Wyoming's 9 Best Retirement Towns Ranked
Wyoming has the lowest population density in the contiguous United States, no state income tax, and wide public land access. Towns like Lander and Torrington have nearby golf courses and outdoor trail systems. Cody and Jackson sit near entrances to Yellowstone National Park. The nine communities below cover a range of retirement options, from medical access to outdoor recreation.
Cody
Cody is one of the main eastern gateways to Yellowstone National Park, the world's first national park, established in 1872. In town, the Cody Arts Gallery & Creative Center shows work by local artists and offers studio classes. Old Trail Town preserves and displays relocated 19th-century structures, including cabins associated with outlaws of the era. Healthcare in town is provided by Cody Regional Health, which operates West Park Hospital and several local clinics.
Lander
Lander is known for its mix of Western history and outdoor access. Sinks Canyon State Park and Wild Iris are both recognized rock-climbing destinations, and both include hiking and biking trails. The Lander Art Center hosts about 45 classes each year in drawing, painting, pastels, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, and other visual arts. Its gallery space shows rotating exhibitions on roughly six-week cycles. Golfers have access to the Lander Golf & Country Club, a public 18-hole course.
Riverton
Riverton is about 30 minutes from Lander by road. The town has local senior-friendly events and healthcare access at SageWest Health Care - Riverton Campus.
The Riverton Museum covers the town's history and runs regular programming including expert speakers. The Northern Arapaho Experience Culture Room displays paintings, photographs, and artifacts on Northern Arapaho Tribe history. Community events include the Riverton Rendezvous Balloon Rally each summer and the Fremont County Fair.
Gillette
Gillette is the seat of Campbell County in northeastern Wyoming and a regional commercial center for the Powder River Basin. The town's economy has long been tied to coal, oil, and natural gas production. Campbell County Memorial Hospital provides inpatient, emergency, and specialty care in town, which makes Gillette one of the better-served small cities on this list for medical access. The Rockpile Museum documents local ranching, pioneer, and coal-mining history through exhibits and restored structures. The CAM-PLEX Multi-Event Facilities host concerts, rodeos, and community events throughout the year. Gillette Golf Club is a public course in town, and Dalbey Memorial Park includes walking paths along Donkey Creek. Gillette is also within about an hour's drive of Devils Tower National Monument, with the Bighorn Mountains to the west and the Black Hills to the east.
Jackson
Jackson sits in Jackson Hole Valley and is served by St. John's Health, a regional hospital. The town has access to Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park, both within a short drive. The Teton Range overlooks the valley and supports hiking, wildlife viewing, and lake access. The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort aerial tram carries passengers to 10,450 feet at Rendezvous Peak, where Corbet's Cabin is known for its waffles. Granite Hot Springs, a more remote hot springs in Bridger-Teton National Forest, is accessible year-round.
Worland
Worland is in north-central Wyoming. The Worland Senior Citizens Center serves as a dedicated space for games, meals, and health services for retirees. Healthcare is provided locally by Washakie Medical Center.
The town is just east of the Bighorn Mountains and Bighorn National Forest, with the range extending about 120 miles into southern Montana. To the south, Thermopolis is home to a large mineral hot spring complex at Hot Springs State Park. The Washakie Museum and Cultural Center includes interactive paleontology exhibits.
Buffalo
Buffalo sits along US Highway 16, a scenic route that runs between Yellowstone National Park and the Mount Rushmore area. The climate is mostly dry, with cold winters and warm summers.
The Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum holds more than 15,000 artifacts and is a recognized regional Western museum. Downtown Buffalo includes several preserved historic buildings, the most prominent being the Historic Occidental Hotel & Saloon, a landmark hotel that has hosted figures including Buffalo Bill Cody, Butch Cassidy, Calamity Jane, Teddy Roosevelt, and Herbert Hoover.
Torrington
Torrington is about 85 miles from Cheyenne, the state capital. The Banner Health Clinic provides local outpatient services; more advanced care is available in Cheyenne.
Cottonwood Golf Course is a local public course. The town is home to the John Henry Museum, named after The Very Reverend John Henry V.G., the first Superintendent of Saint Joseph's Children's Home, and displays items from the home's history. The Oregon Trail Historic Byway passes near Torrington with stops including Fort Laramie, Lingle, and Guernsey.
Evanston
Evanston is in the southwestern corner of Wyoming and is closer to Salt Lake City than to any major Wyoming city. Interstate 80 runs through town. Evanston Regional Hospital provides local medical services, and larger facilities in the Salt Lake metropolitan area are about an hour west.
Outdoor access from town is extensive. The surrounding national forest land and the Uinta Mountains support trails and backcountry recreation. Mirror Lake, in the Uintas, is a local destination. The Bear River runs through town and supports fishing. Purple Sage Golf Course is a local public course. The weekly farmers market operates on weekends, with produce, homemade goods, and local vendors.
Retirement Across Wyoming
Wyoming's tax structure and low population density make it an option for retirees who want space and affordability. Combined with access to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and the Bighorn and Uinta ranges, plus local hospitals and senior centers, the nine towns above cover the range of retirement options in the state.
