We drove through Medicine Bow National Forest enroute to Laramie from Cheyenne. Driving this way…read moreis an nice alternative to going straight through on Interstate 80. Tip: Drink plenty of water and dress appropriately; it can get VERY windy here We didn't have much time to explore because of our time crunch, so we might come back this way to see what there is to see.

Unexpected beauty - what we saw driving through Medicine Bow National Forest…read more We were driving through Wyoming on I80 heading east towards Laramie, when we decided to stay in a small town just south of Laramie called Centennial. Waze routed us on a road (I30) through Medicine Bow National Forest. So glad we changed plans to stay in that town because we were blown away by the sights. Words like breathtaking are totally appropriate for the views. Take this detour through the National Forest!!! You won't regret it.

Obviously the location is amazing. Hard to beat hot springs in winter, especially since we were…read morelucky enough to be there while it was snowing. But service and accommodations? Negative stars. My husband and I just stayed two nights in the caboose for our anniversary. First impressions the caboose is adorable, but smells like the inside of a bong. Absolutely overwhelmingly rank. We opened all the doors and windows and used most of a bottle of febreeze we found under the sink to make it slightly more tolerable. Then when we pulled open the murphy bed we found someone else's dirty underwear. We let the attendant know, he apologized and told us he'd let his manager know and we should hear from her the next day. We watched him write a note for her. Heard absolutely nothing. No follow up whatsoever. We talked to another employee when we were checking out to let him know we left a pile of someone else's dirty laundry on the stoop and his response was "f***, I keep telling those guys they have to clean in there." Seriously not impressed for a $500 stay. On top of that the provided linens are one thin blanket, threadbare sheets and the saddest pillows you've ever slept on. I get that it's a rustic setting, but that's no excuse for a dirty, smelly room and cheapskate bedding. It was just gross.

Atmosphere: Strawberry Hot Springs is one of my favorite hot…read morespring spots to relax. The atmosphere is so calm and peaceful. You can really let go of all your stress as soon as you get there. They have about four hot pools and a cold plunge. The cold plunge is freezing at first but it actually feels amazing after being in the hot water for a while. I've visited in both fall and winter, and each season is stunning. Kids are welcome during the day. Which makes it great for a family visit. At night, clothing is optional during certain hours, so just check ahead if that's not your thing. Service: The staff is really laid-back and friendly. They check bags for food because chipmunks will try to sneak to your bag and steal your snacks. The bathrooms are always clean and well-maintained. Everyone makes the whole experience feel easy and enjoyable. Cost & Reservations: If you drive yourself and there's no snow, admission is $20 cash per person. If it's snowy, there's a shuttle from Steamboat Springs for about $50, which includes admission. Visits are two-hour reservations, you can book on their website. Payment is cash only in person, so make sure to bring some. Tips: Keep snacks in your car to avoid the chipmunks, bring a towel and something warm to wear after your soak, and enjoy!

So much great variety for $12 day pass…read more Locals pay less but it's worth every penny. Lots of trail variety and trails are labeled based on skill level required. I will say advanced trails here seem pretty normal. Not sure what their baseline is. Trails and entire park are well maintained. Helpful staff at the visitors center. Camp Hike Enjoy the water Fish Float Tents Cabins All are great options here.

Stopped in for a quick overnight stay. The park is big with a few lakes to fish, some hiking ,…read morebiking and fun camping. It's a very pretty park. There are a lot of spots to tent or pull in your camper or trailer. The rangers were friendly but recommend a reservation in the busy months. We went in September and had no problem getting a spot. There are hook ups and dome nice bathrooms if needed.

