20 Towns and Cities in Wyoming

Wyoming is known for its stunning ecological beauty and is home to many of the United States’ most iconic national parks and natural attractions. If you’re looking for breathtaking views, plentiful wildlife sightings, and a huge range of outdoor adventures to enjoy then you’ll adore the state. From the Rocky Mountains to Yellowstone National Park, and encompassing Grand Teton National Park, the Wind River Range and Bighorn National Forest, you can go hiking, biking, rock climbing, fishing, hunting and camping under the stars in Wyoming.

It’s the perfect place to escape to throughout the year, with winter bringing the opportunity for snowmobiling and skiing too. With all its stunning landscapes, Wyoming has incredible scenic drives, such as the Beartooth Highway and the Grand Teton Loop. This makes Wyoming perfect for road-trippers, as it promises plenty to look at as you travel from town to town.

Beyond the natural wonder, Wyoming is also steeped in western history, from cowboys and cattle drives to Native American culture and pioneering settlers. You can visit historical sites or museums to learn about the state’s fascinating past or get a more lived experience at a rodeo or cattle drive.

While Wyoming isn’t known for bustling metropolises, plenty of smaller cities and towns bursting with local charm and unique attractions are worth a visit. From Jackson, a popular tourist destination with its charming Western-themed shops and restaurants, to the compact city of Thermopolis, where the Wyoming Dinosaur Centre offers visitors the opportunity to see and learn about locally excavated dinosaur fossils.

Wyoming offers visitors a chance to escape from modern life and enjoy a peaceful retreat. With its wide-open spaces and sparsely populated areas, Wyoming is an ideal place to unwind and recharge. Whether you’re after a weekend getaway or a more extended vacation, a relaxing break in the peace and quiet or an action-packed adventure, Wyoming is a hugely underappreciated gem of a state. So use these cities in Wyoming as your gateways to the state’s stunning natural landscapes.

Cities in Wyoming

10 Wyoming Cities And Towns

1- Cheyenne

The capital city of Wyoming is known as the “Magic City of the Plains” due to its fruitful beginnings in the 1800s.

You can discover Cheyenne’s fascinating past at the Wyoming State Capitol building, the Wyoming State Museum, and the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum.

Wyoming has stunning scenic beauty and Cheyenne is a beautiful city to visit.

Close to the Colorado border, it’s framed by the peaks of the Rocky Mountains and a nirvana for outdoor enthusiasts.

There are lots of activities to keep you entertained in Cheyenne, from adventuring in the wilderness to exploring the trails of High Plains Arboretum.

This city in Wyoming has a packed calendar of community events and is known for its annual Cheyenne Frontier Days, which is the largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration in the world.

It dates back to 1897 and has parades, concerts, historical re-enactments.

It’s worth visiting Cheyenne for that festival alone. Others are the Celtic Music Festival, the Wyoming Brewers Festival and the Wyoming State Fair.

2- Jackson

Jackson is located in the heart of the Teton mountain range and is surrounded by stunning natural beauty.

The area offers breathtaking views of Grand Teton and is just a short drive from Yellowstone National Park.

Jackson celebrates its strong Western culture and colourful history as a cowboy town and a gateway to Yellowstone National Park.

Visitors can explore the town’s heritage by visiting the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum, the Jackson Hole Rodeo, and the Jackson Hole Shootout.

The town also boasts a vibrant arts culture.

Explore local galleries, revel in the live music scene, or take in a show at the historic Jackson Hole Playhouse, the oldest building in the town.

Through the year, Jackson is a popular tourist destination for fans of outdoor activities.

Head out on hiking and mountain biking trails in the summer or skiing and snowboarding slopes in the winter.

The area is also known for its world-class fly fishing, with plenty of rivers and streams to explore.

Its prime location also makes Jackson a goldmine for animal enthusiasts.

The local area has abundant wildlife, including moose, elk, bison and wolves.

You can take a guided wildlife tour or explore the trails to glimpse these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

3- Thermopolis

If you want somewhere to enjoy a relaxing break, Thermopolis is an excellent choice.

The biggest town in Hot Springs State Park, Thermopolis, is home to the world’s largest mineral hot springs.

The park features several pools and a free bathhouse where visitors can soak in the natural hot springs.

Thermopolis oozes small-town charm with a friendly, welcoming atmosphere and plenty of events to get involved in.

You can experience the local culture by visiting the Hot Springs County Museum, attending the annual rodeo or Big Horn Basin Folk Festival, or exploring the historic downtown area.

The Wyoming Dinosaur Centre in Thermopolis has one of the world’s most extensive dinosaur fossil collections, including a 106-foot-long Supersaurus.

Visitors can take guided museum tours and even participate in fossil digs.

Thermopolis is a fantastic stop for road-trippers, with some incredibly stunning views.

Outside Thermopolis, you’ll find Wind River Canyon, a scenic drive through a deep canyon with steep rock walls and the Wind River.

4- Buffalo

Buffalo is at the edge of the Bighorn Mountains and the Cloud Peak Wilderness, an area home to wildlife, such as the local bighorn sheep.

Visitors can go on guided tours for an increased opportunity to see these animals in their natural habitat.

Although it’s nestled in the heart of the wilds, you won’t need to worry about being too cut off and remote since Buffalo sits near the junction of several major highways.

Buffalo has a rich history with a prominent role in the Old West and connections to several famous figures, most notably Buffalo Bill Cody.

Visitors can learn about this heritage at the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum, the Occidental Hotel, or the Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site.

