Wyoming, fabled for its rich Western heritage and diverse topography spotlighting the jaw-dropping Rockies, wide river valleys, massive basins, large swathes of high-elevation prairie grasslands, and rolling hills, is an attractive landlocked state in the Mountain West subregion of the American West. On top of that, the Equality State has vast areas of federally owned lands, including national parks, national forests, historic sites, wildlife refuges, national recreation areas, fish hatcheries, and national monuments, all of which are most favored vacation paradises alluring vacationers from all over the globe. Peppered all over the Cowboy State’s rugged terrain are numberless idyllic hamlets that will certainly provide memorable experiences during your mini weekend trips in the remaining months of 2024.
Labeled in honor of Idaho senator Fred Thomas Dubois by Governor Joseph Maull Carey, Dubois is a tiny Fremont County town situated by the side of the upper Wind River at the opening of the Wyoming Centennial Scenic Byway. Featuring some marvelous untouched terrains, including the imposing Absaroka Range, this 911-resident town offers warm-weather activities like camping, hiking, big game hunting, mountain biking, and fishing, besides ice climbing, skiing, snowmobiling, and dog sledding during the cool winters. With that said, one of the best possible ways to experience this Wild West town is by traversing the guest ranches such as the Rams Horn Guest Ranch, Bitterroot Ranch, Crooked Creek Guest Ranch, and Triangle C Ranch. Likewise, drop in at the Dubois Museum, the National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Center, the National Museum of Military Vehicles, and more than 800,000 acres of the unspoiled Shoshone National Forest. Take part in upcoming seasonal celebrations like ‘Halloween at the Museum’ on October 26, 2024, at The Dubois Museum, and stay overnight at Super 8 by Wyndham Dubois.
Pinedale
CaptionPine Street, Pinedale, Wyoming. Image credit: Tarabholmes via Wikimedia Commons.
An indispensable hunting outfitting town, Pinedale is placed at 7,175 ft above sea level on a high alpine valley in Sublette County fringed by the Wind River Range, Gros Ventre Mountains, and the Wyoming Range. As a significant entranceway to the Jackson Hole Area, adventurists visiting this 2,005-inhabitant community can easily reach the Continental Divide Trail, Titcomb Basin, and Cirque of the Towers from here. When in Pinedale, do survey the adjoining Bridger-Teton National Forest by horseback and ATVs, head to Fremont Lake – the state’s second-largest natural lake after renting a fishing rod and a kayak, turn up at the Annual Halloween Candy Scavenger Hunt on October 26, 2024, at the Museum of the Mountain Man, and make yourself at home at the Hampton Inn & Suites Pinedale.
Cody
The Main Street in downtown Cody. Wyoming, at sunset. Editorial credit: SL-Photography / Shutterstock.com
This Park County seat, called after the legendary showman Colonel William Frederick Cody, is situated on the Bighorn Basin’s western periphery in northwest Wyoming. Crammed with art galleries like Timmer Gallery and Cody Country Art League, shopping spaces, premier restaurants like Cody Steakhouse, and hotels like Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel, downtown Cody emanates a strong Old West charm. Travelers must not miss touring the Western US’ oldest and all-inclusive museum complex – the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in addition to the Old Trail Town just off the Yellowstone Highway and the Heart Mountain Relocation Center – approx. 17 miles east of the town. Also, the town’s closeness to the Shoshone National Forest and Yellowstone National Park’s eastern entrance has made it a significant outdoor recreation mecca where a multitude of recreational activities are offered. Show up at the town’s annual celebrations like ‘Halloween Putt-Putt’ on October 18 and VFW Oktoberfest on October 19, 2024.
Buffalo
The Occidental Hotel Lodging and Dining in Buffalo, Wyoming. Editorial credit: Cheri Alguire / Shutterstock.com.
