These 9 Towns Are Wyoming's Best-Kept Secrets
With the allure of wide-open vistas and cowboy culture, Wyoming has much to offer. It is a place where you can immerse yourself in Western history or lose yourself in pristine wilderness. With Bighorn sheep navigating the mountain ranges and The American Bison grazing in the prairies, it is a first-class destination for wildlife enthusiasts. Look past the larger cities, and you will discover some of the best-kept secrets in small towns with unique stories to tell and many noteworthy residents. From Buffalo Bill Cody to Harrison Ford, Wyoming is filled with stories of Mavericks who chose to call this place home.
Cody
Named after American soldier and legendary showman Buffalo Bill Cody, this small town is one of the best-kept secrets, steeped in history and natural beauty. Located at the edge of the Shoshone National Forest, home to most of Wyoming's Bigfoot sightings, Cody offers easy access to over 1,300 miles of rugged nature trails. Here, you will encounter mountain views, glaciers, rivers, and wildlife in its natural habitat. To learn more about the history and culture of the American West, visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. This attraction is comprised of 5 individual museums, all housed under one roof.
Here, you can see items owned by Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley, check out a wide variety of historic firearms, learn about the local natural history, or admire Western-inspired art. For a more visceral cowboy experience, consider visiting the Cody Stampede Rodeo. These Rodeo grounds have been showcasing cowboy skills every summer since 1919. Afterward, head over to the Old Trail Town to wander the streets of an authentic 1890s ghost town and experience life in the Old West firsthand.
Lander
Lander, an overlooked gem, is a hub for outdoor enthusiasts, serving as a basecamp for further exploration into the Wind River Mountains. Home to Gannett Peak, Wyoming's highest mountain peak at 13,804 feet, this area is an international destination for rock climbers. At Sinks Canyon State Park, you can witness a river vanish into a limestone cavern or stop at the visitor's center to learn more about the natural history of the surrounding area. Set out for a day trip of hiking the trails, or extend your visit and stay overnight at one of its many scenic campsites.
Back in town, explore life at the turn of the century while visiting the Fremont County Pioneer Museum. You can set out from here on a walking tour of Lander to learn about the history of the Lander Valley and admire the many historic buildings still spread throughout the town to this day. On your tour, consider stopping by the Lander Art Center and signing up for one of the many art classes on offer while using the area's natural beauty as your source of artistic inspiration.
Thermopolis
Unlike many of the small towns that center Cowboy life, the focus of Thermopolis dates back to something much older. Over 10,000 dinosaur bones have been excavated in the surrounding area and can be viewed at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center. Open year-round, the museum offers Dino DeTours, which allow visitors to participate in an actual fossil dig of their own. To bring home a unique fossil or piece of jewelry, stop by Avas Silver and Rock Shop to see what they have on hand. The town's unusual name combines the Greek words for hot and city. This is for a good reason, as the area claims the 海角社区鈥檚 largest mineral hot spring.
To enjoy the rejuvenating effects of the water yourself, visit the Hot Springs State Park. The park maintains a free bath house with temperature-controlled water, not to mention trails, fishing, and picnic shelters to help round out your day. If your idea of a water destination includes waterslides, don鈥檛 worry; Hellie's TePee Pool has you covered. The establishment has both an indoor and outdoor waterslide, a steam room, and a dry sauna. It has something to help relax every member of your group after a long day of digging for dinosaurs.
Douglas
The small and underrated town of Douglas is as proud of its locomotive heritage as it is of its urban legends. It is considered the home of a cryptid made up of a jackrabbit鈥檚 body and sprouting deer antlers, known as the Jackalope. Even though a local man admitted his brother made up the entire story, many people still flock to the area, hoping to catch a glimpse of the legendary creature. It is hard to miss, given there is an eight-foot jackalope statue in the center of town.
If you prefer rare trains to rabbits, visitors can explore the Douglas Railroad Interpretive Center. The Visitor's Center is located in the train passenger depot, a building that was first constructed in 1886. Here, you can examine both the interior and exteriors of train cars and locomotives from the post-1930s era. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
For dining options, be sure to visit the College Inn Bar, the oldest establishment in Douglas. Try their Cowboy Burger, a favorite local dish. To explore the local history further, end your day at the Wyoming Pioneer Museum. Located in Douglas at the Wyoming State Fairground, this museum has a large collection of memorabilia to bring you back to the days of the western frontier. Just a short drive west of the city, you will find Ayres Natural Bridge. This organic rock arch makes a natural bridge over LaPrele Creek and is a curious site for travelers along the Oregon Trail.
