This Roadside Spot in Wyoming Is a Local Favorite—Here’s Why

Wyoming's abundant wildlife is a major draw for folks both living in and visiting the Cowboy State. Yellowstone's bison herds, Jackson's local elk, the revered and feared bears of the backcountry … and, of course, the famed Jackalope, Wyoming's unique rabbit-antelope hybrid. This unexpected beast is blazing fast, varied in size, and darn near impossible to spot in the wild. Or is it?

If you ever find yourself winding through the barren beauty of eastern Wyoming, you’ll likely eventually find yourself in Douglas — a small-ish town that could easily be mistaken for just another pitstop on the way to somewhere else. But hop out of the car and take a stroll around town, and you'll find there's actually a lot to discover here, especially for closet fans of Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and other cryptozoological creatures.

Located just over half an hour east of Casper and Glenrock, this quiet community of 6,000 or so residents is known for a few things: the Wyoming State Fair, its proximity to Ayres Natural Bridge, its Railroad Interpretive Center, and, of course, the wonderfully weird and fantastical legend of the jackalope. With a soft jackrabbit body and distinct head of antelope prongs, there's something decidedly quaint about the jackalope that makes it impossible not to love!

It's not often that the origins of local lore are so widely known, but Wyoming's unofficial (and the town's official) mascot has its roots firmly in Converse County. It all started sometime in the 1930s at the hands of a local taxidermist who decided to mount his latest jackrabbit haul with deer antlers, just for fun. Shortly after, the term "jackalope" came to be, and it's been the town's main claim to fame ever since. And honestly? We love it!

There’s a quiet pride in how Douglas has embraced the jackalope, turning it into a widely-known and quirky symbol of its own history and identity. It's celebrated every year with Douglas' Jackalope Days festival every June, remixed, cartoonized, and depicted in art and ads all around town and plastered on highway signs. In 1970, Douglas even trademarked its slogan, “Home of the Jackalope.” 

Those who want to try their luck at catching a jackalope can pick up an official hunting license at the Douglas Railroad Museum. Each license caps the trapping or hunting of the horned jackalope to just one, and the license is only valid on June 31 each year (mark your calendars!), and only between midnight and 2 a.m. But that's just the backstory. It's serious business here.

Today, the mighty jackalope has a permanent, memorialized home right in the heart of Jackalope Square in downtown Douglas, and it draws visitors from around the state and beyond, all hoping to snap a quick photo with the one-of-a-kind, 8-foot-tall hybrid. You'll find it on South 3rd Street, just a short walk from the Douglas Railroad Interpretive Museum and Visitor's Center. You'll also find its sibling.

Driving through town, you'll find these statues positioned in numerous unassuming spots—near park benches, the public library, silhouetted on a hill against the sunset—and each one seems to have its own personality. Some are grandiose, towering over their surroundings, while others are tucked into unexpected corners, waiting to be discovered. Many have been affectionately named by residents.

For all intents and purposes, the jackalope is the stuff of mere legend. But with a state as wild and rugged as Wyoming, who knows what could be hiding in the brush over yonder! If you decide to visit, we think you'll love it! Plus, if you're looking for other things to do, see, or eat in the Cowboy State, head over to our itinerary planner for suggestions.