Things To Do
National Historic Trails Interpretive Center
This is a great place to learn about the history of Casper, Wyoming. Several major historic trails passed through Casper during the 1800s. To name a few, the Oregon Trail, California Trail, Mormon Pioneer Trail, Pony Express, and more.
Fort Caspar Museum
Fort Caspar is another great museum in Casper to visit. If you like learning about guns and soldiers, this is a great place to visit. You can also learn about how Casper was suppose to be named with an "ar" at the end but instead ended up with an "er" ending.
Tate Geological Museum at Casper College
If you like dinosaurs and rocks, you should visit the Tate museum. Free admission for all ages. There is a great big mammoth skeleton as its main exhibit and many other fossil that were found in the soil of Wyoming.
The Nicolaysen Art Museum
To one side of the building there is a small art gallery that you can walk through, and on the other side a kids' space where you can create with different art materials, play dress up, and present a puppet show.
Rotary Park
Rotary Park is located at the lower half of Casper Mountain. Here you can take a short hike up to a waterfall from the parking lot and have a few different options to take a further hike that loops around. A wonderful place to take in some nature while not going to far out of your way.
Casper Mountain
An afternoon hike on the Casper Mountain is an enjoyable excursion. You can drive up to the top of Casper Mountain and park either by the Casper Mountain Trails Center or the parking lot just a little beyond. There are multiple hiking trails to be discovered there. This is one of my favorite places to go for a hike or trail run... and in the winter time to go cross country skiing. - Marcelle
Pump House/Platte River Walking Paths
One of our favorite places to walk the chihuahuas (that is also stroller friendly for those who have strollers) is along the Platte River. Here you can see some mini rapids and a variety of local birds. I often park near a building called the Pump House.
Reshaw Park
The newest playground in town is located in Evansville, a neighboring town to Casper close to the Eastside Walmart. It's a great place to run off some energy for your littles and see a different part of town. There are multiple other playgrounds throughout Casper. This is just a fun hidden gem that is easily overlooked if your not from around Casper.
Three Crowns Golf Club
Great place to golf in the center of town! Close to the Pump House where I had mentioned earlier. There is a paved walking path that goes all the way around the golf course.
Casper Municipal Golf Course
For a slightly more affordable golf course, Municipal is a alternative choice with still a great view of Casper Mountain. My brother Simon has golfed here many of times and would highly recommend it.
Lou Taubert Ranch Outfitters
If you want to get a feel for some well made, fancy western clothing and accessories... Lou Taubert is a fun place to go browsing. Makes you jump back in time to Roy Rogers and Dale Evans time era.
Copper Cup Coffee Company
If you like a strong cup of coffee, this is your place to go. They roast their beans in house.
Blue Ridge Coffee
My favorite place for a meat and cheese everything bagel! They also have tasty lattes and matchas.
Racca's Pizzeria Napoletana | Italian
Delicious pizza and a relaxing atmosphere for a dinner out!
FireRock Steakhouse
Best place for a semi-formal dinner! Multiple people claim it's the best place in town for steak. I personally have not had it, but everything I have had there has been amazing, especially their dinner rolls! Note: it can get a bit loud in their peak dinner hour so I personally like going there for lunch or an early dinner.
Wyoming Ale Works
For the next-level burger or a fancy refreshing salad... this is as Wyoming as it gets.
Black Tooth Brewing
Has an outdoor patio that is family friendly. Sometimes they have a live band playing and you can grab your partner for some two step or country swing.
Backwards Distilling Company
One of the number one recommendations that my brother Simon suggests when you are in town.
Hell's Half Acre
Hell’s Half Acre is a striking badlands landscape located about 45 minutes west of Casper. It's known for its dramatic cliffs, deep gullies, and unusual rock formations carved by wind and water over the years. The area gets its name from early travelers who considered the rugged terrain harsh and difficult to cross. While it is not developed with extensive trails, it is a popular roadside stop for travelers who want to take in the scenery, especially at sunrise or sunset when the light highlights the textures and shadows of the formations.
