11 Stunning Small Towns In Wyoming
Known as the Equality State, Wyoming made history in 1869 as the first state to grant women the right to vote. It is also home to two national firsts: Shoshone National Forest, the country’s first national forest, and Devils Tower, the first national monument. However, you will know Wyoming fondly as the home to a number of stunning small towns to visit. In towns like Lander and Cody, you will find vibrant Native American powwows and other cultural celebrations that honor both heritage and progress. In Dubois and Sheridan, stories of legendary figures and pivotal events that shaped Wyoming come to life.
Meanwhile, destinations such as Jackson and Thermopolis invite you to explore pristine mountains, untouched forests, and natural hot springs, all beautifully preserved by the state’s commitment to conservation. As you journey through the stunning small towns in Wyoming, you will be awed and dazzled by the Equality State’s equal and affable destinations.
Jackson
Thriving at the southern end of the Jackson Hole Valley, the stunning small town of Jackson is a lovely winter retreat with many iconic attractions within the Teton Range. Offering world-class skiing and snowboarding thanks to three nearby resorts (Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Teton Village, Snow King Mountain Resort within town, and Grand Targhee Resort), Jackson is a captivating destination with a handful of spring events to keep you energized and merry. Among these springtime activities is the Shed Hunt Opener, a period when locals gather shed antlers from elk, moose, and deer, and many of these shed antlers were artfully arranged into the famous antler arches in Town Square.
Jackson’s vibrant Western culture also shines at the Jackson Hole Rodeo and through the stunning wildlife art collections at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, showcasing works by legends like Georgia O’Keeffe and Andy Warhol. Located just south of Grand Teton National Park and the Bridger-Teton National Forest, and within reach of Yellowstone, Jackson is a perfect launchpad for exploring Wyoming’s wilderness. When night falls and you feel the call to sleep, you can find plenty of warm and welcoming accommodations at either The Lodge at Jackson Hole, Snow King Resort, or Hitching Post Lodge.
Buffalo
Set against the backdrop of the Bighorn Mountains, Buffalo stuns newcomers with its Wild West-themed histories and landmarks. The town’s Main Street is lined with restored 19th-century buildings and locally owned shops that echo the days when the Wild West’s most famous outlaws and cattle barons roamed the region. The historic Occidental Hotel once hosted legends like Butch Cassidy and Calamity Jane and now welcomes guests with period decor and frontier flair. The stunning small town of Buffalo is also a breathtaking gateway to the Cloud Peak Wilderness, a haven for hikers, campers, and anglers eager to venture into the wilderness of the old Wild West.
The nearby Bighorn National Forest is also a similarly idyllic region brimming with many sublime vistas and sights. For a taste of local culture, you ought to visit during Longmire Days on July, a summer festival honoring the hit TV series Longmire which in turn was inspired by author Craig Johnson. You can also visit the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum to learn more about the various events that transpired around or in Buffalo, among them the Fetterman's Massacre Site, the Wagon Box Fight, the Johnson County Cattle War, and the "Hole in the Wall” which was the hideout of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid along with the rest of the Wild Bunch.
Dubois
Dubois is a stunning small town tucked in a quiet valley between the Wind River and Absaroka Mountain ranges. Often referred to as the “Last of the Old West,” Dubois embraces its frontier and Native American heritages with the Dubois Museum and Wind River Historical Center, which highlights the Shoshone artifacts and petroglyphs found all over Dubois in addition to the early “dude” ranches and homesteaders you can learn more about. The town is also home to the National Bighorn Sheep Center, which educates newcomers to the bighorn sheep, whose population is in great abundance around Dubois.
You can certainly find plenty of unique and captivating animals all around the Shoshone National Forest, which was decreed to be the first national forest in America. Afterwards, you can go venturing through the stunning Wind River Range as well as the scenic Togwotee Pass. Events like the Pedigree Stage Stop Race in February will excite you to see dog races that traverse the long distances between Dubois and its nearby neighbor, Jackson. Finally, fine establishments such as the Stagecoach Inn & Suites will ensure you have a relaxed and amicable stay in Dubois.
