Best Historic Sites in Wyoming
Written By: Sarah Reish
We love exploring Wyoming and it is hard to determine which historic locations are our favorite. I actually want to send each of you readers to all of them because they are so special and unique; however, for the sake of this issue and the theme of “The Best Of”, here are the locations we felt hit the mark of making it onto our Best of Wyoming list.
Fort Laramie Historical Site
Fort Laramie was first named Fort William and it consists of dozens of buildings, ruins, and features that are a nod to the history of the location. The settlement, turned fort, turned historical site offers visitors a glimpse into what life was like.
Hours:
From Labor Day to Memorial Day the Visitor Center is open daily 8:00 am to 4:00 PM.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day the Visitor Center is open daily 9:00 am to 7:00 PM.
Why it’s on the list for the Best of Wyoming: This is absolutely an amazing experience. Everyone should visit this historic site at least once. Visitors can open the doors of the buildings and walk through history. This site made it on our list because guests can step directly into history and walk the steps of those who helped settle Wyoming.
Wyoming Frontier Prison
While technically a “museum” we felt, because guests tour the entire prison, that this location would better fit the category of a historic site. Walk through the first state penitentiary of Wyoming, located in Rawlins, and learn about the crimes that early settlers dealt with. The tour begins in the first wing which is more primitive, and moves to the later wings which offer more modern amenities for the prisoners. You can visually see the prison as it grew and evolved.
Hours:
Monday - Thursday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Tour hours are Monday - Thursday 10:30 am & 1:30 pm
Why it’s on the list for the Best of Wyoming: This location had been on our bucket list and we were so excited to make it there last year. The history, the site and being able to get into the cells and really feel what it was like definitely make this a must see location - it is amazing, possible haunted, and so very cool. We all agreed this location had to be on our Best of Wyoming list.
Wagons Ho!
Okay, in this one we are combining three locations that we experienced in one trip, but it is because the wagon trains moved which means the historic sites stretch across the state. The first stop along the way are the Oregon Trail Ruts where the soft sandstone is marked with the crossing of wagon wheels. Next is Register Cliff where pioneers marked their name in the cliff walls and lastly is Independence Rock.
Hours:
Open year round sun up to sun down.
Why it’s on the list for the Best of Wyoming: We loved seeing the trails and history marked in stone. Wyoming is home to segments of the Oregon Trail, California Trail and Mormon/Salt Lake Trail. It is the pioneers highway to the west. The Historic sites that make up the trails west are a must see! The drive across Wyoming and historic stops along the way are what put this on our Best of Wyoming list.
Hit the road!
Check out these amazing historic sites across Wyoming. Do you have a favorite historic site? Let us know your favorite historic sites in the comments or on social media - tag us in your posts, @LiveWYldMag and use #LiveWYld
