Small Towns In Wyoming That Come Alive In The Fall
Wyoming is known as “The Equality State” because it was the first state to grant women the right to vote, and “The Cowboy State” because of its long history of cattle ranching. As the least populous state (despite being tenth largest in size), Wyoming is a land of wide open spaces and spectacular vistas. Since Wyoming experiences cold and snowy winters, hot and sunny summers, and chilly and sometimes damp springs, autumn’s cool and dry conditions are perfect for visiting. For unmatched fall foliage viewing and fun autumn activities, check out our list of Wyoming towns that come alive in fall.
Buffalo
The economy of Buffalo relies on energy extraction (namely methane gas), but tourism has become increasingly important in recent years. This economic shift is aided by Buffalo’s location at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains, which offer spectacular sightseeing and outdoor recreation opportunities. Take a drive out of town and into the mountains along the Cloud Peak Skyway Scenic Byway (U.S. Route 16) for fall foliage viewing from mid-September through early October. You have to check out the fall colors at nearly 10,000 feet! Back in Buffalo, take advantage of the perfect weather to stroll through Artisan Row, home to potters, painters, writers, and more.
Dayton
Dayton is a small community of under 1,000 residents in northern Wyoming’s Johnson County, sitting east of the Bighorn Mountains and marking the confluence of the Tongue River and Little Tongue River. The nearby Tongue River Canyon, cut out over millennia by the river’s flowing waters, is the Dayton area’s autumn sightseeing highlight. Hike the canyon trails to uncover bursts of colorful fall foliage and the vibrant wildflowers that complement the colors of the canyon walls. If you visit in late September, quickly drive to Landon’s Greenhouse in nearby Sheridan for the Sheridan Fall Festival, with crafters and vendors from all over Johnson County.
Encampment
As its name indicates, the village of Encampment (formerly Grand Encampment) was a mining camp that became a boom town during the height of southern Wyoming’s copper mining industry in the early 1900s. Autumn weather is perfect for exploring the 15 recreated structures and other exhibits at the Grand Encampment Museum located in town. For one of Wyoming’s hidden fall foliage gems, go about 20 miles west of Encampment to Aspen Alley, passing through rows of aspens displaying an incredible array of colors. If you enjoy hunting, Carbon County is one of Wyoming’s premier autumn hunting spots for big game like deer, moose, elk, antelope, and more.
Hulett
Tiny Hulett, home to about 300 people, is the closest town (9 miles) to one of Wyoming’s most iconic natural features: Devils Tower, also known as Bear Lodge Butte. Devils Tower National Monument is touted as America’s oldest national monument, having gained that designation from President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. The flat-topped rock of Devils Tower thrusts upward some 850 feet from the ground and over 1,200 feet above the nearby Belle Fourche River. If you are an experienced climber, register at the park and scale the tower to unlock a majestic 360-degree view of the vibrant fall colors. Otherwise, soak in the great view from below!
Laramie
While Laramie would be a mid-size town in many places, in sparsely-populated Wyoming its population of 32,000 makes it the third largest city in the state. As home to the state’s biggest university, Laramie comes alive on fall Saturdays when the University of Wyoming Cowboys football team takes the field. Homecoming weekend really packs the restaurants and shops of downtown Laramie! While the weekly farmer’s market closes up at the end of September, Halloween activities spring up throughout October, including pumpkin carving and costume contests. Check out the nearby Vedauwoo Recreation Area for great fall colors, both from the changing leaves and the low sun’s rays reflecting off the rock faces.
Pinedale
The town of Pinedale is the gateway to the Wind River Mountains of southwestern Wyoming, considered one of the best hunting and fishing areas in the state. Autumn anglers and hunters gear up in Pinedale before heading out in search of rainbow and brown trout or big game like deer, bighorn sheep, and bears. Pinedale’s Museum of the Mountain Man, open through the end of October, celebrates the region’s long history of hunting, fur trapping, and trailblazing through the challenging terrain. For leaf peeping at its finest, drive to nearby Squaretop Mountain in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The panoramic view from 3,700 feet is nothing short of breathtaking, especially in mid-autumn!
Teton Village
Teton Village is a hamlet that sits at the base of the world-famous Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. While Jackson Hole offers some of America’s most challenging (and expensive) ski slopes in winter, in autumn, it provides a somewhat more affordable way to experience spectacular fall foliage. While the tree-lined trails are great for leaf peeping from the ground, the aerial tram is perfect for spying the rainbow hues of the autumn tree canopy from above. Be prepared to hear some “elk bugling,” the eerie, hard-to-describe elk mating call that rings throughout the valley during September and early October! Also, check out the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival in mid-September.
Wyoming is an outdoor wonderland no matter the time of year, but autumn may be when its natural landscape is most majestic. How the lower-angled sunlight shines off the turning leaves, clear water, and layered rock faces is hard to describe. You have to experience it for yourself! So book an autumn trip to Wyoming and explore a few of its great small towns during the fantastic fall season.
