8 Best Places To Retire In Wyoming

Wyoming takes a lot of people by surprise as a retirement destination. Between Yellowstone and the Tetons, past Cody's rodeo grounds and Lander's climbing routes, eight towns, in particular, stand out for retirees looking to write their next chapter. These places mix Wyoming's famous outdoor lifestyle with exactly what most seniors want in their retirement—nearby healthcare, active communities, and enough excitement to keep things interesting. Of course, the state's lack of income tax doesn't hurt either.

Jackson

Jackson is one of Wyoming's ideal retirement destinations thanks to an exceptional combination of mountain living with modern comforts. The Teton Range creates more than scenery here—it provides year-round recreation steps from town. Retirees can start their mornings with a hike on nearby trails and end their afternoons watching elk graze in the National Elk Refuge from their back porches.

The walkable downtown revolves around Town Square, where local shops and restaurants now occupy historic buildings. St. John's Health offers comprehensive medical care, from routine appointments to specialized services, giving retirees peace of mind. Meanwhile, just four blocks from Town Square, the Center for the Arts hosts regular events, making it easy to stay socially active and engaged with the community.

Getting outdoors is fast and easy in Jackson. The Snake River provides prime fishing spots minutes from town, while Grand Teton National Park opens up endless opportunities for scenic drives and day hikes. Three ski areas cater to all skill levels during winter, and Granite Hot Springs offers a relaxing spot for a warm soak just a few miles from town.

Cody

Cody is another retirement destination with a rare blend of the Wyoming experience and modern amenities. Founded by Buffalo Bill and sitting just 52 miles from the east Yellowstone entrance, this town wears its Western heritage proudly. In addition, Cody Regional Health covers all resident medical needs with first-class care, while the town's size means getting to appointments never involves rush hour traffic.

The historic downtown stretches along Sheridan Avenue, where the massive Buffalo Bill Center of the West tells the region's story across five museums. Next door, local coffee shops, and family-owned restaurants fill original brick buildings from the early 1900s. Meanwhile, just steps from downtown, City Park hosts summer concerts and community gatherings beneath towering cottonwoods.

Nature surrounds Cody, especially to the west. Buffalo Bill State Park lies just 9 miles west, offering quiet fishing spots along the reservoir. To the west, hiking trails wind through Shoshone National Forest, with options for every fitness level. Of course, Yellowstone's eastern entrance provides an easy and memorable day trip, while closer to home, Old Trail Town preserves authentic frontier buildings right at the edge of town

Lander

Lander attracts retirees looking for both small-town warmth and big outdoor opportunities. Tucked against the Wind River Range, this former staging point for Oregon Trail pioneers now serves as a base camp for active seniors. The town's elevation at 5,300 feet brings cool summers and keeps winter temperatures milder than many might expect in Wyoming.

Downtown Lander runs along Main Street, where mom-and-pop shops fill the many well-preserved brick buildings. Coffee shops and diners are popular morning meetup spots for residents, while the Lander Senior Center, just two blocks away, offers daily activities and hot lunches. SageWest Health Care provides essential medical services right in town, from emergency care to rehabilitation programs.

A 10-minute drive southwest leads to Sinks Canyon State Park, where the Popo Agie River famously and mysteriously disappears underground before resurfacing downstream. The park's paved paths make for easy morning walks, while more challenging trails climb into the Wind River Range.

Heading south on Highway 28, you'll spot Red Canyon's dramatic red walls rising from the prairie. Most locals take the scenic route when showing visitors around, often stopping at the overlook where bighorn sheep sometimes graze. Back in town, the Pioneer Museum tells stories of frontier life, and though the golf course isn't fancy, its tree-lined fairways give retirees another reason to get outside from April to October.

Powell

Powell might be the last place you'd expect to find a thriving college town, but Northwest College brings an energy that many retirees find refreshing. Students and seniors often share tables at the downtown coffee shop, while the college's guest speaker series and concerts add culture without the usual big-city hassles.

The town's wide streets and relaxed pace make running errands easy—no busy and frustrating intersections in this town. Powell Valley Healthcare sits at the heart of the city, handling everything from check-ups to physical therapy. The Homesteader Museum, housed in a 1920s building on the main drag, constantly rotates its displays about early settler life.

Most mornings, you'll spot residents walking the community trail looping through town. Although Yellowstone's northeast entrance is just an hour away, many locals prefer heading to Bighorn Canyon, where red rock cliffs drop straight into the reservoir. The senior center runs occasional trips there in summer, though plenty of retirees just enjoy the mountain views from their back patios.

