8 Stunning Small Towns In Wyoming
Wyoming has no shortage of cute, small towns. In Teton Village, visitors can ride the Aerial Tram for sweeping views of the Grand Tetons and the surrounding peaks. Near Lander, Sinks Canyon State Park reveals the strange and beautiful sight of the Popo Agie River disappearing into a limestone cave and reappearing farther down the canyon. Whether you are searching for outdoor fun or history, you will be sure to find it in these stunning small towns in Wyoming.
Teton Village
Although the year-round population is fewer than 1,000, over 3 million visitors arrive annually to explore the wondrous Grand Teton National Park. Teton Village is located at the southern end of the Teton range and right across from the national park. One of the most popular hikes in the southern terminus is the Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point hike. Take the scenic trail to views of Jenny Lake, the cascading waters of Hidden Falls, and the Gros Ventre Mountains.
Walk through the ranges or the local mountains, or soar through them from above on the Aerial Tram. Over the course of 12 minutes, the tram takes visitors 4,139 feet vertically. At the top, enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of the Grant Tetons, Jackson Hole Valley, and other adjacent mountain ranges. Open from May to October, the tram lets guests see the mountains with the abundant flower-filled valleys, or snow coverage. Connect further with nature and the present wildlife by taking a horseback ride with Teton Village Trail Rides. Venturing through creeks, meadows, and switchbacks, cowboys and cowgirls can enjoy all the sights of the Grant Teton Mountain Range, western pines, snowcapped peaks, and the Jackson Hole Valley.
Buffalo
It is not just the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains that make Wyoming beautiful, but also the preserved architecture, the old buildings, and the frontier-based establishments that have retained their charm. Travel back in time with a stay at the Occidental Hotel. The restoration of this famous western hotel provides guests with historic accommodations, including 1908 Historic Saloon, the Virginian Restaurant, and the Busy Bee Café. Explore the mesmerizing wilderness of the Bighorn Mountains by rolling through them on ATVs after a visit to Ultimate Outdoors. Don’t miss a chance to discover the flora and fauna of the Bighorn National Forest.
Just outside of town, a tranquil lake leaves locals and visitors questioning one thing: Is it haunted? Lake DeSmet is known for its daytime recreation and its nighttime spirits and sea serpents. If you happen to visit at a time when the hauntings aren’t happening, be sure to take advantage of the fishing, boating, swimming, and camping that are all available in the presence of glistening views of the water and surrounding mountain ranges.
Cody
Find the beauty in the history of Wyoming with a trek through Old Trail Town. Founded by Buffalo Bill in 1895, the attraction is located on the original town site of Cody. Housed within the town are rustic buildings from the wild west days, including the livery barn, home of the first mayor of Cody, a cabin from outlaw rendezvous, and more. Enjoy the themed town, historic trinkets, and western backdrop in this town that time forgot. Follow along with the Buffalo Bill-founded attractions with a visit to the Irma Hotel. Established in 1902 and named after Bill’s daughter, the hotel boasts reminders of a time of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show try-outs, outlaws running amok in the streets, and European nobility stationed at The Irma while on local hunting treks.
Experience more unforgettable sites dedicated to Buffalo Bill at the Buffalo Bill Dam and Visitor Center. Walk across the top of the dam and view the Shoshone River 280 feet down, or turn the other way for unmatched views of the Buffalo Bill Reservoir. It was one of the first concrete arch dams in the US, and standing at 325 feet, it was the highest dam in the world in 1910.
Jackson
Jackson is the gateway to some of those most majestic sites in Wyoming. Discover the awe of the alpine lakes, rugged mountain peaks, and vast landscapes of the Grand Teton National Park. Snowcapped mountains in July and crystal-clear lakes are just a handful of the exquisiteness that lies within the park. Hike, ski, kayak, and more through the park while taking in the sights.
Enjoy a piece of the wildlife without venturing out of town at the Jackson Town Square, most notably, the elk antler arches. The town square was dedicated as a park in 1934, and each corner of the park hosts gigantic arches made from elk antlers gathered from the local Elk Refuge. The first one was built in 1953, and it quickly became a popular photo spot for visitors. Right outside the famed arches, grab a drink at Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. The historic bar and music venue has been entertaining the town since 1937 and has hosted celebrities, presidents, royalty, cowhands, and many more. Enjoy live music, a vibrant atmosphere, and western dancing at the best bar Jackson Hole has to offer.
