Posted in Wyoming July 25, 2017 by

Unplug And Unwind In This Picture Perfect Small Town In Wyoming

Wyoming small towns are ideal for low-key vacations when you want to relax and unwind. If you’re looking for a recommendation for a perfect place to unplug, stop by Meeteetse. Surrounded by the beauty of the Big Horn Basin, this little town offers a surprising number of things to do but it still has that small-town feel you crave when you just want to get away from it all.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Welcome to Meeteetse, a true small town with a population of just over 300 residents.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
You'll find it along WY-120, south of Cody and north of Thermopolis.
Google Maps
The area is said to be where Indian chiefs met before Wyoming was even a territory.
visionwestwyoming/youtube
"Meeteetse" is a Shoshone word; the two translations that are most commonly accepted are "the meeting place" and "nearby place."
The town's streets are quaint and tree-lined.
Google Maps
The serene, unspoiled area is perfect for raising cattle.
visionwestwyoming/youtube
In fact, the first cattle ranch in the Big Horn Basin, the Pitchfork Ranch, was established just west of the town.
U.S. Department of Agriculture/Flickr
Meeteetse has other claims to historical fame, such as its famous resident, Butch Cassidy.
Alan Levine/Flickr
Cassidy frequented the Cowboy Bar in Meeteetse.
David Cohen/Flickr
The outlaw was actually arrested just outside this historical watering hole.
The Cowboy is still open and doing business today, proudly proclaiming, "Butch Cassidy drank here."
Daniel Staniforth/youtube
The town is dotted with other historic landmarks. The bank building, for example, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Meeteetse Museums
The bank building is no longer a bank, though it has been restored and is the site of the Bank Museum.
Not everything in Meeteetse is about history, however.
Derek Bruff/Flickr
The town happens to be the center for recovery of the black-footed ferret, a species that was thought to be extinct from the planet until a colony of the critters were discovered by a Meeteetse rancher.
USFWS Mountain-Prairie/Flickr
The ferrets are kind of like mascots for the museum - that's the place to learn more about them and there's even a link to a live ferret-cam on the museum's website.
Additionally, Meeteetse is legendary for its Labor Day celebration over the holiday weekend. Locals enthusiastically welcome visitors to join them for a parade, children's events in the park, music, fabulous food...
Erin Kinney/Flickr
...and an epic rodeo rounds out the weekend.
Alfredo Mancia/Flickr
All in all, however you choose to spend your time in Meeteetse, it's a picturesque little town that delivers on the promise of a relaxing, enjoyable visit.
visionwestwyoming/youtube

What small Wyoming towns do you visit when you want to unplug and unwind?