Sheridan
About 35 miles north of Buffalo and not far from the Montana state line, Sheridan is a scenic gateway to the Bighorn Mountains and Bighorn National Forest. This historic town captivates newcomers with its many landmarks and legends, one of which is the Historic Sheridan Inn, once home to showman Buffalo Bill Cody, who first stayed here in 1894 and made it his northern Wyoming headquarters. The inn also housed literary legend Ernest Hemingway, who completed A Farewell to Arms while staying in one of its rooms. Inside, you will also find a cherrywood bar gifted to Buffalo Bill by Queen Victoria after her Golden Jubilee in 1887.
Just next door, the Trail End State Historic Site, also known as Kendrick Mansion, invites visitors into a grand Flemish Revival estate open from April through December. For a broader dive into local heritage, the Museum at the Bighorns showcases exhibits ranging from prehistoric times to the Wild West era and is set to reopen this summer. While the Sheridan Inn is a fine place to stay, travelers can also find comfortable lodging at the Budget Inn Express or the Alamo Motel.
Ten Sleep
In spite of the quirky name, you will be quite awake and active when traipsing through the many awesome landscapes and attractions to see in the stunning small town of Ten Sleep. Situated at the base of the Bighorn Mountains, the town got its name from the ten days' travel (or “sleeps”) from important Native American camps located in Fort Laramie, Yellowstone Park, and the Indian Agency at Stillwater, Montana. Overall, Ten Sleep is a paradise for rock climbers, with world-renowned limestone cliffs drawing climbers from across the globe. Hikers and campers will also find plenty of exploratory opportunities in nearby Ten Sleep Canyon and Bighorn National Forest. In town, you ought to stop by Ten Sleep Brewing Company for craft beer, live music, and local flavor.
The annual Ten Sleep Fourth of July Rodeo is a beloved tradition that combines bronc riding, a parade, and fireworks in a picture-perfect Western setting. Between all the mountain climbing and thrilling explorations, you will definitely feel sleepy in Ten Sleep by the end of the day, and resplendent accommodations in places like The Carter Inn will afford you many luxuries in your vacation in this stunning Wyoming town.
Pinedale
Pinedale, located on the edge of the Wind River Range, is a quiet and serene mountain town that was once a gathering spot for fur trappers during the 1800s. Pinedale honors its mountain men with the Museum of the Mountain Man, featuring exhibits on frontier survival and legendary explorers like Jim Bridger. Today, the town serves as a base for wilderness adventurers heading into the Bridger Wilderness or setting out on multi-day hikes, fishing trips, or kayaking expeditions across the area’s hundreds of glacial lakes, including the stunning Fremont Lake, Wyoming’s second-largest natural lake.
Pinedale is also part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, making it a quieter, less-crowded alternative for those looking to explore the region’s wild places. Amazing events such as the Green River Drift are a once-in-a-lifetime experience occurring in the months of June and October, as the nation’s oldest and longest cattle drive sees dozens of modern cowboys herd their cattle through Pinedale’s streets. You might also be interested in the Path of the Pronghorn, one of the last remaining long-distance animal migrations in the Western Hemisphere, where pronghorns and other animals cross around Pinedale.
Thermopolis
As a popular vacation destination thanks to its natural hot springs, Thermopolis promotes a relaxing, family-friendly escape within Wyoming’s natural and rugged beauty. At Hot Springs State Park, you can soak in mineral-rich pools year-round for free in the park’s public bathhouse; likewise, you can find larger facilities at Star Plunge or Hellie’s Tepee Pools. When roaming around town, you ought to look for the colorful terraces formed by mineral deposits and keep an eye out for the park’s resident bison herd.
Thermopolis also boasts one of the best small-town museums in the region, the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, where real fossils and life-sized skeletons preserve the last remnants of the prehistoric era. The Wind River flows right through town, a perfect avenue for rafting or fly fishing, and the nearby Owl Creek Mountains provide ample opportunities for hiking. There are many more marvels and surprises in store in Thermopolis, even in accommodating establishments such as the Paintbrush Inn, the Rainbow Motel, or the Hot Springs Hotel and Spa.
Sundance
Sundance is a bright and beautiful small town in Wyoming filled with many historic and natural features to admire. The town’s name honors the Sun Dance ceremony, a sacred Native American ritual of renewal and devotion. It was here that outlaw Harry Longabaugh became known as the “Sundance Kid,” earning his moniker after being jailed in the area. You can uncover more about his story at the Crook County Museum & 1875 Art Gallery, housed in the historic courthouse.
