7 Coolest Wyoming Towns For A Summer Vacation In 2025
When you think of Wyoming, chances are you’ll conjure up images of the state’s spectacular mountain scenery and perhaps even a cowboy or two riding dusty cattle trails. Sandwiched between no less than six other states, Wyoming is the epitome of the American West’s pioneering spirit. And nowhere is this more evident than in the state’s coolest small towns. In fact, the USA’s least populated state is home to more than its fair share of cool small towns. Whether you’re planning on visiting natural wonders like Yellowstone National Park’s famous geysers or wanting to learn more about the Cowboy State’s fascinating frontier past, these seven cool Wyoming towns are must-visits in 2025.
Thermopolis
Named after the Greek for hot (thermos) and city (polis), Thermopolis is famous for being just that: a hot city. The hot springs here truly define the town’s identity as the gateway to some of the largest mineral hot springs in the world. Hot Springs State Park, established in 1897, remains one of the most visited spots in the region and features bathhouses fed by naturally heated waters that maintain a constant temperature year-round. Vacationers have several good options for bedding down, including Best Western Plus Plaza Hotel adjacent to the state park, and Paintbrush Inn, a pet-friendly budget motel with rooms decorated in homey Western style.
Other Thermopolis attractions include the Swinging Bridge, a historic suspension footbridge built across the Bighorn River that’s popular for its views of the park’s fascinating limestone formations formed by centuries of mineral buildup. Thermopolis is home to the Wyoming Dinosaur Center with its displays of fossils and fun dino dig programs. A summer 2025 visit will enable you to enjoy the Hot Springs County Fair, held each August to celebrate local agriculture and rodeo events.
Jackson
Officially known as the Town of Jackson, this cool Wyoming community is an excellent choice for a vacation. Start by exploring the Town Square, famous for its quirky archways built from thousands of elk antlers collected from the nearby National Elk Refuge, a nearby must-visit. The National Museum of Wildlife Art, located on a hillside overlooking the refuge, houses a collection dedicated to wildlife artistry with works by Carl Rungius and Robert Kuhn.
Summer is a great time to vacation in Jackson if you’re planning on visiting Grand Teton National Park, just a few miles away, or Yellowstone National Park, about an hour away by car. The town’s setting in Jackson Hole Valley makes it fun for those who enjoy kayaking and rafting, with Snake River, in particular, being a must-do for adventurers. The Jackson Hole Rodeo runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day and offers a chance to experience some authentic cowboy culture while enjoying barrel racing and bull riding.
Whether you stay for a few nights or a week, The Wort Hotel is great for its quality 4-star accommodations. Opened in 1941, this historic boutique property is known for its elegantly restored Western-inspired décor and the Silver Dollar Bar featuring over 2,000 inlaid silver dollars. Located at the base of Snow King Mountain, Snow King Resort Hotel features easy access to hiking trails and summer activities like the alpine slide and scenic chairlift rides.
Cody
Named after the legendary Buffalo Bill Cody who founded the town in 1896, Cody is a must-visit. The town’s best-known landmark is Buffalo Bill's Irma Hotel & Restaurant, built by the legend in 1902. Named after his daughter, it provides an authentic Old West saloon vibe. Another great accommodation option is Cody Cowboy Village, a collection of cozy log cabins providing a rustic but comfortable Wyoming experience. Other must-visits include the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, established in 1917 and a sprawling complex featuring five museums in one. These include the Plains Indian Museum and the Cody Firearms Museum, with its large collection of vintage weaponry from this period.
A summer tradition here is the Cody Stampede Rodeo. Held around the Fourth of July since 1919, this multi-day event includes parades, rodeo competitions, and a fireworks display that lights up the Wyoming sky around Cody. Shoshone National Forest, America’s first national forest, is ideal for hikers with winding trails and mountain vistas that stretch into neighboring Yellowstone.
Sheridan
Named after a Civil War general, Sheridan offers a small-town ambiance enhanced by historically rich architecture that reflects the coal and railroad industries that fueled its early growth. One of the town’s best-known historic buildings (and still a great place to stay), the Sheridan Inn was built in 1893 and was famously used by Buffalo Bill Cody, who held auditions for his famous Wild West shows on its porch. Even if you don’t stay, guided tours through the inn are available. Another historic building you can stay at is The Mill Inn, a converted flour mill offering modern rooms alongside reminders of its industrial past.
