Wyoming
2024's Towns In Wyoming That Come Alive In Fall
Wyoming, known as “The Equality State” for being the first to grant women the right to vote and “The Cowboy State” for its rich cattle ranching history, boasts stunning landscapes and a sparse population. With Wyoming’s cold winters, hot summers, and damp springs, autumn’s crisp, dry air is ideal for exploring small towns that really come alive in fall. Peak fall foliage color typically hits western Wyoming in late September, southern Wyoming in early October and the rest of the state in mid-October. So, if you have missed a few of the great Wyoming fall festivals or leaf-peeping spots for 2024, use our guide to start making plans for autumn 2025!
Hulett
Nestled in the picturesque landscape of northeastern Wyoming, Hulett is a charming small town with a population of around 300 residents. Its close proximity to the iconic Devils Tower, America’s first national monument, makes it a popular destination for visitors seeking breathtaking natural beauty. The tower, which rises 850 feet above the ground, offers stunning panoramic views of the vibrant fall foliage that peaks in early to mid October. Registering for an ascent is a rewarding adventure if you have climbing experience, but you can also enjoy the scenery from the base. In late October, you can enjoy the sights and scents of the Fall Vendor Fair at Crook County Fairgrounds.
Pinedale
Pinedale serves as the gateway to the breathtaking Wind River Mountains, making it a prime destination for outdoor enthusiasts, especially during the fall season. This small town is a haven for hunters and anglers eager to pursue the region’s abundant wildlife, including rainbow and brown trout, as well as big game like deer and bighorn sheep. A highlight for visitors is the Museum of the Mountain Man, which remains open until late October and provides fascinating insights into the area’s rich history of hunting and fur trapping. For those seeking stunning autumn vistas, a drive to Squaretop Mountain in the Bridger-Teton National Forest offers unparalleled opportunities for leaf-peeping, particularly as the colors reach their peak in early October.
Teton Village
Located at the base of the renowned Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Teton Village becomes a breathtaking spectacle of fall colors as the leaves change. Visitors can embark on an aerial tram ride that provides a unique vantage point to witness the vibrant autumn canopy from above. The experience is complemented by the enchanting sounds of elk bugling, which can be heard during September and early October as these magnificent creatures call to one another. The village will once again host the excellent Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival in mid-September 2025, and you can still catch fall-themed concerts from the Grand Teton Music Festival in late October 2024.
Buffalo
Buffalo, located at the foot of the majestic Bighorn Mountains, is steeped in history and charm. Known for its historic Occidental Hotel, founded in 1880, the town offers a glimpse into Wyoming’s rich past. Recently, Buffalo’s economy has shifted towards tourism, particularly during the fall months when visitors flock to the Cloud Peak Skyway Scenic Byway. This scenic route provides 10,000 foot-high views of the surrounding landscape’s vibrant autumn colors, which typically peak from early-to-mid October. During this time, be sure to explore Artisan Row, where you can discover the talents of local artists and enjoy the crisp, fresh air while immersing yourself in the town’s artistic community.
Laramie
Laramie is alive with energy in autumn, particularly during the University of Wyoming’s football season. Home game weekends turn the town into an even-more-bustling hub, with local shops and restaurants filled with enthusiastic fans. October also brings a variety of autumn festivities, including a Hay Art and Pumpkin Festival in mid-month and the Laramie Fall Fest a few days before Halloween. If you want to get in touch with nature, the nearby Vedauwoo Recreation Area is a must-visit. Its dramatic rock formations, accessed by multiple hiking trails, serve as a stunning backdrop for the autumn colors.
Dayton
With a population of fewer than 1,000 residents, Dayton is a quaint small town that lies near the stunning Tongue River Canyon. As October unfolds, the hiking trails in the canyon become a vibrant tapestry of colors, making it a perfect time for outdoor exploration. If you find yourself in the area in mid-October 2024 or in years to come, make sure to check out the Dayton Fall Festival. This lively event features vendors, rides, music, and a “zombie run,” providing a taste of the region’s creativity and community spirit. While wandering through Dayton, take in the crisp autumn air and the scenic river views that are particularly striking against the backdrop of colorful canyon walls.
Encampment
Once a thriving mining camp, Encampment has transformed into a quaint town that proudly showcases its rich history at the Grand Encampment Museum. This living history museum features recreated structures that tell the story of the area’s mining past and offer a glimpse into the lives of early settlers. A short drive west leads to Aspen Alley, a hidden gem renowned for its breathtaking aspen trees displaying vibrant colors, especially at the beginning of October. Additionally, for hunting enthusiasts, Carbon County is considered one of the best locations in Wyoming for big game hunting during the fall, making it a prime destination for outdoor activities.
Wyoming is an outdoor paradise no matter the season, but autumn casts a special spell over the state. The shine of the brilliant sunlight on colorful leaves, clear water, and towering rock formations creates an unforgettable viewing experience. Meanwhile, communities throughout the state celebrate the ideal weather and unmatched scenery with lively fall events. So, plan your autumn adventure in Wyoming and explore these charming small towns during this spectacular season.
CASPER, Wyo. — High school athletics in Wyoming could see some drastic changes in the coming years following legislative changes to the state’s education budget, the Wyoming High School Activities Association recently announced in a statement.
According to the WHSAA, Wyoming school districts are facing a projected $3.9 million shortfall in activities funding, forcing officials to consider significant cuts to high school sports and extracurricular programs.
The WHSAA shared details regarding a new “silo” funding model implemented by the Legislature, stating that the recalibrated block grant model reduced funding for student activities and extra-duty responsibilities from $46.3 million to $42.4 million, an approximately 8.4% decrease statewide.
WHSAA Commissioner Trevor Wilson said the restructuring also restricts district access to an additional $76.2 million in previously flexible funding.
