6 Romantic Small Towns In Wyoming For A 3-Day Weekend
Wyoming offers some of the West’s most striking scenery, creating an ideal backdrop for a romantic getaway. In towns like Dubois, where sunset lights up red rock cliffs, or Thermopolis, where mineral springs invite long soaks, couples can trade packed itineraries for quieter, more immersive experiences. From staying in distinctive accommodations to sharing scenic drives and unhurried strolls, these six small towns in Wyoming offer a setting that feels pulled from a classic Western love story, perfect for a memorable three-day weekend.
Dubois
Tucked away in Wyoming’s Wind River Valley, Dubois is a delightful setting for a scenic couple’s retreat with its wooden boardwalks and rustic storefronts. This little town retains rustic Western character and is softly lit at sunset when the surrounding red rock formations glow. Curling up at The Longhorn Ranch, you can enjoy breathtaking, panoramic views of Dubois. Twin Pines Lodge & Cabins offer comfortable relaxation, and the lodge’s main gathering area holds a floor-to-ceiling fireplace built from local stone.
For nature-loving couples, Dubois hosts intimate outdoor explorations, including sunset hikes or bike rides along Wind River Country, starting at the Dubois Overlook Trail System. Even in winter, couples can enjoy the mountains and surrounding areas on snowshoes or skis. For views of Dubois’ mountainous landscape, a drive through Togwotee Pass lets couples soak in the Rocky Mountains and spot wildlife. The National Bighorn Sheep Center is a Dubois staple for a cultural outing with newly renovated exhibits that take a deep dive into bighorn sheep. Downtown Dubois invites a romantic stroll along Ramshorn Street’s wooden boardwalk, lined with galleries and historic storefronts such as Welty’s General Store, locally associated with Butch Cassidy and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Centennial
Centennial is a tiny, yet captivating mountain town sitting at the base of the Snowy Range Mountains. The Mountain View Historic Hotel has a cozy vintage interior and an outdoor porch ideal for cuddling and watching the light change over Snowy Range. The Old Corral Hotel & Steakhouse rustic hotel rooms provide an intimate stay in the Snowies with some of the greatest steaks in Southeast Wyoming. Once settled, the Snowy Range Scenic Byway offers a 29-mile drive through Medicine Bow National Forest.
The route features high-altitude views of sweeping vistas, emerald forests, and clear alpine lakes shaped by glaciers. Major lake pullouts provide places to stop and enjoy the Byway’s year-round recreational activities and seasonal wildflowers. If you venture through the Byway at night, the area’s famously dark skies lend themselves well to stargazing. Along the Byway, Lake Marie provides a setting for a stroll or picnic with views of alpine lakes, wildlife, and Medicine Bow Peak. Lake Marie’s trails range from easy to difficult for couples of any age to enjoy. A twilight walk through old Western Main Street is picture-perfect for a lovers’ stroll backdropped by Centennial’s preserved architecture, glowing in the light.
Thermopolis
A romantic long weekend in Thermopolis offers eclectic activities and dramatic canyon scenery. A stay at the Hot Springs Hotel offers a relaxed experience with its outdoor mineral hot-springs soaking tub, athletic club, tanning bed, and Safari Club Restaurant. A stay at the historic Best Western Plus Plaza Hotel, sitting just steps from Hot Springs State Park, is an intimate escape of its own with an indoor pool and hot tub, fitness center, and hot breakfast. Wherever you choose to stay, a soak in the hot springs at the Hot Springs State Park is a seasonal must with its colorful travertine terraces.
Just a few minutes’ walk from the terraces, the historic Swinging Bridge spans the Bighorn River, offering striking views for those who choose to cross. For equally striking views, drive four miles south to Wind River Canyon. The 14-mile stretch through Wind River Canyon offers frequent pull-offs with wide views of the canyon and the river below. Finally, for dinosaur-loving couples, the Wyoming Dinosaur Center on Carter Ranch Road features a large and unique fossil collection, hands-on geologic and paleontological experiences for all ages, and dig sites with fossil-bearing strata in the western US.
