Top 10 Places To Unplug and Unwind in Wyoming

Find your best digital detox in Wyoming

Now that the digital detox has become a thing, finding the best places for true restorative experiences can be hard to come by in our connected world.  Wyoming, however, stands out as unequaled for opportunities in analog, real life solitude. Getting away from the noise and distractions of everyday life is easy in Wyoming, as the state’s spaciousness and low population density would allow each person living in Wyoming to have 111 acres all to themselves.

Use those numbers to your advantage by planning a trip to detox your emotional wellbeing and recharge in the Cowboy State. In these 10 Wyoming towns, you can leave your notifications behind and experience the beauty and authenticity of the West.

Lander

Nestled in a nook of land between the Bridger Wilderness and Wind River Indian Reservation, Lander’s access to trails, fishing spots and world-class climbing wait to be discovered in this secluded mountain town along Wyoming’s Wind River Range.  Most of Lander’s outdoor fun can be found in Sinks Canyon State Park, a beautiful park with a natural phenomenon known as The Sinks. Jump on one of the 500+ area climbing routes or explore the park’s stunning scenery via trail. If you’d like a more classic Western experience, book a stay at Allen’s Diamond Four Ranch.

Star Valley

Wyoming’s Star Valley is a community of 12 towns that span a 45 mile stretch of valley nestled against the Salt River Mountain Range – just one hour south of Jackson and Grand Teton National Park.  This often-overlooked part of the state is also one of the most beautiful, with green carpeted rolling hills, snow-capped mountains and rushing rivers serving as the backdrop to your outdoor adventures.  Anglers can wet a line in their choice of three sublime and photogenic rivers: the Salt, Greys or Snake rivers all make for perfect fishing.  Afterword, hike in the nearby Bridger-Teton National Forest or auto-tour the views along the Star Valley Scenic Byway.

In the winter, the Star Valley hosts snowmobilers who can explore the area’s hundreds of miles of groomed snowmobile trails, that in turn open up access to countless high country open bowls and mountain vistas in both Wyoming and Idaho.  This area offers deep snow, beautiful scenery and fantastic off trail riding.  Don’t have your own snowmobile?  No worries, rentals are available in Pinedale, Alpine and Thyane.  Bring a snorkel and some snacks as snow depths regularly run from 3 feet to 12 feet!

Saratoga

Make your way to Saratoga to easily discover many of the region’s remote, beautiful trails.  Hikers in Medicine Bow National Forest can walk along the Snowy Mountain Range where you can camp, book a unique accommodation such as the Snow Survey Cabin or enjoy a luxurious, mountainside retreat at Brush Creek Ranch.  Afterword, indulge in some local mountain-vibe for a hot water rejuvenation. Stop by and soak in Satago’s Hobo Hot Springs, which feature several free pools, including a few nestled along the banks of the North Platte River.  Or,  if you’re looking for something more upscale, you can stay at Saratoga Hot Springs Resort to relax in their teepee-covered hot spring pools.

Sundance

Break away from the pace of modern life in the very place where the legendary Sundance Kid got his name.  This Western town is located in the heart of the Black Hills, offering plenty of trails for the enjoyment of hikers, horseback riders and off-road vehicle enthusiasts alike.  Be sure to make time to explore America’s first National Monument: Devils Tower.  Hike around its mile-long base or climbing up its 900-foot face for the most unbelievable digital detox possible.  

Alcova

Technically part of Casper, Wyoming, Alcova is an unincorporated town near Fremont Canyon that offers adventures on the water and a chance to unplug from modern life.  Soak in the silence while staying at a campsite along the canyon’s Alcova or Pathfinder reservoirs or book a rustic cabin in the town of Alcova.  Bring your own watercraft or save the trouble and rent while you’re there.  Local outfitters can equip you with a pontoon boat, kayak, stand-up paddleboard or goofy water toy at Alcova Resort.  Once on the water, unwind and spend your days gazing at the canyon’s towering ancient walls.  Grab your fishing pole and cast a line into Alcova Reservoir, or try your luck at fly fishing on the nearby Platte River.  Rock climbing, hiking and mountain biking offer even more fun while you’re on shore.  For a zoomed-out look at this breathtaking landscape, jump in your car and explore the surrounding Seminoe to Alcova Scenic Byway.

Guernsey

Step off the grid and into a time when the West was still a new frontier.  Just south of Guernsey you will find remnants of travel from pioneers heading West on the Oregon Trail during the mid-1800s.  See the Oregon Trail ruts – wagon tracks worn into sandstone from wagontrains – some of which wore five feet deep into the soft rock as they rode through.  Then head over to Register Cliff to find names carved into rock wall by emigrants passing through. Continue your deep dive into history with a trip to Fort Laramie, a national historic site that transformed from a fur trading outpost to a military post in the post-Civil War years. When you’re finished taking in the area’s history, switch over to spend some quality time on the water at modern day Guernsey State Park.

Lovell

This quaint town in northern Wyoming offers a doorway to both Western history and outdoor adventure. Spot wild horses at the Pryor Mountain Wild Mustang Center, discover the ancient and sacred First Nation’s Bighorn Medicine Wheel at Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark.  Get in touch with its mystery and beauty as you walk around its 28 spokes built from hand quarried stone. 

Next, talk a walk through downtown Lovell, known for its beautiful rose gardens. While in town, take a few days to explore the nearby Bighorn Lake and Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, an expansive landscape that reaches into Montana and features stunning, 1,000-foot-tall canyon walls carved by the Bighorn River.

Green River

Discover southwest Wyoming’s beautiful buttes and otherworldy rock formations in the area surrounding Green River. See for yourself the very spot where John Wesely Powell’s brave crew set off for the first ever exploration of the Grand Canyon river system.  Toss your phones aside as you search for wildlife at the beautiful Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge, where moose, pronghorn and over 200 species of birds can be spotted year-round. Or drive the Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Loop for the chance to see members of the area herd, which consists of about 1,500 wild horses. Drive the Flaming Gorge-Green River Basin Scenic Byway for breathtaking views of Green River and Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, leaving ample time to stop and explore.  

Buffalo

Tucked just east of Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains, Buffalo offers a wide range of outdoor activities that can be enjoyed during any season. Take a hike in Cloud Peak Wilderness, cast a line in Clear Creek or saddle up for an hourly, daily or overnight horseback trip at one of several nearby ranches. When the snow starts falling, hit the slopes at Meadowlark Ski Lodge or snowmobile pristine trails in the Bighorns. For a touch of Wild West adventure, step back in time at the Historic Occidental Hotel, where infamous guests such as Butch Cassidy and Calamity Jane once stayed. Then venture down to Hole-in-the-Wall near Kaycee to get a first-hand look at one of the West’s best outlaw hideouts.

Dubois

See the world on an entierly different scale at Dubois.  Located near both the Wind River and Absaroka mountain ranges, Dubois boasts plenty of opportunities to getting away from your inbox and into the outdoors.  Hike to the peaceful Lake Louise or challenge yourself with a hike up Whiskey Mountain, both of which aren’t far from Wyoming’s tallest mountain at 13,809 feet: Gannett Peak. Be sure to stop at the National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Center to learn about Wyoming’s bighorn sheep through engaging exhibits. During the winter months, head west to Falls Campground or Deception Creek to snowshoe or cross-country ski. These areas are protected from snowmobilers, allowing you to have a quiet experience on pristine snow.