I made a drive by appearance at the Wyoming Territorial Prison because I didn't have the time or…read morefunds to visit the museum. I bet it would be c ool to see though, especially if you're a fan of outlaws, in particularly Butch Cassidy. Wyoming Territorial Prison was built in 1872 and restored and renovated in the 1990s by the efforts of the citizens of Laramie. There were 12 women housed here and more than 1,000 men, the most famous of which was Robert LeRoy Parker "Butch Cassidy". With territorial status, there came a need in Wyoming for a facility to house convicted felons. In 1869, the territorial legislature approved the construction of a prison. The federal government approved funding the following year and two years later the 42 cell facility opened with Deputy United States Marshal Nathaniel. K. Boswell as first warden. Until then convicted felons were housed at the Detroit House of Corrections. Unfortunately, the opening of the new prison did not solve the problem, since the expense of the Laramie facility was greater than shipping the inmates out of the Territory. The Prison charged as much as a $1.00 per day for each prisoner, while after 1878 Nebraska agreed to house inmates in its State Penitentiary for only forty cents. During the period 1882 to 1887 Illinois agreed to house the prisoners for free. Thus, during the period from 1882 to 1887 most inmates went off to Joliet. Indeed, a federal inspection of the Laramie facility in 1884 found only 10 inmates, some of whom were permitted to go into town on Saturday night. Behind the prison on the right is the broom factory. In addition to brooms, the inmates constructed furniture, some of which is on display in the Laramie Plains Museum. To the left of the prison is the horse barn. The barn is now used for a dinner theatre and a museum devoted to the Federal Marshals Service. The small building on the left, is the warden's residence. After 1887, the Penitentiary was overcrowded even with the construction of a new wing. The new wing housed three cells for women inmates and medical facilities. Rules for inmates were strict. They were required, among other things, to bath in the summertime twice a week. In the winter they might be required to bathe only once a week. They laundered and made their own clothes. Among the inmates was Butch Cassidy. Although construction of a new prison at Rawlins was proposed as early as 1886, it was not until 1903 that a new facility was opened. It is an old saw (but not true) that in the distribution of the capitol to Cheyenne, the prison to Rawlins, the lunatic asylum to Evanston, and the University to Laramie, that Laramie had last choice. With the opening of the new facility at Rawlins, the old prison was converted to the Agriculture Experiment Station under Bert C. Buffum as director. The area has now been converted back to a park and museum and includes the United States Marshals' Museum and exhibits as to early ranch life. While at the prison, visitors can check out other sites on the grounds, including the historically furnished Frontier Town, the Warden's House, a Union Pacific boxcar and the Horse Barn Exhibit Hall.

I have been to this museum over 12 times. It is usually a ton of fun to visit and extremely…read moreinteresting. I usually highly recommend it. Most of the employees are volunteers. If you come here make sure you go to the Butch Cassidy Exhibit. Due to Covid it's difficult to get around the historical site now. I brought a friend here today, in the person at the cash register was kind of rude. Chalk it up to Covid. If you are in LARAMIE... And this place isn't packed... With lines of people trying to get through... I do recommend checking it out!

Great for a quick afternoon hike or a night of stargazing. The trail is relatively easy to follow-…read morevery interesting rock formations along the way and you may even see a beaver family in the pond towards the end of the trail. Just look for it as you're passing along I-80, can't miss it!

It has long been a great spot to hike for locals and visitors, but for camping it can get noisy…read more(Thanks Coloradans for ruining our state parks). There are a few streams and beaver ponds to fish, but bring waders and a large pack with a creel container that has ice packs to keep the fish cold. Wear good hiking shoes, and bring lots of water and sunscreen!

Lovely park. Lots of shade trees. Impressed that there is a lifeguard for the wading pool. Clean…read moreand well maintained.

This narrow park abuts the railroad depot and extends from Garfield Street to Park Avenue. There is…read morededicated "all day" parking here which is helpful. The park has plenty of space for play, covered picnic tables and barbecue grills as well as a playground. Lots of space for running around but the park is only fenced on the side of the train lines so parents will need to pay extra close attention. While you're here, enjoy the railroad depot and the historic Snow Train. The north end of the park is an unfenced off-leash dog area, the only one that is within the Laramie city parks. [Review 17828 overall - 36 in Wyoming - 1349 of 2022.]

What a brilliant and creative dog park!! Fully fenced natural landscape with trails all around and…read morethrough. We brought Chico here 3 times and each time it was empty or someone was leaving. People are very respectful to let you run or walk trails and wait if your dog needs space. The sad part is I must have picked up 20 or more piles of poop. Cmon folks! Be better than that!!

Excellent dog park. Very spacious lots of trails to walk . Completely fenced. Not too hard to find…read morejust turn left at the library its very close to downtown. Dont forget to pick up after your dog and don't miss the donation box on the way out.

A center exit from the Interstate and there really isn't much here except, yes, there is a tree…read moregrowing out of the rock. There really aren't many trees in southeastern Wyoming so this one is really interesting. "Discovered" by the Union Pacific rail workers when the tracks were laid through here in 1867, they actually moved the line sideways to avoid it. The railroad was eventually moved south, and the old road bed past Tree in the Rock was used as a wagon trail, then as the Lincoln Highway, and now as Interstate 80. The freeway splits around the tree, which has its own little parking area in the median and a spiky fence to protect it. It's called simply "Tree Rock" by its unromantic modern sign, which notes that "Limber Pines can live as long as 2000 years." It's a quick stop that will take you less than five minutes to explore. For that, it's worth it to see how "Nature finds a way." [Review 17823 overall - 37 in Wyoming - 1344 of 2022.]

It's a tree. Growing in a rock. In the middle of the highway…read more There are pull offs Borge East and West so you can get out and take a picture. Not much else to do here. I wouldn't go out of my way to come see this, but if you are on the highway between Cheyenne and Laramie, it's worth stopping to see.