Regions
Wyoming has six major land regions: the Black Hills; the Great Plains; the Southern, Middle, and Northern Rocky Mountains; and the Wyoming Basin.
Agriculture
Agriculture continues to be a top industry for the Cowboy State, generating $2 billion in revenues. There are approximately 11,900 farms in Wyoming, covering 29 million acres. The average size farm comprises 2,437 acres. Agriculture makes a significant contribution to all 23 counties.
Wyoming’s most valuable crops are hay and corn. The state also grows substantial quantities of barley, wheat, and sugarbeets. Most of the cropland is found in the Great Plains region of the state.
Wildlife
Wyoming’s diverse landscape and vast, open spaces make it a wildlife mecca for land animals and fisheries. Popular wildlife include bison, elk, moose, deer, pronghorn antelope, mountain lions, wolves, grizzly bears, black bears, wild horses, and bald eagles. Diverse fishing opportunities across the state include rainbow trout, brook trout, burbot, largemouth bass, salmon, sauger, and walleye.
Wyoming is committed to creating opportunities for renewable energy and conserving its land, waters, and wildlife from the threats of climate change and habitat loss.
Major Rivers and Lakes
Wyoming’s longest rivers are the Snake River, Green River, and North Platte River. Their main tributaries include the Payette River, Boise River, Weiser River, Owyhee River, and Powder River.
Yellowstone Lake, the largest lake in Wyoming, has over 141 tributaries but only one river, the Yellowstone River. The surface area of this lake is approximately 87,040 acres (136 square miles). Other significant lakes include Flaming Gorge Reservoir and Jackson Lake, which exceed 67,564 surface area acres.
State and National Parks
Wyoming has 12 state parks and 7 national parks.
National Parks:
| State Summary | |
| Nickname | The Cowboy State |
| Neighboring States | Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, and Idaho |
| Regions | Black Hills, Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, and Wyoming Basin |
| State Flower | Wyoming Indian Paintbrush |
| State Bird | Western Meadowlark |
| Big Game | Antelope, white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, moose, and mountain goats |
| Small Game | Cottontail rabbits, snowshoe hares, and red, gray, and fox squirrels |
| Freshwater Fish | Rainbow trout, brook trout, burbot, largemouth bass, and sauger |
| Saltwater Fish | N/A |
| Hunting Information | https://wgfd.wyo.gov/hunting |
| Total Acreage | 62.6 million acres |
| Total Public Land Acreage | 3.05 million acres |
| Average Annual Rainfall | 14.5 inches |
| Farmland by Acreage | 29 million acres |
| Woodlands by Acreage | 10.5 million acres |
| Coastline | N/A |
| Conservation Program | https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/wy/programs/ |
| Primary Crops | Hay and Corn |
| Largest Lake | Yellowstone Lake |
| Other Lakes | Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Jackson Lake, and Glendo Reservoir |
| Major Rivers | Snake River, Green River, and North Platte River |
| Other Tributaries | Payette River, Boise River, Weiser River, Owyhee River, and Powder River |
Our Rural Real Estate Offices
Mossy Oak Properties Wyoming began with the goal of becoming a trusted resource for folks looking to buy or sell rural land for sale in Wyoming. Our land brokers and agents understand what people are looking for in rural property because we share the same lifestyle and love for the land as you do. We understand the importance of honor and integrity and that buying or selling land is an emotional and life-changing experience for consumers.
Only Mossy Oak Properties Wyoming can provide the powerful combination of brand strength, local expertise, quality service, and national exposure. Whether you want to buy or sell rural real estate, a Mossy Oak Properties land specialist is a must-have on your team.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the character of the Wyoming rural land market?
Wyoming has one of the absolute strongest private property cultures in the entire West and the building rules are incredibly relaxed. The state features massive amounts of federal public land surrounding the private ranches which gives landowners millions of extra acres to hunt and explore right out their back door. Working cattle ranches completely define the local economy and culture in almost every single county.
The Jackson Hole area in Teton County is a totally different world where luxury resort prices push dirt values into the stratosphere. For the rest of the state having great hunting access strong water rights and federal grazing permits are the three biggest things that drive up the price of a ranch.
What are typical land prices across Wyoming?
According to the 2025 USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service report land prices have climbed heavily across the state. Working cattle ranch dirt on the eastern and central plains usually runs $800 to $2,000 per acre for native grass. Mountain ranches that feature hay fields strong water rights and great elk hunting in Park Sheridan and Fremont counties run $2,500 to $6,000 per acre.
Teton County dirt near Jackson Hole is unbelievably expensive and easily commands $20,000 to over $100,000 per acre because wealthy buyers want the ultimate mountain lifestyle. Farm dirt in the Wind River Basin runs $1,500 to $4,000 per acre for irrigated hay fields. Wyoming ranch dirt consistently costs less than similar land in Montana and Colorado making it a fantastic deal for buyers wanting a true Western ranch.
How do water rights affect Wyoming land purchases?
According to the Wyoming State Engineer Office the state follows strict water laws where the first person to claim the water gets the permanent right to use it. Water rights are incredibly valuable assets that you must carefully check during any land purchase. Most Wyoming ranch water rights allow the owner to water their cattle and flood their hay fields.
Old water rights claimed back in the 1800s are completely protected so those owners still get water even during a brutal drought when the state shuts off newer users. You absolutely must hire a Wyoming water lawyer to pull the public records and prove the water rights actually transfer to you before you buy the ranch. In the driest counties having strong water rights easily makes up 20 to 40 percent of the entire property value.
