Leaves of Wyoming with Kids: A Nature Explorer Guide (+ Free Map)

Wyoming's state tree is the plains cottonwood, and in a state this dry it is the tree that tells you where the water is — a green line of cottonwoods across the plains means a river, every time. For fall color, though, the tree that matters is the quaking aspen. Its leaves have flattened stalks that make them tremble in the slightest breeze, and its bark is greenish-white and can photosynthesize through the trunk, which helps it survive long winters. Aspens also grow in clones: an entire hillside grove can be a single organism connected underground, which is why whole slopes turn gold at exactly the same time.

This guide maps the best spots to find leaves in Wyoming with kids. Give your young explorer a mission before you go with Nature Explorer Club's Leaves of Wyoming Activity Book to track every discovery your family makes.

Best Spots for Leaf and Tree Spotting in Wyoming

We mapped the best leaf and tree spotting locations in Wyoming so you can plan your adventure before you go.

1. Aspen Alley, Encampment — A famous tunnel of quaking aspen that glows gold in late September.
2. Grand Teton National Park, Moose — Paintbrush Canyon and the valley trails run through aspen and conifer beneath the high peaks.
3. Cloud Peak Scenic Byway, Ten Sleep — A Bighorn Mountains drive lined with aspen, spruce, and pine.
4. Devils Tower National Monument, Devils Tower — Ponderosa pine and bur oak ringing the base of the tower.
5. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Teton Village — Ride the tram for a high view of aspen and conifer color across the whole valley.
6. Beartrap Meadow, Casper Mountain — Cool mountain woods of aspen and Douglas fir rising above the plains.
7. Tongue River Canyon, Dayton — Cottonwood and box elder along the river with canyon walls overhead.
8. Squaretop Mountain, Pinedale — Backcountry groves of aspen and limber pine in the Wind River Range.
9. Vedauwoo Recreation Area, Laramie — Ponderosa pine scattered through granite — an easy tree-spotting stop off the interstate.
10. Edness K. Wilkins State Park, Evansville — Riverside cottonwood groves — the plains cottonwood is Wyoming's state tree.

Make the Adventure Real The Leaves of Wyoming Activity Book turns your trip into a hands-on mission for ages 7–12 — with a species tracker, fun facts, drawing pages, games, and puzzles. Shop the Book Get the Full WY Set

Family Tips for Leaf and Tree Spotting in Wyoming

• Late September is the window. Wyoming's aspen color is early and brief compared with the East. A single hard wind can strip a grove, so go when it turns.
• Find a clone grove and count the trees. An entire aspen hillside can be one connected organism, which is why the whole slope turns gold at the same moment while the grove next to it stays green.
• Drive Aspen Alley or the Cloud Peak Skyway. Wyoming's fall color is best seen at scale. These drives put miles of aspen at eye level with easy stops.
• Follow the cottonwoods to find water. In dry country a line of cottonwood across the plain always means a river or creek — a simple, memorable lesson in reading a landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions: Leaves of Wyoming with Kids

What is the state tree of Wyoming?

The plains cottonwood, adopted in 1947. In dry country it marks water without fail — a green line of cottonwood across the plains always means a river or creek, which made it a landmark for travelers crossing the state.

Where is the best place to see fall leaves in Wyoming with kids?

Aspen Alley near Encampment is the classic — a tunnel of gold aspen you drive straight through. The Cloud Peak Scenic Byway and Grand Teton both put miles of color at eye level with easy stops.

When do leaves change color in Wyoming?

Late September, and the window is short. Aspen turns quickly at altitude and a single strong wind can strip a grove, so it is worth watching conditions rather than picking a date far ahead.

Why do aspen leaves shake?

The leaf stalk is flattened rather than round, so the leaf pivots easily and trembles in the lightest breeze — which is where quaking aspen gets its name. The movement also lets sunlight reach leaves lower down the tree.

What makes Wyoming trees special?

Aspen clones. An entire hillside grove can be a single organism connected by one root system, with every tree genetically identical — which is why one slope turns gold on exactly the same day while the grove beside it is still green.

Turn Your Wyoming Adventure Into a Real Leaf and Tree Spotting Experience

Give your kids a mission before you go. Our Leaves of Wyoming Activity Book is a nature journal for ages 7 to 12 — with a species tracker, fun facts about each one, category guides, drawing pages, games, and puzzles.

Or get all four Wyoming nature books together — the Wyoming Nature Explorer Series bundles the Birds, Butterflies, Leaves, and Wildflowers of Wyoming activity books.

Also exploring Wyoming's nature? Read our family guides to Birds of Wyoming with Kids, Butterflies of Wyoming with Kids, and Wildflowers of Wyoming with Kids.