Summer 2025 promises to be an especially cool time for equestrian fans wanting to visit Sheridan. Polo has been a popular horsey tradition here since the 1880s when British settlers introduced the sport to the region; matches are held on weekends from June through August. In addition to its trail riding adventures, the nearby Bighorn Mountains are also fun for fishing and off-roading, while hikers can explore Tongue River Canyon with its towering limestone walls.
Lander
Founded in 1869 and named in honor of an engineer who charted safe westward routes across this region, Lander is well worth considering as a base for a Wyoming mountain vacation. The town itself is fun to explore, with the Museum of the American West being a great place to start. Highlights here include displays relating to Native American heritage and the construction of the Oregon Trail. Several historic structures are also worth visiting, including a preserved pioneer cabin and a replica of a 19th-century schoolhouse.
Lander’s International Climbers’ Festival is a must-attend for fans of this increasingly popular pastime. Held in mid-July since 1994 and the oldest such event in the country, it draws rock-climbing enthusiasts from around the globe to test their skills on the region’s limestone and granite faces. Prefer water-based recreation? The Popo Agie River flows through town and is great for tubing and fishing. Nearby Sinks Canyon State Park is a unique attraction where the Popo Agie mysteriously vanishes underground into a limestone cavern only to reappear a quarter-mile downstream.
If you can make a vacation out of your visit, The Inn at Lander is a great place to stay. Centrally located near the Museum of the American West, it has an on-site restaurant known for hearty Western meals. The aptly named Silver Spur Motel is a family-run budget lodging option featuring simple clean rooms just a short drive from Sinks Canyon State Park.
Pinedale
Named after the abundance of pine trees that once populated the area, Pinedale became a popular stopover for fur trappers heading deeper into the surrounding mountains. You can learn a lot about the region’s early years at the Museum of the Mountain Man with its interactive exhibits detailing the exploits of early 19th-century trappers and the daily challenges of frontier life. Better still, plan to vacation here in July and you can enjoy the Green River Rendezvous, a century-old gathering of mountain men and local tribes that originated during the fur trade era. Activities range from living history demonstrations to black-powder shooting competitions.
Summer also revolves around water-based fun at Fremont Lake, Wyoming’s second-largest natural lake. Boating and fishing are very popular here with local marinas offering pontoon and kayak rentals, perfect for leisurely days out on the water. Places to stay include Lakeside Lodge, situated on the shores of Fremont Lake with cabin rentals, a marina, and watersport rentals; plus, Hampton Inn & Suites Pinedale is a good choice for its convenient location just off Highway 191.
Buffalo
Named by early settlers who compared Wyoming’s rolling grasslands with the buffalo and plains farther east, Buffalo lies at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains and is home to the legendary Occidental Hotel. Established in 1880 and one of Buffalo’s oldest buildings, it hosted figures like Butch Cassidy and Teddy Roosevelt. Its saloon retains original woodwork, and this historic property continues to offer quality accommodations. The Mansion House Motel is another good option and is a Victorian-era building featuring individually themed guest rooms, each with period-appropriate furnishings and an old-fashioned ambiance.
Other fun stuff to do in Buffalo include visiting the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum. Opened in 1900, it preserves collections recounting the Johnson County Cattle War, a pivotal conflict between large cattle barons and smaller ranchers in the 1890s. Summer brings with it a flurry of activities including the Longmire Days festival in July, a celebration of the popular TV show and book series set in a fictional county inspired by the region. Enjoy the outdoors? Head to Clear Creek which flows directly through downtown Buffalo for fly fishing and riverside walks.
The Final Word
There’s little doubt Wyoming’s best small towns are worth visiting for a holiday. Boasting a fun blend of history and outdoor adventure, each features distinctive identities that have been shaped by their unique stories. From the antler arches of Jackson to Thermopolis’s hot mineral springs, each destination offers a deep dive into the culture found in the Cowboy State. Whether you crave an authentic taste of the old frontier days or want to explore the state’s natural wonders, these seven Wyoming Towns are perfect for a cool summer vacation in 2025.
