9 Most Memorable Small Towns In Wyoming
Bounded by the US States of Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Idaho, Utah, and Colorado, Wyoming is a landlocked state in the Western United States’ Mountain West subregion, acclaimed for its diverse topography featuring magnificent mountain ranges of the Rockies, vast acres of high-elevation prairie, and broad river valleys. Additionally, the Equality State also has expansive swaths of federal lands which include national parks, national monuments, national recreation areas, as well as historic sites, wildlife refuges, and several natural forests. Sprinkled all over Wyoming's rugged 97,813-square-mile expanse are some gorgeous small towns that are ideal places to soak in the incredible beauty this part of the country has to offer. No matter which Wyoming town you choose to stay, you can experience the Old West charm, tour the historical landmarks, attend local festivals, and enjoy limitless outdoor recreation.
Buffalo
Johnson County’s seat, Buffalo is located at the base of the majestic Bighorn Mountains, almost midway between Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The 64-mile-long Cloud Peak Scenic Byway takes visitors through the southern section of the Big Horn National Forest on US Route 16, linking the towns of Buffalo and Ten Sleep, besides offering sweeping views of the Cloud Peak Wilderness, the Big Horn Mountains, and the Big Horn National Forest. The town’s downtown commercial core comprises scores of landmark properties including the historic Occidental Hotel Museum and the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum. Western History buffs are especially attracted to the town’s other notable sites such as the fabled “Hole in the Wall” hideout of Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid, the Fetterman’s Massacre Site, Fort Phil Kearney, and Wagon Box Fight. Outdoor lovers can enjoy a variety of recreational activities like fishing in streams and alpine lakes, hiking, camping, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and downhill skiing.
Sheridan
Sheridan, the administrative center of Northern Wyoming’s Sheridan County, is placed at the junction of Big Goose and Little Goose creeks, on the Bighorn Mountains’ eastern slopes close to the border with Montana. Founded in 1882 and called in honor of General Philip Henry Sheridan, the town gradually developed from a railroad distribution point to an economic center of a greater area encompassing three counties in the north-central portion of Wyoming and the southern part of Montana. Affectionately called “Wyoming’s Jewel,” Sheridan is also a favored travel stop where outdoor enthusiasts can participate in multiple recreations in the adjoining Bighorn National Forest. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, many historical properties like the Sheridan County Courthouse, Sheridan Inn, Trail End State Historic Site, and Fort Mackenzie offer a glimpse into the town’s glorious bygone days. Other noteworthy attractions include the Brinton Museum, Kendrick Park, King Saddlery Museum, and Sheridan County Museum. Every July, the Sheridan WYO Rodeo held at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds draws over 25,000 guests to its weeklong celebrations.
Dubois
Named by Governor Joseph Maull Carey after his friend Fred Dubois, this small Fremont County town is situated along the upper Wind River at the starting point of the Wyoming Centennial Scenic Byway. Having some stunning natural landscapes including the grand Absaroka Range, Dubois offers ample recreation like camping, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and big game hunting during the warmer months; and dog sledding, ice climbing, skiing, and snowmobiling during the cold season. However, one of the best ways to experience this Old West town is by visiting the historic dude or guest ranches such as the Rams Horn Guest Ranch, Crooked Creek Guest Ranch, Triangle C Ranch, and Bitterroot Ranch. The town’s significant points of interest include the Dubois Museum, Dubois Town Park, National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Center, National Museum of Military Vehicles, and over 800,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness of the Shoshone National Forest. Dubois hosts various events like the National Day of the Cowboy, Dubois Friday Night Rodeo, an impressive Fourth of July parade, the Wind River Mountain Festival, and a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Pinedale
Surrounded by three breathtaking mountain ranges: the Wyoming Range, Gros Ventre Mountains, and the Wind River Range, Pinedale is placed at an elevation of 7,175 ft above sea level in a high alpine valley in Wyoming’s Sublette County. This crucial hunting outfitting town serves as a gateway to the Jackson Hole Area where hikers can easily access the Titcomb Basin, Cirque of the Towers, and the Continental Divide Trail. The backpackers can also explore the mountains and the abutting Bridger-Teton National Forest by horseback and ATVs, or grab a kayak and fishing rod and head to Fremont Lake, the state’s second-largest natural lake. During winters, Pinedale provides access to more than 300 miles of groomed snowmobile trails across diverse terrain, along with its frozen lakes offering activities like ice fishing, snowshoeing, skating, etc. After partaking in all outdoor activities, spend a relaxing time at the downtown’s many breweries and eateries.
