10 Stress-Free Wyoming Towns For A Weekend Retreat
Stress can affect much of one’s livelihood and happiness, whether at work or when at rest. Fortunately for many, the many stress-free Wyoming towns to visit for a weekend retreat are perfect resting spots to recharge and refresh yourself for another beautiful day. Proudly nicknamed the Equality State, because it became the first U.S. state to grant women the right to vote in 1869, Wyoming holds the distinction of housing two national firsts: Shoshone National Forest, the first national forest in the country, and Devils Tower, America’s first national monument.
Beyond its political and natural milestones, Wyoming is most notably home to a number of stress-relieving towns, like Lander and Cody, where vibrant Native American powwows and celebrations bridge the gap between heritage and progress, or Dubois and Sheridan, where history comes alive through stories of legendary figures and defining events. These destinations and their eclectic attractions are sure to bring you a weekend of joy and merriment in a stressful world.
Jackson
Jackson is a beautiful and serene small town situated at the southern end of the Jackson Hole Valley. With the majestic Teton Range dominating the background, travelers will find winter a welcome season as it brings world-class skiing at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King Mountain, and nearby Grand Targhee Resort. Jackson Hole is one of the most popular, boasting 116 trails with the longest stretching for 4.5 miles. They are also ideal places to stay for the night.
Likewise, spring is an equally lovable period in the Equality State as it ushers in unique events like the Shed Hunt Opener, where locals gather elk antlers that often end up forming the famous antler arches in Town Square. One can further relieve their stress by admiring artworks at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, which houses masterpieces by Georgia O’Keeffe, Andy Warhol, and other famous artists.
Buffalo
Buffaloes are majestic and magnificent animals, and the sight of them often relieves stress. Likewise, the small town of Buffalo, close to the scenic Bighorn Mountains, will take your worries away with wild tales from the Wild West. The legendary Occidental Hotel, once frequented by figures like Butch Cassidy and Calamity Jane, now offers visitors a glimpse into the frontier era with its period furnishings and saloon. Adventures are still plentiful in the untamed wilderness surrounding Buffalo, as the nearby Bighorn National Forest is home to a menagerie of Wyoming’s most beloved and bewildering animals to admire.
You ought to visit Buffalo during Longmire Days, a lively summer festival in July inspired by the hit TV series Longmire, complete with cast appearances, parades, and themed activities. To delve deeper into local history, the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum showcases artifacts from pivotal events like the Johnson County Cattle War and the region’s outlaw legends. Even though Buffalo might not have many buffalo, it will nevertheless be a grand and stress-relieving destination for the weekends, especially in fine accommodations like the Alamo Inn and Z-Bar Cabins & Motel.
Dubois
Dubois is often called the “Last of the Old West” for its authentic cowboy charisma and character. The Dubois Museum & Wind River Historical Center provides a fascinating and in-depth look at Native American artifacts, frontier homesteads, and the area’s early dude ranch culture. The National Bighorn Sheep Center, on the other hand, educates visitors about Wyoming’s state mammal, the bighorn sheep, and the vast herds that roam the nearby mountains, which you can certainly see and photograph.
Those eager to go traipsing through the outdoors can find adventure in Shoshone National Forest, America’s first national forest, where trails, fishing spots, and rugged scenery are in great surplus. Lastly, winter brings events like the Pedigree Stage Stop Race, a thrilling dog sled competition that races from Jackson to Dubois. At the end of the weekend, you will find your stress has long been absent in your fun and memorable vacation in Dubois, most notably when spending your evenings in quaint lodgings like the Chinook Winds Lodge or the Twin Pines Lodge & Cabins.
Sheridan
Just 35 miles north of Buffalo, the small town of Sheridan has its own appeals and attractions that make it a beautiful destination to make your woes go away. The Historic Sheridan Inn, for example, was once home to showman Buffalo Bill Cody, and continues to welcome and accommodate guests with its restored Victorian elegance. It was also in the Sheridan Inn that Cody auditioned performers for his Wild West Show. Literary fans may be drawn to the fact that Ernest Hemingway worked on A Farewell to Arms while staying in the aforementioned inn.
Nearby, the Trail End State Historic Site—also known as Kendrick Mansion—offers tours of a grand Flemish Revival estate filled with original furnishings and artifacts. For an in-depth look at the region’s pre-pioneer cultures, the Museum at the Bighorns presents exhibits from prehistoric times through the frontier era. The Bighorn National Forest, just a short drive away, is a splendid and serene site for outdoor excursions and other recreational pursuits.
Ten Sleep
At the base of the Bighorn Mountains, the weirdly-named town called Ten Sleep promises new experiences in the day and the night. Its name originates from the Native American measurement of distance—ten “sleeps” from significant destinations like Fort Laramie and Yellowstone. Rock climbers from around the world congregate in this wholesome and energetic town for the limestone cliffs of Ten Sleep Canyon, which also challenge the exceptional with various hikes, camping locations, and photographic opportunities in arduous landscapes.