Taking a short drive away from Sundance can lead you to the awe-inspiring Devils Tower, America’s first national monument, jutting 1,267 feet into the sky above ancient volcanic remnants. Also nearby is the Vore Buffalo Jump, where thousands of bison were hunted by Plains tribes, leaving behind a trove of archaeological treasures. About 20 miles south, Inyan Kara (Rock Gatherer), a sacrosanct spot for the Lakota Native Americans, served as both birthing ground and spiritual refuge, and was even a stop on General Custer’s 1874 expedition. After exploring these historical and natural landmarks, you can unwind at the Bearlodge Mountain Resort or the Serena Inn & Suites for a more fulfilling and spiritual vacation in the stunning small town of Sundance.
Centennial
Tucked at the base of the Snowy Range and around 45 miles from Laramie, the quaint town of Centennial promises innumerable opportunities for exploration in the outdoors. Once a hunting ground for the Indigenous peoples, including the Arapaho and Lakota, the valley eventually became a hub for miners, loggers, and railroad workers supporting nearby Laramie—traces of that era remain at sites like the Queen’s Silver Mine. These days, Centennial is better known as a portal to outdoor adventure, especially within the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. The Snowy Range Scenic Byway begins here, winding past alpine lakes, rugged peaks, and breathtaking meadows.
Popular hikes include Sugarloaf Mountain and Browns Peak, offering spectacular vistas of sylvan woodlands and valleys. When snow blankets the region, the Snowy Range Ski Area becomes a favorite spot for winter sports and other activities. When night gets too cold for you in this cold side of Wyoming, you can seek out lodgings at one of Centennial’s perennial hotels, such as the Old Corral Hotel & Steakhouse or the Snowy Hideout.
Lander
Lander, a stunning and captivating destination, sits at the edge of the Wind River Mountains and beside the Wind River Reservation. Once the land of the Shoshone people, the area became a permanent settlement in the late 19th century, named after explorer Colonel FW Lander. Today, it honors that diverse and inspiring past with preserved ranches and cultural events like the annual Ethete Celebration in July and the Arapaho Powwow in September, the latter being Wyoming’s longest-running powwow. The Fremont County Pioneer Museum similarly showcases a compelling look at the livelihoods and epochs of Lander, ranging from prehistoric times through the 1920s. Meanwhile, nearby Sinks Canyon State Park preserves the region’s dramatic geology, including the mysterious disappearing Popo Agie River.
Just beyond Lander lies the Oregon Trail’s famed South Pass, a crucial crossing point for thousands of emigrants. Within the Wind River Reservation, visitors can pay respects at the burial site of Sacagawea, the legendary Shoshone guide to Lewis and Clark. Whether you are exploring cultural landmarks or hiking mountain trails, Lander invites you to slow down, learn deeply, and stay awhile at places like the Silver Spur Motel or Frontier Lodge.
Cody
The town of Cody was actually founded by Buffalo Bill Cody in 1896, and has endured as a spirited western community that guides travelers to places like the Yellowstone National Park and beyond. Cody wears its cowboy heritage proudly, with rodeo and other activities during the summer, such as the Cody Nite Rodeo, held nightly from June through August. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is a popular location with five world-class museums under one roof, covering everything from Plains Native American history to Western art. You can also opt to stroll through Old Trail Town, a re-creation of a frontier settlement with original cabins and gravesites of famous Wild West outlaws.
Just outside town, the scenic drive along the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway leads you past dramatic cliffs and the Shoshone River. At the Irma Hotel, not only can you afford accommodations, but you can also watch a reenactment of popular shootouts between the Wild Bunch and other outlaws in summertime. Other establishments also include the Beartooth Inn, K3 Guest Ranch Bed and Breakfast, or Big Bear Motel for your daily and nightly leisure.
In the heart of Wyoming’s vastly beautiful landscapes, travelers will discover a collection of stunning small towns that embody the state’s untamed wilderness and vivacious cultural wonders. The state’s name comes from a Native American phrase mecheweamiing meaning “at the big plains,” and it is a fitting tribute as each town invites visitors to wander wide-open spaces and uncover the tales woven into the land. From Jackson’s snow-filled mountain peaks to Cody’s tribute to the American frontier spirit, these destinations represent the stunning outdoors and equally stunning historic landmarks that you can find in Wyoming.
