Top 10 Best Small Towns in Wyoming
Wyoming's sprawling Wild West scenes are what give this beautiful state its nickname, "The Cowboy State". Despite its vast size, Wyoming is the least populated ... read more...state in the United States. As a result, the small towns dotting the landscape have come to represent Wyoming culture. Detaching from the hustle and bustle of city life is simple in this state, making it ideal for a vacation or settling down. These are the most impressive small towns in Wyoming for those who want more natural scenery, historical attractions, and a never-ending surge of the West's true spirit. They are both beautiful and delightful.
-
Jackson is a town in the Wyoming county of Teton. At the time of the 2020 census, the population was 10,760, up from 9,577 in 2010. It is the county seat and the largest town in Teton County. Jackson is the principal city of the Jackson, WY-ID Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Wyoming's Teton County and Idaho's Teton County. The town, which is frequently misspelled Jackson Hole, gets its name from the valley in which it is located. Because of its proximity to the ski resorts Jackson Hole Mountain, Snow King Mountain, and Grand Targhee, as well as Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, Jackson is a popular tourist destination.
Jackson is located at the southern end of Jackson Hole. It has a western flair while remaining contemporary. Shopping, dining, and entertainment abound. Any town with an arch made entirely of elk antlers will undoubtedly be entertaining. This is the best way to get to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, and it can also serve as a great base camp. Check out the Sleeping Indian Mountain Formations and the National Elk Refuge. The wood plank sidewalks, which locals have been strolling down for over 100 years, are one of the town's most interesting features. The aerial tram is one of the must-see attractions. Remember to take your camera with you.
-
Wyoming is full of charming places to visit, ranging from mountain retreats to old west tourist towns. When traveling through the state, be sure to stop in a few new places along the way, and you'll soon discover the magic hidden in these vibrant communities. One particular town is worth visiting because it will quickly become one of your favorite vacation spots. Lander, Wyoming is frequently used as a rest stop on road trips through the Cowboy State, but anyone who has taken the time to stay has discovered a place that has captured their heart. Downtown Lander may be the most charming spot in the entire state, and it only takes one visit to see why.
The big, chain hotels always have plenty of vacancies, but if you get a chance to stay at a local Inn, you're in for a treat. Restaurants such as The Middle Fork, Thai Chef, Cowfish, and El Sol serve delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so a delicious meal is never far away. Main Street is lined with quaint shops ranging from bakeries to boutiques and everything in between. When the weather warms up, spend the weekend relaxing on restaurant patios and listening to live music. Come on over to Lander, and you'll quickly fall in love with a charming, colorful town that's practically heaven on Earth. Lander is located in Fremont County, in the Wind River Range's foothills.
-
This small town was named after William Cody, also known as Buffalo Bill. Statues, museums, and even the Buffalo Bill Historical Center are scattered throughout the townscape. Another reason to check out Cody is if you enjoy rodeo. You can see many prestigious competitions because it is the Rodeo Capital of the World. Finally, Yellowstone National Park is on the outskirts of Cody, providing spectacular scenery. Themes surrounding Cody's pioneering and Cowboy and Western history are prevalent in the area's cultural events and activities. Old Trail Town, a collection of over 25 historic Western buildings and artifacts, is located just off the Yellowstone Highway in Cody.
Cody is also a thriving arts community. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Whitney Western Arts Museum, and many other collective local/regional galleries around town, such as the Cody Country Art League, By Western Hands, and others, celebrate and display visual arts. Many photographers, painters, sculptors, designers, and artists enjoy capturing the natural beauty and western aesthetics that surround them. Cody has also hosted the Rendezvous Royale art festival for nearly two decades. The Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale, a nationally renowned art show featuring a wide range of interpretations of western art from emerging artists and contemporary masters, is part of the week-long festival. The art show sale, lectures, workshops, and a patrons ball are all part of Rendezvous Royale.
-
Buffalo, Wyoming, is one of the most historically significant towns in the American West. Buffalo, once known as the "most lawless town in America", is home to the TA Ranch, where the Invaders of the Johnson County War were holed up. A bloody battle on the Range resulted from angry Big Business cattlemen fighting violently against smaller farmers defending their right to settle in Wyoming. At Buffalo's Jim Gatchell Museum, you can learn more about one of Wyoming's most significant events. Over 15,000 preserved artifacts from the Wild West and the early days of Johnson County can be found in the Museum.
