7 Best Towns In Wyoming For A Two-Day Recharge

As summer winds down and the daily grind returns, it can be easy to feel stuck at home. Even with the summer vacation season ending, however, there is no reason to stay cooped up. In Wyoming, all you need is a weekend to have an adventure! Regardless of where you live in the state, there is always something beautiful or historic nearby. Towns like Thermopolis and Jackson allow you to immerse yourself in the state’s natural beauty, while other destinations, like Sundance and Cody, are filled with legends and history from the region’s Wild West Days. So pull out your calendar and get ready to brighten up your weekends this fall with a trip to one of these seven towns.

Thermopolis

If you need to truly destress and unwind for a couple of days, Thermopolis, renowned for its hot springs, is the perfect destination. Hot Springs State Park lies on the edge of town, home to a bathhouse where water flows at a constant 104℉. The park also has over six miles of trails if you prefer to start your day with a hike before heading over for a soak. To further extend your hot springs experience, consider lodging at the Hot Springs Hotel and Spa, which has an outdoor mineral hot springs soaking tub for guests to enjoy. Families will also enjoy visiting the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, which has over 70 skeletons on exhibit along with hundreds of dioramas and displays to appreciate.

Lander

Located in central Wyoming, Lander has gained an international reputation for its rock climbing scene. Sinks Canyon State Park is a favorite among climbers and features a unique geological wonder: a river that vanishes into a cavern before resurfacing downstream in a cool pool. In addition to rock climbing, the park is popular for hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and camping. Wild Iris is another wonderful place for climbers, doubling as a campground in the Shoshone National Forest. If you are not a big camper, there are several comfortable accommodations in town to consider. Offering both history and style, the Lander Motel occupies a 1941 property that was updated in 2023 with modern amenities.

Jackson

Jackson makes an excellent base for visiting Grand Teton National Park. Spanning more than 300,000 acres, the park offers plenty to fill a weekend, including hiking trails and ranger-led programs that weave through its mountain meadows, valley floors, and alpine lakes. Travelers hoping to spot some of the region’s incredible wildlife can head to the National Elk Refuge, home to over 24,700 acres of wetlands, grasslands, and forests. The best time to spot the elk, however, is from mid-December through April each year. Conclude your day with a stay at the Lodge at Jackson Hole, a cozy and rustic spot with amenities like a fireside lounge, heated indoor and outdoor pools, and an on-site breakfast buffet.

Buffalo

Buffalo is filled with Western heritage and history, allowing visitors to embrace their inner cowboy for the weekend. The Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum showcases the lives of settlers, cowboys, cattle barons, and Native Americans with a remarkable collection of artifacts gifted to pharmacist Jim Gatchell. The Historic Occidental Hotel is another one of the region’s most impressive examples of the Old West, home to a 1908 saloon and historic rooms and suites that continue to receive guests today. About 12 miles south of town, travelers will reach the Crazy Woman Canyon, perfect for a day outdoors with opportunities for rock climbing, hiking, trout fishing, and camping. High cliffs, cascading mountain waters, and large boulders are just a few of the natural features you can appreciate throughout the recreational area.

Cody

Founded by the legendary Buffalo Bill himself, travelers will immediately feel transported to the original western frontier while in Cody. Visitors curious about Buffalo Bill’s impact on the region can visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which houses the Buffalo Bill Museum, the Plains Indian Museum, the Cody Firearms Museum, the Draper Natural History Museum, and the Whitney Western Art Museum, all of which are family-friendly. The Old Trail Town is another fascinating historic attraction, open through September 30th and exhibiting some of the town’s authentic frontier buildings that date back as far as the 1890s. Wrap up your experience by spending the night at Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel, built by the famous figure in 1902 and named after his daughter.

Dubois

Surrounded by western ranches, Dubois gives visitors a chance to experience life on a ranch for a few days. With a history dating to the early 1900s, CM Ranch is the perfect spot for a weekend away, full of activities like hiking, horseback riding, fly fishing, and more. There are all kinds of cabins to choose from, ensuring that you never have to leave the property! Travelers also might enjoy visiting the National Bighorn Sheep Center, which includes exhibits about all four species of bighorn sheep found in North America, along with a display that showcases other mountain wildlife species like ewes, rams, lambs, and coyotes. To finish your day, grab a drink at the Outlaw Bar and Saloon, featuring wood floors, plenty of pool tables, cold beer, and custom cocktails.

Sundance

An interesting fact about Sundance: the town gave its name to the infamous Sundance Kid, a member of Butch Cassidy’s gang, who earned it after being thrown in jail here for stealing a horse. If you want to learn more about this story along with the town’s Native American and pioneer history, make sure to stop by the Crook County Museum, which includes over 7,000 artifacts from across the town’s past. Many people also use Sundance as a basecamp to visit Devils Tower National Monument, which is about a half-hour drive from town, featuring an igneous rock butte that protrudes 867 feet from the otherwise surrounding flat prairies. Unwind and connect with nature at Bearlodge Mountain Resort, where rustic cabins with kitchenettes and outdoor grills sit among peaceful natural surroundings.

Final Thoughts

Wyoming residents are fortunate to have so many opportunities for adventure in their own backyard. Not only does the state have some of the most fascinating western tales, but it is also filled with national parks, state parks, and wildlife refuges. The hotels and lodges you will find in these towns perfectly tie the experience together, providing rustic settings where you can reconnect with what matters most. Now, all that remains is choosing which town to visit!