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2024's Towns In Wyoming That Come Alive In Fall

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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

Devils Tower is a major attraction near Hulett, Wyoming.

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

Main Street, Pinedale, Wyoming.
The Main Street in Pinedale, Wyoming. Image credit: Tarabholmes via Wikimedia Commons.

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

Teton Village in Wyoming.
Teton Village in Wyoming with the gorgeous mountains forming the backdrop.

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, Wyoming
A colorful signboard welcoming visitors to Buffalo, Wyoming. Editorial credit: Cheri Alguire / Shutterstock.com.

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

Downtown Laramie, Wyoming
Downtown Laramie, Wyoming. Editorial credit: Nagel Photography / Shutterstock.com.

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

Historical building at Crochans Hall in Dayton, Wyoming
Historical building at Crochans Hall in Dayton, Wyoming. Editorial credit: melissamn / Shutterstock.com.

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

Deer grazing in a meadow in Encampment, Wyoming.
Deer grazing in a meadow near Encampment, Wyoming.

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.

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Your Saturday, April 25 Guide: Five things to do in the Oil City

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Your Saturday, April 25 Guide: Five things to do in the Oil City


CASPER, Wyo. — Saturday is here once again, and with it comes a slew of events and activities happening all throughout town! It’s a busy day in Casper, with a variety of things happening for people of all ages. From Independent Bookstore Day to Boots and Bling, this is everything happening Saturday in the Oil City.

The Oil City Daily Event Guide is sponsored by Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo.


Aerial Yoga Conditioning

Theraexpressions Meditation is hosting an aerial yoga conditioning class on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The price is $25 per person.

“There is a version of you that rises on effort instead of hesitation,” the event page states. “That welcomes challenge and climbs towards strength. That turns strain into power. Our high-intensity Aerial Conditioning Yoga is not about looking graceful. It is about feeling empowered within your whole self. Having a fierce rhythm of breath as you lift, stabilize, invert, repeat. Muscles awakening. Mind sharpening. Limits expanding. You meet yourself beyond the edge you thought was final. Where endurance is physical and presence is practiced with every hold. As effort builds, you will feel: total-body strength, igniting endurance rising in waves, grip and shoulder stability, deepening coordination under challenge, mental resilience under load. Not because it’s easy but because you stayed. You kept showing up and trying again even when it got hard. You did this for YOU!! Aerial conditioning teaches a rare truth. You can hold yourself through intensity. You can stabilize inside effort. You can rise again while shaking, sweating, striving and discover you ARE stronger than your doubt. Between earth and air, discipline becomes freedom. Effort becomes empowerment. Resilience becomes identity. All levels of yogis welcomed. Come ready. Leave powerful. Return stronger.”

Happening at 11 a.m.

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Wind City Books is celebrating Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday, and bibliophiles of all ages are welcome to participate. It’s happening at Wind City Books from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and it’s free and open to the public.

“Join us at Wind City Books Saturday, April 25 to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day 2026!” the event page states. “There will be all kinds of fun beginning as soon as doors open at 10 a.m. with the Libro.fm Golden Ticket Hunt (one lucky person will receive 12 free audio book credits), free book with purchase while supplies last, exclusive independent bookstore day merchandise available for purchase, giveaways, and a book signing featuring local authors India Hayford and Summer Smith Melin.”

Happening at 10 a.m.


The Good, the Bad and the Bugly: Insects and Gardens

The Natrona County Library is hosting a closer look at the tiny creatures that shape the health of the environment, with “The Good, the Bad, and the Bugly: Insects and Gardens” on Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m.

“Inspired by ‘Lab Girl’ and the NEA Big Read theme Our Nature, this program invites participants to examine the often-overlooked relationships between plants and insects,” the event page states. “Alex Hutchinson of Wyoming State Parks will guide participants through the difference between beneficial insects and common garden pests, and share practical tips for identifying who’s helping, who’s harming, and how to respond thoughtfully. From pollinators and soil-builders to leaf-chewers and larvae, we’ll explore how even the smallest organisms play a role in larger ecosystems. In ‘Lab Girl,’ Hope Jahren reminds us that understanding begins with observation. This program encourages gardeners and nature enthusiasts alike to look more closely at the life buzzing, crawling, and fluttering around them — and to see gardens not just as cultivated spaces, but as living communities. This event will take place in the Crawford Room and is open to adults. No registration is required.

Happening at 10 a.m.


The Wyoming Symphony Orchestra is hosting its latest concert, “United Through Music: Pursuit of Happiness,” on Saturday beginning at 3 p.m.

“Join us on April 25 for the final concert of our 2025–26 season!” the event page states. “The season finale features a celebration of American voices and symphonic grandeur. Valerie Coleman’s ‘Seven O’Clock Shout,’ written in honor of frontline workers during the pandemic, leads into Peter Boyer’s patriotic ‘Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue,’ performed by guest pianist Jeffrey Biegel. Howard Hanson’s choral-orchestral ‘Song of Democracy’ and Respighi’s sweeping ‘Pines of Rome’ bring the season to a majestic close.”

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Happening at 3 p.m.


The Barn by the Five Deuces is hosting Boots and Bling on Saturday beginning at 5:30 p.m., with proceeds benefitting the Wyoming Foundation for Cancer Care.