Walking through downtown Buffalo is like stepping back in time; it's no surprise that A&E chose Buffalo as the setting for their cowboy drama, Longmire. Despite the fact that the show is set in the fictional Absaroka County, much of it takes place right here. When a major television network decides to film a cowboy drama in your cafe, it speaks volumes about the hearty and delicious food you've been serving for years. There are dozens of historic buildings in Buffalo, Wyoming, including the haunted Occidental Hotel. When you visit, be sure to order one of their steaks - the Buffalo Steak is ideal for those with a large appetite. Buffalo is the ideal starting point for exploring the Bighorn Mountains and the Cloudy Peak Wilderness for the adventurous Wyomingite.
-
Driving into Dubois will make you feel as if you've discovered the Wild West. This town is located in the Wind River Range's foothills and is truly a gateway to a fantastic Rocky Mountain getaway. Almost every business in town wants to remind you of the area's history, whether it's the Indigenous history of those who have lived here for centuries or the more recent Cowboy history. If you enjoy being outside, you'll find everything you need in town. Wind River Gear will ensure that you are fully prepared for your fishing trip, hike, or camping trip.
Despite its small size, the town will keep you well fed. In fact, you can't go to Dubois without sampling one of the Cowboy Cafe's famous homemade pies. Dubois is an excellent base camp for a variety of outdoor activities. No matter which way you go, there are dozens of trails and hundreds of acres of forest and mountain to explore. Dubois is one of those towns that will steal your heart as you explore, and you'll want to return time and time again. Because of the climate, it is sometimes referred to as "Never Sweat", and there is so much big sky and beauty that you will never want to leave. Dubois was named one of the best rural towns by American Cowboy Magazine. Ranch activities, hiking, and the Centennial Scenic Byway, which runs through the badlands and into the high peaks, are all available.
-
Centennial, a small town in Colorado, offers year-round recreation. The 300 or so locals at the foot of the Snowy Range Mountains are big on hospitality. Gold was discovered on Centennial Mountain in the late 1800s. After only two years, the main vain vanished into a fault line and was never recovered. The Snowy Range and Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest contain some of Wyoming's most underappreciated and breathtaking scenery. Medicine Bow Peak, Bomber Mountain, and Sugarloaf Mountain can all be seen as you travel along the Snowy Range Scenic Byway, which connects Saratoga and Laramie.
The town of Centennial is located in the center. This tiny town is jam-packed with history and activities, as well as scenery and a small-town way of life that will steal your heart. You'll feel like you've rolled back in time to the Wild West when you arrive in town! Stay at a dude ranch outside of town and dine at the Old Corral Restaurant and Steakhouse for a Cowboy-inspired meal. You'll feel right at home here. Explore the forest, where stunning views and well-maintained trails keep you away from the crowds found in other Colorado and Wyoming national parks and forests. The Centennial Depot, also known as the Nici Self Museum, provides a glimpse into the region's history. You'll learn a lot and see some fascinating historical artifacts. Of course, since this is the Snowy Range, you should dress for winter weather even in the fall. If you're lucky, a snow squall will cover the mountains in a beautiful blanket of white. -
Gillette, located in Wyoming's northeast corner, is the gateway to Devils Tower National Monument, the country's first national monument, as well as the ideal halfway point between Yellowstone National Park and South Dakota's Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Gillette is centrally located in an area where vast amounts of American coal, oil, and coalbed methane gas are being developed. The city bills itself as the "Energy Capital of the Nation", owing to Wyoming's supply of nearly 35% of the nation's coal. However, a drop in coal use in the United States has resulted in a drop in the local economy, prompting some local officials to seek other industries or employment opportunities. The city is a regional center for media, education, health, and the arts, as well as a major economic hub for the county.
Gillette, home to CAM-PLEX, the largest multi-event facility in the western United States, provides numerous opportunities to enjoy live music, rodeos, theater, and much more. If you want to avoid the crowds, take a short drive to Durham Buffalo Ranch, one of the county's largest privately owned bison ranches. Summer tours are available to view the ranch's nearly 3,000 bison. Your trip would be incomplete unless you sampled Gillette's burgeoning culinary scene.
