Just 35 Minutes From Lander, Atlantic City Is The Perfect Wyoming Day Trip Destination

It's so easy to find peace and quiet in Wyoming. One pair of gorgeous and remote ghost towns, Atlantic City and South Pass City, are close enough to some of our most populated towns that you can easily make them a day trip destination. Read on to see why these small towns in Wyoming are so cool to visit!

Atlantic City and South Pass City, Wyoming both seem to be worlds away from civilization, but in reality, they're just a short drive from busy towns like Lander, Riverton, and Rock Springs.

If you're looking for a fantastic day trip destination from anywhere in this region, these "twin" ghost towns are hard to beat!

The drive into town is beautiful. If you don't mind an extra hour on the road, you can take a winding mountain route past Sinks Canyon State Park, but the quickest way to get here takes just over half an hour from downtown Lander.

Both of these towns — which sit just a few bumpy, dirt-road miles apart — were once bustling and busy mining towns. Today, they've been mostly abandoned, but each has something to offer.

Atlantic City has unepxectedly become a vibrant trail town for Continental Divide Trail thru-hikers. Against all odds, there are two fantastic restaurants in a town of just a few year-round residents. The Atlantic City Mercantile serves up flame-grilled steaks...

... and the Miners Grubsteak will make you a home-cooked meal that will blow your tastebuds away in true rural Wyoming fashion.

In South Pass City, you'll find a whole lot of history. The state has preserved a chunk of town and the Carissa Mine, so you can really step back in time.

South Pass City Historic Site hosts a fantastic Gold Rush Days festival every year, where you can live the dream of prospecting by panning for gold. If you miss the festival, there are still plenty of historic sites to see.

In both towns, you'll find historic structures from the old mining days, and plenty of space to explore and learn about the history of the Cowboy State.

South Pass City maintains a website with information about events and attractions, and you can even learn how to tour the Carissa Mine. Planning a longer drive? Take a look at our ultimate road trip essentials packing list!