13 Cutest Small Towns In Wyoming For 2025
Wyoming is a great plains state and offers anything from miles of open prairie grass fields, desert scapes, red rock formations, and exceptional hot springs. In Cheyenne, residents are surrounded by open grasslands, farms, and small western towns. Wyoming is also part of Yellowstone. Yellowstone's sheer wildness and beauty make many small towns in Wyoming popular destinations. Wyoming also features miles of open trails, petroglyphs, dinosaurs, and hot springs. The cities below are the cutest small towns in Wyoming for visitors or those looking to visit or move.
Thermopolis
Thermopolis is an adorable, small, and unique town. Within the windy state of endless grassland, travelers come across Thermopolis midway through the state. It’s a change of scenery with red rock outcroppings, dozens of petroglyphs, and natural hot springs. The town center is a massive greenway park with miles of grass, walking trails, and access to hotels and motels.
The town sits on the Big Horn River within Wind River Canyon's high red rock walls. The town includes the Hot Springs State Park, which features free access to its hot spring pools, cooling ponds, and the Rainbow Terrace. The Rainbow Terrace is the result of years of mineral deposits forming a unique bank as the hot water enters the Big Horn River.
Thermopolis is also affordable to visit or live in. There is an exceptional Dinosaur museum named the Wyoming Dinosaur Center. It’s worth more than a few visits. Interested parties can sign up to participate in local paleontological digs.
Residents can fish, hunt, raft, water ski in the river or reservoir, ride horseback through town, snowmobile, canoe, rock climb, view petroglyphs, or hike within 30 minutes of central Thermopolis. Old-time restaurants near the river offer ice cream and hamburgers, or more evolved fare can be found at various restaurants around town.
Laramie
Laramie is a cute small town with a lot of western-style charm. When approaching Laramie, visitors experience the beauty of the eastern Rocky Mountains. Laramie is a welcoming community that takes great pride in providing community events, cultural activities, and educational opportunities for all ages.
Residents and visitors enjoy this small town surrounded by forests and rivers for endless outdoor entertainment. The Medicine Bow National Forest provides hiking, fishing, and camping. In town, residents use the Laramie River Greenbelt for walking, biking, and enjoying the fresh air and sunshine.
For cultural inspiration, visit the Gryphon Theatre for plays, concerts, and movies. Take part in the public art displays with the Laramie Mural Project. The city supports several art galleries showcasing local artists. History buffs enjoy the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site and the Laramie Plains Museum.
Cody
Visitors to Yellowstone National Park travel to Cody to access the East Entrance to Yellowstone. Cody is more than a Yellowstone entrance. The city is a fully functional town with a rich Western history surrounded by exceptional outdoor recreation. Visitors and residents enjoy five museums and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Cody is also considered the Rodeo Capital of the World and hosts nightly rodeos during the summer as well as the larger Cody Stampede over the 4th of July.
The city supports numerous city parks with plenty of greenways for picnics, sporting events, biking, and walking. Residents and visitors can also find recreational opportunities within the Red Canyon River and the Shoshone National Forest that leads into Yellowstone National Park.
Jackson Hole
Jackson Hole, or Jackson, is an exceptionally wonderful little mountain town located in the ultimate spot for nature lovers. The city hosts the southern entrance to Yellowstone National Park and includes the Grand Teton National Park. The town offers access to some of the most beautiful locations in the United States. Residents and visitors can see all types of wildlife. In town, hikers and bikers can enjoy scenic trails. Jackson Hole is also near several lakes and rivers for water activities.
Jackson Hole is both the ultimate wilderness and a small, quiet town. The town is peaceful, but it is a very active city for tourists during winter and summer. As a tourist location, the town has more unique shopping and dining options. Jackson is walkable, but be prepared to tackle hills and valleys through town.
Riverton
Riverton is a sweet, small town just two hours from Jackson Hole. The city sits within the Wind River Reservation and is an active agricultural and farming area. Riverton is known as the Rendezvous City of Wyoming, where Native American culture connects with itself and others. Residents and visitors enjoy local recreational opportunities along the Wind River. The town sits in the center of a million acres of National Park land.
Despite being a bustling commercial city, Riverton is also a quiet community. The town includes Central Wyoming College, which is nationally recognized as a top training center for nursing. Casino lovers enjoy the Wind River Hotel & Casino. This adorable little town also offers visitors a glimpse of history at the Wind River Heritage Center and Riverton Museum. Visitors and residents can explore Castle Gardens petroglyphs, mountain bike, hike, and camp.
Sheridan
Sheridan is a cute and agricultural town built on its rich ranching history. Sheridan is surrounded by open space. Visitors and residents can spot all types of wildlife at any time. The city started and grew as an artists' colony. Sheridan's artistic roots are visible in its support of outdoor art collections.
