The Ultimate Wyoming History Trail: Top Museums, Missions & Historic Towns (Currently Open)
Wyoming’s story is written in stone, spirit, and sky. It’s the land where the Old West still breathes, where wagon tracks carved by pioneers remain visible across the plains, and where Indigenous heritage continues to shape the cultural heart of the state. Known as the Equality State for being the first to grant women the right to vote, Wyoming’s past is one of courage, discovery, and endurance.
Whether you’re tracing the footsteps of early explorers, walking the wooden sidewalks of frontier towns, or standing where dinosaurs once roamed, Wyoming offers an unparalleled window into America’s rugged beginnings. This is your guide to The Ultimate Wyoming History Trail: Top Museums, Missions & Historic Towns (Currently Open)—a journey through time that connects the state’s most remarkable stories and historic treasures.
1. Step Into the Old West at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West – Cody
You can’t talk about Wyoming’s history without mentioning Buffalo Bill Cody, the showman, scout, and entrepreneur who brought the spirit of the West to audiences worldwide. In the city that bears his name, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West stands as a living tribute to his legacy.
Why it’s a must-visit:
This sprawling complex houses five world-class museums, including the Buffalo Bill Museum, Whitney Western Art Museum, Plains Indian Museum, Draper Natural History Museum, and the Cody Firearms Museum.
The center explores not just Cody’s life but also the broader story of the American West, blending art, ecology, culture, and history.
It’s family-friendly, interactive, and deeply educational, making it a cornerstone of Wyoming’s historical trail.
Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Absaroka Mountains, this museum captures the West’s adventurous spirit and the cultural intersections that define Wyoming’s past.
2. Walk Through Time at Fort Laramie National Historic Site – Near Torrington
Once a vital military post and trading hub, Fort Laramie was where mountain men, emigrants, soldiers, and Native American tribes crossed paths. Established in 1834, it became a cornerstone of the Oregon Trail and a key outpost during the frontier era.
Highlights include:
Restored 19th-century buildings including officers’ quarters, barracks, and the old bakery.
Living history demonstrations with costumed interpreters who bring the fort’s bustling days to life.
Rich exhibits detailing pioneer migrations, Native American relations, and military history.
Today, visitors can stroll through the fort’s open grounds, imagining the thunder of wagon trains and the voices of those who shaped the nation’s westward expansion.
3. Explore Frontier Life at South Pass City Historic Site – Near Lander
Nestled in the Wind River Mountains, South Pass City is one of Wyoming’s best-preserved ghost towns, offering a vivid glimpse into the gold rush era. Once home to over 2,000 hopeful miners, it’s now a beautifully restored historic site.
What to see:
More than 20 original structures, including a schoolhouse, saloon, general store, and mine offices.
The Carissa Mine, where guided tours reveal the challenges of 19th-century mining life.
Seasonal events and reenactments that make history come alive for visitors of all ages.
As you wander the quiet streets, it’s easy to picture the boom-and-bust excitement that once filled this mountain outpost—proof that Wyoming’s wild frontier wasn’t all cowboys and cattle, but also prospectors and pioneers chasing dreams.
4. Discover the Trails at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center – Casper
The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper tells the powerful story of the thousands of settlers who journeyed West along the Oregon, Mormon, California, and Pony Express Trails.
Why it’s remarkable:
Immersive exhibits that let you walk beside covered wagons, cross simulated rivers, and experience the journey.
Educational displays about the Native American nations who lived in the region long before settlers arrived.
Sweeping panoramic views from the center’s hilltop location overlooking the Platte River Valley.
It’s one of Wyoming’s most dynamic museums—a place where visitors can feel the grit and determination that defined the westward movement.
5. Uncover Native Heritage at the Wind River Reservation – Riverton & Lander
The Wind River Reservation is home to the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes, offering an authentic look into Indigenous culture, art, and traditions that continue to thrive today.
Key experiences:
Visit the Wind River Heritage Center in Riverton to explore artifacts, exhibits, and tribal history.
Attend local powwows and cultural festivals, which feature drumming, dancing, and traditional dress.
Pay your respects at Sacagawea’s gravesite near Fort Washakie—the legendary Shoshone woman who guided the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
This region is both sacred and welcoming, preserving centuries of heritage and offering deep cultural insight for those who travel with curiosity and respect.
6. Experience Western Grandeur at the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site – Laramie
Before Laramie became a thriving university town, it was home to one of the roughest prisons in the West. The Wyoming Territorial Prison, established in 1872, once held outlaws, horse thieves, and even the infamous Butch Cassidy.
Highlights:
Cellblock tours that reveal the harsh realities of 19th-century prison life.
Exhibits detailing how the prison later became a federal facility and agricultural experiment station.
Seasonal events like Old Pen Living History Days and interactive exhibits for kids.
Today, the prison stands as a fascinating and well-preserved window into the justice system of the frontier era.
7. Relive the Old West at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum – Cheyenne
Cheyenne, Wyoming’s capital, celebrates its Western heritage with unmatched pride, and the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum captures the history behind the “Daddy of ’Em All”—the world’s largest outdoor rodeo.
What makes it worth visiting:
Permanent exhibits on rodeo legends, Native American artifacts, and pioneer life.
A remarkable collection of horse-drawn carriages—one of the largest in the U.S.
Engaging events year-round, plus a front-row seat to the annual Cheyenne Frontier Days Festival every July.
This museum honors the cowboy spirit that helped shape Wyoming’s identity and continues to define it today.
