8 Fairy-Tale Small Towns In Wyoming

While many fairytales include kings, queens, princesses, and castles, Wyoming tells its tale a bit differently. Here, the magic lives in western spirit, cowboy bars, and summer rodeos, all taking place in some of the state’s most charming small towns. If you want to experience some of the state’s most fairy-tale-like destinations, these eight towns will transport you to some of the most magical, making you feel like the protagonist in an old western tale.

Buffalo

Sitting among the rolling Great Plains and surrounded by the Bighorn Mountains, you’ll find Buffalo, one of the last remaining traditional towns of the American West. Here, you can embrace your inner cowboy or cowgirl through all kinds of western activities. Each summer, the town hosts the Johnson County Fair & Rodeo, a multi-day event with livestock shows, roping competitions, rodeo parades, and more. If you have been thinking about learning a new trade, consider a blacksmithing class at Arrowhead Forge, where you can explore fundamentals, craft cooking utensils, forge iron accessories, and develop other skills. Turn in for the night at The Historic Occidental Hotel, a prominent, Old West landmark in town that has been operating since 1880.

Cody

Founded by the famous Buffalo Bill in 1896, Cody is filled with old western tales. Travelers can immerse themselves in this western heritage at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which features exhibits on frontier history, western art, the Yellowstone ecosystem, and Native American culture. For more Buffalo Bill lore, spend the night at Buffalo Bill's Irma Hotel, built by Buffalo Bill himself in 1902! The next morning, grab some breakfast before heading out to Old Trail Town, an outdoor museum featuring authentic frontier buildings from as early as the 1890s, located on the original site laid out by Buffalo Bill.

Dubois

Some fairytales have horses, while others have dragons, but in Dubois, the stars of the story are bighorn sheep! Travelers interested in learning about these mystical creatures should visit the National Bighorn Sheep Center, which tells the story of the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep through life-size diaramas, films, exhibits, and more. From November through March, the center also schedules wildlife viewing tours of the nearby mountain herd. There are also some charming Western events to check out in town until the end of the summer. Each Friday night, the town hosts the Dubois Friday Night Rodeo, an authentic rodeo experience with bronc and bull riding, barrel racing, roping events, and family-friendly fun. Absaroka Ranch, meanwhile, is hosting Dinner and Sunset experiences through August 27, complete with delicious food beneath the aspens, a glowing sunset, a bonfire with s’mores, and cozy drinks to make for a truly magical evening.

Thermopolis

Every hero or heroine needs a moment of refuge during their journey, and Thermopolis offers just this respite. Home to Hot Springs State Park, travelers can start off their day soaking in the town’s mineral hot springs, where the bathhouse water stays at a steady 104℉. Afterwards, venture out to Wind River Canyon, where towering rock walls, some of which rise up to 2,500 feet, offer spectacular views, surrounded by some of the oldest rock formations on Earth. If you love dinosaurs, make sure to spend some time at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center as well, which exhibits one of the world’s largest fossil collections.

Jackson

When you picture a fairytale setting, you probably imagine lush landscapes with winding rivers, shimmering lakes, and snow-capped mountains. Grand Teton National Park, which sits near Jackson, offers you this exact imagery! Spanning 310,000 acres, travelers can explore this park via 200 miles of hiking trails, along with places to boat, raft, and ski. Around town, you will find plenty of things to do as well. Consider a night of dancing at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, which frequently hosts live bands and offers dance lessons on Thursday evenings. The Wort Hotel is a charming place to spend the night, a boutique hotel that has been operating and maintaining its western heritage since 1941.

Centennial

Centennial, situated near the Medicine Bow National Forest, is another town to have on your itinerary if you are seeking out those fairy-tale-like landscapes. Travelers can sleep beneath the forest’s towering trees at the Brooklyn Lake Campground, which sits at an elevation of about 10,500 feet along a small lake. The Nici Self Museum is a great place to learn about the history that makes the town so special, situated near the base of the Snowy Range Mountains in a historic, 1907 Centennial Railroad Depot. After exploring the museum, unwind at The Trading Post, a restaurant and saloon that hosts live music performances throughout the summer.

Sundance

Once the place where a member of Butch Cassidy’s gang was jailed for horse theft, Sundance continues to carry the echoes of outlaws and Wild West legends. Travelers can explore these tales at the Crook County Museum & 1875 Art Gallery, which includes historical exhibits, dioramas, and artifacts from the area’s western past. At Kara Creek Ranch, travelers can step into the boots of a cowboy or cowgirl, enjoying trail rides, cattle roundups, and other ranch activities depending on the season. If you are up for a short drive, head about half an hour northwest of town to reach Devils Tower National Monument, a striking, 867-foot-tall rock formation that stands above the otherwise flat prairies.

Sheridan

With its western roots and creative spirit, Sheridan knows how to pull visitors into a story. On August 9, the town will host its second-ever Collective Arts Festival, filling the air with writing workshops, live music, an artisan village, and other family-friendly activities. You’ll find plenty of treasures at the Don King Museum as well, home to an extensive collection of saddles, a friendly dancing bear, Indian artifacts, and other western treasures. Wrap up your visit at The Mint Bar, the oldest in town, where ranchers and cowboys have been gathering for over a century.

Final Thoughts

If you have been looking to add a bit of magic to your summer, these eight towns are a great place to begin. Not only are they filled with western spirit, but they are also located near some of the region’s most impressive landscapes, such as Grand Teton National Park, Medicine Bow National Forest, and Devils Tower National Monument. From the moment you set foot in these towns, you will realize that an adventure is underway.