Wyoming communities with genuine character that are shockingly under-visited can be found outside the congested routes to Yellowstone and Jackson Hole.
This book is for you if you’re thinking on traveling to the west in 2025 and want to find worthwhile experiences away from popular tourist destinations.
These underappreciated Wyoming towns provide exactly what many tourists seek: stunning landscapes, a wealth of history, and authentic local culture free from tourists.
Pinedale
Pinedale is the final settlement before miles of wilderness at the edge of the breathtaking Wind River Range.
Without the traffic bottlenecks typical of Wyoming’s national parks, this genuine western town offers access to more than 1,300 alpine lakes and an endless number of trails.
The untamed past of fur trappers who met in this valley for summer meetings in the 1830s is shown in the Museum of the Mountain Man.
In addition to enjoying surprisingly elegant eating options for a community of only 2,000 residents, tourists from today can appreciate its heritage.
While lodging options in the area range from conventional hotels to more recent boutique establishments, Wind River Brewing Company serves inventive pub meals in addition to house-made brews.
Lander
Few places in Wyoming can compare to Lander, which is at the base of the Wind River Range and offers a unique combination of small-town charm and outdoor excitement.
This 7,600-person village provides a base camp for world-class hiking, fly fishing, and rock climbing without the ostentation or costs associated with more well-known mountain towns.
Lander’s Main Street is lined with antique buildings that house neighborhood shops where locals and ranchers interact with outdoor enthusiasts.
After days spent in the neighboring Sinks Canyon or the Wind River mountains, the Lander Bar acts as a gathering place for the town and serves great microbrews.
Lander should be on your radar if you can work from anywhere and are wanting to relocate permanently to The Cowboy State.
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Dubois
Named “DOO-boys” by the locals, Dubois is located in a red rock valley that would be well-known if it were in Arizona or Utah.
Despite its location between Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, this community of roughly 1,000 residents is still not given enough credit.
The main street is lined with wooden boardwalks, and businesses are housed in ancient structures rather than tourist-oriented replicas.
Visitors can learn about the massive herds that spend the winter on neighboring Whiskey Mountain, one of the nation’s largest bighorn sheep habitats, at the National Bighorn Sheep Center.
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From pioneer homesteading to Native American relics, the Dubois Museum documents the region’s rich past. Ranchers, nature guides, and artists who have drawn inspiration from the valley’s striking scenery frequent local hangouts like the Rustic Pine Tavern and Outlaw Bar & Saloon.
Saratoga
It’s possible that “Take the waters” is the unofficial motto here.
A welcome change from commercialized hot springs elsewhere are Saratoga’s free public hot springs, which are located next to the North Platte River and offer steaming pools that are open around-the-clock without an admission charge.
Constructed in 1893, the historic Hotel Wolf has a period dining room that serves great regional food while retaining its Victorian elegance.
Anglers from all over the nation come to the North Platte for its blue-ribbon trout fishing, yet the river is still relatively empty for good experiences.
Ten Sleep
10 Sleep, one of Wyoming’s smallest incorporated towns, got its name from the fact that it was situated 10 “sleeps” (days of journey) away from numerous Native American areas and trading sites.
Few tourists get to see the breathtaking nature that surrounds it due to its location at the western side of the Bighorn Mountains.
With hundreds of bolted routes on immaculate limestone walls, Ten Sleep Canyon has become a premier climbing destination.
Located in a repurposed barn, Ten Sleep Brewing Company produces great craft beers that draw visitors from all around the area.
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