The administrative center of Johnson County, Buffalo, is set at the base of the Bighorn Mountains in north-central Wyoming, halfway betwixt Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Yellowstone National Park. Come and discover Buffalo’s rough-hewn Wild West origins by taking note of the various artifacts from this tumultuous era, such as military weapons, ranching gear, medicine bags, household items, etc., displayed at the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum. Stop by the other notable sites at the heart of the town’s downtown, including the Occidental House Museum, Fetterman’s Massacre Site, ‘Hole in the Wall’ – the ill-famed hideaway of the ‘Wild Bunch Gang,’ and Fort Phil Kearney. Set out for a drive along the Cloud Peak Scenic Byway, which crisscrosses through the southern part of Big Horn National Forest, providing arresting spectacles of the Big Horn Mountains, Cloud Peak Wilderness, and Big Horn National Forest. Moreover, partake in assorted leisure pursuits in the town’s conterminous landscape, de-stress at the Buffalo Inn, and attend the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce’s annual Monster March in the Main Street Historic District on October 31, 2024.
Lander
The town of Lander, Wyoming. Editorial credit: melissamn / Shutterstock.com.
Lander, baptized as a tribute to General Frederick William Lander, is the seat of government of Central Wyoming’s Fremont County, located by the side of the Middle Fork Popo Agie River just south of the Wind River Indian Reservation. Having a considerable number of guest ranches, Lander is a perfect place for those who wish to know about Wyoming ranch life. While touring the town, the Lander Downtown Historic District, Lander Children’s Museum, Evans Dahl Memorial Museum, Fremont County Pioneer Museum, Jackson Park Town Site, Lander Art Center, and the neighboring Sinks Canyon State Park are must-stops. Unwind after an exhausting day at The Inn at Lander – Travelodge by Wyndham, and spare time to be there at annual events like “Halloween Night at the Museum” on October 18 and 19, 2024, at the Pioneer Museum.
Jackson
View of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Editorial credit: EQRoy / Shutterstock.com.
A bewitching resort destination in northwest Wyoming’s Teton County, Jackson is the dominant settlement of the Jackson Micropolitan Statistical Area, occupying the southern tip of Jackson Hole Valley and fringed by the Teton and Gros Ventre Mountain ranges. Apart from being a crucial halfway stop for millions of adventure seekers heading to the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks yearly, and located in the vicinity of three first-class resorts: Grand Targhee Resort, Snow King Mountain Resort, and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, the town has been a cherished vacation spot. Sightseers must peruse the numerous one-of-a-kind boutiques, the National Museum of Wildlife Art, the Center for the Arts, restaurants like The Kitchen, accommodations like Hotel Jackson, and take part in horse-drawn sleigh rides in addition to watching the biggest elk herds of the country at the fringing National Elk Wildlife Refuge and Bridger-Teton National Forest.
Sundance
A former church turned into a home in Sundance, Wyoming. Editorial credit: Logan Bush / Shutterstock.com.
Sundance, named after the ‘Sun Dance’ ceremony performed by Indigenous tribes, is the Crook County seat set on the Black Hills’ western extremity in the valley of Bearlodge Mountains in the extreme northeastern corner of Wyoming. The streets of this alluring 1,032-inhabitant community bring to everyone’s mind images of infamous cowboys and the place where Harry Longbaugh earned his byname ‘Sundance Kid’ after his internment here. Heritage enthusiasts must not miss the Crook County Museum at the downtown’s ancient ‘Old Stoney’ building and the adjoining Devils Tower National Monument – where a high laccolith (named Devils Tower) rises spectacularly above the circumambient terrain in the Black Hills’ Bear Lodge Ranger District. Have a pleasant stay at the Bear Lodge Motel and participate in many upcoming events like the 2nd Annual The Great Pumpkin Hunt 2024 on 21 October 2024, the Fall Vendor Fair on 26 October 2024, the Ladies Night Block Party on 30 November 2024 (the Saturday after Thanksgiving), the Festival of Lights Parade on 6 December 2024, and the CCMSD Monster March 5K on 10 December 2024.
