Escape to These Charming Mountain Towns in Wyoming Before Fall Ends

Travelers tend to flock to Wyoming's most popular mountain towns the moment summer ends and the first leaf falls. How could they not? It's hard to beat the splendor of Jackson Hole in peak autumn or Laramie's sweeping seas of gold! But the Cowboy State is also home to plenty of smaller towns that are a little more underrated and a lot less populated, yet boast equally vibrant foliage. For a scenic fall outing, these charming mountain towns in Wyoming are packed with autumnal beauty, plus bountiful wildlife and stunning peak panoramas.

1. Sundance

Hulett and the iconic Devils Tower/Bear Lodge often dominate the conversation when it comes to eastern Wyoming's autumn colors, but head a few miles south, and Sundance is well worth a visit, too. Tucked away on the western edge of the Black Hills, this cozy community is a pretty hidden gem for leaf peepers and a fantastic base camp for exploring the area. The Sundance Horse Camp has numerous easy trails to choose from that lead through colorful fall prairie grass. You can also explore the 100-acre Sundance White Ranch Park at the base of Sundance Mountain, which has well-maintained trails with beautiful views for all ages and abilities. Keyhole State Park is only a half hour away, which is a lovely spot to admire the lake lined with golden cottonwoods and towering Ponderosa pines. The Volksmarch Trail in particular shows off phenomenal views of the water, as well as the surrounding cliffs and colors.

2. Ten Sleep

With only a few hundred residents, but mountains towering thousands of feet in every direction, Ten Sleep is a worthy stop on any leaf-peeping itinerary. Tucked at the base of the Bighorn Mountains and straddling the dramatic Ten Sleep Canyon, this small, historic town is home to many of the same ranching families who have lived here since the 1800s. It's also a haven for anyone seeking golden autumn foliage paired with small-town Western charm. The spectacular Cloud Peak Skyway runs right through the canyon, offering one of Wyoming’s best fall road trips. As you drive (or hike or climb) through this rugged corridor, you’ll pass vibrant stands of aspens and willows glowing in yellows and oranges, all set against rugged limestone cliffs and dramatic rock formations. Gorgeous spots to check out beyond the byway and canyon include West Tensleep Lake, Ten Sleep Creek, nearby Buffalo at the other end of the byway, or even Cody if you're looking for a touch of Wild West to go with your laid-back foliage outing.

3. Wapiti

The Wapiti Valley is wildly underrated. This windswept corner of Wyoming is set amidst jaw-dropping surroundings, with sawtooth-like peaks and pinnacles on the horizon, and gorgeous mountain scenery filling in the gaps. Come fall, Wapiti surges to life in living technicolor, with the vibrant, cottonwood and juniper-lined Shoshone River charging through the heart of it. The Shoshone National Forest envelops the town, with—true to its Native American name origins—herds of elk (wapiti) bugling and meandering through the trees. Numerous trails will get you up close and personal to all of it.

4. Dubois

Dubois, Wyoming, is a quiet mountain town that becomes especially stunning in the fall. Surrounded by the Absaroka Mountains to the north and the Wind River Range to the south, the town sits in a valley filled with colorful aspens, willows, and evergreens that come alive with fiery hues by late September. Nearby peaks like Ramshorn and Whiskey Mountain create a dramatic skyline, and places like Brooks Lake, Horse Creek, and Table Mountain offer unbeatable fall hiking and camping opportunities. Wildlife is active this time of year as well—you’re likely to spot elk, moose, and even bighorn sheep in the hills. Togwotee Pass is one of the most stunning scenic passes in the state, and it's just minutes from Dubois, as are some of the most gorgeous stretches of the Wind River. If you're craving a unique side of autumn, the Dubois Badlands are undeniably epic in their multicolored glory.

5. Afton

Afton is a scenic mountain town surrounded by the stunning Salt River Range to the east and the Caribou Range to the west. In the fall, the surrounding hillsides and canyons erupt with vibrant colors as aspens, cottonwoods, and willows turn brilliant shades of gold and orange. The nearby Swift Creek Canyon offers a particularly beautiful setting for a fall hike, with dense trees framed by rugged cliffs and glowing foliage weaving in between. From Afton, you can also access Salt River Pass, a high mountain road with sweeping views of the valley below, especially stunning as the forests transition into their autumn palette. Intermittent (Periodic) Spring is, of course, one of the area's star attractions, but the spring's surroundings are pretty darn magical too.

6. Esterbrook

Esterbrook, Wyoming, is a tiny, tucked-away mountain community nestled in the Laramie Range that you've probably never heard of. Sitting at around 7,300 feet elevation, it offers a true mountain setting with dense pine forests, rugged hills, and crisp, clean air. Surprisingly, though, only a few dozen residents call it home. In fall, Esterbrook transforms into a quiet haven of golden aspens and rich evergreens, with vibrant yellows and oranges contrasting beautifully against the deep greens of pine trees. The nearby Medicine Bow National Forest expands the hiking and scenic options, showcasing sweeping vistas filled with autumn colors. While you won't find numerous local parks and gardens to stroll like you would farther south in Laramie, Esterbrook boasts all the same vibrant colors you find in Wyoming's colorful university town, but with a hefty dose of wide open spaces and quiet to enjoy. Bonus: if you're here on a weekend, the Esterbrook Community Church is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the area, with picture-perfect views of Laramie Peak. Or, you can hoof it up nearby Eagle Peak for even more epic views.

