Last Updated on: 13th June 2025, 08:38 am
With a population of just 65,000, Cheyenne is the capital of the country’s least-populated state. And given its position at the opposite end of Wyoming from Yellowstone, one would be forgiven for thinking that there aren’t that many things to do in Cheyenne.
But if the idea of hiking amongst granite boulders, checking out a mysterious pyramid, and exploring a charming town center sound appealing to you, Cheyenne is more than worthy of a couple of nights on your road trip itinerary.
In the following guide, we’ll be covering the top things to do in both central Cheyenne and its nearby outskirts. For more info on where to stay in the city, be sure to check the end of the article.
Turtle Rock
Not many outsiders realize that just outside of Cheyenne is what could be considered Wyoming’s version of Joshua Tree National Park (minus the Joshua trees, of course).
While there seem to be numerous towering granite formations in the area, the most popular among them is called Turtle Rock which is part of the Medicine Bow National Forest.
Entrance is free if you already have an America The Beautiful parks pass. Otherwise, the cost is just $5.
Turtle Rock is about a 30-minute drive west of Cheyenne, and if you only have a full day in the area, it might be wise to start here to beat the crowds.
If you have AllTrails, it would be helpful to follow the ‘Turtle Rock Loop Trail’ featured on the app. That’s what I did, but also added in a couple of detours.
Note that depending on where you park, the trailhead can be a bit tricky to find.
Shortly into the hike, you’ll likely be wondering why Turtle Rock isn’t much more well-known.
The unique formations here are comprised of Sherman Granite that was uplifted between 55 and 70 million years ago. The rocks were then subject to many millions of years of erosion, resulting in many unusual and eye-catching shapes.
The granite here is a composite of pink feldspar, glassy quartz, black mica, and hornblende – a combination which may have led to its unique erosion patterns.
And as you walk around, you’ll notice that there are quite a few ‘balanced rocks’ here, along with many hoodoo-like spires.
Turtle Rock itself, meanwhile, is the massive towering granite mountain in the center of it all. While I only came for light hiking, it’s not surprising that the area attracts serious rock climbers, and I even spotted some climbers at the very top.
After making a few detours, I spotted even more mountain-like formations in the distance. And looking across the horizon, there seemed to be granite as far as the eye could see.
As I’m not a local, I’m unsure of whether or not proper trails exist in those other areas. If I had more time, I would’ve driven over to check things out.
Though I had the trail to myself for a while upon my arrival at 8:30 on a Sunday morning, it wasn’t long before I started regularly encountering other hikers.
Reading online reviews, you’ll find multiple people complaining of unleashed dogs on the trails, and I can confirm that to be a real issue.
All in all, I spent about 1 hour and 45 minutes exploring Turtle Rock, but those with more free time could easily spend a few hours or more.
If you’re not rock climbing, the terrain is mostly flat, which can be a nice change of pace if you’re coming directly from Rocky Mountain National Park.
The Ames Monument
Located on the opposite side of the Dwight D Eisenhower Highway from Turtle Rock is another unique landmark that visitors shouldn’t miss.
After first learning about a mysterious granite pyramid standing in the middle of remote Wyoming, I actually had the Ames Monument saved in my Google Maps app for a couple of years before coming to this region. And after realizing that I’d be so close, I couldn’t pass up on the opportunity.
The monument is about a ten-minute drive from Turtle Rock, as you’ll have to drive down a gravel road for a bit to get there. But what, you may be wondering, is a stone pyramid doing in the middle of nowhere outside of Wyoming’s capital?
The pyramid was constructed between 1880-82 in honor of Oliver and Oakes Ames from New England, who helped fund the Union Pacific Railroad. But why this particular spot?
Well, the pyramid originally was built right by the tracks. And its location was meant to mark the railroad’s highest point. But the tracks were relocated about three miles south in 1901, leaving the pyramid on its own.
The pyramid was completed by a team of 85 men, and with Turtle Rock visible in the distance, it’s not hard to figure out where the stone was sourced from. The pyramid stands at 65 ft tall and its square base is 60 ft on each side.
The rough granite stones reminded me somewhat of the Pyramid of Menkaure at Giza, though the Ames Monument’s narrow shape is more reminiscent of pyramids found in Sudan or Guatemala.
Looking up, you’ll see a bas-relief medallion of one of the Ames brothers that was carved by American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens.
At the time of its construction, the monument cost $65,000 which would be a couple of million in today’s money!
Tree Rock
On the way back to Cheyenne, don’t miss the chance to stop at yet another unique landmark, the Tree Rock. Situated right in the middle of the highway, it even has its own little exit.
As mentioned, the railroad used to run by here before it was relocated. And the workers laying out the tracks even diverted them slightly to preserve this natural landmark.
Passengers coming past here on the Union Pacific Railroad could see this tree growing out of a rock, and it soon became a famous landmark, frequently appearing on early 20th-century postcards.
The tree is a limber pine (Pinus Flexilis), a species that can live up to 2,000 years. As such, we don’t know its true age, as it was only first documented in the 19th century. But hopefully visitors will be able to enjoy it for centuries more to come.
Around Central Cheyenne
Cheyenne’s location was chosen due to it being halfway between Omaha and Salt Lake City.
And the city quickly grew once the Union Pacific Railway began operations. But today, with the railroad no longer serving passengers, Wyoming remains the most sparsely populated state in the country. And its capital reflects that.
While not necessarily a bad thing, walking through Cheyenne on a sunny Sunday afternoon, it largely felt like a ghost town. But it was a nice change of pace coming from the Denver area.
Cheyenne is a clean and orderly city with some interesting and colorful architecture. It’s well worth a walk around, even for those just passing through.
While in some cities, Monday is the day on which most museums close, in Cheyenne that day is Sunday – the day of my visit. But if you’re visiting on another day, you can check out the Museum of the West, the Wyoming State Museum, and the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum (which is actually open daily).
As you walk around town, it can be fun to seek out the massive cowboy boot sculptures placed throughout the city. Like many places in Wyoming and neighboring states, Cheyenne is very proud of its cowboy heritage.
As mentioned, I encountered most things closed, but the excellent Depot Museum does indeed happen to be open on Sundays. At the time of writing, entry costs $10 for adults or $9 for seniors.
Situated in the former train station, the museum will teach you all about the development of the Union Pacific Railroad and Cheyenne itself, which, of course, developed along with it. You’ll also get to learn about various landmarks around town.
The upper floor, meanwhile, is home to a massive model train set which features accurate recreations of various towns situated along the railroad.
Being the state capital, Cheyenne is also home to the Wyoming Capitol Building. While I didn’t go inside, I went to see it from outside, along with the nearby Governor’s Mansion.
All in all, Cheyenne and its outskirts have more than enough to do to warrant at least a full day in town when you’re passing through. It makes for a great stopover for those traveling between Rocky Mountain National Park and Custer, South Dakota, for example.
Additional Info
With a population of just around 65,000, Cheyenne isn’t your typical state capital, and wherever you decide to stay, you probably won’t be too far from the center.
I stayed at the Cheyenne Guest Inn to the southwest of town, and have no complaints for the price. A simple breakfast is included, while the hotel also features a laundry machine.