Douglas

Douglas strikes a sweet spot for retirees who want both peace and purpose. This ranching town along the North Platte River might move at its own pace but still offers excitement year-round. At the converted downtown theater, for instance, community plays and music fill the calendar. Likewise, the main street feels lived-in rather than preserved, with family businesses that have served locals for generations.

Memorial Hospital of Converse County handles medical needs, delivering big-city caliber care with a small-town feel. Many retirees in Douglas start their mornings at the local diner, where the same crew has been serving breakfast since most folks can remember. The senior center hosts everything from quilting groups to tax preparation workshops, keeping retirees busy and engaged.

Nature shows off a different side here. Ayres Natural Bridge Park, just 11 miles west of town, is one of those places locals visit as often as tourists—its stone arch spanning LaPrele Creek makes an ideal picnic spot. Glendo State Park is a short drive southeast, home to a popular reservoir where people fish, boat, or just simply enjoy the water. Many retirees volunteer at the nearby Wyoming Pioneer Memorial Museum, sharing stories about the region's history with visitors who stop by on their way to Yellowstone.

Torrington

Torrington proves that simplicity makes some of the best retirement spots. This farming town along the North Platte River operates at the kind of pace where people still wave from their cars. The downtown looks much like it did fifty years ago, except now you might spot retirees reading the news on their tablets at the corner bakery.

Banner Health's community hospital keeps healthcare close to home, with specialists visiting regularly to complement the local medical team. Just a five-minute drive away, the town’s Goshen County Senior Friendship Center—buzzes with activity, including bridge clubs, exercise classes, and hot lunches that bring folks together daily. You'll often find retired teachers helping with the reading program at the library while others share stories about the region's farming heritage at the Homesteaders Museum.

Similarly, history buffs often find themselves spending afternoons at Fort Laramie National Historic Site, about 26 miles southwest of town. Hawk Springs Recreation Area, just down the road, gives fishermen a quiet spot to cast a line. Some retirees tend plots at the community garden, trading vegetables with neighbors and swapping tips about what grows best in Wyoming soil.

Worland

Worland brings retirement living back to basics in the best possible way. Set in the Bighorn Basin, this agricultural community has everything within easy reach. The downtown area covers just a few blocks, but that's plenty of space for the local shops and restaurants where regulars gather, maintaining the sense of community that has become a Worland calling card.

Washakie Medical Center anchors the town's healthcare, providing comprehensive coverage for local retirees. The Washakie Senior Citizens Center, right in the heart of town, does more than serve meals—it's where card games run late into the afternoon and exercise classes fill the weekly calendar. Between yoga sessions and painting workshops, the center has become another natural gathering spot for the community.

The Bighorn Mountains rise just east of town, their peaks visible from most streets. Locals head to Ten Sleep Canyon, about 40 miles out, when they want a closer look at the dramatic mountains. The Bighorn River flows right past town, creating perfect spots for morning walks or afternoon fishing. On the cultural side, the Washakie Museum tells the valley's story through interactive exhibits, and many retirees spend time volunteering there as docents, adding their own knowledge to the region's rich history.

Rawlins

Rawlins probably isn't the first place most people picture for retirement, but that's exactly why some folks choose it. The old frontier prison-turned-museum at the edge of town tells you this place comes with stories, while the area’s steady stream of Continental Divide Trail hikers keeps things from ever feeling too quiet.

Downtown Rawlins preserves much of its frontier-era character. The original brick buildings now house local coffee shops, diners, thrift stores, and gift shops, where longtime residents mingle with newcomers and people just passing through town. Memorial Hospital of Carbon County serves the region with both primary care and specialized medical departments, recently adding new wings to accommodate the growing community.

The landscape around Rawlins is a bit different than other Wyoming towns. Seminoe State Park spreads out 30 miles northeast, where the reservoir and towering cliffs draw fishing boats, kayaks, campers, and sightseers. Although Medicine Bow National Forest is within easy reach of town, many retirees find themselves drawn to closer spots—like the hiking trails just outside city limits where pronghorn antelope like to graze next to the paths. Meanwhile, the Carbon County Senior Center fills its calendar with everything from art classes to day trips, and the wide-open views of the high plains make even simple afternoon drives memorable.

Retirement in Wyoming: A Life of Opportunity and Tranquility

Wyoming's retirement towns offer something increasingly rare in today's world—space to breathe without giving up life's necessities. Each brings its own character to the table, from Jackson's world-class amenities and Cody's Western heritage to Lander's mountain-town simplicity and Rawlins' high plains views. Some retirees come for the lack of state income tax, others for the wide-open spaces, but most end up staying because these towns still run at a pace where people have time to really live. Between the Tetons and the prairies, these eight communities prove that retirement doesn't need to be complicated to be good.