Wyoming’s Charming Elk Mountain Museum Is A Spot Off The Beaten Path That’s So Worth a Visit
The tiny town of Elk Mountain, Wyoming, was incorporated in 1909, but the history of this community dates back centuries. The original inhabitants were the Cheyenne and Arapahoe people. In the 1800s, European-American settlers made their way west and took over much of the land in this area. A small town was established, as well as a fort, to offer a stop and protection for immigrants along the Overland Trail. Like many small Wyoming towns, Elk Mountain slowly faded into something close to a ghost town, and today, the population hovers around 200 people. Despite its low population, though, the town is home to an amazing museum that’s so worth a visit! Head to the Elk Mountain Museum for an off-the-beaten-path adventure and you’ll find yourself learning more than you could have imagined.
Before you step inside, take a walk around the museum. You'll find old ranch equipment and a restored coach that traveled the Overland Trail.
In the 1940s and 1950s, the Elk Mountain Hotel was home to a dance hall called the Garden Spot Pavilion, and memorabilia from this famous venue takes u one big corner of the Elk Mountain Museum.
Before you leave, be sure to sign the guest book! Flip through to read messages from all of the visitors who have traveled off the beaten path to find this impressive little museum.
Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com