Lander
Situated just outside Lander, within the Wind River Mountains and along the Popo Agie River, is the famous Sinks Canyon State Park. The Popo Agie River disappears into a limestone cave for a quarter mile and reappears in a placid pool further down the canyon. The phenomenon is also how the park got its name.
Go from exploring the west to learning all about it at The Museum of the American West, featuring exhibits like the Pioneer Village, Eagle Spirit Dances, and educational programs. For more learning experiences, visit the Fremont County Pioneer Museum, which collects and preserves Lander Valley, Fremont County, and western Wyoming artifacts from prehistory through the 1920s. The Mechanical Gardens present demonstrations of the machinery and tools used to build new lives in the West, and the museum exhibits focus on the residents of past and present, including Indigenous communities, miners, ranchers, railroad workers, and more.
Pinedale
Just outside Pinedale sits the second-largest natural lake in the state, Fremont Lake. Measuring 12 miles long and 1 mile wide, it's also the 7th deepest lake in the US. The pristine lake is not the only draw to the area; the abundant wildlife that roams around is also a draw. Lake goers can spot osprey, moose, black bear, eagles, deer, water birds, and more from shore or sitting in the lake on a boat. Enjoy Pinedale in summer or winter, and take advantage of the abundant snow-themed activities available. White Pine Resort, settled in the Wind River Range, is one of Wyoming’s oldest ski areas. Avoid crowds and massive mountains at this quaint resort where the proprietors want their guests to experience a place where “skiing still feels like skiing”. With 363 acres of accessible ski terrain, there is plenty of powder for everyone to enjoy their own inclusive ski day.
Explore the history of Pinedale at the Museum of the Mountain Man. The local museum is devoted to preserving the history of the Rocky Mountain fur trade. Exhibits showcase Jim Bridger’s Rifle, the Shoshone Sheep horn Bow, a replica of the Chief American Horse Warrior Society Tipi, and more. Presented as one of the museum's highlights, the tipi measures 20 feet in diameter and is tarped with brain-tanned buffalo hide, one of only two on display in museums. The tipi is adorned with buffalo robes, a hand-painted drum, headdresses, a buffalo bull neck shield, bow and arrows, a painted buffalo hide liner, war lance, pipes, and more.
Sundance
In the town of Sundance, hikers, bikers, and adventurers can explore over 100 acres at Sundance White Ranch Park. Scour the trails based on your skill level to the views offered from Sundance Mountain. Enjoy the surrounding natural areas or take advantage of the outdoor recreational opportunities offered. The Outlaw Trail is favored by explorers seeking the best views of the mountain, while the Lakota Trail follows along the serene Sundance Creek. Take in more aerial views just outside of town at the Warren Peak Lookout Tower. While guests are not permitted to the very top of the 54-foot tower, they can still get high enough for immaculate views of the Black Hills and surrounding valleys, drenched in wildflowers.
Following an afternoon immersing yourself in the vistas of Sundance, enjoy a dinner and a drink at Dime Horseshoe Bar. The striking wood bar and dollar-bill-covered ceiling are all part of its unique charm that keeps guests coming back.
Thermopolis
Bathe in the beauty, literally, of the sites at Hot Springs State Park. From the mineral hot springs, over 1.8 million gallons of water flow through the Big Horn River daily, inviting visitors to soak. Within the park is a free bathhouse with 104-degree water designed for therapeutic bathing. Spend a day relaxing in the naturally warm water or traverse the 6.2 miles of trails to enjoy all the park has to offer. Venture to another naturally created attraction at Legend Rock State Petroglyph Site. The 400-meter-long vertical cliff features over 300 petroglyph figures and 92 prehistoric petroglyph panels for visitors to interpret. Although a bit outside of town, the trip is worth the drive as it is already established as a world-renowned petroglyph site and sacred site for Native Americans of this region.
For those wanting to visit these sites and more while in Thermopolis, book a stay at the gateway to the most significant attractions at the Roundtop Mountain Vista. Located near Hot Springs State Park, Legend Rock Petroglyphs, the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, and more, the vista offers motel rooms or cozy cabins.
Living by the “Code of the West”, Wyoming is a desirable destination because of its frontier-based lifestyle, unmatched snowcap mountain views, abundant wildlife, and thrilling adventure opportunities. Whether it is world-class skiing in winter or river trout fishing in summer, Wyoming offers activities broad enough to please everyone who visits. Snowboard down mountains, fish under the golden sun, hike through the exquisite landscape, and see what makes these small towns in Wyoming so stunning.
