Why should you be interested in exploring Wyoming? It is such a vast, unfathomable emptiness. In truth, there lies its beauty. Plus, the scenery here is part crazy, part spectacular. It has some of America’s most beautiful parks, including Yellowstone and the breathtaking Teton National Park. You can swim, hike, and fish — all to your heart’s content. You can also climb hills, paddle lakes, watch scintillating sunsets, and mingle with many wild animals, including bison, pronghorns, and elk. But you need a cozy, beautiful base, preferably a small, laid-back town. If you are sold on the idea, discover below the seven perfect destinations for a long weekend in Wyoming.
Medicine Bow
Beautiful landscape near Medicine Bow, Wyoming.
Speaking of beautiful scenery and top-notch outdoor adventure, Medicine Bow is grossly underrated. You can come and drive along Highway 130, a picturesque stretch with several overlooks and car pullouts. You will find many accessible trails, lakes, serene campgrounds — and, most of all — views that no one can exchange for the world. You can float down the Medicine Bow River, paddle Mirror Lake, explore the quiet woods and scenic trails at the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, and catch rainbow trout at East Allen Lake. You can also amble through the downtown area, pop inside C-Spear Restaurant (they serve fresh and delicious chicken tacos), and catch a glimpse of the area’s history at the Medicine Bow Museum, including early life on the prairies. Chances are, you will enjoy every minute of your trip. Time to sleep and looking for an old-timey feel? Head over to the nearby Elk Mountain Hotel, a secluded, historic spot where you can watch herds of deer grazing in the fields.
Buffalo
The Occidental Hotel Lodging and Dining in Buffalo, Wyoming. Editorial credit: Cheri Alguire / Shutterstock.com.
Buffalo is backdropped by the pine-speckled Bighorn Mountains, known for hunting, camping, and fishing adventures. Amid the beautiful mountain scenery, you can go and swim at Lake DeSmet — or just sit on its shores and inhale the gorgeous waterfront views. Learn about the lake’s eerie history, including tales of a mythical sea serpent named Smetty. The town features several eye-catching murals, which a first-time visitor will want to admire and explore. “The OX,” as the Occidental Hotel is known, is among the town’s most famous landmarks. It boasts more than 140 years of history and includes an elegant 1908 Historic Saloon. Plus, it is conveniently located on Main Street, right at the center of the action. Drive to West Ten Sleep Lake if you can — it will take an hour — and access the Cloud Peak Wilderness. This area is beautiful and provides a world of outdoor fun and adventure opportunities. From the trailhead at the West Ten Sleep Lake, hike to Lake Helen or even Misty Moon Lake. Back in town, there is the Buffalo Theatre, if you are a movie-goer, and the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum, which provides tidbits of the area’s history.
Sheridan
Wyoming’s legendary meeting place, the Mint Bar. Editorial credit: Sandra Foyt / Shutterstock.com.
Aside from pheasants and wild turkeys, Sheridan has a bison preserve, the unshaded but beautiful Soldier Ridge Trail, delicious ice cream spots (Scoops Ice Cream and Cowboy Creamery ‘Western-style), and the Don King’s Western Museum, which offers a glimpse of everyday life in the Old West through the years. Kendrick Park, formerly Pioneer Park, has a few bison and elk that roam a 20-acre pasture land, thanks to the care provided by the City of Sheridan. The park sits right in the heart of town. Stroll through the town’s historic downtown area, an old-timey space dotted with legendary watering holes, including Black Tooth Brewery, Weston Wineries Tasting Room, and the iconic Mint Bar, the oldest in Sheridan. Drive along the paved highway that runs over the crest of the Bighorn Mountains to get a good feel of the land and enjoy jaw-dropping views. Time to sleep? Sheridan Inn, associated with one of the West’s most legendary figures, is cool, cozy, and filled with nostalgia. It is on Broadway Street.
Thermopolis
Hot Springs State Park, Thermopolis, Wyoming.