If you want to immerse yourself in the local culture, aim to be in town around the time of the Longmire Days festival.

5- Laramie

Laramie is a lovely little college town in the heart of the Rockies, surrounded by national forests, wilderness areas, and state parks.

Within driving distance of the state capital, Cheyenne, Laramie is perfect for revelling in the off-grid vibe without being too far from a larger town.

The town has plenty of attractions along with the typical adventurous outdoor activities that Wyoming is known for.

You can explore historic locations like Wyoming Territorial Prison or learn about local history at the Laramie Plains Museum.

The University of Wyoming campus hosts several other museums, including the Geological Museum and the Rocky Mountain Herbarium.

Laramie also has a thriving arts community, with several galleries and theatres showcasing the work of local artists.

Visitors can also enjoy live music and shows at venues like the Gryphon Theatre.

6- Cody

Cody is 50 miles from the east entrance to Yellowstone National Park, one of the world’s most famous and spectacular national parks.

Staying in Cody grants you convenient access to the park’s geothermal wonders, including the Old Faithful geyser.

The rest of the area surrounding Cody is similarly picturesque.

It’s home to some of the most scenic drives in the country, including the Beartooth Highway and the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway, Cody is another excellent stop for road-trippers.

Cody is known as the “Rodeo Capital of the World”, hosting nightly rodeos throughout the summer.

The highlight of the season is the Cody Stampede Rodeo, one of the top 25 professional rodeos in North America.

To learn more about the history and culture of the American West, head over to the Buffalo Bill Centre of the West.

The complex is comprised of five museums, including the Cody Firearms Museum, the Plains Indian Museum, and the Whitney Western Art Museum.

7- Sheridan

At the edge of the Bighorn Mountains, Sheridan has a rich history as a frontier town and was once a key location on the Bozeman Trail, an important route for pioneers and settlers.

The town has preserved many historic buildings and landmarks, including the Sheridan Inn, where Buffalo Bill Cody once stayed.

Like many towns in Wyoming, Sheridan is known for its vibrant western culture and traditions.

The community celebrates their heritage through various events held throughout the year, including the Sheridan WYO Rodeo and the Big West Arts Festival.

Sheridan’s proximity to the Bighorn Mountains offers an opportunity to explore the great outdoors.

There are tons of amenities for hiking, fishing, camping, skiing and more.

Bighorn National Forest is a great place to explore the tranquil beauty of the region and look out for the local wildlife.

8- Gillette

Gillette is in the heart of the Powder River Basin, almost equidistant between Bighorn National Forest and Black Hills National Forest.

With the Thunder Basin National Grassland just to the south, Gillette provides easy access to an impressive number of natural attractions, even for Wyoming.

The Powder River Basin is home to a particularly broad variety of wildlife, including elk, antelope and eagles.

Wildlife tours are available to provide the best chance of catching a glimpse of these animals in their natural habitats.

Gillette was founded as a railroad town in 1891 and has since grown to a city of over 30,000 people.

The Campbell County Rockpile Museum offers exhibits on local history, culture, and geology so you can appreciate the town’s development.

Arguably Gillette’s best-known attraction is its annual rodeo, the “Energy Capital of the Nation” PRCA Rodeo, which attracts top cowboys and cowgirls from around the world.

Along with the typical rodeo events, visitors can also enjoy live music, food vendors, and even a car show.

9- Evanston

The quaint town of Evanston is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, including the Uinta Mountains, Bear River State Park, and the Weber River.

It’s also reasonably close to various geological sites, including the Fossil Butte National Monument and Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area.

Right next to the border with Utah, Evanston is just a short distance from Salt Lake City, so you can enjoy all the natural wonders with the convenience of a major city just a quick drive away.

Speaking of drives, Evanston is another excellent town for road-trippers.

The area surrounding Evanston offers some breathtaking drives, including the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway and the Evanston to Bear River Drive.

Established as a railroad and mining town, Evanston has a fascinating history and the lovely downtown area features many well-preserved historic buildings.

Evanston’s heritage is celebrated through several museums around the town.

The Uinta County Museum and the Chinese Joss House Museum, in particular, are worth a visit.

The Uinta County Museum showcases the area’s general history, while the Chinese Joss House Museum details the story of the Chinese immigrants who lived in Evanston in the late 19th century.

Through the year, Evanston hosts an array of events, from the Evanston Cowboy Days celebration, which features rodeos and other Western-themed activities, to the Uinta County Fair and Wyoming State Coal Festival.

The various festivals are ideal to let you properly experience the local culture.

10- Green River

The landscape around Green River is particularly renowned for its impressive geological features, rich deposits of dinosaur fossils, and the stunning natural beauty of Wyoming.

It will have you just a stone’s throw from countless spectacular attractions.

This includes the Killpecker Sand Dunes, the Fossil Butte National Monument, which has one of the world’s most significant deposits of freshwater fish fossils, and the White Mountain Petroglyphs, which offer stunning views of unique rock formations and ancient art.

You’ll also be just a short drive from all the outdoor adventuring you can enjoy in the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, the Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge, and the Ashley National Forest.

The town of Green River itself even has several historic sites that are worth visiting.

The Expedition Island National Historic Landmark marks the spot where John Wesley Powell set sail on his famous 1869 expedition down the Green and Colorado Rivers.

Meanwhile, The Sweetwater County Museum is a must-visit for history buffs wanting to learn more about the local area.

Visitors can celebrate the town’s heritage and culture by attending one of the various local events held throughout the year.

The Flaming Gorge Days festival kickstarts the summer fun, with the River Festival keeping the party going through late August.