Buffalo
Ensconced in the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains, Buffalo is a memorable and romantic long weekend destination. The Historic Occidental Hotel is one of Buffalo's most famous landmarks. The Occidental Hotel feels like a trip back to the real Old West, with rooms adorned with precious antiques, an elegant 1908 Historic Saloon, fine dining at The Virginian Restaurant, a quaint, cozy Breakfast Spot at the Busy Bee Cafe, and live music every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. The Hampton Inn & Suites is surrounded by the rugged beauty of Clear Creek and features a 24-hour heated outdoor pool and hot tub.
To explore beyond town, drive into the Bighorn Mountains via Bighorn National Forest (over 1.1 million acres), including about 190,000 acres protected as the Cloud Peak Wilderness. Couples of any age can relish a day through the Bighorn Mountains’ trails with paths ranging from easy to expert. From canyons and wildflowers to snowcapped crests, couples can photograph sweeping views, birdwatch, or enjoy hiking, rock climbing, camping, and ATV riding. The Clear Creek Trail is unmissable for couples who want to enjoy a leisurely stroll on paved, handicap accessible routes. The Clear Creek Trail has many benches to rest, take in the panoramic view, and settle into a romantic picnic. For a cultural outing, visit the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum, which features artifacts that tell the history of Johnson County.
Pinedale
Pinedale is an authentic Western town for a quiet and scenic romantic getaway. Couples will enjoy the bar and grill restaurant with mountain and water views during a stay at the Lakeside Lodge Resort & Marina. For a hotel experience, the Hampton Inn & Suites Pinedale includes free hot breakfasts, an indoor pool, and a fitness center. The Rendezvous Meadows Golf Course sits one mile from the Inn, while Fremont Lake is a 17-minute drive away, offering sunset strolls along Wyoming’s second-largest natural lake and access to water sports, boating, fishing, ice skating, and stargazing.
A romantic drive through the famous Wind River Range has more than 40 named peaks and seven of the largest glaciers in the Rocky Mountains. The Half Moon Lake Trailhead offers a quiet, moderate walk through forested sections and along its shoreline, with open-water views. At Green River Lakes, the shoreline provides a quiet place to sit at sunset and watch the glow on Squaretop Mountain. For cozy downtown strolls with mountain views, Pine Street is lined with storefronts such as the Great Outdoor Shop. For a baked treat, stop in at the Heart & Soul Bakery, easy to spot with its red-and-white striped awning, and grab a coffee at the Pine Coffee Supply. At golden hour, Pine Street’s mountain view takes on a soft glow, creating a striking backdrop.
Cody
About 52 miles from the east entrance to Yellowstone National Park, Cody was made for romantic strolling. Located in the heart of Cody, the historic Chamberlin Inn is just steps from Main Street with exceptional accommodations featuring a garden courtyard, conservatory, sunroom, library, parlor, breakfast, and a fitness center. Couples staying at the Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel can share romantic dinners and drinks at Irma’s restaurant and cherrywood backbar. A visit to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West features five museums and hands-on experiences like chuckwagon dinners and behind-the-scenes tours.
In Cody, the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway follows the North Fork of the Shoshone River through Wapiti Valley. The Byway is rich with wildlife, dramatic rock formations, and lots of recreational activities. Wandering through Cody’s historic downtown is a romantic journey framed by shops like the Wyoming Willows Boutique and galleries like The Cody Art Walk in the Chamberlin Inn Area. The Big Horn Galleries stand out in the Walk, showcasing Western and wildlife art in a warm, intimate setting. For dinner and a show, The Cody Cattle Company hosts nightly performances from May 26th to September 30th. For a cozier date night, The Colonel Venue & Cigar Lounge offers an intimate indoor atmosphere with soft lighting, lounge seating, and live music, with many slower-tempo nights.
A 3-Day Romantic Escape in Wyoming’s Small Towns
While Wyoming may not come to mind as an ideal romantic destination, many of its small towns offer a distinct sense of romance with their imaginative outings and dreamy natural surroundings. Whether you are a senior couple looking to birdwatch, golf, or enjoy a starry-eyed picnic with unbeatable views, or a younger couple looking for one-of-a-kind date nights and bond-building outdoor adventures, these 6 small towns in Wyoming provide a scenic and unhurried setting for a romantic long weekend getaway.