Thermopolis is a cute, dainty town whose history features notorious outlaws such as Butch Cassidy. You will find many old buildings here in a space that partly looks frozen in time. You can start with cooling your body at the public bathhouse ( Thermopolis can be hot) — before heading over to one of the town’s most famous attractions: The Dinosaur Museum. Alternatively, after bathing, you can stay around and see buffalos inside Hot Springs State Park, go soothe your soul at the famous Star Plunge, or just mill around the downtown, exploring its array of shops and restaurants. Ava’s Silver and Rock Shop on Shoshone Street keeps opals, agates, and several other beautiful and unique rocks. If you are an amateur rockhound, you must not miss this hidden gem. If you do not like hotel chains and are looking for a unique stay, check out Coyote Run Tipi Retreat, a family-run establishment magically removed from all the humdrum.
Cody
Main Street in downtown Cody, Wyoming. Editorial credit: SL-Photography / Shutterstock.com.
Named after “Buffalo Bill,” as Colonel William F. Cody has been known in popular culture, Cody has that Old West feel that only a handful of other towns in the West have. The landscape accentuates the cast, especially with all the expansive ranches, big skies, and rolling scenery. You will feel small here when arraigned against nature’s intimidating vastness. Some fun sites to explore include Shoshone National Forest, which hosts almost half of the world’s active geysers. The Wild West is known to have had a wild side, including murders and gunfights. Visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and catch a glimpse of all the guns on display, all of which played a part in the area’s history and culture. Float down the Shoshone River — or watch its tumbling rapids. Similarly, there is the trout-filled Beck Lake, Alkali Lake, with its geese and waterfowl, and City Reservoir. Stay at the Cody Cowboy Village, a cute, homey motel on the edge of town loved for its cowboy theme.
Lander
Downtown historic district of Lander, Wyoming. Image credit: Chevsapher via Wikimedia Commons.
Lovely Lander is another Wyoming treasure that knows how to entertain visitors and whip up memorable weekends. Lander hosts the Sinks Canyon State Park, which can alone fill up an entire weekend. Its hallmarks include the entertaining noise of roaring water, beautiful wildflowers, a peaceful pond, and, most of all, a waterfall that sinks into a mysterious cave. In the backdrop is the Wind River Mountains, which has 19 of Wyoming’s 20 highest peaks. To learn bits and pieces of local history, spend some time at the Museum of the American West and see the curation of authentic buildings and the beautiful garden landscape. Finally, Mill House on Main Street is not a mill but a beautifully designed hotel, a stroll away from some of the best restaurants in town. Sleep here if nightfall finds you around.
Laramie
The University of Wyoming campus in Laramie. Editorial credit: Ken Wolter / Shutterstock.com.
Laramie hosts the University of Wyoming, established as a land grant university in 1886. Expect, therefore, a palpable touch of vibrancy and a more diverse menu of offerings, especially restaurants. Plus, Laramie is full of art, western history, and outdoor adventure sites. Sweet Melissa, for example, serves the best vegetarian food on Earth. Think carrot cakes, cauliflower, and sweet potatoes. If you are looking for artsy stuff, visit the University of Wyoming Art Museum and see the paintings and prints, including some eye-catching 19th-century Japanese productions. There is the University of Wyoming Anthropology Museum as well — and Regal Fox Theater — if movies are up your alley. For staying, skip the hotel chains. Instead, head over to the more authentic and intimate Vee Bar Guest Ranch. You will love the fabulous view of the river, possibly see a mouse (or a coyote), and enjoy awesome rides, all spiced up with great food, including delicious vegetarian options.
The Takeaway
Wyoming has been called the last bastion of the American West. It is known for breathtakingly beautiful parks, fun-filled rodeos, and vast, empty spaces. It may not have the white-sand beaches of Florida, but what it has in crazy landscapes, including verdant valleys and tumbling rapids — more than compensates. To get a good feeling of the Equality State, set base in any of the above-listed towns. They are the seven perfect destinations for a long weekend.
Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites, and Trails has officially released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for professional appraisal services to evaluate concession facilities at Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis, Wyoming.
These appraisals are mandated by 2026 Senate Enrolled Act 27, Section 335, which requires appraisals of the “capital investment” and “ongoing concern” for the businesses known as the Star Plunge and the Hot Springs Hotel and Spa.
Qualified professional appraisers are encouraged to review the full requirements. Proposals must be submitted through the State’s Public Purchase online bidding system by 2:00 p.m., May 18, 2026. To view the full RFP (Number 0270-M), please visit https://www.publicpurchase.com/gems/wyominggsd,wy/buyer/public/home.
