What to Pack for Wyoming

The Short Answer

Pack for four seasons even if you're visiting in July. Jackson sits at about 6,200 feet, and a typical summer day runs from a 38°F sunrise to a 78°F afternoon, and that's on the valley floor. Gain elevation toward the 9,000-foot passes in Grand Teton or drive Togwotee Pass on US-26 east of Jackson (9,658 feet) and the gap widens further. A reliable three-layer system, moisture-wicking base, insulating mid, waterproof shell, covers most of what the state throws at you from June through September. If you want to match your packing list to the exact month you're visiting, Best Time to Visit Wyoming breaks down each season's real conditions across the state.

The other non-negotiable: bear spray, if you're going anywhere in the northwest corner. Wyoming is active grizzly and black bear country across all of Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Jackson Hole and the Tetons, the Wind River Range, and the Absaroka Range east of Cody. You carry spray here the way you carry a spare tire, not because you expect to use it, but because the alternative is bad. The rest of this page covers what you need by category.

Clothing and Layers

Skip cotton. It holds moisture and loses insulating value fast, which matters when you sweat on a climb and then stop at a windy ridge at 10,000 feet. Synthetic or merino wool base layers ($50–90 per piece, estimate) handle Wyoming's dry air and temperature swings far better. Over that goes a mid layer, a fleece or packable down jacket works for most summer and fall trips. You'll put it on at 6am, shed it by 10am, and want it back when the afternoon storm rolls in. July and August thunderstorms above 9,000 feet in the Tetons and Bighorns build fast and hit hard; the sky can be blue at noon and dropping rain and lightning by 2:30pm. Keep the waterproof shell in your daypack every single day, not in the car.

Wyoming's altitude accelerates UV exposure. At Laramie (7,200 feet), Jackson (6,200 feet), or anywhere above 9,000 feet in the Wind River Range, you burn faster than at sea level, sometimes in under 20 minutes on an overcast day. SPF 50 sunscreen, UV-blocking sunglasses, and a wide-brim hat are basics, not optional extras. For pants, convertible zip-off hiking pants handle most summer and shoulder-season conditions. Add lightweight base-layer bottoms if you're heading into September or planning early-morning wildlife watches on the Yellowstone plateau.

Footwear matters more than most visitors expect. Waterproof hiking boots with ankle support are the right call for anything beyond paved boardwalks in Yellowstone or Grand Teton, budget $100–$250 for a pair that will hold up (estimate), and break them in at home before the trip. Trail runners or sandals fill the in-town and car-camping gaps. For skiing at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort or Grand Targhee, skis, boots, and poles rent easily at base-area shops; bring your own helmet and goggles if fit and lens quality matter to you.

Outdoor and Wildlife Gear

Bear spray is the single most important piece of backcountry gear for Wyoming's northwest. Carry it any time you're in grizzly or black bear habitat, which covers all of Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Jackson Hole, the Wind River Range, and the Absaroka Range east toward Cody. A full-size EPA-approved canister typically costs $45–$65 new at outfitters in Jackson or Cody (estimate). The critical logistical note: bear spray cannot go in airplane carry-on bags. TSA prohibits it in the cabin. It can be checked if sealed and within size limits, but most people find it easier to buy a canister on arrival or rent from outfitters in Jackson for roughly $15–$25 per day or $35–$50 per week (estimate). Carry it on your hip in a quick-release holster, not in your pack, where it does nothing in a surprise encounter.

Binoculars pay off all over Wyoming but especially in the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone, along the National Elk Refuge road south of Jackson, and anywhere in the Bighorn Basin. An 8x42 pair weighs under a pound and shows you things you would otherwise walk past. A spotting scope is overkill for most visitors but earns its place on a dedicated wildlife photography trip. If you want help deciding how the parks compare for wildlife viewing before you finalize your trip, Yellowstone vs Grand Teton covers the key differences.

Round out the outdoor kit with a headlamp for pre-dawn starts (the best wolf-watching in Lamar Valley happens before the sun clears the ridge at around 5:30am in July), trekking poles for any hike with sustained elevation gain in the Tetons or Wind Rivers, and a 20–25 liter daypack with room for a water reservoir or two one-liter bottles. Wyoming's dry air at altitude means you drink 25–30 percent more water than you expect. Add a basic first-aid kit with blister treatment, ibuprofen, and moleskin, and pack insect repellent for July and August in marshy areas around Yellowstone Lake and the Oxbow Bend in Grand Teton.

Driving and Road Trip Essentials

Wyoming requires a car, and the distances between towns are longer than they look on the map. Jackson to Cody is about 2.5 hours via the south route through Moran Junction and US-26/20 east, the direct cut through Yellowstone is seasonal and slower. Jackson to Cheyenne is five-plus hours on a clear day with no stops. Fuel up whenever you have the chance; along US-287 between Lander and Rawlins and on WY-789 through the Bighorn Basin, services can be 40–60 miles apart.

Keep in the car at all times: a downloaded offline map or paper Wyoming road atlas (cell signal disappears regularly between Dubois and Lander, west of Rawlins, and through the Wyoming Range), charging cables, a power bank, extra water and snacks for three to four hours between stops, and a basic roadside kit with jumper cables, road flares, and a wool blanket. For a broader look at how the state fits together as a driving destination, the Wyoming Travel Guide maps out the regions and the realistic drive times between them.

Winter driving raises the stakes considerably. Interstate 80 through the Laramie Range sees regular closures and chain or AWD/4WD requirements between November and March. Togwotee Pass on US-26 east of Jackson averages more than 200 inches of snow per year and can close without much warning. The Bighorn Scenic Byway (US-14A) closes entirely in winter. Check wyoroad.info, Wyoming's 511 system, for live road conditions before every long drive in the cold months. Pack extra warm layers, a folding shovel, and enough food and water to sit in the car for several hours if a road closes in front of you.

Practical Tips

Leave at home: formal clothing (Wyoming is casual everywhere, including the nicer restaurants in Jackson), heavy cotton sweatshirts and jeans (cold and damp in afternoon rain at elevation), and gear you won't realistically use. Altitude headaches hit some visitors hard on arrival day. Drink water before you feel thirsty, skip alcohol on day one, and give yourself a half day to adjust if you're flying into JAC (6,451 feet inside Grand Teton National Park) before tackling a strenuous hike.

Buy after you arrive rather than before: bear spray (skip the checked-bag hassle unless you're certain about your airline's policy), a Wyoming fishing license if you're planning time on the Snake, Green, or North Platte (buy online at wgfd.wyo.gov ahead of your trip to save a stop in town), and any backcountry camping permit for Grand Teton or the Wind River Range (reserve at recreation.gov months ahead). If you ski, consider an America the Beautiful annual pass ($80 as of 2025), it covers entry at both Yellowstone and Grand Teton, plus Devils Tower, and pays for itself after two park visits.

Your final packing list depends heavily on when and where you're going. Where to Stay in Wyoming breaks down lodging options by region, what you need for a ski-in cabin at Teton Village differs from what you need for a backcountry basecamp near Pinedale. And if you haven't locked in your itinerary yet, the Best Time to Visit Wyoming page goes month by month so you can match your kit to the season you're traveling.