Outdoors

The formation of the iconic Heart Mountain near Cody involves a block of rock the size of Rhode Island moving at 700 mph, one of the largest eruptions of the Yellowstone supervolcano, and two different but equally cataclysmic events in Earth’s geologic history that took 30 minutes and 47 million years.

Wyoming's Heart Mountain Formed By The Two Largest Landslides In Earth's History

The formation of Heart Mountain near Cody is a story of a block of rock the size of Rhode Island moving at 700 mph, an eruption of the Yellowstone supervolcano, and two separate but equally cataclysmic events in Earth’s geologic history.

Andrew RossiJune 29, 2025

Somebody illegally hacked down about 20 live trees at the Tower Hill campground on Casper Mountain to build this lean-to right in the middle of a hiking trail.

Hacking Live Trees To Make Lean-To On Trail Not Only Inconsiderate, It’s Illegal

Responsible users of the public trails on Casper Mountain were outraged this week when someone cut down about 20 young, live trees and made a lean-to on a trail. That’s not only inconsiderate, it’s illegal — if the perpetrators are ever caught.

Mark HeinzJune 28, 2025

Isaac Rempe holds a cub named Charmin at the Grizzly Ranch Bear Rescue in Alabama.

It’s Sweet Home Alabama For Bears On Southern ‘Grizzly Ranch’

Alabama might be the last place you’d expect to find grizzly bears, but there are several of them thriving there on the Grizzly Ranch Bear Rescue. The man who runs it says it's his mission in life to rescue bears.

Mark HeinzJune 27, 2025

A man in Grand Teton National Park jumps headfirst through the open window of his car when he realizes a grizzly bear is close and advancing.

Grand Teton Tourist Dives Headfirst Through Open Car Window To Avoid Grizzly

A tourist in Grand Teton National Park found himself between a grizzly and its mate earlier this month, so he took the only escape available — he dove headfirst through the open window of his car. A tour guide got a photo of the man’s moment of escape.

Andrew RossiJune 27, 2025

Georgia residents and decorated Army veterans Hank Ward (left) and Chris Clemmens love hunting white-tailed deer together in their home state. Through a program called Vets 4 Huntn & Fishn, they hope to enjoy Wyoming elk hunts too.

Purple Heart Vet On Wyoming Hunt Almost Tangled With Moose — And Wants To Come Back

As a Purple Heart recipient, Hank Ward has seen a lot, but he’ll never forget the first time he saw a moose in the wild in Wyoming. He almost tangled with a young bull that didn’t see him. Like many vets treated to Wyoming hunts, Ward wants to come back.

Mark HeinzJune 25, 2025

Wyoming Hunters Say They’ll Oppose Public Land Sales, No Matter What

Wyoming hunters said they won’t budge from their staunch opposition to selling public land. That’s despite U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, still pushing for a revised version of his federal land sales measure in a Senate budget bill.

Mark HeinzJune 25, 2025

A locked gate blocks Boswell Road at the Ox Yoke Ranch property line. The property owners say they want to allow public access, but are worried about liability issues — because official jurisdiction over the road remains murky.

Hunters And Others Angry About Being Locked Out Of Popular Snowy Range Road

An elk hunter said he nearly trashed his truck and camper because he got locked onto Boswell Road in Albany County and had to drive out the back way in a blizzard. He’s not the only one, as debate continues about whether the road is public or private.

Mark HeinzJune 24, 2025

Dozens of Yellowstone visitors witnessed the death of a bison as it stepped into the water at the shallow edge of Grand Prismatic Spring on Saturday morning, leaving behind a carcass that will soon be "dissolved" by the 160-degree water. This photo was shared to the Yellowstone Through the Lens Facebook group by Louise Howard.

Yellowstone Visitors Watch Bison Die In 160-Degree Grand Prismatic Spring

Dozens of Yellowstone visitors were shocked to witness the death of a bison as it stepped into the water at the shallow edge of Grand Prismatic Spring on Saturday morning. Left behind is a carcass that will soon be "dissolved" by the 160-degree water.

