SWEETWATER COUNTY OFFICIAL TRAVEL GUIDE THE FLAMING GORGE Explore hundreds of miles of trails and shoreline. Soak up the sunshine and catch the “Big One.” TABLE OF CONTENTS 02-03 COUNTY MAP 35 SWEETWATER COUNTY PARKS 04-05 TRAVEL BUCKET LIST 36-37 RECREATION CENTERS 06-17 TOWNS 36 ROCK SPRINGS CIVIC CENTER 08-11 ROCK SPRINGS 37 GREEN RIVER RECREATION CENTER 12-15 GREEN RIVER 37 ROCK SPRINGS FAMILY 16-17 GET OFF THE BEATEN PATH RECREATION CENTER 18-19 EVENTS 38-39 ITINERARIES 20-23 HISTORY 40-43 SCENIC DRIVES 24-34 SIGHTSEEING 41 FLAMING GORGE SCENIC BYWAY 26 FLAMING GORGE COUNTRY 42 PILOT BUTTE WILD HORSE 27A LAKE FLAMING GORGE SCENIC LOOP 27B LAKE FLAMING GORGE MAP 43 SEEDSKADEE, KILLPECKER AND 28 KILLPECKER SAND DUNES WHITE MOUNTAIN CIRCUIT 29 ATV/OHV-ING 44-45 TOP 5 SIGHTS/NATIONAL PARKS 30-31 MOUNTAIN BIKING 46-47 LODGING 32 ROCK FORMATIONS 48-51 RESTAURANTS 33 WILD HORSES 52 NIGHTLIFE 34 SEEDSKADEE NATIONAL 53 MORE INFORMATION WILDLIFE REFUGE DEAR FRIENDS, As a native of Wyoming, it is my privilege to unforgettable as the park itself. Get off the grid welcome you to Sweetwater County and to and reconnect with nature as you let your spirit bring you the Official “Explore Rock Springs and run wild and make memories to last a lifetime. Green River, Wyoming” Travel Guide! This 53- It’s not a question of what to do in Rock Springs page guide is your road map to discovering the and Green River. The only question is how best of Sweetwater County! long should you stay to fit it all in? Don’t just Tucked among the gorgeous landscape, vacation. Explore. discover everything from volcanoes to outlaws For more inspiration, let tourwyoming.com and find some truly special hidden gems that help you plan your perfect trip or stop by the are worth the trip to the Cowboy State alone. Rock Springs or Green River Visitor Centers for Follow in the footsteps of Butch Cassidy and local expertise. other famed outlaws, feel the wind in your hair as you off-road through a massive shifting sand Welcome to Rock Springs & Green River, dune field, meet dinosaurs and wild horses Wyoming! while exploring the Wild West or see the sights that guided pioneers. Observe wildlife in its natural habitat, soak up the sunshine and catch the big one on Lake Flaming Gorge, mountain bike through the high desert, kayak on the Green River or explore the vibrant art scene in award-winning Downtown Rock Springs. Whether Sweetwater County is your final Wyoming destination or you’re visiting on the way to the National Parks, there are countless ways to create an adventure of your own. A trip JENISSA MEREDITH to Yellowstone is a bucket-list-worthy adventure, Executive Director but the journey to the park can be just as Sweetwater County Joint Travel and Tourism Board // 01 WELCOME WELCOME Monument Butte 191 28 Farson Blue Simpson Forest Hollow Eden Sand Pilot Butte Dunes Overlook Boars 191 Tusk Lombard 28 Steamboat Mtn. Crossing 17 White Mtn. 372 Petroglyphs Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge 17 Ice Caves Winton (Ghost Town) 14 Superior White Mtn. Wild 18 53 371 Horse Scenic Tour 191 Reliance 372 Pilot Granger Green River Butte 370 Rock Green 430 80 Springs River Aspen 9 Mtn. 530 Firehole Canyon 191 Overlook 75 Flaming Gorge 36 27 National Recreation Area 38 33 530 Clay Basin 430 // 02 Overlook Cedar Mtn. 34 Little Mtn. 33 191 Spring Creek Pine Guest Ranch Mtn. SWEETWATER COUNTY MAP Oregon Buttes Steamboat Mtn. Red Desert Ice Caves 80 Point of Rocks Wamsutter 789 80 Red Desert Table MAP KEY Rock Bitter Airport Creek ATV/OHV Boat Launch Campground Canoeing Fishing Kayaking Mountain Biking Pine Petroglyphs Butte Picnic Site Point of Interest Kinney Rim Scenic Overlook Scuba Diving Viewing Area Air-Mail 53 County Road Powder Mtn. 80 Interstate 191 US/State Highway TRAVELBucket List 7 MUST-DO EXPERIENCES IN SWEETWATER COUNTY Sweetwater County is home to 10,500 square miles of pure, high-desert adventure. If you’ve never experienced the rugged beauty and adventure of the West, then add these top seven attractions in Sweetwater County to your travel bucket list! #1 #2 #3 STARGAZE ON FLAMING KAYAK DOWN THE EXPERIENCE THE WORLD’S GORGE RESERVOIR GREEN RIVER LARGEST RODEO While Flaming Gorge Reservoir is the Located in the heart of the City of It’s not surprising that you can get a perfect setting for outdoor recreation, Green River, the Whitewater Park and hearty dose of rodeo in Sweetwater did you know it’s also one of the best Tubing Channel offers not only the County. Attend the National High and darkest places to go stargazing? easiest river access around but also School Finals Rodeo, featuring nearly Rent a boat from one of the marinas the most options for cooling off. Kayak 1,600 contestants from