Southern Wyoming vacation

[DpdG]

I'm headed to the FtCo/Laramie/Casper area later in the week for a week and a half trip. So far I've got a day or two in RMNP, then onward to Laramie, Casper, and back to a cabin outside Walden, CO. While this is primarily a vacation, it's also a bit of an scouting trip to see if relocating would be attractive. I have lodging arraigned, but otherwise my itinerary is pretty unstructured.

Anyone have suggestions for "can't miss" things to do/places to see in the area? Very much open to advice on possible relocation as well.

[Clusterfrack]

We liked Lander WY. The hikes on the Popo Agie were awesome.

[blues]

We liked Lander WY. The hikes on the Popo Agie were awesome.

I spent five weeks climbing, backpacking and fishing in the Wind Rivers. It was a real coming of age, rite of passage for me at age 21. I feel a tremendous bond with that region, and in fact, the entire state, as I've traveled much of it by foot, by four wheels and on two wheels.

[Le Français]

Rocky Mountain National Park isn’t terribly far, and is pretty great. It's cool to see the headwaters of the Colorado, especially if you’ve seen its handiwork downstream in the Grand Canyon. Some of the drives through the mountains in the park are breathtaking.

[RancidSumo]

There is not much I'd put in the "can't miss" category in that part of the state. Hiking/climbing in Vedauwoo would be a fun way to spend an afternoon.

[whomever]

"I spent five weeks climbing, backpacking and fishing in the Wind Rivers."

My wife and I had the good fortune to work academic year jobs. We've spent summer after summer there over the years - maybe 18 months in total or something like that. Only a couple of winter trips alas.

Anyway, for years we'd hear about people waiting for permits for the Sierras and wonder why ... why not just go to the Winds, where no one else was. Unfortunately, starting maybe 5 years or so ago ... the word finally got out. I'm not sure we'll go again.

As for SE WY places, the Snowy Range is nice and accessible, it's surely worth a day to walk the ridge there. Also, alas, with a lot, lot more people than when we lived there years ago.

Hiking up Long's Peak in Rocky Mtn Nat Park is pretty striking if you're new to the rockies.

(oooops...just thought about the timing ... there is probably still a lot of snow up high there)

[Suvorov]

Laramie is my hometown.

Laramie has a couple good places to check out. If you like Dinosaurs the University of Wyoming Geological Museum is worth a couple of hours as is the US Marshal Museum/Territorial prison. To cap it off a drink at the historic Buckhorn Bar would be worth checking out.

My favorite part of the area is 26 miles west of Laramie, a small town called Centennial. It has some nice little restaurants and bars and is quite beautiful. The pass won’t be open, otherwise I would recommend a trip to the hot springs in Saratoga.

Oh and weather in Laramie can alway go cold so make sure you bring at least one warm sweater, pullover, or jacket.

[Wyoming Shooter]

Highway 130 between Saratoga and Laramie actually opened last week. It's a beautiful drive and Saratoga is worth the visit.

Be advised that motels and campgrounds are filling fast at sometimes exorbitant rates. You're not the only one looking to escape.



Laramie is my hometown.

Laramie has a couple good places to check out. If you like Dinosaurs the University of Wyoming Geological Museum is worth a couple of hours as is the US Marshal Museum/Territorial prison. To cap it off a drink at the historic Buckhorn Bar would be worth checking out.

My favorite part of the area is 26 miles west of Laramie, a small town called Centennial. It has some nice little restaurants and bars and is quite beautiful. The pass won’t be open, otherwise I would recommend a trip to the hot springs in Saratoga.

Oh and weather in Laramie can alway go cold so make sure you bring at least one warm sweater, pullover, or jacket.

[Suvorov]

Highway 130 between Saratoga and Laramie actually opened last week. It's a beautiful drive and Saratoga is worth the visit.

Be advised that motels and campgrounds are filling fast at sometimes exorbitant rates. You're not the only one looking to escape.

You all must have had a real mild winter! Usually 130 doesn't open till Memorial Day (looks at calendar and sees Memorial Day is only a week away).

Yes, a drive over the Snowy Range is well worth the day - then soak in the Hobo Pool and follow up with a steak dinner at the Wolf Hotel. You could also kill a day by renting a guide and taking some fly fishing lessons (or if you already know the craft, bring your rod and do it yourself).

[Wyoming Shooter]

It's been a strange winter and spring. The last few weeks have been generally wet, cold, and windy. Snowpack in my area (Lander, WY) is above average.

Saratoga is a nice little town. I highly recommend the Firewater Public House: https://firewaterpublichouse.com/.

As an aside, we are infested with refugees from urban centers in every direction - all looking for refuge. Real estate prices are inflating like a porn star's silicone bosom.



You all must have had a real mild winter! Usually 130 doesn't open till Memorial Day (looks at calendar and sees Memorial Day is only a week away).

Yes, a drive over the Snowy Range is well worth the day - then soak in the Hobo Pool and follow up with a steak dinner at the Wolf Hotel. You could also kill a day by renting a guide and taking some fly fishing lessons (or if you already know the craft, bring your rod and do it yourself).

[DpdG]

Thank you all for the suggestions- I will make sure to take the trip over to Saratoga via Centennial/ 130.

I live in a town of 5k population and work in one with 15k in northern New England, so I'm not sure I'd exactly classify as an urban refugee, but in any case I promise to not bring any liberal city person attitude. From a distance, it seems like Wyoming has an atmosphere more in line with my values and is still supportive of my profession. While I'm not actively looking to relocate right now, I've always loved the mountain west landscape and I've hit a bit of a personal and professional dead end and am starting to scout out potential destinations.

[DpdG]

Follow up- Spent Friday-Sunday morning in Laramie, currently in Casper. Firstly- thanks again for the recommendation to take 130 through Centennial to Saratoga. Stunning scenery, liked it much more than RMNP due to lack of crowding and better access (not overly touristy).

Glad I came to both cities, as neither are quite what I expected- not better/worse, just different. Laramie in particular as I work in a college town and made some assumptions about Laramie that were not accurate. I had been concerned it was going to be mostly college related people (faculty/staff) and the attitudes that stereotypically go with those types of folks.