Wyoming’s display of national parks, majestic mountain ranges, shimmering lakes and its splendid array of wildlife all make for perfect post-meeting Kodak moments, using its varied scenery as photogenic backdrops.
Whether mugging for the camera in the Grand Tetons or taking selfies at Devils Tower, Wyoming offers meeting attendees ample outdoor opportunities to fill a photo album and create long-lasting memories.
Jackson Hole
For an active and picture-friendly exploration of Jackson Hole, attendees can make like the locals and hop on a bike. A number of area outfitters facilitate specialized excursions, including Teton Mountain Bike Tours, which offers guided outings along the Teton Range’s scenic pathways and trails.
“Riders of all ability levels will enjoy learning the history of our area from a knowledgeable local guide while taking in the views,” says Rachel Smith, destination sales coordinator for the Jackson Hole COC.
Groups can also get acquainted with resident animals via Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris, which Smith says offers a photo tour that includes stops at the National Elk Refuge, Grand Teton National Park, Antelope Flats and Moose Wilson Road.
Rafting is a popular picturesque option when the weather is warm. One area outfitter, Mad River Boat Trips, delivers a teambuilding adventure on the Snake River that will have everyone in the group paddling together for a successful ride, according to Smith.
“Scenic floats are also available for a more relaxing experience,” Smith adds. “Keep your eyes open for eagles, osprey, pelicans, mergansers, otters and moose.”
Cheyenne
In Cheyenne, the outfitter Climbing Adventures offers rock climbing at the Vedauwoo Recreation Area in Medicine Bow National Forest.
“Meeting attendees from the beginner to the advanced have the opportunity to climb the impressive boulders and rock formations that dot the landscape,” says Jim Walter, director of convention sales for Visit Cheyenne. “The cool rocks offer challenging climbing as well as a great photo opportunity of this unique landscape.”
Walter also suggests a manmade structure as a picturesque location for receptions and banquets; the historic Cheyenne Depot, which is one of the last standing railway depots on the original Transcontinental Railroad.
“In the summertime, host a food truck rally on the Depot Plaza or host your cocktail reception in the Cheyenne Depot Museum before sitting down to dinner in the main hall,” Walter says.
Cody
Aside from visiting Yellowstone National Park, which is located nearby and filled with amazing photo opportunities, groups convening in Cody, otherwise known as the “Rodeo Capital of the World,” can use the local rodeo as a photo backdrop.
Attendees in the stands at the Cody Nite Rodeo will get some great pictures of cowboys riding, roping and hanging on for dear life, according to Claudia Wade, executive director of the Park County Travel Council.
“Rodeos make for great photo opportunities as competitors are focused on their events and move in sync with their horses,” Wade says, adding that rodeo clowns round out the photo options at this unique event.
PageBreak
Performances are about two hours long and feature bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping and barrel racing, among other events.
During winter, Cody offers another intriguing photo opportunity, as attendees can gear up for ice-climbing outings along the South Fork of the Shoshone River.
“Like snowflakes, no two frozen waterfalls are the same,” Wade says. “The sun reflecting off the ice creates patterns and shadows that are constantly changing. An ice climber contrasts the passivity of the falls with full-body exertion and concentration that are obvious even in a still photograph.”
Sheridan
At Eatons’ Ranch, a working cattle ranch located nearby Sheridan in Wolf, Wyo., groups will find several opportunities for pictures while doing a cowboy’s work in the corrals, according to Nicole Pearce, destination development manager for Sheridan Travel & Tourism.
“Start your day off with a family-style breakfast and then head out on horseback for an overnight pack trip in the Bighorn Mountains,” she says. “You will encounter a true West experience as you ride through the mountains seeing wildlife right beside you.”
Spear-O-Wigwam, located at 8,300 feet in the Bighorn Mountains, is an educational center that offers outdoor learning options.
Among the scenic options for groups are canoeing and fly-fishing in the park reservoir, and mountain biking the trails through the Cloud Peak Wilderness.
“It’s a picture-perfect opportunity while you are out on the reservoir or on the river canoeing,” Pearce says. “Everything in its full beauty is right there for you to capture on camera.”
Casper
A good place for groups to begin their exploration of Casper is the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center, which according to Daniel Fulton, director of meetings and conventions for the Casper Area CVB, enjoys an unmatched picture-friendly location overlooking the entire city against the backdrop of Casper Mountain.
Nearby Casper, the North Platte River flows through the rock-walled Fremont Canyon, where groups can take various keepsake pictures.
“Miles of scenic cliffs and breathtaking overlooks filled with brilliant colors present endless photogenic scenes for group pictures with dramatic backdrops,” Fulton says.
Interested groups could also take a day trip from Casper to Martin’s Cove and Independence Rock, an acre-size monolith on which western-bound immigrants carved their names for posterity.
“Climb on the rock and take one-of-a-kind photos of the pioneers’ inscriptions,” Fulton says. “Nearby Martin’s Cove offers innumerable photo ops, including the stunning Devil’s Gate.”
Gillette/Wright
Situated just south of Gillette, near Wright, is Durham Ranch, which according to Mary Silvernell, executive director for the Campbell County CVB, is the oldest operating buffalo ranch in the world and a perfect spot for memorable Western-themed photos.
“Durham Ranch is great for groups because they take you out in a shuttle amongst the majestic buffalo,” she says. “After the tour, the ranch provides a Western-style cookout of home-grown beef and bison.”
Located about an hour’s drive from Gillette is Devils Tower, one of the most photographed monoliths in the world.
“Devils Tower is perfect for groups because of the array of ways an individual can enjoy the area,” Silvernell says. “For walkers, there are miles of trails snaking around the area. For knowledge seekers, there are ranger-led guided tours, as well as an interpretive center with educational presentations.”
