Discover the Wild West: Top 9 Entertaining and Surprising Fun Facts About Wyoming

1. Pronghorns: Speedy Wyomingites

In Wyoming, the grass might not be greener, but it sure gets left in the dust by its most prized residents: home to some of the largest herds of wild pronghorns in western North America, these American antelopes can clock in at a whopping 60 miles per hour, giving even the most seasoned marathoners a literal run for their money.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Yellowstone: America's First National Park

Forget bears and fancy pic-a-nic baskets: Wyoming's got the true historic rockstar of national parks! This geological wonderland, known as Yellowstone National Park, has held the title of America's oldest national park since 1872. Covering over 2.2 million acres, it flaunts rare geothermal marvels, diverse wildlife, and geysers with an almost alarmingly predictable presence – securing its spot as one of only two global locations with such punctual geysers. So pack your bags and venture to Wyoming, where history and nature collide in a show worth a million "Wows"!
Source => usatoday.com

Did you know Montana's nickname "Big Sky Country" originated from a book and became popular through a 1962 campaign? Discover more fascinating facts about this state's breathtaking landscapes and lakes!

=> Fun Facts about Montana-For-Kids

3. Frontier Ladies: Pioneers in Politics

Wyoming's early suffrage movement must have been a courtroom drama of epic proportions; one could say those frontier ladies certainly knew how to hold court: In 1870, thanks to the new law, women in Wyoming gained the right not only to vote but also to run for political office and serve on juries, leading to three women being commissioned as justices of the peace that very year, although some judges in 1871 disapproved and banned women from jury duty.
Source => nationalgeographic.org

4. Flippin' Flapjacks: Cheyenne's Pancake Record

Ever flipped for flapjacks in the Wild West? Yee-haw, partner, saddle up and keep your ham holster ready, 'cause it's about to get griddled faster than a jackrabbit in pancake paradise: Every year, Cheyenne Frontier Days host three free pancake breakfasts by the local Kiwanis chapter, dishing out over 100,000 pancakes and 3,000 pounds of ham to nearly 40,000 hungry cowboys and cowgirls, setting a record of 39,111 daily attendees in 1996—all cooked on massive military ranges since 1952!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

5. Bighorn River: A Sheepish Naming Tale

Sheepishly naming rivers is kind of a B. A. A. A. D. habit: Wyoming's Bighorn River owes its moniker to fur trader François Larocque who, after spotting some bighorn sheep mulling around its banks in 1805, decided it was the perfect name for the stunning river that flows through Wyoming and Montana, originating as the Wind River in the Rocky Mountains, taking a scenic route through the Wind River Basin, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Hot Springs State Park, and ultimately joining the Yellowstone River.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

6. Jupiter & Venus: Celestial Tango in Wyoming Skies

Behold, sky-gazers and hopeless romantics: the great cosmic waltz of celestial lovebirds is headed Wyoming's way! On March 1st, 2023, Jupiter and Venus will tango so close together in the night sky that you'll regret not sending them a joint wedding invite – serenading us with a dazzling duet of planetary proximity unseen since the days of horse-drawn carriages and waistcoats: It's the rare conjunction of Jupiter and Venus, appearing unusually close to each other and presenting a breathtaking sight, with their next close rendezvous booked for February 7th, 2032 – a true Jupiter-Venus long-distance relationship!
Source => sheridanmedia.com

7. Fossil Butte: A Treasure Trove of Ancient Life

If you're fishing for compliments on your fossil collection, you may be green with envy when you learn about Wyoming's Fossil Butte National Monument: this natural treasure contains over 20 species of fossilized fish, 100 types of insects, and a plethora of ancient plants, all dating back an incredible 50 million years to the early Eocene Epoch. Nestled among a picturesque landscape of buttes, ridges, and forests, Fossil Butte also offers prime real estate for elk, deer, pronghorn, and various birds to call home.
Source => britannica.com

8. Devils Tower: First in National Monuments

Before Teddy Roosevelt got the bright idea to "Preserve and Protect" Wyoming's Devils Tower, the nation's inaugural national monument, it was an unassuming forest reserve under the careful watch of Senator Francis Warren - talk about trading up in the world: In 1906, President Roosevelt officially designated Devils Tower as America's first national monument under the Antiquities Act, citing its unique geological formation. Over time, its significance expanded to encompass its cultural importance for indigenous people and its allure as a climbing destination. Now that's one towering achievement!
Source => nps.gov

9. Wyoming: Powerhouse of Energy Surplus

Wyoming, where the wind comes sweeping down the plains and coal runs thicker than a rich man's pockets: The Cowboy State is the second-biggest net energy supplier in the nation, with the largest coal production since 1986, and wind power generating 22% of the state's total electricity as of 2022. Yeehaw for renewable energy and an energy surplus!
Source => eia.gov