Technology is kind of a weird thing in Wyoming. Sure, we’re not as off-the-grid as the rest of America may think, but cable and streaming services can be fuzzy and slow around here. That’s one reason why Wyomingites are some of the best-read Americans, because it doesn’t take a fiber optic line to show off a great book! While there are dozens of quality book stores scattered throughout the state, one rural book barn in particular has a reputation for being the best bookstore in Wyoming.

Mad Dog and the Pilgrim Booksellers may be Wyoming's greatest treasure, and chances are you've driven by it and didn't even know.
Facebook / Mad Dog and The Pilgrim
You'll find the book barn at 4176 WY-789, Sweetwater Station, WY 82520. It's right across from the Mormon Historical Handcart Site.
In 2000, Lynda "Mad Dog" German and Polly "The Pilgrim" Hines moved their bookstore from Denver, Colorado to Sweetwater County.
Facebook / Mad Dog and The Pilgrim
The couple decided to leave the busy city life for someplace quite rural - they're nearly 40 minutes from the nearest town.
This rural farmstead is their paradise, though, far from what chased them away from Denver.
Facebook / Mad Dog and the Pilgrim
When the pair lived in the city, they ran a janitorial business. One night, their van was mistaken for a getaway car involved in a local crime, and the two were arrested and slammed to the ground. Their feather dusters looked a little too much like weapons to the Aurora Police. Though they were later released with no charges, it wasn't long before they made a move.

Moving 70,000 books is no small chore. Lynda and Polly used thousands of boxes to move their stock and open up their new shop.

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Today, their book barn in Sweetwater Station holds over 70,000 titles at any given time.
Facebook / Mad Dog and the Pilgrim
Book scouters will love sorting through their rare and vintage titles, as well as local books and all-time classics.

Mad Dog and the Pilgrim Booksellers is so popular that people come from all over the world to thumb through the collection.
At Mad Dog and the Pilgrim Booksellers, you never know who you'll run into while you're browsing the shelves.
Facebook / Mad Dog and The Pilgrim
In addition to selling books, Lynda and Polly run a true working farm! They have dozens of sheep, a few guard llamas, livestock dogs, chickens, and more. The sheep often wander in through the open door looking for their next read. Before you leave, pick up some farm fresh eggs for your own kitchen.
Every trip to Mad Dog and the Pilgrim Booksellers is sure to result in a new haul. Even the pickiest reader will enjoy picking out a title from the canyons of books that line the walls.
Facebook / Mad Dog and The Pilgrim
If you don't know where to start, ask one of the sheep - they're sure to have a suggestion or two!

You can visit Mad Dog and the Pilgrim Booksellers on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., when the shop is open. Keep an eye out for the roadside flag and sign so you don’t drive right past the book barn!

After a day of book browsing, head up through Lander and into the tiny town of Hudson. Here, you’ll find the best steakhouse in Wyoming in a tiny Hungarian dining room.

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