Dubois
Not much has changed in Dubois since Butch Cassidy, who owned and operated a Ranch on the edge of town, walked the streets. He picked up provisions at Welty鈥檚 General Store, and you can too. Welty鈥檚 was established in 1898 and is still a great place to pick up a new belt buckle or Stetson hat. If you want to feel like a member of Cassidy鈥檚 "Wild Bunch," mosey on over to the Outlaw Bar and Saloon to experience an authentic local watering hole steeped in history. Alternatively, the Cowboy Cafe serves Western-style food in a more family-friendly environment. Sit on their patio and spend a lazy afternoon watching the 海角社区 go by.
If you are interested in the local wildlife, the National Bighorn Sheep Center is not to be missed. The center has exhibits and driven guided eco-tours of the Whiskey Basin Wildlife Habitat Management Area. For an all-inclusive, luxurious Western experience, plan to stay at the Brooks Lake Lodge and Spa. Its majestic log lodge offers unparalleled views of the surrounding mountain vistas.
Buffalo
The town of Buffalo is one of the state's best-kept secrets, located at the doorstep of the Bighorn Mountains. The Bighorn National Forest offers year-round activities like fishing, climbing, horseback riding, and camping. In the winter months, you can try your hand at skiing, snowmobiling, or snowshoeing. The terrain, varying from rolling hills to sheer cliffs, presents challenges and activities for all experience levels.
In town, the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum encompasses three interconnected historical buildings, all of which help tell the history of the area and its residents. Stop by Bond鈥檚 Brewing Company for a pint of Arrowhead Red Ale on your way to the Historic Occidental Hotel. This beautifully restored hotel has rooms that will take you straight back to the Old West. If you are just stopping by for a quick visit, grab a drink at the historic 1908 Saloon or a bite to eat at one of its other three onsite restaurants.
Rawlins
Visiting Rawlins gives you the unique feeling of traveling back a century in time. The Downtown Rawlins Mural Tour features painted depictions of the town's history. The local Texaco gas station has been restored to its original 1920 glory and houses indoor exhibits in addition to its period-accurate pumps and signage outside. Cappy's Restaurant and Bar provides a quick stop for refreshments on your way to the Wyoming Frontier Prison. The prison was established in 1901 and allows you to explore the historic cell blocks for yourself. Visit during their Haunted Halloween event, and you may discover the cells are not as empty as you imagined.
On the edge of town, tent campers and RV enthusiasts alike can settle down for the night at the Red Desert Rose Campground, which makes a perfect jumping-off spot for a trip further west into the Red Desert itself for a look at the Killpecker Sand Dunes.
Greybull
The secluded town of Greybull is located in Wyoming's Bighorn Basin, which is surrounded by several mountain ranges. This basin area is rich in dinosaur fossils, and this town's passion for paleontology runs deep. With two museums and a unique exploration trail, this is a must-see for fossil hunters. The Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite allows you to walk in the literal footsteps of dinosaurs. 167 million years ago, the site was layered with soft sandy ground, and it captured the footprints of the dinosaurs who roamed the area in an impromptu walk of fame.
Visitors can head to the Big Horn Basin Dinosaur and Geoscience Museum, as well as the Greybull Museum, to look at some of the best fossils excavated in the area. If a member of your group prefers planes over Pyroraptors, Greybull also boasts an extensive collection of aircraft at the Museum of Flight and Aerial Firefighting. The museum is open to guests from mid-May until the end of September.
Worland
Located along the Big Horn River, the hidden gem of Worland was founded by Charles H. Worland in 1900. However, when the railroad came through, the citizens realized they were on the wrong side of the river and too far from the newly laid tracks. In an incredible show of determination, the locals moved their town across the frozen river by creating skids and sliding the buildings over the ice. The culture and history of these hearty people are on full display at the Washakie Museum and Cultural Center. Exhibits focus on history all the way back to when dinosaurs and mammoths inhabited the area. Afterward, hike out to the Gooseberry Badlands Scenic Overlook Trail, and there is a chance you will come face to face with a dinosaur fossil all on your own.
For a taste of the region, visit the nearby Ten Sleep Brewing Company. This craft brewery is located in an old family barn tucked into the side of a red earthen cliff. They offer more than just beer; if you have a tent, you can stay at one of their 12 onsite campgrounds. For more fertile ground, book a round of golf at the Green Hills Golf Club. This 18-hole public course, established in 1960, is a great way to spend an afternoon surrounded by stunning Wyoming vistas.
With unparalleled wildlife, glacially carved valleys, and snow-topped mountains, Wyoming offers a paradise for nature lovers to explore. This dramatic landscape is only to be upstaged by the larger-than-life personalities of the people who settled communities across the rugged terrain. If you travel out of the larger cities and dig a little deeper into some of the state's best-kept secrets, who knows what you will find? A renewed appreciation for nature, several treasured memories, or perhaps even a dinosaur fossil or two.
