9 Friendliest Towns To Visit In Wyoming In 2024
Why not use your vacation period to traipse and gallivant on the big plains of Wyoming? So named from the Native American word mecheweamiing, meaning "at the big plains,” the Equality State has many big attractions for you to admire this 2024 —most notably the friendliest towns to visit in Wyoming. Soak in the hot springs of Jackson, Thermopolis, and others that mirror the boiling beauty of Yellowstone National Park. Relive the liberal and wild cowboy lifestyle in historic settlements like Dubois and Sundance. Most of all, savor the big plains of Wyoming in Buffalo, Green River, and more. Since Wyoming is the least populous state in the US, you will not be perturbed by too many tourists in a state that is certainly tourist-worthy.
Jackson
Jackson may not be as popular and iconic as its two-hour-away neighbor, the Yellowstone National Park. However, this friendly small town in Wyoming certainly has its fair share of natural wonders. Several archways composed of shed antlers welcome newcomers from the National Elk Refuge and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center. There are also astonishing artworks by Andy Warhol and Georgia O’Keeffe at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. But most of all, within the Jackson Hole valley, skiers can revel and rejoice in the three ski areas reminiscent of the Alps of Europe.
To begin your skiing and snow-hiking endeavors, you can first visit the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. There, you can take the longest continuous vertical rise of any ski area in the US that terminates at Rendezvous Mountain’s summit. Afterward, you might fancy the Snow King Mountain Resort, which hosts the annual World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb from March 21 to 24. If you are still eager for more, head over to Teton Village, the gateway to the Targhee mountains and Tetons from the Grand Targhee Resort. If you are satisfied with all the joyful activities in Jackson, you can refresh and recharge at Inn On the Creek, Hitching Post Lodge, or Huff House Inns and Cabins.
Thermopolis
With a Greek etymology meaning “hot city,” the town of Thermopolis is definitely a great destination to soak in the warm and relaxing hot springs that bear some resemblance to Yellowstone. These hot springs can be found specifically at the Hot Spring State Park. If you prefer colder or lukewarm waters, you can stroll along the Bighorn River or see more points of interest in the Bighorn Basin. Additionally, you ought to visit the Legend Rock Petroglyph Site to admire the 283 Native American rock drawings which are all over 10,000 years old. Many thunderous herds of bison can be seen at the Wind River Canyon and Boysen State Park. Meanwhile, the Wyoming Dinosaur Center houses the remains of several dinosaurs unearthed in the region. Those of you intrigued by Thermopolis’ quaint and friendly atmosphere ought to book a room at either El Rancho or Hot Springs Hotel and Spa.
Buffalo
Buffalo is a town replete with history. Only 35 miles from Sheridan, one can visit the Jim Gatchell Museum to admire over 15,000 artifacts from the Old West, whereas the Museum of the Occidental Hotel was where Owen Wister’s famous cowboy icon, The Virginian, "got his man here." Speaking of cowboys and outlaws, the mysterious “Hole in the Wall” landmark was once the hideout of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid along with the rest of the Wild Bunch. Despite the violent history of these landmarks, they are now friendly and accommodating features for those wanting to immerse themselves in the adventurous past. There are several more attractions to savor in Buffalo, such as Fort Phil Kearney, where the infamous Fetterman Fight took place and the steep and splendid slopes of Bighorn Mountain within the Bighorn National Park. Why not see more of one of Wyoming's most historic small towns? There is no shortage of affable experiences and gregarious adventures to be found in Buffalo.
Sheridan
Halfway between Mount Rushmore in South Dakota and Yellowstone National Park, you will find the jewel of Wyoming, the town of Sheridan. It is so hailed as a jewel because of its many historic and natural attractions that have enamored many a visitor. There are, for example, around ten sites in and around town listed in the National Register of Historic Places for you to visit. Among these sites is the Blacktooth Brewing Company, Wyoming’s prime purveyor of craft ales for all to cherish that will certainly entertain you like a life-long friend.
You can go hiking and trekking through Medicine Mountain along the scenic Red Grade Trails, which cross through the Bighorn National Forest and Cloud Peak Wilderness. Furthermore, the Tongue River Canyon contains many more vistas and views for nature lovers to savor. You might want to visit Sheridan in the month of May when the annual Eaton's Horse Drive sees hundreds of cowboys on horseback prance through Sheridan’s streets. No need to worry about accommodations because the Ramada Plaza, the Budget Inn Express, and Wyo Inn have all the necessities to keep you satisfied in Sheridan.
