8 of the Most Hospitable Small Towns in Wyoming

Small towns abound in Wyoming, the least populous state in America. Some might argue that even Cheyenne's capital city qualifies as a small town. Although that is certainly an exaggeration, there are only about 20 cities among Wyoming's 100ish communities. Many of the remaining towns are questionable as tourist destinations, but some are wildly hospitable, with plenty of amenities. Whether they have friendly residents, picturesque main streets, natural wonders, or all of the above, these small Wyoming towns are liable to inspire a visit and perhaps even a permanent stay. 

Dubois

Hospitality in Wyoming includes tents. In that respect, Dubois is extremely hospitable, as it borders prime camping territory like Shoshone National Forest and Bridger-Teton National Forest, where travelers can rough it in the woods, live in the lap of semi-luxury at Falls Campground, or in actual luxury at Turpin Meadow Ranch. Dubois is also hospitable in the traditional sense since it has good vibes, affordable homes, and attractions such as the Cowboy Cafe, Nana's Bowling & Bakery, National Bighorn Sheep Center, and Country Store. The last of those contains the "World's Largest Jackalope Exhibit." There are fewer than 1,000 residents, but there is a lot to do in Dubois.

Pinedale

Pinedale is a town of 2,000 people below the Wind River Mountains. The mountains offer all manner of scenic charm, while Pinedale proper offers small-town hospitality via cozy cafes, soulful restaurants, and friendly residents. But Pinedale has attractions that other small towns cannot dream of having, such as a recreation center with a gym, pool, and even a rock-climbing wall! It also has the Museum of the Mountain Man, which is, quite literally, a museum of the mountain men who explored and exploited the area in the 19th century. Although housing prices have increased in Pinedale, as they have basically everywhere, they are still generally affordable, which, combined with a great school system, creates a family-friendly destination.

Ten Sleep

You can get way more than ten sleeps in Ten Sleep! With just about 250 residents, this is the smallest town on our list, but it can accommodate almost every type of tourist. The Carter Inn is for tourists who want to explore the Bighorn Mountains during the day but return to civilization at night. Log Cabin Motel is for those who want to retain the mountain aesthetic during R&R. Ten Sleep RV Park is for those who want to make the mountains mobile. And backcountry camping is for the real-deal adventurer: the modern-day mountain man. Moreover, Ten Sleep has houses for those wanting to stake a permanent claim to this scenic town. They range from hilly homesteads to mountainous mansions.

Sundance

Sundance is a 1,000-person town in the northeast part of the state. As is true virtually everywhere in Wyoming, the town is surrounded by wilderness and is therefore a hotspot for outdoor activities. One of these is hiking, which is accomplished at a high level in the Bear Lodge Mountains. Many hikers visit Devils Tower, a natural rock formation that became America's first national monument when then-president Theodore Roosevelt designated it as such in 1906. Hiking around the other side of the mountains can take you to Vore Buffalo Jump, a sinkhole used for centuries by Native Americans as a bison butchery. The remains of 20,000 of those animals are estimated to exist in the pit. If you are not jumping for joy at such morbid and morbidly-titled attractions, head to Sundance proper for eating, drinking, shopping, and sightseeing. The Crook County Museum & Art Gallery contains the supposed courtroom where the Sundance Kid was put on trial for theft. If you did not make the connection, Sundance, Wyoming, is where that famous outlaw got his nickname.

Thermopolis

Thermopolis sounds like an ancient Greek paradise. Sure enough, it is Greek for "hot city" and was named for the hot springs that now drive tourism. This thermal metropolis has only about 2,700 residents but claims the world's largest mineral hot spring. It is contained in Hot Springs State Park, which offers free 104-degree bathing. After soaking in the springs, tourists can soak up the rest of Thermopolis. Wind River Canyon, One Eyed Buffalo Brewing Company, Avas Silver & Rock Shop, and Wyoming Dinosaur Center are the other sites attracting visitors and turning them into residents. 

Buffalo

Bison had hard times in other Wyoming towns, but in Buffalo, they are honored - at least by name. This 4,500-person community is so big by Wyoming standards that it is considered a city. In fact, according to 2020 census figures, it is the 18th most populous place in the state! Feel buffaloed? If yes, then cleanse your mind with a good kind of buffaloing in the namesake "city," where you can patronize restaurants like The Southside Grill, hotels like Buffalo Inn, and museums like Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum - or you can get three-for-one action at The Historic Occidental Hotel with its museum and eateries. You can also get 12-for-one or even 24-for-one outdoor recreation at nearby Bighorn National Forest. Eighteen-for-one action is available at Buffalo Golf Club.  

Greybull

Another bovine-inspired town, Greybull, has roughly 1,700 residents and is located in north-central Wyoming. Chill in both vibes and temperature with a marvelous main street and solid schools, Greybull also has tourist attractions such as the Crazy Woman Trading Post, Museum of Flight & Aerial Firefighting, and Greybull Museum, which exhibits fossils found in the region, as does nearby Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite. But suppose Greybull cannot fulfill all your natural and commercial desires. In that case, you can visit the larger communities of Powell, Lovell, and/or Cody on the way to Yellowstone National Park. Real grey bison bulls might be just a couple of hours away!

Kemmerer

Kemmerer is a southern Wyoming community with around 2,500 residents. Like Greybull, it has a number of fossil-focused attractions, such as Fossil Country Frontier Museum, In Stone Fossils, Fossil Island Golf Course, and the Kemmerer Fossil & Mineral Expo, which is to be held in June. Unlike Greybull (and any other town in America), Kemmerer is the birthplace of JCPenney, the department store chain founded by James Cash Penney. For this reason, the town displays JCPenney fossils like its mother store, which was established in 1902, and the J.C. Penney House, where Penney lived while he built his empire. How is that for historic diversity?!

Wyoming has roughly 100 communities, about 80 of which are small towns. Although many of those towns leave something to be desired, several of them are downright desirable. Dubois, Pinedale, Ten Sleep, Sundance, Thermopolis, Buffalo, Greybull, and Kemmerer are counted among the tiny Wyoming communities overflowing with wonders that need to be tasted—either temporarily or for the rest of one's life. Do not say why about a trip to Wyoming. Just say when.