10 Must-Visit Small Towns In Wyoming
Tourists seeking small-town adventure in the western U.S. may find plenty of opportunities. Various states in the Mountain West subregion are crucial to tourism, and in the state of Wyoming, this is not unheard of as a mixture of commercial and natural or historical landmarks keeps visitors and residents happy for a lifetime. Here are ten small towns in the Cowboy State that are worth the visit, no matter what time of year it is.
Buffalo
Located between Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore, Buffalo is a prominent foothold for the Cloud Peak Scenic Byway and serves as a national treasure for tourism. Historic authenticity can be found in the Occidental Hotel and the Jim Gatchell Museum, both displaying artifacts dating back to the American Old West. With famous hideouts of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid around town, tourists will love the thrill of seeing how infamous outlaws played a pivotal role in driving modern cultural influence. The beauty of the Bighorn Mountains also greets newcomers to the town, as visitors can admire mountain ranges full of nature and sightseeing while on vacation. Buffalo is able to please visitors of all backgrounds with its touch of history and natural environments.
Thermopolis
Over 2,500 inhabitants enjoy this small town in Hot Springs County and for good reason, as it is recognized for housing the world's largest mineral hot spring. Hot Springs State Park is a fantastic park worth visiting in Thermopolis, as guests can take in steamy air and witness the natural formations of terraces that are best captured on camera. On Broadway, tourists can expect to find the renowned architecture of cowboys and horse statues laid about, lending historical significance to the Wild West and saloon culture. Adventurers wanting more can venture to the Swinging Bridge, originally constructed in 1916 but remains intact to this day to support park activities. The Wyoming Dinosaur Center is also fun for guests of all ages as it provides a glimpse of prehistoric history and alludes to its ownership of the Archaeopteryx fossil, evolutionarily conceived as a popular bird-like dinosaur. For mystery lovers seeking further history, the Legend Rock State Petroglyph Site is vital for tourist experiences, providing more than 1,300 feet of cliffside knowledge on petroglyph figures driven by the prehistoric era. This town is ideal for anyone desiring a truly riveting tourist excursion.
Sheridan
Sheridan is quite tourist-friendly because of its fabled history and dramatic mountain vistas. Despite the Bighorn Mountains being a central focus of tourism here as it is in Buffalo, it is also distinctive for the Brinton Museum, housing tribunal antiques once used by American Indians on historic Indian Battlefields during the town's older days. The charm found in Story communities is enough to keep tourists engulfed in conversations with locals, while Main Street is a keepsake of historic downtown Sheridan that houses multiple boutique shops and saloons that are influenced by Native American art. Tourists who enjoy entertainment and the arts may find so much to see through the Wyo Theater, a 1920s locale that underwent changes to enhance Vaudeville amusement. Nature enthusiasts may revel at sights found across the Black Diamond Byway, with a self-guided audio tour covering 19th-century coal and mining trail development. Sheridan is able to pay homage to the past and still maintain its modern roots in Wyoming.
Jackson
A small skiing town in Jackson Hole with a population of 10,849 residents, Jackson is a notable destination spot for tourists when it comes to natural splendor and snowy atmospheres. With Snow King Mountain Resort and Grand Targhee Resort as two examples of skiing tourism success, travelers in Jackson have plenty of winter activities to stay preoccupied with. While in this small town, guests can visit George Washington Memorial Park (commonly known as "Town Square") and take in the sights at the National Elk Refuge, frequented by Boy Scouts in Jackson who want their presence revealed to newcomers. The 485-square-mile wilderness of the Grand Teton National Park is also habitually popular with visitors who want to take in greenery and recreational park views. Nearby, Yellowstone National Park is a mainstay for its thermal ecosystems and fascinating wildlife. For commercial enjoyment, Jackson Hole Rodeo is a favored locale thanks to its Western cowboy traditions. As for nature lovers, the esteemed Snake River provides a balance between an exhilarating rafting experience and more mellow scenic floating photography, appealing to travelers from all over the countryside.
Pinedale
Seen as the "gateway" to the Wind River Mountains and Jackson Hole, Pinedale is accessible for family-friendly activities. White Pine Ski Resort brings out the best of snowmobile trails and downhill skiing, while the Wind River Range allocates plenty of sightseeing and open window views from the car for guests wanting to take a trip across a 100-mile backdrop of elevation changes. Gannett Peak, within Wyoming's highest mountain range, is actually worth every moment spent in Pinedale, and Fremont Lake is a natural locale that retains its beauty up close and afar as the state's second-largest body of water. Kayaking fans will likely want to see the Green River Lakes for stunning Squaretop Mountain views. Families with a penchant for historical knowledge can visit the Museum of the Mountain Man for antiquities and video tours. Pinedale offers an unforgettable niche experience that is unlike others in the state.