8. Explore Prehistoric Wonders at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center – Thermopolis
Long before the cowboys arrived, Wyoming was home to creatures much larger and wilder—dinosaurs. The Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis offers one of the most impressive fossil collections in North America.
Highlights include:
Over 30 mounted skeletons, including a massive Supersaurus and a full-size Tyrannosaurus rex.
The Dig Site Tour, where visitors can see ongoing paleontological excavations.
Hands-on educational programs perfect for families and aspiring scientists.
It’s a thrilling reminder that Wyoming’s history stretches far beyond the human timeline—back to an age when giants ruled the land.
9. Visit the Historic Heart of Sheridan
In northern Wyoming, Sheridan is a town where the Old West meets refined hospitality. Once a frontier outpost, today it thrives as a cultural hub surrounded by Bighorn Mountain beauty.
Historic highlights:
The Trail End State Historic Site, a beautifully preserved 1913 mansion showcasing early 20th-century elegance.
The Sheridan Inn, once co-owned by Buffalo Bill Cody, where travelers can stay and dine in true Western style.
Downtown’s historic Main Street, lined with brick buildings, Western boutiques, and art galleries.
Sheridan embodies the perfect balance between Wyoming’s past and its modern-day creativity.
10. Step Into the Frontier at Independence Rock State Historic Site – Alcova
Known as the “Register of the Desert,” Independence Rock was a landmark along the Oregon Trail, where thousands of emigrants carved their names into the granite surface during the mid-1800s.
Why it’s special:
Visitors can see hundreds of historic inscriptions left by pioneers.
The site offers hiking trails, interpretive signs, and picnic areas.
It stands as a moving reminder of the courage and endurance of America’s settlers.
A stop here connects you physically and emotionally with the people who crossed Wyoming’s untamed wilderness in search of a new life.
11. Unearth Frontier Faith at St. Stephen’s Mission – Near Riverton
Founded in 1884, St. Stephen’s Mission represents a chapter of Wyoming’s religious and educational history. The mission, built by Jesuit priests to serve the local Arapaho people, remains active today.
Highlights:
The historic red-brick church, adorned with Native-inspired murals and spiritual symbols.
Educational exhibits that tell the story of cross-cultural exchange and resilience.
An on-site school and cultural center that preserve both Catholic and Arapaho traditions.
This peaceful mission is a testament to Wyoming’s complex blend of spirituality, adaptation, and community over generations.
12. Step Back in Time at the Fossil Butte National Monument – Kemmerer
For those fascinated by natural history, Fossil Butte National Monument is one of Wyoming’s most extraordinary sites. Often called “America’s Aquarium in Stone,” it contains one of the world’s best-preserved fossil beds.
What you’ll find:
Fossils of fish, insects, plants, and even early mammals dating back 50 million years.
A modern visitor center showcasing scientific exhibits and live fossil preparation labs.
Family-friendly trails and viewpoints over the rugged Green River Formation.
It’s a fascinating reminder that Wyoming’s story is both ancient and ongoing—a place where geology, biology, and history converge.
13. Visit the Fort Bridger State Historic Site – Near Evanston
Originally established in 1843 by mountain man Jim Bridger, Fort Bridger served as a trading post, supply station, and later a military fort. Today, it stands as one of the most comprehensive historic sites in the state.
Why it’s fascinating:
Restored structures, including blacksmith shops, barracks, and trading buildings.
Annual Fort Bridger Rendezvous, a lively event that reenacts 19th-century mountain man gatherings.
Interactive exhibits highlighting trapper life, emigrant trails, and frontier commerce.
Fort Bridger connects the dots between the fur trade, military history, and westward expansion—all key threads in Wyoming’s historical fabric.
14. Discover Railroad Heritage at the Depot Museum – Laramie
Wyoming’s history was shaped by the iron rails that crossed its open plains. The Laramie Depot Museum, located in one of the oldest railroad depots in the state, celebrates that industrial legacy.
Highlights:
Vintage Union Pacific artifacts, model trains, and historic photographs.
Guided tours exploring how the railroad transformed Wyoming’s economy and communities.
Proximity to downtown Laramie’s historic architecture and local restaurants.
This museum offers a glimpse into the age of steam, when Wyoming became a vital link in America’s coast-to-coast connection.
15. Explore the Heart of History in Cheyenne
Rounding out the trail is Wyoming’s capital, Cheyenne, a city that seamlessly blends its frontier roots with civic pride.
Must-see stops:
The Wyoming State Museum, offering exhibits on statehood, Native culture, and natural history.
The Historic Governor’s Mansion, open for guided tours year-round.
The Cheyenne Depot Plaza, where the Old West meets vibrant downtown life.
Cheyenne’s historic core provides the perfect conclusion to your Wyoming history trail—an elegant tribute to the people and events that shaped the state.
Conclusion: Travel Through Time, Discover the True West
The Ultimate Wyoming History Trail is more than a sightseeing itinerary—it’s an immersive journey through the heart of the American West. From pioneer forts and sacred missions to dinosaur fossils and grand museums, each destination tells a unique story about resilience, discovery, and the unbreakable bond between people and the land.
Whether you’re a history buff, a family traveler, or simply someone who loves exploring authentic places, Wyoming’s open roads lead to moments of wonder. So pack your sense of adventure and follow the trail where Wyoming’s past meets its living present.
Experience the legacy. Feel the stories. Discover Wyoming—the land where history still rides free.