10 Top-Rated Small Towns In Wyoming
The small towns scattered throughout the Wyoming landscape embody the rugged spirit of the untamed West in a way few other places can. As part of the "Cowboy State," the towns offer a rich historical heritage that complements the pristine beauty pervading the Mountain West region. (Wyoming has seven national parks, including Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons). While these communities often rely on tourist dollars for their livelihoods, they offer countless opportunities for visitors to experience the flawless wonders of the natural world. Outdoor adventurers will discover abundant wildlife and recreational activities as they explore grassy prairies and lush forests, fish from ice-cold mountain streams, or climb granite peaks for scenic vistas. Encountering the small towns of this state will build a deep appreciation for preserving the perfection of the wild while offering a unique connection to the American spirit of the frontier.
Cody
This vibrant tourist town in northwestern Wyoming bears the name of its founder, Buffalo Bill Cody. The town sits along the Shoshone River, 52 miles east of Yellowstone National Park, and serves as a gateway to numerous hiking trails and other recreational activities. The town has a vibrant Wild West legacy with many historical sites, museums, and galleries, including the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. This unique complex houses five distinct museums detailing the rich history of the untamed land, and it has one of the best collections of Western art. Wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy the family-friendly exhibits of the Draper Natural History Museum. Nearby, Old Trail Town is a re-created frontier settlement open during the summer where visitors can learn about rustic life. Families will love the Cody Stampede Rodeo (nightly from June to August) or the Red Canyon Wild Mustang Tour (also a summer activity). When you venture downtown, plan on visiting the Irma Hotel (named in honor of Buffalo Bill Cody's daughter). The hotel features a turn-of-the-century restaurant and saloon. Outside the hotel, the Cody gunfighters perform a Wild West shootout each evening. Enjoy a family-style meal while listening to a foot-stomping country cowboy jamboree at the Cody Cattle Company. During the winter months, visitors can find ample cross-country skiing or snowmobiling opportunities or try ice-climbing the beautiful frozen waterfalls of the South Fork Valley of the Shoshone River.
Buffalo
Many visitors discover the quaint town of Buffalo as they travel along the Cloud Peak Scenic Byway, which winds through 47 miles of scenery in the Bighorn National Forest. Tourists will find the town is a natural sportsman's paradise, with ample recreational activities, including hiking, camping, and fishing. In addition to the region's natural splendor, Buffalo enjoys a rich Wild West heritage. The community began as a settlement near Fort McKinley but quickly grew into an agricultural and ranching town. The area is famous for the Johnson County range wars, leading to an often violent reputation for lawlessness. The Occidental Hotel is part of the historic downtown district and is a must-see (circa 1879). The hotel lobby has numerous historical artifacts, and in the saloon, there are still bullet holes in the walls and ceiling. Nearby, the "Hole-In-The-Wall" gang led by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid hid in the hills above the town. The Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum contains over 15,000 artifacts depicting life on the open range and is an excellent stop for history buffs wanting to learn more. There are plenty of unique dining and shopping experiences, but the Western heritage gives this town its charm, attracting countless visitors yearly.
Centennial
A small mountain town at the base of the Snowy Range Mountains, Centennial sits just below the Medicine Bow National Forest. The community offers outdoor adventurers numerous opportunities to experience some of the best fishing, hiking, and primitive camping locales in the state. (Sugar Loaf and Brooklyn Lake Campgrounds are popular summer season choices). Be sure to drive the Snowy Mountain Scenic Byway. This 29-mile journey rises to over 10,000 feet as it meanders through exquisite alpine habitats. (There are crystal-clear lakes, gorgeous mountain meadows brimming with wildflowers, and scenic vistas around every turn). During the winter months, Centennial offers snow-heads excellent snowmobiling and skiing trails for those seeking the fresh powder and stunning vistas the mountain weather often produces. The Old Corral Hotel and Steakhouse is the best place for dinner. If you visit, the Nici Museum is located in the Old Train Depot and has displays highlighting the town's days as a rail stop for local miners and ranchers.
Jackson
Tourists love Jackson (aka Jackson Hole) as a four-season resort community due to its proximity to the Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Parks. The majestic Tetons provide the perfect backdrop as they rise above the mountain town. Outdoor enthusiasts will find numerous skiing, hiking, and camping sites to experience. (Jenny Lake is one of the most pristine primitive campgrounds in the Grand Tetons and requires reservations from the National Park Service. It is closed during colder months). The National Elk Refuge is a prime attraction where visitors can view large herds of elk roaming over nearly 25,000 acres. While the area's natural beauty is breathtaking to behold, the town of Jackson has a walkable Western downtown district filled with galleries, shops, and places of interest. Explore the National Wildlife Museum or snap a picture under the iconic Antler Arch. During the warmer summer months, enjoy a chuckwagon cookout at the Bar T 5 Ranch (visitors ride in covered wagons through the Cache Creek Canyon to the location of the dinner and show). The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar is a unique local watering hole with live music that allows patrons to "saddle" up to the bar (the barstools are saddles). During the winter, tourists flock to the small town to enjoy the fresh snow on the many skiing trails in the area.