“Dust off your boots and bring a little shine,” the event page states. “Boots & Bling is Wyoming Foundation for Cancer Care’s signature spring fundraiser, and it’s shaping up to be a night you won’t want to miss. Tickets are limited so don’t wait to snag yours! Enjoy dinner by Heirloom and Native, drinks by Occasions by Cory, music, one-of-a-kind items for raffles, and a western-glam atmosphere built around community and connection. We’ll kick things up a notch with a quick, easy line dance lesson, then open up the dance floor for anyone ready to jump in or just cheer from the sidelines. Two left feet welcome… This is a judgment-free dance floor! Every ticket helps ease the burden for Wyoming cancer patients by covering everyday essentials like travel, lodging, groceries, housing, and utilities, giving them one less thing to worry about while they focus on healing.

Happening at 5:30 p.m.


Don’t see an event on the calendar? Add it! Click here, add your details and submit to let Casper know all about it.

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Decades-old, newly restored Smithsonian carousel reopens — to children’s delight

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Decades-old, newly restored Smithsonian carousel reopens — to children’s delight


The Smithsonian Institution’s carousel is back open for business Friday after being closed for nearly three years for restoration and refurbishments.

Brightly painted ponies have been going round and round, delighting children, for centuries. But the joys they bring haven’t always been accessible to everyone.

The ribbon-cutting at the Smithsonian National Carousel nodded to this fact.

William A. Smith / AP

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Baltimore County police officers lift a white demonstrator into a patrol wagon on July 4, 1963. The man was arrested after he and some 400 other demonstrators protested the whites-only policy of Gwynn Oak Amusement Park in suburban Woodlawn, Md. Other demonstrators who had been arrested and escorted from the park sit in the background.

The first to ride the reopened carousel was a group of African American adults who arrived from Baltimore. In the 1960s, when many of them were kids, they were among the first to desegregate the carousel when it was located at Gwynn Oak Amusement Park outside of Baltimore.

“My family, we used to go there all the time once they let us in,” said Janice Chance, who was 13 when she first rode the carousel in 1966. Chance’s son was a Marine who died in Afghanistan in 2008. She said to have the carousel back on the National Mall means a lot to her and the many others who fought for “the freedoms of this country.”

“We are together, we’re having fun, but we remember the struggle and how we got here,” said Chance.

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Desegregating Gwynn Oak Amusement Park took several years of protests by Black and white activists: It was finally integrated on Aug. 28, 1963, the same day that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr gave his “I Have A Dream” speech on the National Mall.

Sharon Langley, 63, stands next to her "Freedom Riders" horse that she rode when she was 11 months-old. Langley was the first African American to desegregate the original carousel in Baltimore on Aug. 28, 1963, the same day that Dr. Martin Luther King gave his "I Have a Dream" speech.
Sharon Langley, 63, stands next to her “Freedom Riders” horse that she rode when she was 11 months-old. Langley was the first African American to desegregate the original carousel in Baltimore on Aug. 28, 1963, the same day that Dr. Martin Luther King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech.

“So while that was occurring in D.C., quiet activism with little people was occurring on the same date,” said Sharon Langley, who was the first Black child to ride the carousel that day. She was just 11 months old. Years later, Langley co-wrote a children’s book about it. This week, she rode again, on a horse called Freedom Rider — after the desegregating riders. She believes it’s fitting the carousel should be “with all the monuments of freedom… This is a monument for children to come and enjoy, ride and experience the pursuit of happiness.”

After Hurricane Agnes devastated Gwynn Oak’s rides and buildings, the park closed in 1973 and the carousel went into storage. Shortly after, then Smithsonian Secretary S. Dillon Ripley decided it was time to replace the aging carousel on the National Mall. “As Ripley’s original carousel began to show its age, the Smithsonian began looking for a suitably grand replacement,” Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III wrote in Smithsonian Magazine. “Gwynn Oak’s hand-carved beauty, an emblem of the struggle for civil rights, fit the bill.”

Children play in bubbles outside the restored carousel.
Children play in bubbles outside the restored carousel.

With 54 horses, a sea monster, a pig and two chariots, the restored Gwynn Oak carousel stands again in front of the Smithsonian’s Arts and Industries Building.

Left: One of the Smithsonian National Carousel's 56 restored horses. Right: A new ADA-compliant chariot featuring Washington, D.C., landmarks.
Left: One of the Smithsonian National Carousel’s 56 restored horses. Right: A new ADA-compliant chariot featuring Washington, D.C., landmarks.

Its Civil Rights history might’ve been lost on the kids rushing onto the platform to mount their favorite horses at the ribbon-cutting this week. Seven-year-old Lucas Platt from Virginia gives the carousel high marks. “It’s actually one of the fastest carousels I’ve really been on,” he said. “Usually they’re much slower than this. It’s great. I really like it. Nothing bad about it.”

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Wyoming to implement odd-even outdoor water restrictions for several neighborhoods

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Wyoming to implement odd-even outdoor water restrictions for several neighborhoods


WYOMING, Mich. — Starting May 1, the city of Wyoming is implementing odd-even outdoor water restrictions for homes and businesses to minimize the burden on its water treatment plant during upcoming water main construction.

The restrictions impacts the following neighborhoods:

  • City of Wyoming
  • Olive Township
  • Blendon Township
  • Holland Township
  • Georgetown Township
  • Jamestown Township
  • Gaines Township
  • Byron Township
  • City of Hudsonville
  • City of Grandville
  • Western portion of the City of Kentwood

Under the upcoming restriction, residents and businesses with an odd-numbered address can water outdoors on odd days of the month. Those with an even-numbered address can water on even days.

The mandate limits activities like watering lawns, landscaping or filling pools. It does not impact water used for drinking or bathing.

“Municipal leaders ask for the community’s support of the outdoor water use restriction during construction which will increase capacity and reliability,” a statement from the city reads. “In this interim, compliance with the restriction will help avoid an outright ban for everyone on outdoor irrigation.”

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The restrictions will remain in effect through June 15.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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