across the U.S., or bring your own for a one-of-a-kind the 1,200-foot North Channel Tubing Canada, Mexico and Australia. From stargazing experience on majestic channel to practice Eskimo rolls, eddy- saddle bronc to barrel racing, see who waters. outs and peel-outs! wins the championship buckle at this world-class event. // 04 TRAVEL BUCKET LIST LIST BUCKET TRAVEL #5 PEDAL THE WILKINS PEAK TRAIL SYSTEM A local favorite and named “#1 Best Mountain Bike Trail in Wyoming” by Singletracks.com, Wilkins Peak Trail System allows mountain bikers of all levels to experience a unique #4 landscape and challenging ride. Warm up on the Channel Surfing trail, SPOT WILDLIFE AT and then get your heart racing on the SEEDSKADEE NATIONAL labyrinth of trails on the western face WILDLIFE REFUGE such as TNT and Quick Draw. The Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge is situated between the #6 #7 Fontenelle Dam and Green River. It’s a JOURNEY THROUGH SEARCH FOR FOSSILS AT major attraction for those who want to HISTORY WHITE MOUNTAIN spot bald eagles, otters, sage grouse, pronghorn antelope and more! Walk, From dinosaurs to pioneer trails White Mountain dates back millions drive, cross-country ski or snowshoe and mountain men to coal miners, of years. If you search the base of the for a wildlife adventure any time Sweetwater County is diverse in its mountain, you may be able to see of the year. history. Check out award-winning shells from another era. Continue the Downtown Rock Springs for a local journey back in time by visiting the experience visiting museums or just ancient petroglyphs! stroll through the historic mining town. // 05 TRAVEL BUCKET LIST LIST BUCKET TRAVEL ADVENTURE Awaits // 06 THE TOWNS TOWNS THE ROCK SPRINGS Page 8 GREEN RIVER Page 12 SUPERIOR WAMSUTTER Page 16 Page 16 HISTORIC THE EDEN SOUTH PASS VALLEY Page 17 Page 17 ROCK SPRINGS DIG DEEP INTO WYOMING’S Mining and Railroad History Some people come to Rock Springs to enrich their knowledge of Wyoming’s mining heritage. Others come to take a trip back in time on the tracks of railroaders’ past. But no one expects to find such a culturally diverse melting pot in this high-desert oasis. Surprised? You haven’t seen anything yet. ABOUT ROCK SPRINGS Named for a former spring that babbled through town, Rock Springs actually sprung from the growth and development of the area’s coal mining industry. In 1868, the coal mined here powered the steam engines of the Union Pacific Railroad. The company laid hundreds of miles of track, which helped surrounding towns thrive. And the booming railroad and mining work left behind a culturally rich community that’s represented by dozens of nationalities. The railroad’s conversion to diesel and oil power in the mid-1900s drove out many of the city’s coal mines. But today, Rock Springs thrives with trona mines and a booming oil and gas industry, keeping the city vibrant with locals and visitors alike. // 08 ROCK SPRINGS SPRINGS ROCK DOWNTOWN ROCK SPRINGS Great American Main Street Award Winner, 2018 Downtown Rock Springs is a bustling town rich with history, culture and opportunities for recreation. The charming town boasts an evolving art scene, unique dining options and local markets you won’t want to miss! SIDEKICKS WINE & BOOK BAR Books line the wall from floor to ceiling at this one-of-a-kind bar in Downtown Rock Springs. Sidekicks Wine & Book Bar features a selection of wine from Jackson Hole Winery along with charcuterie boards, desserts, coffee and tea. This modern space also hosts various events from book signings to comedy performances. 507 Broadway Street Rock Springs, WY 82901 ‘FREEDOM’ MURAL Walking along Broadway Street, visitors will stumble upon ‘Freedom’, a mural by Chad Bolsinger. The Rock Springs mural incorporates Wyoming’s diverse wildlife and landscape. 518 Broadway Street, Rock Springs WY 82901 (on the side of Color Works on Broadway) ART UNDERGROUND GALLERY The pedestrian underpass in Downtown Rock Springs is filled with community artwork from 25 residents of all ages. Known as the Art Underground Gallery, individual murals brighten this unique public gallery. Near the Rock Springs Coal archway and yellow caboose. at school carnivals, bake sales and donation jars. The collection grew and eventually needed a home of its own. THINGS TO DO At the Community Fine Arts Center you can marvel at pieces from artists like Norman Rockwell, Grandma Moses, Loren McGiver, Elliott Orr, Edward Chavez, Paul Horiuchi, Ilya Bolotowsky, Raphael Soyer and Rufino Tamayo, along with other well-known local and regional Wyoming artists. And for something fresh each time you come, enjoy the rotating exhibit of traditional and contemporary paintings, sculptures, prints and photography.