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When people think of wildlife in Wyoming, it's tough to ignore Yellowstone National Park. However, there are several amazing spots in and around Casper that are teeming with diverse wildlife, from birds and deer to the famous Pronghorn antelope and gray wolves. If you're in the area looking for something to do outdoors, check out these best places to see wildlife near Casper, Wyoming. Casper Mountain Casper Mountain in Central Wyoming boasts amazing nature and wildlife views within its forests, and outdoor enthusiasts can spot myriad native fauna, including bear, elk, red deer, foxes, and countless species of birds. Home to several nature walks, campgrounds, and activity areas, Casper Mountain has plenty to offer. It is also home to Garden Creek Falls and Rotary Park, where visitors can enjoy nature all year round. more Platte River Trails Platte River Trails is one of Casper's most-loved central Wyoming spots for birdwatching. On the trails, you can spot several types of birds of pretty, including bald eagles, red-tail and red-shoulder hawks, and owls. Set up a picnic in Platte River's many recreation areas or keep your eye out at one of the designated wildlife viewing spots to catch glimpses of Wyoming's legendary animals. You can also bring your dog on your hike or kayak on the Platte River. Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park, just 6 miles from Casper, is one of Audubon Wyoming's designated bird habitats. You can see around 100 different migratory species in a given season, and you can pick a spot from over 40 different picnic areas to relax and watch for Wyoming's native birds. Enjoy your hike along scenic trails and watch for whitetail and mule deer, antelope, prairie dogs, squirrels, and three different fox species. Little Red Creek Little Red Creek is a local nature hub for fishing enthusiasts in Natrona County, Wyoming. With a large variety of native freshwater fish, like river trout and freshwater bass, the stream offers some amazing fly fishing and catch-and-release opportunities. While you're waiting for a catch, keep a lookout for deer species, hares, foxes, bear, moose, and elk. Reshaw Park Reshaw Park in Evansville, Wyoming, is an 8-minute drive from Casper and has a long history spanning back to the days of the Oregon Trail. With historical Fort Clay and the Reshaw Bridge within the park, nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike will fall in love with the beautiful landscape. You can spot a multitude of Wyoming's native and migratory bird species and pronghorn antelope, deer, elk, and even grizzly bears and gray wolves. Martin's Cove Martin's Cove is another awesome historical site for nature and history enthusiasts. With over 933 acres of rugged landscape, you can explore the legend of the Mormon and Oregon Trails. Watch for antelope, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, bears, foxes, and the many bird species flying in Wyoming's open skies. It may be a 55-mile trek outside of Casper's city limits, but Martin's Cove in Natrona County is something you won't want to pass up. Image via Pixabay.com

Whether you're commuting to work or on a family road trip, you should always be prepared in case of an emergency while on the road. The easiest way to stay prepared is to keep an emergency kit in your vehicle. Let's talk about some of the items your kit should contain. Maintenance Tools Every vehicle emergency kit should contain some basic maintenance and repair tools. The most basic of these tools is your car's maintenance manual, your insurance card, and a business card for the local repair shop. While you might be able to look up this information on your smartphone, it's always a good idea to keep hard copies available. You never know when your phone service might go down. more The most common emergency you'll probably face while on the road is a flat tire, so be sure to keep a properly maintained spare tire, a tire jack, and a tire iron in your car. You'll also want to keep a can of Fix-A-Flat or other tire sealer in your car so you can plug any leaks. Make sure to get your car to a repair shop as soon as possible. It's never a good idea to drive too long on a spare tire or a tire with a leak. Doing so is dangerous and can actually damage your vehicle. Another common issue you might face is a dead battery. Make sure to keep jumper cables or an emergency battery booster handy. It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with how those items work ahead of time so you don't panic in an emergency situation. Survival Items Hopefully, you don't get stranded in the middle of nowhere for long periods of time before help can arrive in an emergency. If you do find yourself in such a situation, having survival items on hand can make the circumstances less dire. Common survival items that you should keep in your kit include first aid equipment, a flashlight, matches, energy bars, and bottles of water. Paper maps are also essential. Again, you never know when your phone might go dead or service might not be available. If you're traveling through a cold climate, it's a good idea to have an ice scraper, a mylar space blanket, and extra clothes. Comfort Items Making sure you're comfortable, even in emergencies, can help you stay calm and relaxed. That's why it's a good idea to keep comfort items in your emergency kit. You'll probably end up wishing you had toilet paper, paper towels, an umbrella, or a phone charger, if you haven't already packed them in your car. It's also a good idea to keep a spare change of clothes handy. There's no reason to sit around in damp or dirty clothes if you don't have to. That would just add more stress to the situation. By making sure you're prepared for just about any emergency situations, you'll be able to drive with less stress and a lot more confidence. Image via Flickr by State Farm