Jackson Lake. The area has been a national park since 1929 and impresses with its wonderful nature. Visitors will find pronghorns and mule deer, which are among the most interesting animal species in the park. The park is traversed by the Snake River, which is an ideal opportunity for rafting. Furthermore, hiking in the park on the over 300 km long hiking trails offers itself. For experienced mountaineers, the park should be a paradise due to the large number of high but not too easy to climb mountains.

Contact www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm