7 Most Scenic Small Towns In Wyoming For Nature Lovers

As spring arrives and the weather begins to warm, you may find yourself craving an adventure. Fortunately, if you live in or near Wyoming, there is no shortage of places to turn that craving into a reality. In fact, with so many possibilities, you may find the hard part to be choosing where to travel! To make it easier, we’ve narrowed it down to seven scenic towns that offer everything from whitewater rafting trips and ranch experiences to stargazing by the water. If these experiences sound like your kind of trip, read on.

Thermopolis

Thermopolis, whose name means “Hot City” in Greek, was named after the nearby hot springs now located in Hot Springs State Park. Travelers wanting to soak in the springs will have access to a public bathhouse that is open year-round, with water maintained at 104℉. There is also a suspension bridge that hangs above the Bighorn River in the park, offering a view of the river and mineral springs terrace from above. Just south of town lies Wind River Canyon, a deep gorge carved over millions of years, where visitors can enjoy guided fishing, whitewater rafting, and float trips.

The Legend Rock Petroglyph Site is another one of the area’s wonders, featuring one of the most spectacular petroglyph areas in the world. Here, visitors can admire over 280 different petroglyphs carved on sand panels. The Boysen Reservoir, meanwhile, is about 25 minutes south of Thermopolis and is a great place to swim, camp, fish, or boat. Some of the most common fish species in the reservoir include walleye, rainbow trout, yellow perch, and catfish.

Laramie

Home to the University of Wyoming, many visitors come to Laramie for the art scene, restaurants, and nightlife. However, there is just as much natural beauty to explore surrounding the college town. Medicine Bow National Forest is the perfect example. Just a 25-minute drive southwest of town, visitors will reach this 2.9 million-acre reserve, with just a few of the possible activities including hiking, biking, fishing, camping, and horseback riding.

The Happy Jack Recreation Area is another popular hiking spot, offering a range of trails that vary in length and difficulty, from short walks under half a mile to longer routes stretching up to three miles. Just a two-minute drive from Medicine Bow National Forest, birdwatchers can appreciate diverse bird species at Curt Gowdy State Park, home to nuthatches, nutcrackers, chickadees, and waterfowl. Golfers, meanwhile can head out to Jacoby Golf Course, uniquely located 7,220 feet above sea level, making for a scenic match.

Jackson

Jackson serves as a popular base camp for Grand Teton National Park, a rugged mountain preserve that has been a nationally cherished destination since 1929. With 13,775-foot peaks, alpine lakes, and green meadows, this 310,000-acre piece of wilderness should be on every hiker’s bucket list. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is another popular outdoor recreation hub, offering skiing in the winter and scenic hiking trails and gondola rides in the summer.

Bridger-Teton National Forest, covering 3.4 million acres, surrounds the town as well, offering numerous campgrounds for those wanting to spend the night outdoors. Travelers seeking an adrenaline rush can book a whitewater rafting trip with one of the area’s outfitters, such as Dave Hansen Whitewater, which has been hosting trips on the Snake River since 1967.

Sheridan

Located in the heart of Bighorn Mountain Country, Sheridan is just minutes away from Bighorn National Forest. Recreational opportunities in the national forest are endless, including 1,200 miles of trails, 10 picnic areas, and 30 campgrounds. Within the forest, travelers will also find Cloud Peak Wilderness, which features the forest’s highest peak at 13,167 feet, along with hundreds of gorgeous lakes, miles of streams, and more than 100 miles of hiking trails.

Travelers hoping to camp have access to several private campgrounds, in addition to the campgrounds in the national forest. The Sheridan Big Horn KOA Campground is one of the most popular, offering tent sites, deluxe and camping cabins, and RV sites, depending on your preferences. About half an hour northwest of town, visitors will find Tongue River Reservoir State Park, where a 12-mile-long reservoir is framed by red shale canyons. The park offers opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, boating, fishing, and more.

Sundance

Sundance, a small town in the Black Hills, offers a true Western outdoor experience. Consider staying at Kara Creek Ranch, a 30,000-acre property where guests can explore the land on horseback and even help work with the ranch’s cattle. Travelers can also opt to camp in the Black Hills National Forest at the Sundance Campground and Trailhead, which has 10 campsites, freshwater, horse stalls, and corrals for those arriving on horseback.

If you prefer to stay near town golfing, you will love the Sundance Country Club, a highly-rated, semi-private course with nine holes. Before leaving town, be sure to make the half-hour trip out to Devils Tower National Monument, an incredible geological formation that rises 867 feet above the surrounding prairies.

Pinedale

Lying among three mountain ranges, Pinedale, with clear night skies, is a renowned destination for stargazers. Travelers eager to watch the night sky can head out to nearby destinations like the Skyline Drive Overlook or the Half Moon Lake Marina, both renowned for their starry skies. If you are interested in a weekend of hiking, make sure to add the Wind River Mountain Range to your itinerary. Covering 2.25 million acres, visitors will have access to around 600 miles of trails, winding along rugged peaks and wild backcountry. Those hoping to kayak, canoe, boat, or sail can spend the afternoon at Fremont Lake, the state’s second-largest lake that is just a few miles north of town. There is plenty to do during the winter in Pinedale as well, with the White Pine Wyoming Ski and Summer Resort offering a wide range of groomed trails and a ski school for beginners.

Green River

As its name suggests, much of the outdoor recreation in Green River centers around the Green River that flows through the town. The river is particularly well known for being a wildlife corridor, providing habitat for over 300 animal species. Travelers wanting to wildlife watch should start at the Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge, which lies along the river corridor and is home to elk, pronghorn, moose, sage grouse, swans, and many other species. Another convenient way to explore the river is by visiting Expedition Island Park. This 7.1-acre park lies in the heart of town and offers river access, picnic tables, grills, nature trails, and more to enjoy the river’s natural beauty.

The Wilkins Peak Trail System is nearby as well and is recognized as one of the state’s most popular biking trail networks. With 14 trails, totaling 20 miles, there is a terrain for every level of biker. If you prefer to embark on a relaxing drive, add the Flaming Gorge Green River Basin Scenic Byway to your travel plans. Across the drive’s 100 miles, travelers will pass by high desert, mountain peaks, and stunning rock formations.

Final Thoughts

Wyoming could easily be considered the definition of adventure, and these seven towns are the perfect evidence. Travelers can spend a week hiking through the wilderness in places like Medicine Bow National Forest or Cloud Peak Wilderness, or enjoy a relaxing weekend of golf in towns like Laramie and Sundance. With so much natural variety, Wyoming gives you the freedom to shape your getaway exactly the way you like it.