7. Elk Mountain

A true hidden gem when it comes to Wyoming's scenic mountain towns, Elk Mountain can be found north of Centennial on the outskirts of the Medicine Bow National Forest and nestled along the Medicine Bow River under the shadow of its namesake, Elk Mountain. The town is home to some absolutely darling architecture and museums, which look even better flanked by pops of red and orange foliage. That means you don't even have to leave the creature comforts of town to enjoy the seasonal beauty! If you do, though, the Rock Creek Trail nearby is a worthy adventure. If chilly nights spent camping aren't on your radar this season, the historic Elk Mountain Hotel is a wonderful alternative.

8. Saratoga

There are plenty of places in Wyoming where you can admire autumn's splendor without ever leaving the main road. Saratoga, in many ways, isn't one of those places. Instead, you'll want a full immersion in all this town has to offer (literally). Nestled between the rugged Snowy Range and the Sierra Madre, Saratoga is full of diverse scenery. Rolling, rock-dotted grassland and sagebrush stretches as far as the eye can see, but tucked against the low foothills, you'll also find gorgeous pockets of cottonwood trees with fiery foliage and polka-dots of vibrant brush scattered around. Sunsets in this area are truly incredible, and Saratoga Lake is lined with even more beauty.

Fly fishing the North Platte is also absolutely legendary, and the water temperature this time of year makes it especially alluring. Then, when those chilly fall days hit their peak, Saratoga's hot springs are an absolute dream, whether at the free-to-use Hobo Hot Springs, or one of the dreamy spas and resorts hiding around town. Next, head about an hour east and you'll hit the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, Brush Creek, and many more areas packed with additional colorful trails and sights. Since Saratoga is at the western end of the Snowy Range Scenic Byway, you can't go wrong with a scenic drive either!

9. Encampment

Just minutes from Wyoming's infamous Aspen Alley, Encampment is a tiny, historic town near the Colorado border that doesn't usually get too much attention. But if you can't make it here during the rest of the year, fall is prime time to visit. While currently in a state of regrowth, Aspen Alley along the Battle Pass Scenic Byway might just be the area's biggest claim to fame, with its tunnel-like canopy of yellow aspens that peak in late September and look especially stunning near sunset. However, it's not the only beautiful spot to ogle fall colors. The surrounding Sierra Madre radiates blue hues that form a perfect contrast to the vibrant foliage scattered everywhere you turn. While you're here, enjoy picture-perfect autumn views of the Encampment River from trails like the Encampment River Trail, hike to Green Mountain Falls enveloped in fall colors, enjoy the foliage-dotted surroundings of Hog Park Reservoir, and when your camera roll is full, head to the Grand Encampment Museum to learn more about this historic town.

10. Centennial

Centennial is a quiet mountain town nestled at the base of the stunning Snowy Range, and it's about as perfect of a fall getaway as they come. The town is a gateway to the Snowy Range Scenic Byway, a stunning high-elevation drive lined with golden aspens, alpine lakes, and sweeping views. Nearby detours like Barber Lake Road (a hidden gem!) offer even more intimate encounters with glorious fall color. With cozy local spots like the Old Corral Steakhouse and easy access to countless hikes and waterfalls, Centennial blends small-town charm with dramatic seasonal scenery, all as an easy halfway point between Encampment and Saratoga.

11. Woods Landing-Jelm

This teeny-tiny community on the edge of the Medicine Bow National Forest isn't even technically incorporated, but it doesn't even matter when the views are this good. The Laramie River cuts right through the desert landscape, beautifully lined by ribbons of fiery colors while golden valley expanses roll for miles in between the undulating hills of the southern Laramies. In terms of dining and development, you won't find much to write home about, but the natural beauty is phenomenal in every direction. The back roads out here are a dream for motorcyclists looking to experience the wind in their hair while admiring the views and for off-roaders looking for the perfect spot to pitch a tent in between runs. Jelm Mountain is the most prominent landform in the area, and it's especially gorgeous! For a challenge, hiking Sheep Mountain is another way to enjoy the sweeping sights.

Fall comes in many different forms here in Wyoming, from sweeping golden grasslands to cottonwood-dusted foothills to technicolor mountains awash in foliage, and everything in between. These towns may have an extra dose of autumnal beauty, courtesy of their mountain backdrops, but they're not the only towns worth visiting as the seasons change. On your next autumn outing, be sure to check out some of Wyoming's most beloved autumn towns, like Laramie and Jackson, and then make a few detours to explore a few other sides of Wyoming's most unique fall destinations. Pinedale, South Pass City, Fort Laramie, Casper, Kaycee, and even Muddy Gap all have some pretty special seasonal beauty of their own. Really, every corner of Wyoming has something to offer!

If you need help planning your epic fall foliage adventure this season, check out Only In Your State's Trip Planner.