With over 70 restaurants and Wyoming's first meadery, you're sure to find something to your liking. Gillette is close enough to Mount Rushmore and Devils Tower to serve as a home base for day trips. Visit the Eagle Butte Coal Mine, the Rockpile Museum, and the Gillette Brewing Company while you're there. -
Sundance is one of the most charming small towns in Wyoming. Not only did it gain notoriety from one of the Wild West's most notorious outlaws, but it has also been a popular tourist destination for over a century. Sundance, Wyoming was founded in 1879 as a result of the Black Hills Gold Rush. The Sundance Kid, one of the West's most infamous outlaws, got his name from this town, where he was first imprisoned. Sundance is still a fantastic place to visit today! Every February, the Sundance Winter Festival celebrates the town's love of snow. The Bear Lodge Motel is one of the best places to stay in town, located just steps away from restaurants, bars, and attractions.
People come from all over to eat at the Higbee Cafe for breakfast. The Higbee has a reputation for serving the best biscuits and gravy you'll ever taste. This classic western restaurant serves burgers, steaks, salads, and other dishes to hungry visitors and locals. Don't leave without paying a visit to the Crook County Museum. It not only displays relics from the region's wild west days, but it also houses a gallery with work by local artists. Make a point to visit Sundance this year; it's an underappreciated gem that could become your new favorite destination.
-
Sheridan is a real-life painting. Sheridan, one of the Mountain West's best small towns, has an allure all its own, a place where a day trip quickly turns into a two-week stay. Sheridan has ten National Register of Historic Places sites, including some in its charming downtown, which is alive with local shops, stunning galleries, and delectable restaurants. Sheridan is in the heart of endless outdoor adventure for outdoor enthusiasts. The Tongue River Canyon is a popular tourist destination that is only 20 minutes from Sheridan. Visitors can expect to see iconic American wildlife such as black bears, moose, deer, elk, and dozens of bird species while exploring this breathtaking area.
Visit during the Eaton's Horse Drive, a must-see annual event in which hundreds of horses run through the heart of Sheridan to celebrate its rich western history. Sheridan has an abundance of big, bold vantage points. You can enjoy the Cloud Peak Wilderness by taking a leisurely hike to the high pass over Geneva Lake for spectacular mountain views, or you can race out of the high country at breakneck speed during the annual Bighorn Wild and Scenic Trail Run, one of the country's premier alpine races. Sheridan takes the outdoors seriously and enjoy sharing it with visitors. Meet a friendly face at the Forest Services Office before setting out to explore more than 160 kilometers of trails in both the Bighorn National Forest and the Cloud Peak Wilderness; the route to mountain-fringed Stull Lake is just one notable charmer.
-
Every Wyomingite can tell you about the quirks of their favorite small town, but it's difficult to find a town more remarkable than Thermopolis, located in Hot Springs County. What distinguishes Thermopolis? It all begins with a historic and charming downtown and only gets better from there. Pack your belongings and prepare for a road trip to one of Wyoming's hidden gems. Travel to Thermopolis, Wyoming, for a visit to one of the world's most unusual locations. This small town of about 3,000 people has so much to offer that you'll wonder why you haven't visited before. You'll notice that Thermopolis is surrounded by mountains right away.
The town is located near the northern end of Wind River Canyon, where the Wind River flows into the Bighorn River. To the northeast are the Big Horn Mountains, to the northwest are the Absaroka Mountains, to the southeast are the Bridger Mountains, and to the southwest are the Owl Creek Mountains. The cool downtown scene maintains the small-town feel while highlighting the town's charming features. The Wyoming Dinosaur Center is marked by a massive dinosaur statue. The Museum is one of the best dinosaur museums in the country, and it's one of only a few that has nearby dig sites.
Many dig sites containing over 10,000 dinosaur bones can be found within 15 minutes of the Wyoming Dinosaur Center. The only Archaeopteryx on display in North America is in the Museum, and it was discovered right here in Thermopolis. A T-Rex, a Triceratops, a few Allosaurs, and even some Stegosaurs can be seen. Anyone will enjoy this fantastic museum. Broadway is the town's main thoroughfare, and evidence of the town's history can be found everywhere.