9 Wyoming Small Towns With Unmatched Friendliness

Wyoming is renowned for its wide open spaces and sweeping vistas but it can offer more than raw natural splendor. It contains small communities where hospitality is not only a motto - it's a way of life. Visitors come to ski in Jackson Hole or find wonders at Yellowstone National Park, but they come back for the folks' hospitality.

Wyoming small towns are a great place to slow down the tempo of life and be among people who treat you like family.

Thermopolis

Thermopolis is best known for its hot springs. The Hot Springs State Park is the gem of the town, which is free to visit natural mineral pools where tourists and locals mingle and socialize to unwind and enjoy the company of one another.

Next, the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, home to one of the world's largest collections of dinosaur fossils, is another local gem. The town annually celebrates "Dino Day" during summer at the Wyoming State Museum. Education and community entertainment are combined in the event, ranging from parades to live music.

The friendly attitude here makes it easy to instantly see why visitors become locals.

Cody

The small town of Cody was founded by the legendary Buffalo Bill, or Colonel William F. Cody. You’ve likely heard all the stories. The most iconic spot in town is the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which houses five museums that offer everything from fine art to natural history. Friendliness of town is experienced in the Cody Nite Rodeo, nightly rodeo where locals and visitors join together to cheer on cowgirls and cowboys.

Hometown hospitality of Cody is also found in home-town restaurants such as Buffalo Bill's Irma Hotel Restaurant & Saloon, an inn built by none other than Buffalo Bill himself, where filling fare and Western touch are yours for the asking.

Laramie

Laramie effortlessly combines the energy of a college town with the warmth of a tight-knit community.

Holding court is the University of Wyoming, and there is an air of academic vigor, but it is the friendly atmosphere that is reason alone to make the journey.

Laramie Jubilee Days, an annual celebration of Wyoming heritage, is one such example of the town's community spirit, parades, rodeos, and live concerts inclusive.

For a taste of local heritage, visit the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, which showcases the area's fascinating history. Local coffeehouses in Laramie, like The Sweet Melissa Cafe, are where visitors and locals meet for an informal chat, so it's easy to feel like home.

Buffalo

Buffalo is a place where people and history converge.

The Occidental Hotel, a turn-of-the-century gem built in the late 1800s, invites visitors to go back in time with modern conveniences. History enthusiasts will enjoy the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum, which details the town's Wild West past.

Summer visits the town the Longmire Days, in honor of the award-winning television show based upon the Craig Johnson novels, uniting residents and fans alike with a weekend filled with rodeo, parades, and live music. Hospitality is also personified in its businesses, as in the Busy Bee Café where all are welcomed as old-time friends.

The town's relaxed nature provides a great setting to meet locals and learn about Wyoming's history personally.

Saratoga

Famous for its free public Hobo Hot Springs, Saratoga has been an area for relaxing and socializing for many years.

Locals and visitors alike soak in the hot springs talking and sharing stories. The town is also renowned for hosting its Steinley Cup Microbrew Festival annually, where the area brewers showcase their best work. Saratoga's hospitality rears its head at its community restaurants, including the venerable Hotel Wolf, where you get a taste of the old Wild West and make a reservation if you'd prefer!

Fishing on the North Platte River is also a popular activity here, and it's a great way to meet other people in this friendly town.

Pinedale

Pinedale is at the gateway to the Wind River Range, so it's a hub of outdoor recreation and community.

The town's annual Green River Rendezvous Days, held in mid-July, celebrate the town's heritage with parades and reenactments. Pinedale also has a welcoming ambiance at community coffee shops like the Secret Garden Cafe, where visitors are known to chat with welcoming locals while away the hours. Fremont Lake, a short drive out of town, is a favorite for boating and fishing, with ample time to unwind and socialize with other outdoor lovers.

Its laid-back vibe, Pinedale encourages visitors to get up close and personal with nature—and with each other.

Dubois

Dubois is a tranquil town with a sense of being transported to a Western film.

The rugged character of the town combines well with the open nature of the residents, always willing to embrace and explain the region's captivating history. The National Bighorn Sheep Center is an education center where travelers get information on the surrounding wildlife, and the Dubois Museum provides an overview of the area's history.

The town hosts the Dubois Friday Night Rodeo during summer, where locals and tourists attend to support the contestants. Dubois' outdoor activities, including Absaroka Range hiking, are perfect for those who wish to enjoy Wyoming's nature with good friends.

The town's hospitality is also seen in its local restaurants, including the Cowboy Café, where people attend to enjoy great food and good conversation.

Lander

Lander, located at the base of the Wind River Mountains, is a tiny community famous for its industrious, tight-knit citizens.

The Lander Art Center is a venue where artistic souls can gather for shows and activities that promote community spirit. Another event that is representative of the warm nature and love of social interaction of the city is the Lander Brewfest, which showcases local microbrews.

The town is also a great place to experience the natural scenery of Wyoming. With the hiking trails of Sinks Canyon State Park and the Wild Iris climbing site, the town offers plenty of outdoor recreation that brings people together.

Finally, the International Climbers' Festival is a primary draw, bringing outdoor recreationists from all over, offering a celebratory atmosphere where locals and tourists join to honor their love of adventure.

Afton

Afton is located in the beautiful Star Valley and is renowned for its friendly locals and the largest elk antler arch in the world. Because the town is so small and the community so tight-knit, it is a place where locals are willing to greet visitors warmly immediately.

The Lincoln County Fair, held each summer, is a great place to catch a glimpse of Afton's community spirit, complete with rodeos, concerts, and games that bring out the locals and visitors alike.

The CallAir Museum is yet another neighborhood gem. It protects the region's aviation heritage and inspires appreciation for the past.

Whether or not you trek the peaks around the area or just enjoy a meal at a local eatery, Afton's friendly demeanor is around you wherever you go.

The little towns throughout Wyoming may be spread out across the state's vast vistas, but the sense of camaraderie and hospitality of the people makes each one that little bit special.

Whether it's at neighborhood festivals, sites of historical interest, or even just over coffee and a chat with a local, these towns embrace visitors into the community. In Wyoming, the locals are as much of an attraction as the stunning landscapes. These little towns prove that, occasionally, the best bit of a journey is the people you meet along the way.