Photo opportunites in the Casper, WY area

I have to go the Casper for 12 days for work and was looking for photo opportunities in the area. I'd love to drive over to the Tetons or maybe The Devil's Tower, but since I leave next week, I'm sure the crowds in the area will be horrendous. Too bad this couldn't be a late fall trip. Anyone have any ideas or experience in the area? Living in NC we have lots of light pollution, so I was thinking of trying to do some milky way shots, but it looks like the moon phase will be working against me.

Note: I have no experience shooting the milk way, so my thoughts and ideas are purely amateurish.

I've posted a similar wildlife opportunity question in the wildlife thread to see if anyone over there has any ideas.

Thanks,

Woody

There is some nice stuff in Wyoming, but I don't think you are going to be near any of it in Casper. I have pretty limited experience up there. Have heard the Big Horn mountains are nice, haven't been there. I have been to Medicine Bow Peak, that's pretty cool. There are some grasslands west of Cheyenne and around Laramie that can be good with the right light. Lots of antelope down there too. This place is supposed to very scenic, but seems like it's an overnight trip.

https://en.wikipedia.o​rg/wiki/Cirque_of_the_​Towers

Lt Colonel wrote in post #18888550
I'd love to drive over to the Tetons or maybe The Devil's Tower, but since I leave next week, I'm sure the crowds in the area will be horrendous.

Thanks,

Woody

I’d say if you can tolerate the 4-1/2 hour drive, go for it. Back east (like you) the definition of crowd has a different meaning. A crowd out there might be 100 people where back east a crowd means a 1000. Jackson is well worth the trip and the crowds (small by comparison) start to drop off after July 4th, the peak time in Jackson.

Another consideration, slightly shorter (4 hours) and to the northeast a bit is the area around Rapid City and Mt. Rushmore. Not as much to do but still a unique photo op.

With either opportunity allow some extra time over what Google maps and GPS units show. You will find yourself pulling off the road frequently to take pictures.

Post what you decide, then some of us can give you very specific things to do. Schwabacher's landing for instance in Jackson area is stunning at sunrise. It will be very crowded, probably 15 people! . Then literaly down the road a 1/2 mile, again at sunrise for Mormon Row. See my comments (#4) in the thread at https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?p=18370459...an​d should you get stuck in Casper, this thread indicates the food can be good.

https://www.huffpost.c​om …_59a6fe14e4b084​581a151587

Thanks, one of the locals I'll be meeting with described the state as pretty around the edges and blah in the middle.

Thanks John, I'll look in to those.

Woody

You ought to see Wyoming in January on a bad day, whew. And most days are bad days in the winter. You quickly realize why no one lives there.