Plan an unforgettable family-friendly adventure to Rock Springs and Green River. Sweetwater County’s abundant natural playgrounds lend you all kinds of opportunities to get out and play. Beyond our outdoor offerings, there are a variety of museums and activities to keep the kiddos entertained. We’ve got everything you need for the ultimate family vacation experience.
Flaming Gorge Country is a must when visiting Rock Springs and Green River. At the border of Southwest Wyoming and northeast Utah, this national recreation area offers 207,363 acres of outdoor adventure, perfect for hiking, mountain biking, ATVing and camping. Take a Flaming Gorge Bus Tour on a designated All-American Road to learn more about the region’s history and geology. Along the way, you’ll stop for jaw-dropping views of the area’s scenic landscape between the Uinta Mountains and the Wyoming desert.
Sweetwater County is home to more than 800 species of wildlife. As you explore the region, you may encounter various wildlife, from wild horses and mule deer to bighorn sheep and the rare desert elk. Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge is perfect for wildlife viewing and birding, as over 300 species have been spotted here.
The Killpecker Sand Dunes are popular among motorsports enthusiasts. You’ll find ATVs, dune buggies and dirt bikes trekking dunes that reach up to 100 feet tall. Beginners are welcome to test out the flatter areas and smaller dunes. As you explore this 11,000-acre area, take in the stunning rocky outcrops, buttes and spires, like the famed Boar’s Tusk, dotting the landscape. For another unique experience, try surfing the dunes on a sandboard or sled. The kids will definitely get a kick out of gliding down these sandy slopes. Get your gear and hit the dunes.
Choose your own adventure on Expedition Island. Pack lunch for the perfect family picnic. Water lovers can trek along the Green River by kayak, raft or tube. The little ones will have a blast at the island’s playground. Or, get that heart rate up with a jaunt along the Greenbelt Pathway.
Is water recreation more your style? Plan a lake day at Lake Flaming Gorge. This 91-square-mile reservoir is perfect for boating, jet skiing, water skiing and fishing. The lake boasts nine boat ramps and three marinas. Don’t have a boat? No worries. You can rent a variety of vessels, from houseboats to kayaks, at the marinas. Lake Flaming Gorge also offers some of the best cold-water fishing in the nation. The reservoir is packed with lake trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, channel catfish, burbot and kokanee salmon. Click here for more Southwest Wyoming fishing trip ideas.
See Native American rock carvings and petroglyphs at White Mountain. This stunning site gives us an inside look at what life and culture were like for the Native Americans who lived in this region dating back 1000 years ago. Take a quarter-mile hike to a 300-foot sandstone cliff face, where you’ll see etchings carved by the area’s earliest inhabitants.
Calling all history buffs! Southwest Wyoming is chock full of American history. From historic trail tours following pioneer routes to the Gold Rush mining town of South Pass to the ghost town of Superior, Sweetwater County invites you to learn about its storied past. For more on the unique history of Rock Springs and Green River, visit the Sweetwater County and Rock Springs Historical Museums.
Yep, you read that right — dinosaur hunting. Millions of years ago, Southwest Wyoming was a hotbed for dinosaurs. Now, you can see hundreds of fossils discovered in the region. Visit the Western Wyoming Community College Natural History Museum to learn more about the area’s archaeological and geological discoveries. You’ll see five life-size dinosaur replicas on display, including one of only 11 T-Rex skeletons in the world. Drive out to Fossil Butte National Monument to see more than 400 exceptionally preserved fossils of fish, reptiles, mammals and plant life discovered around what was once an ancient freshwater lake. Follow our Dinomite Loop Tour for more prehistoric fun.
Cultural festivals, concerts and rodeos — these are just a handful of the exciting events you’ll find in Rock Springs and Green River. Whether you’re attending your first rodeo or coming to town for Wyoming’s Big Show, you won’t want to miss the county’s signature events. Check out our events calendar to plan your family trip around one of our upcoming events.
Extend your outdoor getaway with a family camping trip. The area boasts multiple campgrounds to choose from, including primitive and RV campsites. Pair your preferred camping style with your favorite outdoor activities to craft the perfect family camping itinerary.
Looking for more Southwest Wyoming trip ideas? We’ve got you covered with all kinds of family fun in Rock Springs and Green River. And be sure to look into our adventure rentals to help plan your trip.