Laramie
This spirited college town sits at 7,220 feet in Southeast Wyoming and offers many outdoor recreational activities (hiking and biking trails are plentiful). The town has a rich history as an essential stop for the Union Pacific Railroad and celebrates its legacy with numerous museums and historic sites. The Laramie Plains Museum is in the 19th-century Ivinson mansion (circa 1892). A local banker built the home, and today, it houses a unique collection of Victorian furniture and fixtures, along with memorabilia from the town's days as a ranch and rail town. Several museums affiliated with the University are worth exploring, including a world-famous art museum and a planetarium. The historic downtown district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors will find the downtown area filled with quaint shops, galleries, and dining venues. Being a college town, there are four microbreweries in Laramie (Bond's Brewing Company and Coal Creek Tap are two of the best) where you can cheer the Wyoming Cowboys football team to victory if you need a place to hang out.
Green River
As a simple community named for the river that meanders through the region, Green River enjoys notoriety for being the starting point for John Wesley Powell's courageous expeditions of the Colorado River. The surrounding area offers abundant other prominent sandstone formations, and many visitors come each summer to explore the many routes. (The Castle Rock formation towers above the town, providing some of the most formidable climbing routes in the area). The Green River offers other outdoor activities, including kayaking, rafting, and fishing. (Expedition Island Park is an excellent place to learn kayaking skills on the river's moderate whitewater. They also offer a calmer section for tube floating). Green River Greenbelt Pathway has over 12 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding. History buffs will love the free Sweetwater Historical Museum with its artifacts from the railroad and early pioneers. Red White Buffalo features Wyoming-made crafts and eclectic home decor. The Hitching Post Restaurant and Saloon serves a great breakfast and is popular among the locals.
Dubois
Dubois is a rustic locale filled with an Old West heritage. Visitors flock to the area for fly-fishing, horseback, and hunting activities. (The area is considered one of the nation's best spots for hunting big game). The National Big Horn Sheep Interpretative Center is a beautiful educational facility that offers exhibits on the habitats of local wildlife. Throughout the town, rustic log cabins offer a wilderness feel, transporting visitors back to the rugged days of early frontiersmen. Weekly rodeos and square dances occur during the summer months. The Shoshone National Forest surrounds the small town with countless primitive campgrounds, hiking and horseback riding trails. During the winter, the tiny town becomes a haven for snowbirds who do not want to fight the crowds in Jackson Hole. Be sure to eat at the Cowboy Cafe or the Lone Buffalo when you stay. The Rustic Pine Tavern is an old-time saloon that has served patrons for over a hundred years.
Lander
As one of the best outdoor towns in the nation, Lander offers a tranquil outdoor experience near the foothills of the Wind River Mountains. The thriving community of 7,551 souls earns its livelihood from the many tourists who frequent the area's hiking, fishing, and rock-climbing venues. Visitors to the Sinks Canyon State Park will find one of the premier climbing destinations in the country. (The Bighorn Dolomite offers climbs as difficult as 5.14, making them some of the most challenging anywhere). The Lander historic district comprises 16 buildings, and history buffs will find the displays in the Fremont Pioneer Museum or the Museum of the American West both family-friendly and informative. The downtown main street has a quaint charm with places to eat, sleep, and shop. (The Middle Fork Cafe and The Oxbow are on Main Street). The Diamond 4 Ranch is open from late June through mid-September and is the highest working guest ranch in Wyoming, thrilling visitors with memorable fly-fishing and horseback adventures.
Gillette
Gillette is known as a stop en route to the Devil's Tower National Monument. The town prides itself as the "energy capital of the world" due to the local area's rich abundance of mineral resources. (The Eagle Butte Coal Mine is a working coal mine with tours daily). The downtown district is filled with eclectic shops, museums, and galleries celebrating the town's history of the Open Range. Visitors can explore the Durham Bison Ranch, with over 3,000 head of buffalo roaming over 55,000 acres. The Frontier Auto Museum contains room after room of memorabilia, neon signs, classic cars, and other relics. (There is even an indoor "drive-in" for visitors to enjoy old movies and commercials. Be sure to stop by the old-time soda fountain for a special treat). The Campbell County Rockpile Museum shares the story of the Powder River Basin, presenting the local and regional history through its displays of fossils and Native American and frontier artifacts.
Sheridan
For those who love all things cowboy, Sheridan is a small town celebrating a strong rodeo and ranching culture. The Sheridan WYO Rodeo is a family-friendly event every July, attracting professional riders nationwide. The downtown district features 46 historic buildings, an eclectic array of shops, dining establishments, and watering holes. Visit the iconic Sheridan Inn for a nostalgic look at luxury accommodations of the late 1800s. (The hotel is within easy walking distance of the downtown district). Sheridan is close to the Big Horn Mountains, with numerous outdoor adventures, including hiking scenic trails, fishing in mountain lakes, and exploring diverse wildlife. Hiking through Tongue Canyon (about 20 miles east of the city) is a must, as the trail leads through narrow granite canyons with spectacular scenic views. (Tongue Canyon is also an attractive location for rock climbing). During winter, Sheridan becomes a tranquil winter wonderland filled with 218 miles of snowmobile trails.
The small towns throughout Wyoming promote a sacred respect for preserving and protecting the natural beauty and the historical significance of the wilderness. While tourists flock to these unspoiled regions for many outdoor activities, the residents continue to work as the guardians of the land. There are strong Western influences almost everywhere you look, helping Wyoming rank as one of the most popular states in the nation to spend a family vacation.