Ten Sleep
Home to only 260 inhabitants as per the latest US Census, this tiny ranching town occupies the Bighorn Basin at the Bighorn Mountains’ western foothills, around 26 miles east of Worland in Wyoming’s Washakie County. Labeled after a native method of measuring distance, Ten Sleep is a haven for adventurists and rock climbers, who wish to survey the adjacent mountainous area along with the scenic Ten Sleep Canyon and Powder River Pass. Visitors can check out Ten Sleep Mercantile, Meadowlark Lake Lodge & Restaurant, Ten Sleep Rock Ranch, Ten Sleep Pioneer Museum, Carter Inn, and Ten Sleep Brewing Company. Both revelers and town residents are drawn to the town’s annual celebrations like a two-day rodeo and parade commemorating the country’s Independence Day, and NoWoodStock held during the second weekend of August.
Cody
The administrative center of Northwest Wyoming’s Park County, this small town named after the famous American bison hunter William Frederick Cody aka Buffalo Bill, is placed on the western extremity of the Bighorn Basin. Packed with a plethora of art galleries, shopping spaces, and fine restaurants, Cody’s downtown exudes a strong Old West charm. Travelers must not miss touring the world-class Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Cody County Art League, Heart Mountain Relocation Center, and Old Trail Town – immediately off the Yellowstone Highway, which features over 25 well-restored Western structures and artifacts. Being close to the Shoshone National Forest and the eastern entrance of Yellowstone National Park, Cody is a major outdoor recreation mecca, offering a multitude of recreations like hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, fly fishing, and cross-country skiing. The town also serves as a venue for yearly celebrations like the Rendezvous Royale Art Festival, Cody Nite Rodeo, and Cody Stampede Rodeo.
Thermopolis
Hot Springs County’s seat of government and its most populous town, Thermopolis, home to uncountable natural mineral hot springs, is located close to the northern edge of the Wind River Canyon and the Wedding of the Waters. Besides being Bighorn Basin’s southernmost municipality, Thermopolis is encircled by the Owl Creek Mountains to the southwest, the Bridger Mountains to the southeast, the Big Horn Mountains to the northeast, and the Absaroka Range to the northwest. Managed by the Wyoming Division of State Parks and Historic Sites, the Hot Springs State Park comprises naturally formed travertine terraces, boat docks, two hotels, several water slides, a suspension footbridge over the Big Horn River, a State Bath House, and a managed herd of American Bison, in addition to the largest mineral hot spring in the world, aptly named “The Big Spring.” The Downtown Thermopolis Historic District, Hot Springs County Museum & Cultural Center, Wyoming Dinosaur Center, and Wind River Canyon Whitewater Rafting are some of Thermopolis’s prominent attractions.
Lander
Christened after the transcontinental United States explorer Frederick William Lander, this charming town located along the Middle Fork Popo Agie River and just south of the Wind River Indian Reservation serves as the administrative center of Fremont County. Esteemed internationally for its rock-climbing opportunities, Lander welcomes hikers, backpackers, anglers, and other outdoorsy types to experience Wyoming ranch life aside from discovering other captivating sites like the Lander Downtown Historic District, Lander Art Center, Lander Children’s Museum, Jackson Park Town Site Addition Brick Row, Fremont County Pioneer Museum, the Evans Dahl Memorial Museum, as well as the adjoining Sinks Canyon State Park, and Shoshone National Forest. Annual events such as the Lander Brew Festival, International Climbers Festival, Pioneer Days Parade & Rodeo, Wyoming State Winter Fair, and the One-Shot Antelope Hunt, also draw thousands to Lander every year.
Jackson
Jackson, the chief town of the Jackson Micropolitan Statistical Area, is situated at the Jackson Hole Valley’s southern edge, encircled by the Teton and Gros Ventre Mountain ranges. The town’s proximity to three amazing resorts: the Snow King Mountain Resort, Grand Targhee Resort, and the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, makes it a favored destination for vacationers across the globe. Jackson is also a crucial stopover point for thousands of nature lovers who annually visit the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. Travelers touring Jackson would also want to explore the bordering National Elk Wildlife Refuge and Bridger-Teton National Forest, where they can take part in horse-drawn sleigh rides during the colder months and witness one of the biggest elk herds in the country. The National Museum of Wild Art & Center for the Arts, aside from the town’s numerous adorable boutiques and restaurants, allure art enthusiasts to spend quality time with loved ones.
From the historic streets of Cody to the enchanting mountain vistas of Jackson, the small towns in the nation’s 10th-largest and least-populous state offer an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages. Whether you are an American history buff, a cultural aficionado, an adventure lover, or someone in search of a serene locale to commune with nature away from bustling cities, embark on a tour of these memorable towns in the Cowboy State.
