Downtown street of Jackson, Wyoming. Image credit EQRoy via Shutterstock

These 10 Towns In Wyoming Were Ranked Among US Favorites In 2024

Wyoming is an exciting destination for vacations, whether you want to relax on a lake or hike in the great outdoors. Its quaint and charming small towns are full of pioneer and Native American history, which offer great opportunities for learning about the past of this country while making memories for the future. Anglers will enjoy the trout-filled rivers and lakes, hikers will love the pine and aspen of the mountains, and shoppers will appreciate the chance to purchase unique artifacts made by local artisans, Native Americans, and the forces of nature. Find towns in Big Wyoming in 2024 that were ranked among US favorites.

Kemmerer

Kemmerer, Wyoming, JC Penny company mother store.
Kemmerer, Wyoming, JC Penny company mother store. Image credit Chris Augliera via Shutterstock

Famous for being the birthplace of the J.C. Penney Department Store, Kemmerer honors its unique heritage by showcasing the historic buildings around its central Herschler Triangle Park. Visitors can still shop in the "Mother" store, which has been in operation since 1929, and then walk next door for a tour of the JC Penney house.

The Fossil Butte National Monument nearby is known as "America's Aquarium in Stone" for its wide variety of well-preserved fossils, and sharp-eyed vacationers might spot fossils of their own as they trek the 4 miles of scenic hiking trails around the monument. Golfers will enjoy the challenge at the Fossil Island Golf Club, a challenging nine-hole course next to the Hams Fork River designed by notable golf architect Dick Phelps.

Lander

Statue of Cowboy resting on his horse in Lander, Wyoming.
Statue of Cowboy resting on his horse in Lander, Wyoming. Image credit Fsendek via Shutterstock

Situated in the foothills of the Wind River Mountains, Lander is the perfect town for adventures in the great outdoors. Rock climbers will want to test themselves at Wyoming's highest mountain, Gannett Peak, or one of the region's seven glaciers.

The Sinks Canyon State Park is considered one of the best state parks in the country for hiking, skiing, and mountain biking, with the Popo Agie River providing a great place for fish for trout. The quaint downtown has lots of Old West charm, with many of the stories and establishments dating from the 1800s. The Shoshone Rose Casino and Hotel is an exciting stop for games of chance, while rodeo fans will want to stay for the Pioneer Days Rodeo Festival.

Riverton

Annual hot air balloon festival in Riverton, Wyoming.
Annual hot air balloon festival in Riverton, Wyoming. Image credit Wirestock Creators via Shutterstock

Riverton is a hotspot of Native American culture, with a rich history and gorgeous scenery. This little town borders not just the Wind River Reservation but also the Big and Little Wind Rivers, making it an ideal place for lovers of the outdoors. The Wind River Heritage Center and Riverton Museum offer a look at this little town's history. In addition, the Castle Gardens Petroglyphs Site showcases Native American carvings of yesteryear in and around a castle-shaped sandstone formation.

The Wind River Hotel and Casino doesn't just feature games of chance but also a Northern Arapaho Experience Room, where visitors can see authentic Native American artifacts and take in a weekly dance performance. Special events like the Riverton Balloon Rally and the Mountain Man Rendezvous will thrill visitors.

Thermopolis

Thermopolis Hot Springs State Park in Wyoming.
Thermopolis Hot Springs State Park in Wyoming.

Thermopolis is most famous for its hot springs, which shaped the gorgeous striped rocks at Hot Springs Park, and offers soothing baths and dips for visitors and residents alike at the free state bath house or one of the local plunges and pools. Anglers will love the trout fishing along the Bighorn River, and animal lovers will want to keep a lookout for herds of wild bison. The Legend Rock Petroglyph is a must-see for a piece of Native American History, while the Wyoming Dinosaur Center provides tours of live dig sites. The pioneer-influenced downtown is home to plenty of rock, jewelry, and gift shops, as well as dining options that range from steak to Thai.

Lovell

Horses grazing in the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range near Lovell, Wyoming.
Horses grazing in the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range near Lovell, Wyoming.

Fans of the outdoors will love Lovell, situated conveniently near the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Book a boat tour or rent a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard rentals for a relaxing day on the canyon river. Enjoy a great view of the multicolored canyon walls from Bighorn Lake, or hike among the scenic trails that surround the lake. Camp in the Bighorn National Forest or take in the gorgeous sight of Porcupine Falls.

Marvel at the Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark, a sacred area to the local Native Americans. Horse lovers will want to visit the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range, while honey fans should make a stop at the Queen Bee Gardens for a jar of the local bees' best.

Ten Sleep

A countryside brewery under an orange cliff, Ten Sleep, Wyoming.
A countryside brewery under an orange cliff, Ten Sleep, Wyoming. Image credit Pierre Jean Durieu via Shutterstock

Situated in the Bighorn Basin in the foothills of the Bighorn Mountain Range, the little town of Ten Sleep is a paradise for lovers of the outdoors. The gorgeous Ten Sleep Canyon just west of the town offers rock climbers plenty of opportunities to explore, while the former Girl Scout National Center West provides camping opportunities in the Tensleep Preserve.

