10 Wonders of Eastern Wyoming That Prove We’re More Than Yellowstone

A lot of attention is paid to Wyoming's west side, with the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone calling folks from all over the world.

But the east side of Wyoming has an area just as large that will take you just as long to explore.

Let's have a look at Wyoming and South Dakota's the Black Hills.

We will start in South Dakota and move West.

WARNING! You'll need at least a week to do all of this.

1. Skyline Drive
Enjoy Rapid City on the South Dakota side. Skyline Drive 2-miles of turning, scenic driving located in the heart of Rapid City. There are parks and the Black Hills rise in the background as the backdrop.

2. Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway
A 70-mile drive that was named after South Dakota conservationist Peter Norbeck. This is a series of roads that include 16A, 244, 89 and 87. The drive will take you through Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Black Elk National Wilderness Area and Norbeck Wildlife Preserve.

3. Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway
That's much farther east but worth the drive. Badlands National Park will take your breath away. It's a 39-mile loop consisting of 16 scenic overlooks and is teaming with wildlife.

4. Custer State Park Wildlife Loop State Scenic Byway
Custer State Park is South Dakota’s largest and first state park. You will not believe how much wildlife you will see. DO NOT pet the fluffy cows. They will hurt you. This is a slow 18-mile Wildlife Loop best enjoyed at a slow pace.

5. Needles Highway/Needle’s Eye
Lots of turns. Way up and way down. Keep both hands on the wheel. The speed limit is 25mph or slower. Needles Highway includes 14 miles of scenic twists, turns and narrow tunnels nestled in the pine and spruce forests of Custer State Park.  The rock formations will blow you away.

6. Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway and Falls
Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway is one of the prettiest drives in the area. You'll love it in the fall. Raging rivers and waterfalls, hiking trails, and thousand-foot-high limestone mountains. You must stop and hike Spearfish Canyon, especially in the fall.

7. Devils Tower
CAUTION: UFO LANDING SITE. Devil's Tower is on the Wyoming side. A beautiful way to get there is to start on I-90 toward Belle Fourche, South Dakota, then on to Highway 34 toward Hulett, Wyoming, and make your way south to Devil's Tower. Keep your cameras ready. You'll get glimpses of the tower along the way that are worth snapping photos of.

8. U.S. Highway 385
Also known as Black Hills Parkway, this drive takes you through the ponderosa pines between Deadwood and Custer, South Dakota. You want to stop and enjoy the trails, shops, museums, and restaurants along the way.

9. Iron Mountain Road
This winding 17-mile mountain road has 314 curves, 14 hairpin turns, three pigtail bridges, and three single-lane tunnels. Try to count them all. This is your scenic drive to Mount Rushmore at a slow pace of around 25 mph or slower. Watch for wildlife. Lots to see.

10. Vanocker Canyon Road
This canyon is very similar to the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. A favorite route for motorcyclists. Great view and less traffic than other roads in the area.