Squirrels in Wyoming: Where to Look and What Signs to Watch For

Where Are Squirrels Most Likely Found in Wyoming?

Squirrels thrive in coniferous forests, especially ponderosa pine and spruce-fir stands. In eastern Wyoming, look for eastern gray squirrels in deciduous woods along river corridors. Red squirrels prefer higher elevations, often in lodgepole pine or mixed forests. Check around fallen logs and rock piles for their hiding spots. For more on squirrel habits, visit our squirrel species overview.

In Wyoming, squirrels sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where the animal is most likely in the state. Use the state wildlife hub and the route guide to narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.

When Is the Best Time to See Squirrels?

Early morning and late afternoon are prime activity periods. Spring and fall show peak foraging as they gather food for breeding or winter storage. Winter activity drops sharply, but on mild days you might spot them collecting pine cones. Squirrels are active year-round, so timing matters less than habitat. Learn more about Wyoming wildlife patterns at our Wyoming wildlife page.

What Field Signs Help You Identify Squirrel Activity?

Look for stripped pine cones and middens (piles of cone scales) under trees. Nests called dreys appear as messy leaf balls high in tree forks. Scratch marks on bark and bounding tracks in snow or mud are also good clues. Listen for chattering calls and rustling leaves overhead. These signs work even if the squirrel stays hidden.

See our state animal guide for the next step.

How Do Wyoming's Squirrel Species Differ?

Red squirrels are smaller, reddish-brown, with a white eye ring and a feisty territorial scold. Eastern gray squirrels are larger, gray or black, with a fluffy tail. You may also see Richardson's ground squirrels in open fields; they are smaller and live in burrows. Red squirrels are most common in the mountains, grays in the east.

Where Can You Reliably Spot Squirrels in Wyoming?

Try the Medicine Bow National Forest near Laramie, the Black Hills in Crook County, or Grand Teton National Park's forest edges. Urban parks in Cheyenne and Casper also host gray squirrels. For best odds, visit pine-dominated areas in the morning. Check our Wyoming wildlife page for more spotting locations.