Alli Rainey - Explorers Guide Wyoming

AN EXPLORERS GUIDE

Wyoming

AN EXPLORERS GUIDE

Wyoming

Alli Rainey

with photographs by the author

Copyright 2010 by Alli Rainey

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages.

Wyoming: An Explorers Guide

First Edition

ISBN: 978-0-88150-890-1

Cover photo by Alli Rainey

Interior photographs by the author unless otherwise specified

Maps by Erin Greb Cartography, The Countryman Press

Book design by Bodenweber

Composition by PerfecType, Nashville, TN

Published by The Countryman Press, P.O. Box 748, Woodstock, VT 05091

Distributed by W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110

Printed in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

This book is for you, the explorer of Wyoming: I hope you learn to love this place as much as I do. Happy travels!

EXPLORE WITH US!

Welcome to the first edition of Wyoming: An Explorers Guide. All attractions, activities, lodgings, and restaurants in this guide have been selected on the basis of merit. None is here as a paid advertisement. The organization of the book is simple, but the following points will help to get you started.

In the beginning of this book, you will find an alphabetical listing with thumbnail sketches of special highlights and important information for travelers. Also, note that in general Wyoming is an extremely well-signed state, with hundreds of brown informational signs dotting its roadways to guide tourists to its plethora of attractions as painlessly as possible.

Please dont hold us or the respective innkeepers responsible for the rates listed as of press time in 2010. Some changes are inevitable. State and local room taxes (a 4 percent statewide tax plus an additional local tax of up to 6 percent) are not included in lodging prices unless specifically noted. Unless otherwise noted, all rates included are for double occupancy.

While Wyoming does not have a statewide smoking ban for public places (yet), Teton County and the cities of Laramie, Cheyenne, and Evanston do enforce bans on smoking in indoor public places. Its best to check up on local policies before you light up.

In most sections please note a distinction between Dining Out and Eating Out. By their nature, restaurants listed in the Eating Out group are generally less expensive. See Whats Where in Wyoming for more information on restaurants.

Lodging establishments are selected for mention in this book based on merit; no business owner or innkeeper was charged for inclusion. See Whats Where in Wyoming for more information on lodging.

The special-value symbol appears next to attractions, activities, lodgings, and restaurants that are either free (in the case of those types of attractions you might generally be charged for), or combine exceptional value with a reasonable price (or both).

The kids-alert symbol appears next to lodgings, restaurants, and attractions that cater to children, or that children might find particularly interesting.

The wheelchair symbol appears next to lodgings, restaurants, and attractions that are partially or completely handicapped accessible. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, its best to double check with establishments before your arrival.

The dog-paw symbol appears next to lodgings that accept pets (usually with a reservation and a deposit) as of press time. Since campgrounds almost always allow pets, this symbol is not used for campgrounds.

The antenna symbol indicates a lodging (or other) establishment that offers WiFi access.

In this book, youll find Wyoming organized roughly north to south and west to east into six geographical regions. Within these major sections, youll find each region further divided sensibly into chapters centered around one or two cities (or in a couple of cases, geographical features) and their surroundings, making it easy to find attractions close by no matter where you happen to be in the state. Please note that if a chapter has no entries in a particular category, that doesnt necessarily mean that none exist; it simply means that none have caught the eye (yet) of yours truly. As certain attractions fit in several categories, every attempt to provide helpful cross references has been made.

Average prices refer to a dinner consisting of an entre, appetizer or dessert, and glass of wine or beer (tax and gratuities not included).

Inexpensive: Up to $15

Moderate: $1530

Expensive: $3050

Very Expensive: $50 or more

The price range runs from low off-season rates to higher summer and holiday weekend rates.

Very Inexpensive: Under $40 per night, double occupancy

Inexpensive: $4070

Moderate: $70100

Expensive: $100200

Very Expensive: More than $200

CONTENTS

MAPS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Ultimately, this book would not have been possible to write without the inspiration provided by the incomparable state of Wyoming and all of the wonderful attractions and people found within it. Nor would this book have been possible without support from The Countryman Press.

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the first edition of Wyoming: An Explorers Guide. From the gorgeous and more familiar vistas of Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park to lesser-known but equally worthy travel destinations in my adopted home state of Wyoming, youll find in these pages an honest effort to guide you to the most intriguing and awe-inspiring attractions and activities that Wyoming has to offer. As you make your journey through this state (or your lifelong journey, if its your home), please alert me if you discover that Ive left out something wonderful or amazing that should be included in the next edition, and Ill be sure to check it out and consider including it next time. But for now, let me start by introducing you to my favorite place on earththe state of Wyoming.

Wyoming lays claim to both a rich natural history and an impressive record of human habitation. Long before explorers of European ancestry ever crossed its borders, humans inhabited the area now known as Wyomingin fact, ancient people dwelled upon these lands more than 10,000 years ago, a testament to the lavish abundance of both flora and fauna that has long existed in this region, enabling people to live here despite often inhospitable weather conditions. Later, many tribes of American Indians called these lands home, including the Arapaho, Arikara, Bannock, Blackfeet, Cheyenne, Crow, Gros Ventre, Kiowa, Nez Perce, Sheep Eater, Sioux, Shoshone, and Ute.