Sheridan
Wyoming’s legendary meeting place, the Mint Bar, in Sheridan. Editorial credit: Sandra Foyt / Shutterstock.com.
Christened in honor of General Philip Sheridan, this administrative center of Sheridan County and Sheridan Micropolitan Statistical Area’s principal community is set at the meeting of Big and Little Goose creeks on the Bighorn Mountains’ eastern flanks, close to the state border with Montana. Originally established as a railroad distribution point, Sheridan slowly transformed over the years into a financial center of a larger area spread over three counties in Wyoming’s north-central and Montana’s southern portions. As ‘Wyoming’s Jewel,’ this settlement is the most sought-after travel stop where excursionists can partake in myriad outdoor recreations at the Bighorn National Forest. Stop by the Sheridan County Courthouse, Fort Mackenzie, Brinton Museum, King Saddlery Museum, Trail End State Historic Site, and Sheridan County Museum to learn more about the town’s bygone days; rest for the night at the revitalized Sheridan Inn, and turn up every Saturday at Local Foods Market at Landon’s Greenhouse and Christmas with the Kendricks at the Trail End State Historic Site on 22December 2024.
Thermopolis
Hot Springs State Park,Thermopolis, Wyoming.
Thermopolis, the most populous community and seat of government of Hot Springs County, housing innumerable natural hot springs, is located close to the northern limit of the Wedding of the Waters’ and the Wind River Canyon in north-central Wyoming. Fringed by awe-inspiring mountain ranges, the most noteworthy attraction of this southernmost municipality of Bighorn Basin is the Hot Springs State Park, which comprises ‘The Big Spring’ – the most expansive mineral hot spring in the world along with several water slides, boat docks, a swing-bridge over Big Horn River, travertine terraces, a State Bath House, commercial hotels like Best Western Plus Plaza Hotel, and a managed American bison herd. Travelers must not miss Thermopolis’ other prominent sites, including the Hot Springs County Museum & Cultural Center, Downtown Thermopolis Historic District, Wind River Canyon Whitewater Rafting, and the nearby Wyoming Dinosaur Center, while merrymakers should try to attend the Hot Springs County Museum Pioneer Days on 18 and 19 October 2024, and “Vintage Christmas” Silent Auction to benefit the People for People Backpack Program on November 16, 2024.
From the enrapturing alpestrine panoramas of Jackson to the stupefying natural hot springs of Thermopolis, the gorgeous settlements in the nation’s 10th largest and least populous state are infallible for any kind of getaways. Regardless of the time of the year you are visiting, these teeny Cowboy State towns promise a seamless mix-up of adventure and relaxation besides being perpetually ready to welcome everyone with their unique sites of interest, out-of-this-world natural sceneries, infinite open-air activities, and vibrant local cultures.
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.
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Two men were detained in Wyoming in connection with a fatal shooting at a downtown Salt Lake hotel that killed one man.
Carlos Chee, 23, and Chino Aguilar, 21, were both wanted for first-degree felony murder after the victim, identified as Christian Lee, 32, was found dead in a room at the Springhill Suites near 600 South and 300 West.
According to warrants issued for their arrest, Chee and Aguilar met with Lee and another woman at the hotel to sell marijuana. During the alleged drug deal, Aguilar allegedly shot and killed Lee after he tried to grab at his gun.
MORE | Shootings
Investigators said they found Lee dead in the room upon arrival, as well as a single shell casing on the floor and a small amount of marijuana on the television stand.
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The woman told investigators she had met Chee on a dating app and that he agreed to come to the hotel to sell her marijuana. She had been hanging out with him in the room, which Lee rented for her to use, when Lee asked them to leave. Lee was then shot and killed following a brief confrontation.
Chee and Aguilar allegedly fled the scene in a 2013 Toyota Camry with a Texas license plate that was later found outside of Rock Springs, Wyoming just a few hours later.
The two men were taken into custody and detained at the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office.
