The Most Charming River Towns In Wyoming
Most river towns keep the water at arm's length, something to photograph from a bridge or a patio. Wyoming's do the opposite. Here the river is not the view but the plan for the day. You tube the engineered channels around Expedition Island in Green River. You watch the Popo Agie drop into a limestone cave outside Lander and wait for it to surface again. You ride the Snake through Class III whitewater below the Tetons, then soak off the chill in 104-degree mineral water at Thermopolis. In these seven towns you spend the day in the water, not beside it.
Green River
Take advantage of Green River's proximity to the body of water bearing the same name and embark on a self-guided tubing tour of the Green River Whitewater Park and Tubing Channel. Offering easy river access, the park splits into two channels that wrap around Expedition Island. The northern channel offers 1,200 feet of river ideal for wading, tubing, and swimming, while the southern channel is geared more toward kayakers wanting to brave the rapids. Northwest of town, fed by snowmelt off the Wind River Range and the Wyoming Range, sits the Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge. The stretch of the Green River running through the preserve separates the high desert sagebrush grassland of southwest Wyoming and provides resources for more than 300 species of wildlife, including moose, pronghorn, elk, sage grouse, trumpeter swans, short-horned lizards, kokanee salmon, and trout.
Uncover Green River's history at the Sweetwater County Historical Museum. The museum displays exhibits, artifacts, photographs, and archival resources that invite visitors to experience the area's diverse past. The early Indigenous history, the railroad era, the mining industries, and frontier settlement are all covered, and the museum documents the people, cultures, and events that shaped the region.
Laramie
Another town on a river of the same name is Laramie. Experience the Laramie River by visiting the Laramie River Greenbelt Park, which features a 5.75-mile trail that runs almost entirely along the river and offers hiking, running, and fishing. Take in more natural scenery in the nearby Laramie Ranger District of Medicine Bow National Forest, including Pole Mountain and the Snowy Range.
Be a part of Laramie's dark history at the Wyoming Territorial Prison. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this 1872 penitentiary operated for about three decades, housing violent and desperate outlaws until it closed in 1903 and was eventually converted into a museum. Uncover the secrets behind the prison gates by visiting displays of the cells and artifacts featuring the prison's past. Tours include excursions through the prison building, the Prison Industries Building, and the Warden's House.
Buffalo
Settled on Clear Creek, Buffalo allows access to aquatic adventures and outdoor activity at Mosier Gulch. Lying in the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains, the pine-forested area includes almost 900 acres of ponderosa pine lands desirable for hiking. Mosier Gulch picnic area offers hiking, picnic facilities, and access to the Clear Creek Trail, which continues toward the Bighorn Mountains. Enjoy more water-based activities at Lake DeSmet, if you dare. The lake leaves locals questioning whether it is haunted, given its supposed nighttime spirits and sea serpents. Discover for yourself whether anything fishy is happening at the lake, or simply enjoy the fishing, boating, swimming, and camping available in the area.
The landscape is not the only draw in Buffalo. The preserved architecture, historic buildings, and frontier-era establishments give the downtown its character. Travel back in time with a stay at the Occidental Hotel. The restoration of this western hotel provides guests with historic accommodations, including the 1908 Historic Saloon, the Virginian Restaurant, and the Busy Bee Cafe. Founded in the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains, "The Ox" offers an Old West experience updated with modern conveniences.
Cody
With the Shoshone River running right through town, thrill seekers will want to book an excursion with Wyoming River Trips to take in the sights and excitement. Traverse Red Rock Canyon and the Lower Canyon while braving the rapids. Founded in 1978, Wyoming River Trips has been the only continually owned and operated rafting company in the Cody area.
For a more leisurely outing, explore Wyoming's history at Old Trail Town. Founded by historian and preservationist Bob Edgar in 1967, Old Trail Town occupies part of the original Cody townsite laid out by Buffalo Bill in 1895. See the historic site, the relics, and the western backdrop in this town that time forgot. Another Buffalo Bill-founded attraction in Cody is the Irma Hotel. Established in 1902 and named after Bill's daughter, the hotel keeps alive reminders from 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.
Jackson
Jackson, on Flat Creek, is the gateway to some of the most striking sites in Wyoming. Uncover the alpine lakes, rugged mountain peaks, and vast landscapes of Grand Teton National Park. Snowcapped mountains in July, sporadically placed glaciers, and clear lakes are just a handful of the sights that lie within the park. The park is not just for viewing, though, but also for exploring. Hike, ski, and kayak your way through the 310,000-acre wilderness. Slinking through the valley base of the park, not far from Jackson, is the Snake River. Dave Hansen Whitewater and Scenic River Trips take visitors on an 8-mile rafting trip through Class II and III rapids in the Snake River Canyon, including the waves of the renowned Big Kahuna and Lunch Counter.
After conquering the waves, relax, kick back, and enjoy a cold drink at Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. The classic neon signs, bar stools made of saddles, and a small stage for local artists are just a few of the features that make the bar memorable. Since 1937, the historic bar and music venue has been entertaining the town and hosting celebrities, presidents, royalty, and cowhands.
Thermopolis
Relax, soak, and invigorate at one of Thermopolis's most anticipated attractions, Hot Springs State Park. The mineral hot springs send over 1.8 million gallons of water daily across colorful terraces beside the Big Horn River, which winds through the town. On the park grounds is a free bathhouse with 104-degree water designed for therapeutic bathing, along with 6.2 miles of trails to discover all the park has to offer. Another natural landmark in town is the Legend Rock State Petroglyph Site. The 400-meter-long vertical cliff is etched with over 300 petroglyph figures across 92 prehistoric petroglyph panels for guests to interpret. Located 29 miles northwest of Thermopolis, Legend Rock is a worthwhile regional excursion and a sacred site for the area's Native peoples.
If planning to visit Legend Rock and Hot Springs, book a stay at Roundtop Mountain Vista. The establishment offers a motel stay or a cabin. It is the gateway to those destinations and other important sites, including the Wind River Canyon and the Wyoming Dinosaur Center.
Lander
Between the Wind River Mountains and the Popo Agie River, Sinks Canyon State Park draws visitors for its views and distinctive geologic features. The Popo Agie River runs through Lander and through the park, where it disappears into a limestone cave for a quarter mile and reappears in a placid pool further down the canyon. The park also shelters a variety of flora and fauna. The features are best seen by taking the hiking or mountain bike trails.
Take part in the educational offerings at Lander, including the Museum of the American West. For further historical education, visit the Fremont County Pioneer Museum, which collects and preserves western Wyoming artifacts from prehistory through the 1920s, as well as artifacts from Lander Valley and Fremont County. The Mechanical Gardens demonstrates the machinery and tools used to build new lives in the West, and the museum focuses on the residents, including Indigenous communities, miners, ranchers, and railroad workers.
Wyoming's Rivers Run Through Every Stop
In each of these towns the water is the through-line. Fish the Popo Agie where it drops into its cave, ride the Snake through Class III rapids below the Tetons, or float the channels around Expedition Island in Green River. Some rivers carry rafts and some feed hot springs, but each one gives its town a reason to gather at the water's edge.