For additional information, contact Wyoming State Parks’ Visitor Services Manager Stephanie Dillmon at (307) 777-5734 or by email at Stephanie.Dillmon2@wyo.gov or learn more about Wyoming State Parks at wyoparks.wyo.gov.
When a clinic closes in Wyoming, it doesn’t just close a door; it can cut off access to care for entire communities.
For many residents, getting to a health care provider already means traveling long distances across multiple counties, and local clinics are often the only nearby option for basic health care. With one Title X Family Planning clinic in western Wyoming now closed, the challenge is becoming even more real for many people.
Reproductive and sexual health care is a key part of overall health, but it’s often one of the first services people lose access to when clinics close. Title X Family Planning is a federal program that helps people get essential preventive care, no matter their income. These clinics offer services like birth control, cancer screenings, STI and HIV testing, and care before pregnancy. They help people stay healthy, catch problems early, and plan for their futures.
The need is real. Wyoming’s Title X Family Planning network remains a critical part of the state’s health care system, helping bridge gaps in both access and affordability. With 9 clinics currently serving communities across the state, these providers cared for nearly 12,000 patients through more than 28,000 visits between 2022 and 2025. For many, these clinics are their only source of care: 49% of patients were uninsured, and nearly half were living at or below the federal poverty level.
In a state where distance and cost can both be barriers, affordable care is essential. About 14.6% of Wyoming women ages 19–44 are uninsured, higher than the national average. Title X clinics help meet this need by offering low- or no-cost care, while also connecting patients to referrals and additional health services when needed, ensuring more individuals can get the care they deserve.
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These clinics are also on the front lines of prevention. In recent years, they delivered more than 3,100 cervical cancer screenings and about 20,000 STI and HIV tests. Services like these support early detection and treatment, helping reduce the need for more serious and costly care down the line.
In rural states like Wyoming, once a clinic closes, it is very hard to bring it back. These clinics are more than buildings; they are part of the local health care system that keeps communities healthy.
The good news is that Title X Family Planning clinics are still open, working every day to serve their communities. The Wyoming Health Council supports this network of clinics and works to ensure that people across the state can access the care they need. Through partnerships, education, and community-based programs, the organization helps connect Wyoming residents to reproductive and sexual health services, no matter where they live.
In a state where distance, cost, and provider shortages all play a role, these clinics, and the work supporting them, are more than just a convenience. They are a lifeline.
To help sustain this work and protect access to care across Wyoming, consider making a donation to the Wyoming Health Council.
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Donation Link: givebutter.com/WYTitleX
Required Federal Funding statement: This project is supported by the Office of Populations Affairs (OPA) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health (OASH) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award 1 FPHPA 006541-0-00 totaling $978,380 with 100 percent funded by OPA/OASH/HHS. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by OPA/OASH/HHS or the U.S. Government.
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CASPER, Wyo. — The Casper City Council voted Tuesday to approve on first reading a zoning change for a vacant 2.4-acre parcel located at 1530 SE Wyoming Boulevard, transitioning the property from residential to commercial use.
The ordinance reclassifies Lot 4 of the Methodist Church Addition from Residential Estate to General Business. Located between East 15th and East 18th streets, the irregular-shaped property has remained undeveloped since it was first platted in 1984.
While original plans for the subdivision envisioned a church and an associated preschool, Community Development Director Liz Becher reported those projects never materialized.
According to Becher, the applicant sought the rezoning to facilitate the potential installation of a cell tower or an off-premises sign. Under the new C-2 designation, a cell tower up to 130 feet in height is considered a permitted use by right, though any off-premises sign would still require a conditional use permit from the Planning and Zoning Commission. The applicant also owns the adjacent lot to the north, which the city rezoned to general business in 2021.
Becher said the change aligns with the “Employment Mixed Use” classification in the Generation Casper comprehensive land use plan. This designation typically supports civic, institutional and employment spaces.
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Despite the new zoning, the property remains subject to a subdivision agreement that limits traffic access. Entry and exit are restricted to right turns onto or from East 15th Street, and no access is permitted from East 18th Street.
The council will vote on two more readings of the ordinance before it is officially ratified.