Sundance
Much like the sun itself, many people feel and see the influence the town of Sundance has made in the United States. It was from this humble village that the Sundance Kid earned his name after performing the Sun Dance ceremony the Native American groups in the region often practice. Furthermore, the town, the kid, and the dance itself inspired the Utah/United States Film Festival, which was later renamed as the familiar Sundance Film Festival. The likeness of the Sundance Kid and his history can be seen at the Crook County Museum & 1875 Gallery, a friendly memento of America's Indigenous culture.
Besides references to eponymous entities, Sundance is also a convenient waystation for you to travel about 28 miles toward America’s First National Monument, the Devil’s Tower. Additionally, there is the Bearlodge District of the Black Hills National Forest, a benign and jolly region for you to feel joyous and safe. You can always take the Sip ‘n Walk Historical Tour to learn more about Sundance’s past while sipping on cooling refreshments. Should you wish to spend your evenings there with the town's friendly locals, you can seek rooms at either the Bear Mountain Resort or Bear Lodge Motel.
Lovell
Wyoming’s fabled big plains spread far and wide in Lovell. At the Pryor Mountain Wild Mustang Center, Bighorn National Forest, and at the shores of Bighorn Lake, one can sightsee the majestic wild mustangs roam about in the plains or even ride one of the domesticated quadrupeds for a thrilling ride. At the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, you can marvel at the engineering ingenuity of the Yellowtail Dam that keeps energy and water stable in Lovell. Meanwhile, at the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center, there are a handful of World War II Japanese-American confinement sites you can tour, while the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite houses well-preserved dinosaur footprints. For more history, the Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark contains an arrangement of ancient Native American stones deep in the Bighorn Forest. There are many more lovely features in Lovell, and the most attractive and friendly things you can enjoy are the amicable establishments in Lovell, such as the Cattlemen Motel, the Western Motel, and the Horseshoe Bend Motel.
Dubois
Approximately an hour and 40 minutes from Jackson, Dubois is home to Wyoming’s most proud and wonderful animal, the bighorn sheep. Although these great horned flocks are not so outgoing to humans, the National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Center is friendly enough to give visitors useful information about the bighorn sheep. The Dubois Museum, on the other hand, showcases Dubois’ inception when pioneers first settled in the region. Those of you who love the outdoors will certainly love the Shoshone National Forest, the first national forest that President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed. Furthermore, there are over 3, 953 miles of routes and trails for anyone to trek on—some of these even allow wonderful horseback rides. Do not miss out on Dubois’ yearly Wild West-style rodeos every Friday from June 14 to August 23, a welcoming experience for one and all. And once the night calls you to sleep, return at once to the lavish and tranquil bedrooms of the Chinook Winds Lodge.
Laramie
At an elevation of 7,200 feet in the plateaus of the Snowy Range Mountains, Laramie makes one feel enlightened and elevated, especially since Laramie is home to the prestigious University of Wyoming. Students, locals, and newcomers alike are welcome to tour the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site where Butch Cassidy was once imprisoned. Elsewhere, the Historic Laramie Union Pacific Train Depot discusses the values of the railroad to Laramie’s development just as Fort Sanders shows Laramie’s strategic position when protecting the Overland Trail.
Formerly a settlement of the Arapaho and Cheyenne peoples since the 1600s, the Overland or Cherokee Trail—which reaches from Oklahoma to California—contains many artifacts and articles of these noble cultures. The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest is also a warm and open region for you to feel the benevolent atmosphere of Laramie. Much like many other towns in Wyoming, Laramie is no stranger to exhibiting the allure and enchantment of dinosaurs. Indeed, Laramie has its own version of Jurassic Park at the University of Wyoming’s Geological Museum. Once all the adventures get you exhausted, sleep well at the Old Corral Hotel & Steakhouse or Mountain View Historic Hotel.
Green River
Approximately three hours away from Laramie, Green River will have you wading and wandering through Wyoming’s diverse and dynamic landscapes. As one of the most hospitable small towns in Wyoming, Green River does not disappoint newcomers. All sorts of kayaking and fishing activities can be enjoyed at the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area or along the banks of the Green River, which inspired the name of the town. Meanwhile, the history of outlaws and bandits who have used Green River as a hideout is in full view at the Sweetwater County Museum. Additional fun and sports can be engaged at Rock Springs and the Seedskadee Wildlife Refuge. Though there are not many activities and events in Green River, the town certainly captivates people with its amicable and simplistic ambiance. So give yourself a much-wanted break in the humble dwellings of Green River.
Where fabled outlaws like the Wild Bunch once dominated and where wild mustangs now roam freely, Wyoming has no shortage of exciting and exhilarating small towns for travelers to love. Whether you are admiring the enlightened cultures of Laramie, swimming along Green River’s Green River, or learning more about titular characters from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid at Sundance, you will not be disappointed at the big plains of Wyoming.