Andrew RossiJune 24, 2025

Strong Personalities Behind Rift Keeping Star Plunge Closed

A pair of state senators tried to broker a deal last month that would reopen the popular Star Plunge at Hot Springs State Park. It didn’t work, and strong personalities on both sides have opened a rift that’s keeping Star Plunge closed.

Renée JeanJune 23, 2025

A spat brewing between anglers and a landowner over a natural water channel connecting Pine Creek and the New Fork River near Pinedale could reflect a growing trend of tension between landowners and floaters across Wyoming. “It’s symbolic of greater issues,” legendary Wyoming fly fisherman and outdoor businessman Jack Dennis told Cowboy State Daily.

Legendary Outdoorsman Jack Dennis Says Pinedale Fight Fuels Tension Between Floaters, Landowners

A spat between anglers and a landowner over a natural water channel connecting Pine Creek and the New Fork River near Pinedale reflects a growing trend of tension between landowners and floaters across Wyoming. “It’s symbolic of greater issues,” outdoorsman Jack Dennis says.

Mark HeinzJune 22, 2025

Jim Tang has been chasing storms for a decade, but said the huge Nebraska tornado he saw on Monday is a “once-in-a-lifetime” encounter. “As a storm chaser, that kind of tornado is your career goal,” he told Cowboy State Daily.

Storm Chaser In Awe After Capturing ‘Once-In-A-Lifetime’ Tornado

Jim Tang has been chasing storms for a decade, but said the huge Nebraska tornado he got up close and personal with Monday is a “once-in-a-lifetime” encounter. “As a storm chaser, that kind of tornado is your career goal,” he told Cowboy State Daily.

Andrew RossiJune 21, 2025

Shelby Holder of Kemmerer set the new state record for a tiger trout with this 14-pound, 15.2-ounce whooper he caught on the Hams Fork River near Viva Naughton Reservoir. The previous record tiger trout were caught in 2024 and 2023 in the same vicinity.

After Breaking All But One Fishing Rod, Wyoming Man Catches Record Tiger Trout

Shelby Holder of Kemmerer had already broken three of his four fly rods when he decided to go fishing early on June 6. He ended up landing the new Wyoming state record tiger trout, a nearly 15-pound fish.

David MadisonJune 20, 2025

Wyoming's Wild Weather: Snow And Pushing 100 Degrees This Weekend

Wyoming’s weather will be wild this weekend with near-record highs, including pushing 100 in some areas, then snow and freezing temperatures. Whether it’s brutal heat or summer snow, “everyone’s going to be mad at me,” says meteorologist Don Day.

Andrew RossiJune 19, 2025

Hunters are up in arms over potential federal public land sales included in a U.S. Senate budget bill. Two prominent outdoorsmen, one from Wyoming and another from Montana, blasted the measure.

Selling Federal Public Land Draws Massive Backlash From Western Hunters

Hunters are up in arms over potential federal public land sales included in a U.S. Senate budget bill. Prominent groups like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Wyoming's Muley Fanatic Foundation, and The Boone And Crockett Club all blasted the proposal.

Mark HeinzJune 19, 2025

Carbon County Sheriff Rescues 3 Teens Lost And Stranded On Medicine Bow Peak

Carbon County Sheriff Alex Bakken left a meeting Monday night when he saw an alert that three teens were lost on Medicine Bow Peak. A former search and rescue volunteer, Bakken hiked up the mountain in the dark with another volunteer and found them.

Justin GeorgeJune 18, 2025

A banner declaring “Cody Roberts Days” was displayed at the Green River Bar in Daniel on Saturday, in apparent response to pro-wolf activist coming through town for the “Hogs For Hope” rally.

