11 Little-Known Towns In Wyoming
Why not open your schedule and call in your vacation days for a fun and exploratory experience in the little-known towns in Wyoming? After all, in this state named after the Native American word mecheweamiing, meaning "at the big plains,” you can enjoy a number of panoramic views and vast expanses, as well as even the mountains of Wyoming. Whether looking for something besides the popular Yellowstone National Park to savor other hot attractions in places like Jackson or Thermopolis, or perhaps you want to engage in Wyoming’s history in historic places like Dubois and Pinedale, there are plenty of towns to suit your desires. For an authentic and atypical Wyoming trip, check out these 11 little-known towns.
Laramie
Around 7,200 feet above sea level on the Snowy Range Mountains looms the small town of Laramie. Whether you are taking the Overland or Cherokee Trail to see the former Arapaho and Cheyenne settlements from the 1600s or exploring the Historic Laramie Unio Depot and Fort Sanders, you will see an impressive array of history coming to life in Laramie. The town also happens to be the home of the University of Wyoming in addition to the Geological Museum, reminiscent of Jurassic Park. Laramie was also the former prison of Butch Cassidy, specifically at the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site. Trekkers and trailblazers can certainly enjoy scenic strolls through the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. Lastly, lodgings like the Old Corral Hotel & Steakhouse and Mountain View Historic Hotel are among the best places to spend your nights and long vacations in Laramie.
Jackson
Jackson, approximately two hours away from Yellowstone National Park, welcomes newcomers with a handful of archways composed of shed antlers at the National Elk Refuge and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center. This small resort town surrounded by mountains is one of the best places to go skiing in Wyoming, particularly in destinations like the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, the Snow King Mountain Resort, or the Grand Targhee Resort at Teton Village.
Those with an urge to challenge themselves and others ought to participate in the World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb at the Snow King Mountain Resort, which occurs every year from March 21 to 24. On the other hand, those with artistic appetites can admire the works of Andy Warhol and Georgia O’Keeffe at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Before the day ends, you can either go climbing on one of the many mountains surrounding Jackson or retreat for warmth and comfort in lodgings like the Inn On the Creek, Hitching Post Lodge, or Huff House Inns and Cabins.
Thermopolis
With a name hailing from Greece, which translates to “hot city,” Thermopolis is one of the hottest attractions in Wyoming due to the abundance of hot springs one can relish at the Hot Spring State Park. For cooler waters, you can always follow the flow of the Bighorn River towards the Bighorn Basin. History enthusiasts will absolutely adore the 283 or more rock drawings located at the Legend Rock Petroglyph Site—hallmarks of a Native American settlement once residing in Thermopolis and having existed for about 10,000 years. Both the Boysen State Park and Wind River Canyon are homes to America’s most recognizable animals, the bison. In contrast, the Wyoming Dinosaur Center is home to the bones of extinct dinosaurs. For those eager to explore Thermopolis’ steaming attractions, you should consider booking a room at either El Rancho or Hot Springs Hotel and Spa.
Buffalo
The small town of Buffalo might have a ton of buffalos for you to see, yet it undeniably has other allures and sights worth seeing. For example, you can explore Bighorn National Park and towards Bighorn Mountain or venture into the remains of Fort Phil Kearney, where the Fetterman Fight took place. Afterward, tour the Museum of the Occidental Hotel to learn how a man named Owen Wister “got his man here.” Another museum, the Jim Gatchell Museum, exhibits over 15,000 artifacts that exemplify the violence and adventures prevalent throughout the period of the Wild West. Among these artifacts are items and baubles that once belonged to the members of the Wild Bunch, such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, who once resided in the “Hole in the Wall,” which is close to Buffalo.
Sheridan
About 35 miles from Buffalo, the historic town of Sheridan preserves over 10 historic sites within its National Register of Historic Places. Newcomers to Sheridan can attend the yearly Eaton’s Horse Drive, when hundreds of horseback-riding cowboys parade down Sheridan’s streets. You can also down enlivening craft ales at the Blacktooth Brewing Company, considered one of Wyoming's best brewers. If you prefer to go strolling about, you can do so along Red Grade Trails, which can take you through the Bighorn National Forest, the Tongue River Canyon, Cloud Peak Wilderness, and the peak of Medicine Mountain. The Tongue River Canyon. Finally, if you ever get exhausted from all the sauntering around, you can head back to Sheridan and spend your evenings in places like the Ramada Plaza, the Budget Inn Express, or Wyo Inn.