Hulett
Located in the heart of Bear Lodge Mountains with a population of only 318 residents, this quaint town is surrounded by red rimrock formations and the Belle Fourche River that flows through it. With 1880s architecture in such a small town, Hulett is surprisingly worth the visit for its welcoming and lively communities. Tourists may encounter the Hulett Museum & Art Gallery, a cozy locale that collects, preserves, and nurtures various artworks and photography that are a testament to Hulett's downtown district. The Rogue's Gallery is an establishment with plenty of rare Native American artifacts that pay tribute to the legacy of the town as well. For travelers wanting to explore more than just history, the town is further appreciated for its prairie activities and motorcycle rallies. Spirit Highway is easily visible from across the town, as visitors and residents alike take part in vehicle roadshows and Wild West homesteading. Tourists driving around may also want to check out Devils Tower National Monument for a gorgeous sunset view and paved trails driven by more than a century of history.
Green River
With a population of 11,609 residents, Green River is Wyoming's best small town for railroad history and world-class fishing. An essential tourist destination for travelers wanting to see nature during the summer period, landmarks like the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area are bound to provide perfect rapids for river tubing and kayaking. The Sweetwater County Museum and the Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge are also must-see locales for those who prefer to stay indoors and witness 1960s history from the perspective of Native Americans. Expedition Island is another hotspot in the town; its roots trace back to the 1870s and are memorable for family gatherings and tourists exploring as a big group or engaging in large-scale fishing tournaments. This town encourages both historical tourism and riverside enjoyment in a single trip.
Medicine Bow
Housing only 245 residents, this small town takes tourists back to the past through dinosaur discoveries, ranching relics, and sheep herder cabins. The Medicine Bow Museum acts as a key tourist locale for its dedication to telling stories about Native American livelihood and paleontologic findings, including a recently modernized Dinosaur Fossil Cabin that tourists can explore in its entirety. The southeastern Wyoming town is also home to the historic Virginian Hotel, recognizable for all of its western antiques and paintings owing to the legacy of Charlie Russell. Bird watchers can admire the natural habitat at East Allen Lake, and Walker-Jenkins Lake is a reclaimed mine landmark that is best observed as a tourist locale for rainbow sights and sheltered picnic meals. Those with an appetite for trout and walleye can satiate their hunger at Seminole State Park while absorbing the overarching reservoir of the town. Vehicular travelers on the road can take beautiful pictures of the Snowy Range & Medicine Bow National Forest, entailing high plains and alpine glades that are not easy to forget.
Meeteetse
Meeteetse caters to 327 residents and is a destination known for its hospitality. Newcomers to the town are frequently greeted by street walkers and cattle barons. The Absaroka Mountains and Bad Lands are visible from this town, standing as motivation for tourists wanting to explore the outback of the Rocky Mountains. The Meeteetse Museums are also popular for tourism, which brings natural, cultural, and artistic heritage to life through historical retellings of farmers and sculptors. While travelers wander through the Shoshone National Forest, it is not difficult to spot the Kirwin Ghost Town, which guarantees natural sights of boardwalks, hitching rails, and water troughs in a four-hour scenic drive. This town generates a sizeable tourist experience for such a small location on the map.
Afton
Afton is often visited for its globally recognized 75-foot archway that is adorned in elk antlers. The Valli Vu Golf Course can appeal to tourists in the mood for some golfing, while the Feathered Hook centers around fishing charter tours to cater to travelers looking for a new place to fish. A must-visit locale in Afton is the Intermittent Spring, a Swift Creek canyon landmark in Star Valley that is embraced for its captivating natural waters. The Murphy Creek Campground, situated 6,300 feet above elevation with ten campsites, is a locale worth every trip for its panoramic routes that overlook Murphy Lake. Tourists who are more interested in cozy history can pay a visit to the Star Valley Historical Society, a non-profit museum that capitalizes on newspaper fandom and collections of photos that are reminiscent of Afton's cultural upbringing. In this small town, environmental and historical tourism go hand-in-hand, resulting in a delible journey.
All of these small towns provide just a glimpse into the heart and perfection of Wyoming. No matter how often one visits these states, it is obvious that historical and natural locales await those seeking newfound adventure and unforgettable travel value. For travelers needing a fresh itinerary in the Cowboy State, this list is quintessential for a wonderful trip.