Similar to Buffalo and Sheridan, the Bighorn National Forest is a nearby playground for outdoor exploration, with miles of trails and stunning alpine scenery. In town, the Ten Sleep Brewing Company is a visited and praised establishment due to its amazing craft beer, live music, and a friendly local vibe. After booking rooms in establishments like The Carter Inn, you will be far from lethargic or tired when you are having a merry and energetic weekend in the small town of Ten Sleep.
Pinedale
Residing at the gateway to the Wind River Range, Pinedale is a bountiful mountain town that brings travelers into a wilderness of exploration and relaxation. The Museum of the Mountain Man chronicles the lives of fur trappers and explorers like Jim Bridger, with exhibits on survival skills, tools, and frontier life. Meanwhile, the Bridger Wilderness thrives as a multi-day region suitable for hiking, fishing trips, or kayaking on hundreds of alpine lakes, including Fremont Lake, the second-largest natural lake in Wyoming.
Special events like the Green River Drift cattle drive in June and October include modern cowboys herding cattle throughout town. Similarly, the Path of the Pronghorn serves as one of the last long-distance ungulate migrations in North America. With a plethora of unique events and activities to try out, as well as a number of accommodations to choose from, such as Jackalope Motor Lodge or Gannett Peak Lodge, Pinedale will have you pining for more.
Sundance
Named for the sacred Sun Dance ceremony of the Plains tribes, Sundance is a mesmerizing small town where history and nature intertwine. Outlaw Harry Longabaugh, better known as the “Sundance Kid,” earned his nickname here after a stint in the local jail, and much of his story is told at the Crook County Museum & 1875 Art Gallery in the historic Old Stoney Building. Just outside town stands Devils Tower, the nation’s first national monument, a striking 1,267-foot igneous formation sacred to many Native American tribes.
Closer at hand, the Vore Buffalo Jump remains as an archaeological site where Plains tribes hunted bison for centuries. South of town, Inyan Kara, a revered site for the Lakota, served as both a spiritual refuge and a landmark for explorers like General Custer. For those of you curious to know more about the history and indigenous past of Wyoming, Sundance is definitely the right type of town to replace your stress with curiosity and knowledge. You can spend as long as you like in this historic town once you have booked a room at either the Bear Lodge Motel or the Serena Inn & Suites.
Centennial
Centennial, a delightful and reinvigorating small town at the base of the Snowy Range, was once a hunting ground for the Arapaho and Lakota peoples. These days, Centennial is famous for its amazing and rejuvenating landscapes, especially when traversing the Snowy Range Scenic Byway with its alpine lakes, flower-filled meadows, and rugged mountain peaks. Additionally, you can ascend to the very summits of Sugarloaf Mountain, offering panoramic views of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, which you can venture down after taking in the sights and sensations. Winter transforms the area into a snowy playground, where one can partake in various skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing experiences at the Snowy Range Ski Area. Centennial is a year-round playground that has endured for hundreds of years, and will endure for hundreds more thanks to wonderful lodgings such as the Old Corral Hotel & Steakhouse and the Snowy Hideout.
Lander
At the foot of the Wind River Mountains, the superb town of Lander invites newcomers to savor the novel and nice amenities in Wyoming’s countryside. The Fremont County Pioneer Museum offers a comprehensive and insightful journey through local history, from prehistoric times to the early 20th century. The nearby Sinks Canyon State Park features the mysterious Popo Agie River, which vanishes into a limestone cavern before reemerging downstream. Visitors can also explore the Wind River Reservation, where the Arapaho Powwow in September—the longest running powwow in Wyoming—showcases the vibrant Native American traditions.
Most of all, tradition holds that Sacagawea, the Shoshone guide of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, is buried here. In a setting packed with small but meaningful destinations, landmarks, and cultural festivities, Lander is a positively breathtaking and rejuvenating destination perfect for a weekend escapade. If you ever intend to spend a weekend night there, you can pick from a variety of excellent accommodation options, such as The Lander Motel.
Cody
Founded in 1896 by the legendary Buffalo Bill Cody, this lively western town named Cody proudly preserves its frontier spirit with places like the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which houses five world-class museums, covering everything from Wild West artworks to Plains Native American culture. In the high heat of summer, the Cody Nite Rodeo thrills visitors with nightly performances from June to August.
On the other hand, visitors with a desire to immerse themselves in history can stroll through Old Trail Town, a collection of authentic frontier buildings and gravesites of notable outlaws. The historic Irma Hotel, built by Buffalo Bill himself, serves as both an accommodation and a stage for Wild West shootout reenactments during the summer.
A Weekend In Wyoming
Across Wyoming’s wide horizons, the many stress-free small towns to stay and play for a weekend retreat are paradises for outdoor trekkers and enlightening hotspots for historians. The name “Wyoming” stems from a Native American phrase, meaning “at the big river flat,” a fitting tribute to the open landscapes and rich cultural narratives you will find there. From Jackson’s snowy slopes to Cody’s vibrant celebration of frontier heritage, each stress-free Wyoming town provides mountain adventures, sacred Native American sites, or charming main streets filled with history. In the Equality State, every town is an invitation to relax, recharge, and reward yourself with Wyoming’s wilderness and spirit that will all leave a lasting impression on your life, however brief a weekend trip it might be.
