8 Of The Most Captivating Small Towns In Wyoming

Here's a state where skyscrapers are mountains, rides are on horseback rather than roller coasters, and stars are actual stars. For your next vacation, skip the thin glitz of coastal hubs for the real inland empire: Wyoming, whose small towns are bases for majesty and majestic unto themselves. Behold eight such communities where you can check in, explore the surrounding wilderness, and then return for restaurants, resorts, and museums. Which will captivate you first?

Ten Sleep

It used to take ten sleeps to travel to this town from various hubs in Wyoming, but now it takes ten sleeps to explore everything in and around it. The Bighorn Mountains watch over Ten Sleep and provide some of the best hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, rock climbing, camping, and wildlife viewing in the state. Come down from the mountain for in-town R&R, which includes but is not limited to drinking at Ten Sleep Brewing Co., dining at Ten Sleep Saloon and Restaurant, and shopping at Dirty Sally's General Store. Titular tranquil sleeping can be done at The House at Canyon Creek, The Carter Inn, and the Ten Sleep RV Park.

Pinedale

If you ever wanted to be a mountain man, ala Jeremiah Johnson or Hugh Glass, Pinedale is the place to pretend. This 2,000ish-person town hosts the Museum of the Mountain Man, whose exhibits include a diorama of Hugh Glass fighting a grizzly bear (as was immortalized in The Revenant). The museum also sponsors the Green River Rendezvous, which replicates a historical rendezvous where mountain men, trappers, travelers, and warriors bartered and partied in the Green River Valley. The modern rendezvous is held on the second full weekend in July. In between kitschy activities like crafting and beard shaving, attendees can have an authentic mountain man experience in the surrounding Wind River Mountains.

Dubois

One of the most captivating creatures in the Wild West doesn't actually exist but don't tell that to Dubois. Central to this small town's charm is the "World's Largest Jackalope Exhibit," which is housed in the Country Store. Customers can view, pet, and ride a giant antlered rabbit from frontier lore, as well as buy souvenirs. If you are still curious about the jackalope, you can head east to Douglas, Wyoming, where the myth was born, but only after seeing Dubois's other wonders. Its National Bighorn Sheep Center provides education and direction for the conservation of wild sheep, wildlife, and wildlands. At the same time, its National Museum of Military Vehicles is a "140,000 square foot museum featuring more than 400 military vehicles and historical artifacts. Dubois preserves multiple types of rams.

Centennial

No matter where you stand in Wyoming, you are not far from unspoiled nature. Even in Centennial, a town of about 300 people in the southeastern part of the state, you are an arrow's shot from the Medicine Bow National Forest. Comprising over a million acres and Snowy Range peaks surpassing 12,000 feet in elevation, the forest offers everything from camping to rock climbing to snowmobiling. After exerting oneself in the Medicine Bow Mountains, one can heal in Centennial's relaxing haunts. Among them are the Bear Bottom Bar & Grill, Trading Post Restaurant & Bar, and Mountain View Historic Hotel & Cafe.

Buffalo

Buffalo is a base for two vastly different adventures: surfing the wave clouds of the Bighorn Mountains or panoramically peeping the Great Plains. This "city" of roughly 4,400 people sits between both ecosystems and supplies stores like the Bucking Buffalo Supply Company and The Sports Lure for either adventure. Whether you wear cowboy boots or climbing shoes, Buffalo has you covered with nature, commerce, and historic sites. Tourists are thrilled to browse the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum, which honors Old West pharmacist Theodore James Gatchell, as well as The Historic Occidental Hotel, which supposedly housed the likes of Buffalo Bill Cody and Calamity Jane.

Saratoga

Wyoming’s Saratoga is a haven for those seeking relaxation, particularly at its renowned hot springs. The Saratoga Hot Springs Resort is one of the town's highlights, offering guests a full range of amenities, from hot springs pools and a spa to the unique Snowy Mountain Brewery, which proudly claims to be "America's only brewery with its own hot springs resort." Another option is Saratoga Hobo Hot Springs, a simpler yet equally captivating spot that’s open 24/7 and completely free, perfect for a spontaneous soak.

Beyond the springs, Saratoga has a lot more to offer. History enthusiasts can explore the Historic Wolf Hotel and Restaurant, while the Saratoga Museum provides a glimpse into the region’s past. For a memorable meal, Bella's Bistro is a local favorite, and outdoor lovers can find trails in the nearby Medicine Bow National Forest.

Cody

With approximately 10,000 residents, Cody is one of the largest communities in Wyoming. However, to tourists from more populous states, Cody is a rustic small town. Beyond its meager population by wider American standards, Cody is a gateway to one of America's top natural attractions: Yellowstone National Park. The park spans 2.2 million acres of mountains, canyons, geysers, grizzlies, wolves, and bison. Also adding to Cody's rustic charm are the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Old Trail Town, and Cody Dug Up Gun Museum. We can't forget to mention the herd of wild horses near town, which you can find via Cody Wild Mustang Tours.

Thermopolis

"Thermopolis" means "hot city" in Greek, which is fitting because Thermopolis is the hottest spring-fed community in Wyoming. Around 2,700 residents and many more tourists have access to Hot Springs State Park, which pumps 18,000 gallons of 135-degree water daily. The park also has a free bath house with 104-degree water, plus privately run water parks like the Star Plunge and Hellie's Tepee Pools. Non-springs-related attractions in Thermopolis include the Black Bear Cafe, One Eyed Buffalo Brewing Company, Wyoming Dinosaur Center, and Legend Rock State Petroglyph Site.

Wrapping Up

From the mountains outside Ten Sleep to the saloon inside Ten Sleep to the petroglyph outside Thermopolis to the hot springs inside Thermopolis, Wyoming, is a web of captivating attractions connecting various small towns. Such towns are both gateways to adventure and their own adventures, supplying everything you need for any rustic excursion. Get caught in the web of Wyoming captivation, and don't free yourself until you've seen it all.