Sundance
Ever wondered where the Sundance Kid got his name? Not only did this infamous outlaw get his name from performing the Native American ceremony called the Sun Dance, he did so in a small town that would one day be called Sundance. The Crook County Museum & 1875 Gallery gives a detailed narrative regarding this event and its background, while the Sip ‘n Walk Historical Tour gives newcomers a historic tour of the town and refreshments for anyone who might want to quench their thirst.
Historically, the Utah/United States Film Festival first started in Sundance and was eventually renamed into the Sundance Film Festival that many know about. If you are still excited to explore Sundance, you should travel about 28 miles toward America’s First National Monument, the Devil’s Tower, or the Bearlodge District of the Black Hills National Forest. Afterward, you can return to Sundance and sleep safe and sound in fine lodgings like the Bear Mountain Resort or Bear Lodge Motel.
Lovell
Not many know about the little-known town called Lovell. Situated beside the Bighorn Lake, Lovell is another lovely town with access to the Bighorn National Forest. Hundreds of wild mustangs are abundant here in the Pryor Mountain Wild Mustang Center. At the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, you can gaze at the impressive engineering masterpiece of the Yellowtail Dam.
At the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center, on the other hand, you can feel a sense of foreboding and morbidity from the Japanese-American confinement sites that were in operation during and after World War II. The Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite preserves several dinosaur footprints for you to see. In contrast, the Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark contains ancient Native American stones for you to admire. There is no need to worry about accommodations in Lovell, not when you are situated in the Cattlemen Motel, the Western Motel, or the Horseshoe Bend Motel.
Dubois
Approximately an hour and 40 minutes away from Jackson, the not-so-dubious town of Dubois shelters Wyoming’s beloved animal, the bighorn sheep. The National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Center specifically cares for the bighorn sheep and offers tourists insightful information about the sheep and their ecosystems. Since Dubois was founded as a pioneering town in the old frontiers of America, travelers can learn much about Dubois’ history at the Dubois Museum. More opportunities for exploration can be gained when traversing the Shoshone National Forest, the first national forest in America as proclaimed by President Theodore Roosevelt. You should not miss out on Wild West-themed rodeos from June 14 to August 23 every Friday, and you should certainly not forget to book a room in welcoming establishments like the Chinook Winds Lodge.
Green River
Only around three hours away from Laramie and on leveled plains filled with flowing rivers and pastures, the small town of Green River is a hidden haven for those wanting to get away from the big city scenery. Explore the many winding riverways and streams at the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area and along the Green River that gave the town its name. Learn all about the infamous bandits who made Green River their hideout at the Sweetwater County Museum. Discover some of Wyoming’s diverse wildlife creatures in destinations such as Rock Springs, Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Loop, and the Seedskadee Wildlife Refuge. Finally, feel comfortable and at ease when vacationing in resplendent accommodations such as the Little Bear Motel.
Pinedale
Pinedale is a rather secluded small town since the Wind River Range, the Gros Ventre Mountains, and the Wyoming Range are keeping this town tucked and stowed away. Still, should you arrive at this dynamic destination, you can be treated to spectacular landscapes like the Bridger-Teton National Forest, which is part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. From June to October, visitors and locals can watch the US's oldest and longest cattle drive, the Green River Drift. You should watch out for grizzly bears, gray wolves, and pronghorns on the Path of the Pronghorn, one of the last remaining long-distance animal migrations in the Western Hemisphere. Most importantly, you should not miss out on the Wind River Brew Fest, which occurs every year on September 7, and a reenactment of the Green River Rendezvous in July.
Lander
Taking its name from the Lander Trail, which engineer Frederick W. Lander created, in Lander, one can traverse the same route that thousands of wagons had taken to safely continue their journey from east to west. Travelers excited for more experiences in Wyoming’s outdoor sceneries can find more surprises and spectacles in destinations such as Sinks Canyon State Park, the Red Canyon, the Wild River Mountain Range, Cottonwood Campground, and Wild Iris. Meanwhile, historic landmarks like the Fremont County Pioneer Museum and the Museum of the American West provide exhibits and artifacts representing Lander’s intricate past. Whether you are traveling down the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River towards places like the Wind River Indian Reservation, you will still be amazed by the town where the rails end and the trails begin.
In a land where mustangs, buffalos, bighorn sheep, and pronghorns frolic at the big plains of Wyoming, you might stumble upon a few little-known towns you might not have heard of. While the Wild Bunch, such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, sound familiar, sometimes exploring the unknown offers a memorable and enlightening experience. There are plenty of sublime destinations that are just as invigorating and appealing as the geysers at Yellowstone in Wyoming and are just waiting to be discovered!
