Travel with Pets: SE Wyoming Edition

It can be difficult to bring along your travel companions when you are road-tripping. Luckily, Wyoming and Colorado are pet-friendly states and you can bring your pet almost everywhere that you can go!

At the moment, we are stationed in Laramie, Wyoming and we want to take you on a tour of southeastern Wyoming and where you can take your pets.

Laramie, WY

Let's start with our town, Laramie. Most everyone in Laramie has a pet and there are many shops that have a "shop dog" or a "shop cat". Before you go taking your animals into any shops, ask the employees if he/she is allowed to come it. This is just common courtesy. 

If you need a park or a restaurant that allows pets check out this list for pet-friendly locations throughout Laramie:

Off-Leash Parks:

• Sandy Argon Park (also called Scout Park) - has a few enclosed areas for dogs to socialize.
• Optimist Park - has an enclosed dog park and runs next to the Laramie River.
• Schoolyard Trails - Laramie has an area for hiking on established trails right next to the city limits.

City Parks:

• La Prele Park
• Washington Park
• Harbon Park
• La Bonte Park
• Undine Park
• Kiwanis Park

Restaurants:

• Coal Creek Coffee (two locations)
• McAlister's Deli
• Night Heron Books & Coffeehouse
• Turtle Rock Coffee & Cafe
• Mr. Jim's Pizza
• Alibi - Wood Fired Pizzaria
• Ace Hardware
• Murdoch's Ranch & Home Supply
• Ask other shops before entering

​*Outside of Laramie are a few smaller towns. A notable city to visit is Centennial, Wyoming. Check out our blog on the ​Snowy Range Scenic Byway for more info. Stop at the Country Junction to grab an ice cream cone for you and your pet!

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Happy Jack & Vedauwoo

Hiking and camping are always fun adventures for you and your pet. Most travelers know of Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Teton National Park, but southeastern Wyoming has its own spectacular playgrounds.

​East of Laramie and west of Cheyenne, Wyoming is a one of the sections of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest (there is a total of four sections in Wyoming). This is a small portion of the forest, but is by no means the boring portion. Within the boundary is a the Happy Jack Recreation Area and the Vedauwoo Recreation Area. There are over 20 miles of trails in both of these areas and they vary from easy to difficult. You will be sitting anywhere between 8,000-9,000 feet above sea level.

If you plan to visit this region, it is fairly popular and you will see other people about. It is advised that you keep your animals on a leash, especially because it is common to see moose, deer, cattle, and sometimes black bear. Our doggo does really well off the leash, but even so, if he sees an animal, he will chase it. We are extra cautious because we don't want to disturb the wildlife.

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Snowy Range & Sierra Madres

The Snowy Range and the Sierra Madres are to the west of Laramie and are much larger portions of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. If you are interested in getting further away from people and really exploring wilderness areas, this is the place for you!

As we mentioned before in this article, the Snowy Range Scenic Byway tour is a great day trip, but it is only open from approximately June - October because of the altitude. You'd be sitting anywhere between 8,000-12,000 feet above sea level in this region.

As far as wildlife in this portion of the forest, you will have a much greater chance of running into moose, deer, elk, black bear, marmots, and even mountain lions. Again, it is advised that you keep your pets close by on a leash in case you happen upon one of these critters. 

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Saratoga, Riverside, & Encampment

These three cities are much much smaller than Laramie, but have so much to offer. They sit between the Sierra Madres and the Snowy Range mountains right along the North Platte River. There are many river access points where you should take your pets. Just look at how much fun our dog is having! In the towns pets are welcome, but it is always polite to ask permission first.

Another trail that we visit every time we make the trip to these cities is the Indian Bathtubs trail. It is just outside of Riverside & Encampment. The formation looks as it sounds. In the spring, the snow melt fills these bathtub-like holes with water and it is believed that native tribes in the region would soak in the pools. It is a great destination to take your pet, but watch out for mountain lion when you reach the rocks (this is where they like to play!).