Duncan Ranch Trail Head
Duncan Ranch Trailhead is a 45 minute drive East of Casper. At the trailhead itself, there is a little prairie dog town. Keep your eyes out and ears open to see and hear the little critters. The hike is a beautiful 5 mile complete loop. Note there are some short cut trails that are mostly marked. You may even find yourself hiking a few feet away from a herd of cattle. It is totally worth the small road trip.
Ayres Natural Bridge Park
Natural Bridge is a 47 minute drive to the East of Casper. Which is truly a natural bridge made out of Madison Limestone. The bridge was carved naturally by erosion from flowing water, particularly from the nearby Shell Creek. Over time, the creek dissolved and wore away sections of the limestone, leaving the harder rock arch standing. The bridge is about 85 feet high and spans roughly 50 feet.
Alcova Reservoir
Alcova is a half hour drive from Casper. It is the closet reservoir to Casper, but much smaller than Pathfinder. Both are ideal for boating and fishing. Alcova has a canyon passage for watercraft to go in and out of. An enjoyable adventure.
Pathfinder Reservoir
Pathfinder is an hour drive from Casper. It is one of our largest bodies of water near us.
Independence Rock State Historic Site
Independence Rock is an hour southwest of Casper and represents one of the most defining landmarks of the Oregon Trail. This large granite landmark along the historic Oregon Trail served as an important waypoint for pioneers traveling west in the 1800s. On the Wyoming plains near the Sweetwater River, the rock earned its name because wagon trains aimed to reach it by Independence Day to stay on schedule before winter. Thousands of emigrants carved their names into the granite, many of which are still visible today, giving the site the nickname “Register of the Desert.” Visitors can walk around the rock while learning about the journeys of settlers on the Oregon, California, and Mormon trails.
Esterbrook
Esterbrook is 1 1/2 hours out of Casper. It is a sweet little place in the country with an adorable small log church that you can walk into with a beautiful mountainous backdrop behind the pulpit. There is also a one room school house out there and a hiking trail. I would not recommend the drive for any low two-wheel drive cars since some of the dirt roads can be a bit washed out.
Devils Tower National Monument
Devils Tower is about 3 hours from Casper. It is a striking volcanic rock formation that rises dramatically about 867 feet above the surrounding landscape in northeastern Wyoming. America’s first national monument, designated in 1906 by Theodore Roosevelt. Visitors come to hike the trails around the base, watch rock climbers scale the formation, and enjoy wildlife and prairie views.
Grand Teton National Park
The Tetons are about 4 hours away. It is known for its jagged mountain peaks, crystal-clear alpine lakes, and exceptional wildlife viewing. The dramatic Teton Range rises sharply above the valley floor, creating some of the most iconic scenery in the American West. Visitors enjoy hiking, boating, fishing, scenic drives, and photography around spots like Jenny Lake and Jackson Lake. The park is home to moose, elk, bison, bears, and bald eagles. Funny story, Nathan and I went hiking in the Tetons once and accidentally came face to face with a moose. Thankfully we were able to part ways peacefully.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone is about 5 hours away from Casper. It is famous for its dramatic geothermal features, abundant wildlife, and mountain scenery. Visitors often see erupting geysers like Old Faithful, colorful hot springs such as Grand Prismatic Spring, and impressive waterfalls in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The park is also home to bison, elk, bears, wolves, and bald eagles, making it one of the best wildlife-viewing destinations. With forests, rivers, alpine lakes, and over 10,000 geothermal features. Nathan and I also visited Yellowstone in September. We put in the miles seeing all the must see locations in the National Park. But do keep your eyes out for bison when you are driving at night. They are like giant moving boulders near the sides of the road or on the road. Not that we had any near encounters, lol!
Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore is 3 1/2 hours away. Just across the Wyoming/South Dakota border.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is a slight detour away from Denver, Colorado, 1 hour and 40 minute drive from the Denver airport and a 4 hour drive from Casper. Nathan and I absolutely loved camping there for a night! The tent camping spaces were so big and smooth that it fit both of our tents with no problem and we didn't have to worry about sleeping on any jagged rocks. Though Nate was kept very busy scaring off the chipmunks and was nearly outsmarted by them when they would team up together during the meal times, lol! There are a lot of elaborately groomed and wide hiking paths with beautiful views and multiple lakes and ponds. Which is best to hike in the morning before the afternoon rain and thunderstorms roll in.