9 Most Neighborly Towns In Wyoming

Wyoming is one of the best places for travelers seeking small, neighborly towns. The state is the 10th largest in the country, and it has the fewest people. It also has the lowest population density, with a mere six people per square mile. In fact, the pronghorn population outnumbers humans! This makes a lot of room for the existence of many close-knit communities where everyone's voice is heard and acknowledged. Plus, the state is full of dreamy landscapes decorated with natural and historic attractions that beg to be explored all day long. So, despite being small and laid-back, these towns are far from boring. From Thermopolis and its hot springs to Cody and its historical attractions, here are the top nine most neighborly towns in Wyoming where you’ll feel like part of a large extended family.

Pinedale

Pinedale is a close-knit, neighborly town with just 2,000 people, and there’s much to enjoy here. Visitors to this town will have easy access to Fremont Lake, Wyoming's second largest and one of the deepest in the United States. It's the perfect spot for a host of water sports like fishing, boating, paddling, and windsurfing. The town also hosts the Museum of the Mountain Man, featuring Western exhibits that offer a glimpse into the life of mountain men in the past. Visitors yearning for peaceful walks, picnics, and sightseeing are always invited to the American Legion Park or Boyd Skinner Park, both of which offer gorgeous scenery. After the adventures, it is always a great idea to chill at the Wrangler Cafe and enjoy tasty American fares and snacks.

Cody

Cody is a charming small town with Old Wild West charms worth visiting. History lives in this town, and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West is a one-stop location from which to delve deep into the area’s interesting past. The center is home to five different museums including - Buffalo Bill Museum, where one can learn about the life of the town’s founder, and the Draper Natural History Museum, which highlights the fauna and flora of the Greater Yellowstone area. The center also hosts the Plains Indian Museum (featuring artifacts about the Plains Indian people), Cody Firearms Museum (preserving hundreds of years of firearms history), and Whitney Western Art Museum (home to fascinating artworks). In the meantime, visitors can always stop by the Proud Cut Saloon for lunch or head to the Shoshone River that runs through the town for exciting kayaking endeavors.

Sheridan

Sheridan is one of the biggest cities in Wyoming, with a population of about 20,000. Despite its size, however, visitors can still experience small-town charms and hospitality while exploring. Once here, get familiar with the locals by patronizing some of the town’s food establishments like Cowboy Cafe and Killy’s Smokehouse, and then check out some 19th- and 20th-century American Western artworks at Bozeman Trail Gallery. Next, delve deeper into some Wild West history at the town’s museums such as the Museum at the Big Horns, the King’s Museum, and the Historic Sheridan Inn. At Kendrick Park, be sure to enjoy leisure walks along a small creek or picnics in its green areas. For an all-out adventure, Sheridan is the closest town to the Big Horn National Forest, covering over 1 million acres and lavish with hiking trails, meadows, rolling hills, mountain peaks, rivers, and lakes to explore, including wildlife.

Buffalo

Buffalo is a small city in the foothills of the Big Horn Mountains, with friendly people. Notably, the town is home to the Historic Occidental Hotel (aka "The Ox"), which is a testament to its long history of hospitality having existed since 1880. Visitors can enjoy a pleasant stay in this renowned hotel before visiting the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum to delve into Buffalo's aged history through its exhibits. However, the museum is closed for most of the winter and is best visited in summer. Visitors seeking recreational satisfaction can always visit Lake DeSmet, less than 10 miles north of the town, to enjoy boating, paddling, swimming, camping, and fishing. Enjoy lunch afterward at the Bozeman Trail Steakhouse.

Jackson

The resort town of Jackson is a tourist haven where visitors have numerous outdoor attractions to enjoy across all seasons, in addition to its laid-back aura. For starters, the town is surrounded by three ski resorts: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Grand Targhee Resort, and Snowking Mountain Resort, all offering expansive skiable terrains and equipment for winter adventures. Yellowstone and Grand Teton National parks are also near this town offering exciting adventures year round. Back in town, visitors can head to Jackson Town Square to enjoy relaxing strolls and see unique arches made from elk antlers. In the meantime, animal lovers can visit the National Elk Refuge to see one of the largest elk herds in the country.

Torrington

Torrington is best known as the home of Eastern Wyoming College. However, this college town operates like a close-knit extended family, where everyone is regarded. For visitors here, the Torrington Cinema is a lovely place to relax and see some movies while history lovers can always visit the Homesteaders Museum to see artifacts, historic documents, and genealogical evidence about Goshen County and its first settlement in 1834. For adventure seekers, The Torrington Pioneer Park offers camping facilities, pavilions, and access to the North Platte River for sightseeing, hiking, and fishing. Not far away is the historic Oregon Trail Ruts State Historic Site, where history can be seen right there in the rocks. Additionally, the town is less than 30 minutes from Table Mountain Vineyards, Wyoming’s largest winery.

Lander

By Wyoming standards, Lander is a big town; its population is around 7,600 people. However, it remains a small settlement with a friendly aura and filled with adventurous things to do. Just eight miles from the town, the Sinks Canyon State Park invites visitors to explore the Sinks, where the middle fork of the Popo Agie River flows under a limestone cave and emerges below the canyon to form a pool named the "Rise." The town hosts two museums, the Fremont County Pioneer Museum, where visitors can explore the area's history, and the Museum of the American West Lander, which is filled with several historic structures. Meanwhile, art Lovers can always storm the Lander Art Center to see rotating exhibits and participate in occasional arts programs.

Dubois

Dubois is a pretty small town full of historic spots, with a population below 1,000 people, making it more like an extended family setting where you’ll see the same beautiful faces regularly. Visit this town and get acquainted with the locals by patronizing some famous establishments like Horse Creek Gallery, the Honey House, and the Pine Tavern. Next, head to the Wind River which runs through the town to enjoy recreational endeavors like kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and rafting. For relaxation against the backdrop of nature, the Dubois Town Park is the perfect spot to visit as it has picnic areas, access to the river, and a river walkway for strolling. On the side of history, visitors can explore the National Museum of Military Vehicles to see over 500 military automobiles and artifacts on exhibit. Additionally, the Dubois Museum is in town and invites visitors to learn about the area and its rich history through artifacts.

Thermopolis

Thermopolis is a small easy-going town renowned for its numerous hot springs and prehistoric attractions. Notably, the town is said to host the world's largest mineral hot spring, which is located in the Hot Springs State Park and is free for public use. The Wyoming Dinosaur Center is also in town for curious minds to see dinosaur fossils and learn about them. History buffs can check out the Hot Springs County Museum & Cultural Center, where the Old Wild West comes alive via exhibits. For adventures, the Wind River Canyon is a great stop for whitewater rafting and other water sports. When it's time to relax and enjoy a movie, Micky’s Movie Theater is the place to be.

Conclusion

From Dubois to Buffalo and from Sheridan to Thermopolis, a prevailing sense of oneness occupies the air in the nine most neighborly towns in Wyoming. With their small populations, locals know each other and can easily spot visitors and incorporate them into the community like new family members. Meanwhile, attractions beckon at every turn for indulgence, so visitors are never bored. Visit these charming little settlements in the Equality State today to relish authentic hospitality while exploring some of the state’s interesting nature and unique history.