“A significant portion of the [April 28 WHSAA Board of Directors] meeting was dedicated to discussing the projected funding shortfall,” Wilson wrote.
The WHSAA is weighing several strategies to address rising costs with fewer resources. Proposed changes include eliminating regional tournaments and reducing the number of teams qualifying for state events from eight to four; limiting wrestling to two classes and restricting track and field state participants to the top 16 marks; making cuts to soccer, indoor track and field, Nordic and Alpine skiing, swimming and diving, spring golf and tennis; and reducing in-person speech and debate events by half and centrally locating All-State Music events to minimize travel. The board also recommended increasing gate admission or implementing student participation fees to offset costs.
While the WHSAA release states that no plans have been finalized and the various changes are currently just possibilities, Natrona County School District 1 Board of Trustees member Mary Schmidt criticized the WHSAA’s handling of the news at Monday’s board meeting.
“I take some issues with this, [including] the sheer fact that we as Board of Trustees members have not talked about that at all,” Schmidt said. “It is not our intent and it has not been brought to us to cut our athletics or activities budget for the upcoming school year. … I take issue with them picking sports and getting the community upset and ginning them up to be upset that this is all going to be cut when that hasn’t been discussed.”
Later in the meeting, Superintendent Angela Hensley clarified that Natrona County School District 1’s athletics and activities budget saw a reduction of roughly $550,000 in the coming year’s budget, but said the local school district does not plan to cut any sports.
“Thank you, Trustee Schmidt, for saying this, because I think people are wondering — we are not planning to cut athletics and activities for next year,” Hensley said. “We do have to take a look at our entire budget as we have talked about, as we learn more about these new rules that come in.”
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Republished with permission from Wyoming News Now, a TV news outlet covering the Cheyenne and Casper areas.
Cheyenne City Council has introduced a temporary moratorium, or pause, on new data center construction.
“The end goal is to actually have regulations in place, to have really heavy public involvement with this with data centers,” said Councilman Mark Moody.
The proposed ordinance is not a permanent ban on data centers and would not affect data centers currently under construction.
Councilman Moody says this is a bipartisan issue.
“I just want to make this clear, I’m not against data centers. We do need them from a national security perspective,” he said.
He said there needs to be more public input and regulations regarding data centers in Cheyenne.
The ordinance would require city staff to study data center impacts such as electricity usage, electricity tariffs, closed-loop cooling systems, groundwater impacts, agricultural impacts, and land value.
Cheyenne LEADS, the economic development corporation for Cheyenne and Laramie County, reported in November 2025 that there are 12 operational data centers in Wyoming, five under construction and plans for 43 data centers announced across the state.
“There needs to be more public input with this, and also to see how many we can sustain here in this community, cause there are talks of 43, and then another day 70. How many can we sustain here?” said Councilman Moody.
The proposed moratorium will now go to the Public Services Committee on Monday, May 18 at noon in the Municipal Building.
Sheridan will play in the North Regional Tournament at Gillette, while the South Regional Tournament will be played at Rock Springs.
North Regional Tournament at Gillette:
Checking record vs. highest team in the quadrant not involved in the tie, Thunder Basin gets the #1 Northeast seed over Campbell County, because the Lady Bolts went 3-1 vs. Sheridan, whereas the Lady Camels went 2-2.
Friday, May 15th:
(#1 NE) Thunder Basin vs. (#4 NW) Jackson – 11am
(#2 NW) Natrona County vs. (#3 NE) Sheridan – 11am
(#2 NE) Campbell County vs. (#3 NW) Kelly Walsh – 1pm
(#1 NW) Cody vs. (#4 NE) Worland – 1pm
Semi-Finals:
Thunder Basin/Jackson winner vs. Natrona County/Sheridan winner – 3pm Winner qualifies for the state tournament.
Campbell County/Kelly Walsh winner vs. Cody/Worland winner – 5pm Winner qualifies for the state tournament.
Consolation Round:
Thunder Basin/Jackson loser vs. Natrona County/Sheridan loser – 3pm LOSER OUT!
Campbell County/Kelly Walsh loser vs. Cody/Worland loser – 5pm LOSER OUT!
Saturday, May 16th:
TBA vs. TBA – 10am LOSER OUT! Winner qualifies for the state tournament.
TBA vs. TBA – 10am LOSER OUT! Winner qualifies for the state tournament.
2 10am winners vs. each other – 1pm 3rd Place
TBA vs. TBA – 1pm 1st Place
South Regional Tournament at Rock Springs:
Friday, May 15th:
(#1 SW) Laramie vs. (#4 SE) Torrington – 11am
(#2 SE) Cheyenne East vs. (#3 SW) Green River – 11am
(#2 SW) Rock Springs vs. (#3 SE) Wheatland – 1pm
(#1 SE) Cheyenne Central vs. (#4 SW) Cheyenne South – 1pm
Semi-Finals:
Laramie/Torrington winner vs. Cheyenne East/Green River winner – 3pm Winner qualifies for the state tournament.
Rock Springs/Wheatland winner vs. Cheyenne Central/Cheyenne South winner – 5pm Winner qualifies for the state tournament.
Consolation Round:
Laramie/Torrington loser vs. Cheyenne East/Green River loser – 3pm LOSER OUT!
Rock Springs/Wheatland loser vs. Cheyenne Central/Cheyenne South loser – 5pm LOSER OUT!
Saturday, May 16th:
TBA vs. TBA – 10am LOSER OUT! Winner qualifies for the state tournament.
TBA vs. TBA – 10am LOSER OUT! Winner qualifies for the state tournament.
2 10am winners vs. each other – 1pm 3rd Place
TBA vs. TBA – 1pm 1st Place
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