9 Small Towns In Wyoming Were Ranked Among US Favorites
Wyoming is the tenth-largest state with an area of 253,596 square kilometers, but also the state with the smallest population, and this unusual combination has birthed so many small towns spread out across the state today. These small towns in Wyoming are charming, relaxing, and filled with historic attractions reminiscent of the Wild West, which is why they have been ranked by US travelers among their favorite towns in the country. Some even feature unique natural attractions like a petroglyph site that dates approximately 10,000 years ago and stunning otherwordly landscapes created for thousands of years by the ever-active geothermal energy that lives underneath the state.
Buffalo
Positioned at the foothills of the Big Horn Mountains, Buffalo is an amazing small town full of history and charm. The town is a great place to learn more about American history as it is home to attractions like the Historic Occidental Hotel and Jim Gatchell Museum which both contain artifacts and facilities reminiscent of the American Old West.
The town is also a fantastic place to reconnect with nature, especially as it is surrounded by parks and forests like Yellowstone National Park and Bighorn National Forest, where activities like fishing, hiking, and camping are offered year-round. Whether you’re looking for a vacation filled with nature and adventures, or just looking to experience a laid-back atmosphere and witness the American cowboy lifestyle, Buffalo fits the bill.
Jackson
Incredible natural scenery and exciting outdoor adventures await in Jackson, and although it's quite large (with a population of 10,000+ people), the town still emits that small-town feel and is great for those seeking relaxation. Jackson is home to famous attractions like Jackson Hole Mountain and Snow King Mountain, which offer year-round adventures like hiking and biking in summer and skiing in winter. The town is also a great base for those seeking to explore the Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. It’s hard not to love this town with all these amazing attractions, which is why it has been ranked one of the favorites for US travelers.
Within the town itself are several amazing attractions and facilities that will keep visitors comfortable and entertained at all times. The town has amazing dining, shopping, and lodging, and even something as simple as strolling through the streets can pass for an eventful evening because there is so much to see and do.
Glenrock
Glenrock is a tiny town with a population of less than 3,000 and is full of history and adventures. Positioned at the foothills of the rock mountains and also known as Deer Creek Station, this town dates back to the Oregon Trail era. It was a mail and stage station along the trail where thousands of emigrants stopped to relax and eat before proceeding further westward. Today, there are so many historic attractions in the town reminiscent of that interesting time in American history. Rock in the Glen - a rock formation in the town is perhaps the most popular historic attraction here as it bears the names and dates of some of the hundreds of thousands of travelers who trekked and rode through the area in the 1800s.
In addition to its historical appeal, Glenrock is also home to incredible natural attractions like Platte River, Laramie Mountains, Medicine Bow National Forest, and interesting wildlife, including antelope, eagles, skunks, and raccoons. The town also hosts the Deer Creek Days Festival which lasts for three days in summer and features parades, food, and games.
Dubois
Dubois is a great place to retire, raise a family, or just escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy exciting adventures in a rural atmosphere. The town is known for its amazing natural features like the Whiskey Mountain, Wind River Mountains, and Absarokas Mountains, which stand like fortresses around the town. The Wind River also flows through the town, and together, these natural features create otherwordly scenery and adventures like hiking, camping, hunting, skiing, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and wildlife watching. Dubois is home to one of the largest wintering bighorn sheep herds in the country, and the National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Center in the town is open year-round to educate and take visitors on bighorn sheep-sighting adventures.
In addition, Dubois also has a fascinating Native American history as it was inhabited by the Sheepeater - a group from the Shoshone tribe who left interesting Petroglyphs and other relics in the mountains and valleys that surrounds the town.
Ten Sleep
A funny name for a charming little town, the name Ten Sleep was derived from the method of measuring distance used by Native Americans. Ten sleep was ten travel days, according to them, and so the town was given the name as it was ten sleeps from Yellowstone and ten sleeps from Fort Laramie. Forget the name, Ten Sleeps is a favorite among US travelers as it features breathtaking natural scenery and adventures courtesy of the Bighorn Mountains that surround it and the Norwood River that flows through it. The town is also a short drive from the Bighorn National Forest and Ten Sleep Canyon which also means more scenery and adventures like rock climbing, hiking, camping, boating, and fishing.
Also, within the town are interesting attractions like the Ten Sleep Brewing Company and the Ten Sleep Mercantile - a general store that has been in operation since 1905. Stroll through the town to see some of these attractions, and stop by at Ten Sleep Pioneer Museum to learn more about the town’s history.
Newcastle
Newcastle is a beautiful town positioned near the Black Hills mountain range that comes with an interesting coal mining history. The town was first established as a small coal mining town in the 19th century and has since grown into a bustling tourist town with a population of 3,000+ people and attractions which offer outdoor adventures. Attractions in this town include the Anna Miller Museum, which features several old fire wagons, Thunder Basin National Grassland, and Keyhole State Park in the Black Hills. The town also has several trails like the 2.7-mile Serenity Trail, which offer scenery and opportunities to see wildlife.
Centennial
Centennial is one of the smallest towns in Wyoming, with a population of less than 300, yet it punches above its weight when it comes to tourism. The small mountain town is positioned as the perfect gateway to the Snowy Range Mountains in Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, which offer year-round adventures and scenery. Centennial is home to several ranches and historic attractions that retain the town’s Wild West atmosphere. An ideal way to get the best out of this town is to stay in one of the town’s dude ranches, where cowboy meals are offered. From there, head over to the Medicine Bow National Forest for some adventures, and then visit the Nici Self Museum to learn about the town’s history. During winter, head over to the nearby Snowy Range Ski Area for some unforgettable skiing and snowboarding adventures.
Cody
Cody welcomes visitors come to enjoy old Western charms, incredible scenery, and exciting adventures. Famous for its nickname - the Rodeo Capital of the World, Cody is an amazing place to enjoy horseriding and experience some of the best rodeo events in the country every summer from June 1 - August 31. In addition, the town also hosts the annual Rendezvous Royal and art festival - a famous event that celebrates Western art.
Cody is close to amazing natural attractions like Shoshone National Forest, Buffalo Bill State Park, and Yellowstone National Park where outdoor adventures abound. Despite its large population of more than 10,000 people and the several restaurants, art galleries, museums, and businesses that line up its streets, Cody maintains its laid-back atmosphere, and that’s part of what makes it one of the favorite towns among US travelers.
Thermopolis
Wyoming is a state full of so many geothermal attractions, and Thermopolis, which means “hot city” in Greek, is one of the best places to enjoy some of them. This town is home to an abundance of natural hot springs, which welcomes visitors to enjoy relaxing dips in the healing waters. The Hellie Tepee Pool and Star Plunge are some of the best spots for this experience, and there’s also the State Bath House which offers free swimming!
In addition to the hot springs, Thermopolis also features other natural attractions like Big Horn River, which is great for fishing; Wind River grade IV and V rapids are offered for rafting. Moreover, Roundtop Mountain is great for hiking.
Thermopolis is an amazing place to learn more about the prehistoric world of humans. For this experience, visit the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, where more than 10,000 dinosaur bones excavated around the town are being kept. The town is also about 23 miles from Legend Rock Petroglyph Site, where nearly 300 petroglyphs dating back 10,000 years ago can be found. Incredible.
Conclusion
These small towns in Wyoming are not just great for scenery and adventures. With low crime rates, friendly locals, and so much nature around, they are some of the best places to live, retire, or raise a family in the US. Real estate is also more likely to be cheaper there, and the cost of living is quite affordable compared to other cities in the state and around the country. Still, the biggest appeal of these small towns in Wyoming is the rich Wild West way of life that the people still exhibit naturally.