Come to the adorable small town of Sheridan and enjoy nearby Lake DeSmet for boating, fishing, and camping. Golfers love the Kendrick Golf Course. There’s also the Tongue River Reservoir and the Kendrick Elk and Buffalo Park near town. The Kendrick Elk and Buffalo Park provides up-close wildlife viewing.
Glenrock
Glenrock is a cute rural town close to an array of outdoor experiences. Glenrock provides an authentic wild Wyoming experience without the hordes of tourists. Glenrock sits in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, just a 22-minute drive to the large city of Casper. Enjoy the Glenrock Golf Club and the Glenrock Paleontological Museum. Take a walk around the western town square, and simply enjoy this wonderful, quiet, but scenic western town.
Consider hiking, biking, fishing, watching wildlife, and enjoying water activities within the Medicine Bow National Forest.
Torrington
This endearing small town was once the largest military post in the Northern Plains. The town offers distinctive lessons in western frontier history at the Fort Laramie National Historic Site.
Torrington provides a charming downtown area with local fare, brew pubs, and shops. Try the Broncho Grill House & Bar for traditional American food or La Familia Prado for authentic Mexican food.
Stay in town and enjoy multiple city parks, or drive a few minutes outside of town and visit Wyoming’s largest winery at the Table Mountain Vineyards.
Saratoga
Feel the appeal of Saratoga in its hot springs. The rejuvenating hot springs are surrounded by the Snowy and Sierra Madre Mountains, providing a beautiful backdrop for soaking and relaxing. Try the Hobo Hot Springs. Hobo Hot Springs is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, and it’s free. For a resort-style experience, visit the Saratoga Hot Springs Resort with teepee covered soaking pools.
After a day or more of relaxing in the hot springs, walk through its downtown area with various specialty shops, hardware, clothing, and home-brewed bourbon, vodka, gin, or rye at the Brush Creek Distillery. While in Satatoga, experience the delightful trails within the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. Go fishing or hire an experienced guide and learn the tricks of the trade for successful fishing. Camp or find a variety of lodging options around town.
Rawlins
Welcome to the captivating town of Rawlins in south-central Wyoming. Originally established as a stop on the Union Pacific Railroad, Rawlins quickly became the primary port for Wyoming. Rawlins gained popularity during the early frontier days because it had a permanent water source in the North Platte River.
Get some memorable history lessons at the Frontier Prison and the Carbon County Museum. In the summer, enjoy the Carbon County Fair & Rodeo competitions in town. Attend the SummerFest and enjoy activities for adults and children. Walk through the downtown mural tour created by local artists.
Gillette
Find western charm in the tiny town of Gillette. Find it on the way to Devil’s Tower National Monument. The city claims to be the energy capital of the world. Consider touring the lowest-carbon-emission Eagle Butte Coal Mine. Explore the local bison herd at the Durham Bison Ranch.
Walk through downtown Gillette and learn the history of gunslinging cowboys with live presentations and guided walking tours. Take the Avenues of Art Walking Tour and experience the quality local art. Take a piece of art home, as all works are for sale. Make time to check out the Frontier Relics & Auto Museum. The museum holds information on vintage cars and the retro fuel that makes them run. Watch old movies and commercials at the on-site drive-in screen and soda fountain.
Rock Springs
When in Rock Springs, take the time to explore the Killpecker Sand Dunes. Rent or bring an OHV, sandboard, or sled. Slide around the dunes in an extinct volcanic core. Consider trying the challenging mountain biking and hiking trails. Find water activities a few miles south of town at the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. Investigate the White Mountain Petroglyphs and discover the language and history of Wyoming’s Native American predecessors.
If visiting during the summer, attend the Sweetwater County Fair and Rodeo. Walk around town and find exceptional restaurants like the Wild Mustang, Boar's Tusk Steakhouse, or Marty’s Family Restaurant.
Hulett
Find the endearing little town of Hulett near the Devil’s Tower National Monument. Hike, bike, or fish in the Black Hills National Forest. Consider hitting the road and driving the scenic Spirit Highway (Hwy 24) from Hulett to the South Dakota border.
Learn Western history and discover the local dinosaur bones and relics at the Hulett Museum and Art Gallery downtown. Don’t miss stopping in at Rogue’s Gallery. Rogue’s Gallery features fine Western art and rare Native American artifacts. Check out the Wild West-themed downtown buildings and dine at the Ponderosa Cafe, the Red Rock Cafe, or the 77 Steakhouse and Saloon.
Wyoming is also home to many of the most exceptional National Parks in the US and the cutest small Western towns. The natural scenery is impressive from the grasslands outside Cheyenne to the Grand Tetons in Jackson Hole. Every one of the towns listed is within or near a major National Park, Forest, Lake, or River. Enjoy the culture of the western frontier while experiencing some of the best scenery in the United States.