‘Cody Roberts Days’ Banner Greets Pro-Wolf Activists On Ride Through Daniel

When pro-wolf activists arrived in Daniel, Wyoming, on Saturday to protest the state’s wolf management policies, they were greeted by a large banner celebrating the man who made international headlines for reportedly running down a wolf with a snowmobile.

Mark HeinzJune 18, 2025

Wyoming’s moose are nothing to trifle with, especially female moose with calves to protect.

Angler Shoots, Kills Charging Cow Moose Near Resort In Bighorn Mountains

An angler shot and killed a cow moose he says charged him Saturday on the North Tongue River near Bear Lodge Resort in the Bighorn Mountains. The cow’s two young calves had to be put down.

Mark HeinzJune 17, 2025

The Horse Fire burning in the Bridger-Teton National Forest on Tuesday has come within 2 miles of a historic fire lookout post on Prospect Peak. The outpost has been covered in an aluminum-based wrap as a precaution.

Western Wyoming Wildfire Burns Close To Historic Lookout Post

The Horse Fire burning in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in western Wyoming on Tuesday has come within 2 miles of a historic fire lookout post on Prospect Peak. The outpost has been covered in an aluminum-based wrap as a precaution.

Greg JohnsonJune 17, 2025

Kevin Palmer, of Sheridan, went out to Clear Creek near Clearmont, Wyoming, in his 4Runner on Saturday to shoot photos of lightning, he told Cowboy State Daily in a Monday interview.

Photographer Wanted To Shoot Lightning; He Found Rarely Seen Lightning Bugs

A photographer out to get shots of lightning Saturday found a field full of rarely seen lightning bugs near Clearmont, Wyoming. It was a rare sighting because the bugs typically come out in humid weather, something in short supply here.

Clair McFarlandJune 17, 2025

A German Shepard escaped its owner’s vehicle and chased after a juvenile wolf Friday near Canyon Village in Yellowstone National Park. The dog and wolf both emerged from the brief encounter unscathed.

German Shepherd Jumps From Vehicle, Tries To Run Down Wolf In Yellowstone

A German shepherd showed its predator instincts Friday, leaping from a vehicle and chasing a wolf in Yellowstone National Park. A wildlife guide said the wolf, a juvenile, might have felt intimidated.

Mark HeinzJune 17, 2025

Joe Stone, co-founder of Dovetail Trail Consulting, on one of the trails near Taggart Lake. Increasing universal accessibility at Taggart Lake and the many trails in the vicinity is one of the primary goals of the $8.5-million Reimagining Taggart Lake Initiative, which is set to be completed by Summer 2027.

Grand Teton’s Popular Taggart Lake Trails To Get $8.5 Million Facelift

The Taggart Lake trail system is a popular Grand Teton National Park destination for hikers and outdoors enthusiasts. It’s about to get more popular with $8.5 million worth of improvements, including better parking.

Andrew RossiJune 15, 2025

Don't expect to see one of these stands in California. They consider bear spray a weapon and have banned it

It’s A Good Thing California Doesn’t Have Grizzlies, Bear Spray Is Banned There

While officials admonish hikers to carry bear spray in Wyoming’s Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, it’s banned in California’s Yosemite National Park. They consider it a weapon and are worried people will spray each other with it.

Mark HeinzJune 15, 2025

Aircraft Fighting Wyoming Wildfire Grounded By Someone Flying A Drone

Aerial efforts to fight a nearly 800-acre wildfire burning in a rugged area of western Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest were grounded Saturday because someone flew a drone over the fire.

Greg JohnsonJune 15, 2025

Slater Chandler of Georgia got this bull elk during a hunt with Hunting with Heroes Wyoming, which hosts hunts for disabled veterans.

Landowner Tag Changes Could Hurt Hunts For Disabled Vets, Organizers Worry

A proposal to raise the number of acres to qualify for landowner hunting tags in Wyoming from 160 to 640 has organizers of hunts for disabled veterans worried. Their concern is the change would shrink the pool of donated tags available to veterans.