Wyoming

With its stunning scenery, eye-popping natural assets and abundance of recrea­tional opportunities, it’s easy to see why so many people are finding Wyoming an inviting place in which to make their home.

“People come to visit and want to move here,” says Penny Becker, exec­utive director of Sheridan Travel & Tourism in the state’s Northeast region. “That’s what happened to us. We moved here from Minnesota 10 years ago, and loved it. It’s a beautiful area – we’re always out exploring.”

Situated in the foothills of the Big Horn Mountains, Sheridan is widely known for its natural beauty and hos­pitality. True West magazine recently named Sheridan the No. 1 Western City in America, based on its well-preserved history and heritage. Outdoor Life also ranked the community No. 3 among its “Top 200 Towns for Outdoorsmen.”

Bighorn National Forest includes more than 1 million acres, Becker says, and the area boasts fishing, golf, snowmobiling and a bevy of historical sites. “There’s always something going on – whatever the season,” she says.

The same could be said for the Northwest region, which includes Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park and the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. But along with its extraordinary landscape, this portion of the state offers an abun­dance of cultural activities, says Heather Falk, tourism manager for Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce.

“The Grand Teton Music Festival is a popular event, plus we have two film festivals, Old West Days and many others,” she says. “But what makes our quality of life so special is the eclectic mix of people and personalities. A lot of people have relocated here from other parts of the country, and everyone is really friendly. It’s easy to make yourself at home.”

With its rugged countryside and rich history, Wyoming’s Central region also has a reputation for charming visitors and residents.

Today, the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center honors those who traveled the Oregon, Mormon, California and Pony Express trails in the 1800s through interactive exhibits and a multimedia presentation. Other notable stops include Fort Laramie National Historic Site and Independence Rock Historic Site.

Of course, the Central region also is known for outdoor adventure – from rock-climbing at Fremont Canyon to skiing at the Casper Nordic Center and Hogadon Downhill Ski Area.

Anchored by the North Platte River and the state capital of Cheyenne, the Southeast area balances frontier traditions with an eye toward inno­vation. Every summer, visitors flock to Cheyenne’s Frontier Days – a 10-day western celebration featuring a world-class rodeo, concerts and other activities. A major cultural center, Cheyenne is a beacon for performing artists and touring productions and is home to the renowned Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra.

Nearby Carbon County offers the best in outdoor fun, including every­thing from fishing and rafting to snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Visitors also enjoy scenic drives and historic sites, such as the Grand Encampment Museum, which preserves the area’s unique timber, mining and agricultural roots.

The Southwest portion of Wyoming boasts a decidedly different landscape, marked by amazing rock formations, sand dunes and fossils.

“This area was once at the bottom of a lake, so fossils are everywhere,” says Jenissa Bartlett, executive director of Sweetwater Travel & Tourism. “In fact, if you look at the base of White Mountain, you’ll see a layer of seashells.”

Covering roughly 10,000 square miles, Sweetwater County offers a wide range of year-round recreational activities – including Wild Horses Scenic Loop, Killpecker Sand Dunes and Flaming Gorge Country.

But Bartlett is quick to point out the region’s other assets. “There’s a lot to see and do, but we don’t have the hustle and bustle of bigger cities,” she says. “This a great place to raise a family, with good-paying jobs, and without the high taxes and stressful commute you find in other areas."

“A lot of visitors still think of Wyoming as the Wild West, and there is still a lot to see in that regard. But we’re very civilized,” she says with a laugh. “You can enjoy wide-open spaces and still have Starbucks and Home Depot and everything you might need.”