Catch trout, go tubing in the Ten Sleep Creek, or spend a day spelunking in the local caves. Skiing and snowmobiling are popular for visitors in the winter months, or jam out to folk, swing, and jazz music at the NoWoodStock music celebration during the second weekend of August. Don't forget to stop at the Ten Sleep Pioneer Museum to learn how this town got its name!

Laramie

The University Family Sculpture and Prexy's Pasture at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming.
The University Family Sculpture and Prexy's Pasture at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming. Image credit Ken Wolter via Shutterstock

There is lots to do in Laramie, which is a proud home of the University of Wyoming. Take in the excitement of a college ball game, or take an architectural walking tour to check out the Victorian, Queen Anne, and Period Revival homes of the city. The historic downtown is full of gorgeous outdoor murals, as well as plenty of art galleries selling pieces by local artists. Revel in food and drink at the International Flavor Festival and the Brewfest, or take in Western culture at the Tom Horn Days Cowboy Rendezvous.

Hikers will love the Medicine Bow Rail Trail or the trails around the Snowy Range Mountains and Pilot Hill, while golfers will appreciate the Jacoby Golf Course or the Fox Run Golf House. History lovers will want to stop at the University of Wyoming Archaeological Repository, Art Museum, or Anthropology Museum, as well as the American Heritage Center and Laramie Plains Museum.

Sheridan

Wyoming's legendary meeting place, the Mint Bar, in Sheridan, Wyoming.
Wyoming's legendary meeting place, the Mint Bar, in Sheridan, Wyoming. Image credit Sandra Foyt via Shutterstock

Known as "Wyoming's Emerald City," the town of Sheridan has as much history as it does excitement. The historic downtown is full of special spots, including the Sheridan Inn Hotel, where Ernest Hemingway finished his masterpiece "A Farewell to Arms." The Brinton Museum (in nearby Big Horn) offers a trip back in time at the Quarter Circle A Ranch, as well as a collection of Fine Art and American Indian Art.

Learn more about the American West at Fort Phil Kearny or the Museum of the Bighorns, or experience nature on one of the hiking trails in the Bighorn National Forest. Winter is fun here too, with opportunities to ski on Cutler Hill, take a fat bike ride through the Green Room Trail, or learn about skijoring at the WYO Winter Rodeo. After your outdoors adventure, settle back with a drink at one of the city's famous distilleries or brewhouses.

Jackson

Aerial view of Jackson, Wyoming.
Aerial view of Jackson, Wyoming. Image credit Steve Cukrov via Shutterstock

The town of Jackson sits at the south end of Jackson Hole, the famous 60-mile-long valley that lies beside the Teton Mountain Range. Rafters will love the thrill of going whitewater rafting in Class III and Class IV rapids of Snake River Canyon, although there are plenty of guide services that offer scenic float tours of the river as well. The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has 21 different mountain biking trails, as well as Black Diamond skiing slopes in the winter, although you don't need to be a skier to use their scenic chairlift rides that give you a great view of the mountains.

Follow Native American trails through the Gros Ventre Mountains for views you will never forget, and spot bison, moose, elk, deer, pronghorns, bighorn sheep, and even bear on a guided wildlife tour. The Jackson Hole Rodeo draws crowds every Wednesday and Saturday night between Memorial Day and Labor Day, while the Grand Teton Music Festival presents a wide variety of local and national musical acts.

Cody

Sheridan Avenue in Cody, Wyoming.
Sheridan Avenue in Cody, Wyoming. Image credit Steve Cukrov via Shutterstock

Named after its founder, the legendary Colonel William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, the town of Cody is a tourist site you won't want to miss. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West includes admission to five amazing museums, including the Whitney Western Art Museum, named the Best Art Museum by Newsweek's Readers' Choice, as well as live raptor shows and authentic chuckwagon dinners.

The Old Trail Town is a history park full of authentic frontier buildings from the 1890s, while downtown Cody offers art galleries, fine dining from steak to sushi, and the chance to stay at the historic Irma Hotel. Take a spirited tour of the nearby Kirwin Ghost Town, or take a scenic horseback ride at the Red Canyon Wild Mustang Tour. You won't want to miss the Cody Nite Rodeo, situated at the popular eatery and music venue known as the Cody Cattle Company.

Breathtaking Towns to Visit in WyomingWith a rich Wild West history, snow-capped mountain peaks, lush green forests, and babbling rivers, the charm and beauty of these idyllic small towns will surprise you.

Wyoming is full of small towns that offer many opportunities to explore in the wild, shop for unique artifacts and gifts, or explore Wild West history and Native American culture. Discerning tourists will want to plan their trips around the festivals and events that these little towns have or make sure that their favorite outdoor activities are available during the warm summer or cool, snowy winter months. Regardless of your choice in 2024, you are sure to find a gem among these top-ranked towns in the US.

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Rachel Weisserman September 26 2024 in Places

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