11 Incredible Hidden Gems In Wyoming You’ll Want To Discover This Year
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Jennifer
Author
With a state as rugged and vast as Wyoming, hidden gems can be found around every corner, whether you’re looking for a quiet hike sans the crowds, a one-of-a-kind roadside stop, or a scenic overlook that feels like the whole world is yours to explore. Hand-picked for families, history buffs, and solo travelers alike, when you stumble upon these off-the-beaten-path, overlooked hidden gems in Wyoming, you’ll discover a whole world of new reasons to fall in love with the beauty and history of the Cowboy State!
1. Intermittent Spring, Afton
Afton, WY 83110, USA
Talk about a literal hidden gem! Wyoming's Periodic Intermittent Spring is aptly named — this one-of-a-kind waterfall and spring appears and reappears on a cycle, much like the geysers of Yellowstone. Every 18 minutes, visitors will see water start to bubble up and appear seemingly out of nowhere, cascade down a rock face, and just as quickly disappear. The spring takes a 1.5-mile hike to reach but is definitely worth it.
2. Pine Bluffs Archaeological Interpretive Site
Pine Bluffs Archaeological Interpretive Museum, 1001 Muddy Creek Dr, Pine Bluffs, WY 82082, USA
It's perhaps no secret to long-time residents that Wyoming is jam-packed with prehistoric remnants, from dinosaur bones to ancient marine fossils to native artifacts. Yet somehow, this small-town hidden gem has gotten lost in the shuffle! Just a short stroll away from a nearby rest stop, the Pine Bluffs "Windows On The Past" Archaeology Site is an actual archaeology dig that has a museum built on top of it. Mammoth bones, arrowheads, and other ancient remains are just the start of what you'll discover here - you'll also find a pretty nature trail on site to stretch your legs.
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3. Libby Flats Observation Area
Libby Flats Observation Area, 160-194 WY-130, Centennial, WY 82055, USA
The Snowy Range Scenic Byway is a stunning drive that should be on every Wyomingite's bucket list. Tucked off to the side, a castle-like structure beckons travelers to pull over and provides views south to Rocky Mountain National Park, west toward Medicine Bow Peak, the Sierra Madre Mountains, and Mt. Zirkel Wilderness Area, and east toward the Laramie Mountains. This is true 360-degree beauty!
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4. Jeffrey City
Jeffrey City, WY 82310, USA
Of all the ghost towns in Wyoming, there are a few that seem to get the most attention. Others, like Jeffrey City, get overlooked. Unlike the mining camps of the late 1800s, Jeffrey City is a recent ghost town - and technically, only a semi-ghost town at that. Jeffrey City was a booming little town in the 1950s with the discovery of uranium Gas Hills. Not long after, though, the Atomic Age took over and the industry collapsed seemingly overnight, as did most of the townsfolk. Today, this living ghost town isn't entirely empty, but its unique remnants of the past make it one of the coolest places to visit on a Wyoming ghost town adventure.
5. Moose Falls
Moose Falls, Wyoming 83013, USA
Just when you think you've seen everything Yellowstone has to offer, even more fantastic surprises pop up! Moose Falls is created by Crawfish Creek, and while it only drops 30 feet (a diminutive cascade in comparison to the others found in the park!), Moose Falls certainly boasts one of the prettiest settings. And ... it's heated.
6. Beck Lake, Cody
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Beck Lake, Wyoming 82414, USA
Beck Lake in Cody may not be a secret to locals, but it deserves some extra recognition! This beautiful body of water is a stunner in every season. And what perhaps makes it extra special is it provides frontage to Beck Lake Park AND the Beck Lake Park Bike Trails, meaning it's a one-stop shop for both recreation and beauty.
7. Castle Gardens Petroglyph Site
Castle Gardens, Wyoming, USA
Tucked away in central Wyoming, Castle Gardens is a unique natural wonder and historic site in one. Beautiful sandstone sculptures, carved by Mother Nature herself, fill the landscape, and visitors are welcome to explore and awaken their imagination via the crushed gravel nature trail. But that's not all here! The area holds a treasure trove of historic Native American rock art (or petroglyphs), specifically in the Shield Style.
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8. Frontier Auto Museum, Gillette
Frontier Relics & Auto Museum, 205 S Ross Ave, Gillette, WY 82716, USA
Up to 13,000 feet of classic cars, neon, and vintage Americana awaits visitors at Gillette's Frontier Relics and Auto Museum! Guests will find photo ops galore, a gift shop, and incredible displays of antiques. This hidden gem in Wyoming is certainly worth a drive to visit, no matter which corner of the state you're coming from!
9. Western Wyoming Community College, Rock Springs
Western Wyoming Community College, 2500 College Dr, Rock Springs, WY 82901, USA
As previously mentioned, Wyoming is pretty big on dinosaurs! But perhaps no place is bigger on them than Western Wyoming Community College where FIVE life-sized dinos are on display. Believe it or not, you won't find that at any of our state's other museums, or even on Wyoming's official (or unofficial) dinosaur trail. Pop on by for a cool, non-touristy thing to do and a taste of Wyoming's ancient past.
10. The Brinton Museum, Sheridan
The Brinton Museum, 239 Brinton Rd, Big Horn, WY 82833, USA
The Brinton Museum, located in Big Horn country, offers a unique peek into the life of Western art collector, Bradford Brinton. This beautifully curated museum is surprisingly overlooked given how phenomenal it is, and visitors of all ages and abilities will find displays to ogle over. The grounds and scenery are just as gorgeous too, and visitors can even dine at the on-site, garden-to-table café after perusing the three floors of indigenous artifacts, artwork, and beautifully presented modern pieces.
11. Soldier Ridge, Sheridan
Soldier Ridge Trail, Soldier Rdg Trl, Sheridan, WY 82801, USA
There is no shortage of phenomenal hikes in Wyoming, from backcountry trails to grueling peak summits to leisurely strolls through Wyoming's rolling, untouched landscapes. The Soldier Ridge Trail near Sheridan is the latter - and wildly overlooked! But while you certainly won't find yourself 14,000 feet above sea level, you WILL feel like you're on top of the world.
The Cowboy State is packed with one-of-a-kind natural wonders, historical sites, and small-town secrets, all of which are worth a visit! Of course, it’ll take a lifetime to explore all of Wyoming’s hidden gems, so be sure to start ASAP!
If you have any favorite small businesses or off-the-beaten path spots that deserve some love and attention, let us know.
Depending on where you live in the Cowboy State, some of the coolest hidden gems in Wyoming are actually just local secrets – like this national monument tucked away in our state’s SW corner. Of course, you can always hit up Wyoming’s hotspots too!
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