Wyoming towns tend to be straight outta the Old West, complete with cowboy saloons, plenty of log structures, and hitchin' posts in front of many public buildings. However, there's one town that is so atypical of the Cowboy State it personifies free spirits and forward-thinking.

Saratoga is pretty much the most hippie town in Wyoming, and there are numerous reasons you'll want to plan a visit. Filled with laid-back, friendly faces, unique places to stay, eat, and shop, you won't mind a bit that much of this little town seems to be stuck in the '60s.

Seemingly stuck in another era, Saratoga is a unique little town in the southern part of the state.

It is surrounded by stunning, peaceful wilderness which is ideal for non-conventional Bohemians who want to get in touch with nature.

The folks in Saratoga are down-to-earth, friendly sorts who indulge in a relaxed lifestyle, treating the Earth graciously, and benefiting from its bounty.

After all, it's easy to be at one with nature when it walks right into town and makes itself at home in your yard.

With the North Platte River running just at the edge of Saratoga, there are plenty of places to spend a relaxing afternoon or evening communing with the peaceful surroundings...

...possibly even joining in a folk song singalong.

Saratoga is known for its natural hot springs, and there are a few public pools and bathhouses in the city, but anyone knows nothing beats staking out a spot right where the hot springs flow into the river, making the temperature perfect for an extended soak.

The free spirit that flows through Saratoga along with the river makes it an artists' haven. In fact, an artist's camp — the Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts — is located here. It's a place where visual artists, writers, musicians, and performers can go for solitude, inspiration, and support for their creativity.

If you want to learn a bit about the history of the area back to the 1960s and before, the Saratoga Museum is the place you'll find it all...

...and it has a cool pavilion outside that's perfect for chillin' out.

The museum's pavilion can even be rented out for events.

If you don't feel like wandering through the wilderness or sitting in the river, this hippie little town has a collection of unique boutiques and shops perfect for browsing, such as the Hat Creek Trading Post. It's kind of like a Wyoming-style department store featuring clothing, artwork, souvenirs...

...and turquoise, leather, and bead-work jewelry that would delight any flower child.

The Firewater Public House is one of the several great restaurants in Saratoga. This inviting bar and grill is in a renovated house with an ultra-cool deck that provides outdoor seating...

...and the food is a cut above typical bar food. They do a killer shrimp po' boy, the burgers are thick, juicy, and made by hand, the buns are baked in-house, and the fries are hand-cut, too.

When it's time to find a pad to crash at for the night, the weekend, or longer, Saratoga Hot Springs Resort is a cool place for rest and relaxation and to get in touch with your spiritual side.

This fantastic resort features its own brewery, an on-site spa, and public and private mineral baths.

Have you visited Saratoga?

What other Wyoming towns strike you as being stuck in another era?