Sweetwater County Bucket List
Check a Few Items Off Your List in Rock Springs & Green River
Sweetwater County, Wyoming, is home to 10,500 square miles of pure, high-desert adventure. Check out these top attractions to put on your travel bucket list.
1. Visit Flaming Gorge Country
The Flaming Gorge Scenic Byway is situated where the rugged Uinta Mountains meet the expansive Wyoming desert. The breathtaking scenery is the perfect setting for boating, fishing, mountain biking, ATVing and hiking. There is plenty to see and do year-round including stargazing. In fact, the fun continues as the flakes fall in winter. From cross-country skiing and snowshoeing the trails to ice fishing for the big catch, cold-weather fanatics have plenty to do. The area is also home to a wide array of wildlife like moose, Rocky Mountain elk, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep and a variety of trout.
2. Hike to the Ancient Cliff Dwellings on White Mountain
Discover the White Mountain Petroglyphs, where you will find a unique version of southwest Wyoming’s history told through etchings in the sandstone walls of White Mountain. The Native Americans who lived in this area (roughly 200 to 1,000 years ago) left behind a legacy of their lifestyle in the form of hundreds of fascinating carvings.
Directions to White Mountain Petroglyphs:
Head up U.S. 191 about 10 miles north of Rock Springs. Turn right at CR 4-18 (at the sign that reads Petroglyphs, Sand Dunes, Boar’s Tusk) and then left at CR 4-17. Drive about 14 miles on the dirt road until you reach the White Mountain Petroglyphs sign. Turn left and drive about two miles until you reach the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) parking lot. From here, you’ll walk a quarter mile along a packed foot trail to the petroglyphs.
3. Kayak Down the Green River
Located right in the heart of the city of Green River, the Green River Whitewater Park and Tubing Channel offers not only the easiest access around, but also the most options for cooling off. Split into two channels that wrap around Expedition Island, the park encompasses challenging rapids, as well as gentle wading pools for families.
The northern channel stretches for a full 1,200 feet and is tailor-made for mellow endeavors such as wading, tubing and swimming. A series of gently plunging rapids give tubers a thrill over three different four-foot drops. Be safe and don't forget to check current whitewater conditions with USGS.
4. Experience a World-Class Rodeo
It's not surprising that you can get a hearty dose of rodeo fun in Sweetwater County. After all, Wyoming embodies cowboy culture with its wide-open plains and numerous ranches. What better way to experience the thrills and unique skills of the West than at a rodeo.
5. Attend a Festival
Sweetwater County is home to nearly a dozen festivals throughout the year. If you are a fan of international activities, cars, cold brews or live music, then southwest Wyoming is the place for you. There is a festival to tickle everyone’s fancy! Check out our calendar to find your next event.
6. Explore Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge
The Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge is more than 26,000 acres of wide-open wildlife adventure waiting to happen. Situated between the Fontenelle Dam and Green River, it’s a major attraction for those who want to go birding, wildlife watching, fishing or hunting — no matter the time of year. Cross-country ski or snowshoe in the winter for an experience you'll never forget.
Directions to Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge:
Head west on I-80 and take the exit for LaBarge State Highway 372 N. Drive about 28 miles to the refuge headquarters turnoff.
7. Pedal the Wilkins Peak Trail System
Named one of the “Best Mountain Bike Trails in Wyoming" by Singletracks.com, Wilkins Peak Trail System allows mountain bikers of all levels to experience a dramatic landscape and challenging ride. Warm up on the lower-elevation trails along the Green River, like the 10 Ring or Channel Surfing trails. Then get your heart racing on the labyrinth of single-track trails on the peak’s western face, including the TNT and Quick Draw trails.
8. Journey Through History
From dinosaurs to pioneer trails and mountain men to coal miners, Sweetwater County is diverse in its history. Check out the ruts left from the handcarts and wagons of the earliest settlers or venture to the Sheep Creek Geological Loop and experience a vast geological story.
9. Discover the Killpecker Sand Dunes
The Killpecker Sand Dunes offer beautiful, soft dunes to explore, as well as the remains of a tumultuous geologic past in the form of buttes and spires like the 400-foot-tall Boar’s Tusk, North Table Mountain, South Table Mountain, Black Rock, Spring Butte and the Leucite Hills.
One of the most popular activities here is dune surfing. Get your own sandboard or sled at the Visitor Center in Rock Springs for thrilling rides down these sandy slopes, which can reach up to 100-feet high.
Directions to Killpecker Sand Dunes:
From Rock Springs, take U.S. 191 about 10 miles to the north. Turn right at CR 4-18 (at the sign that reads Petroglyphs, Sand Dunes, Boar’s Tusk). Turn left at CR 4-17.
Create Your Own Adventure
In Sweetwater County, you’ll find fun and excitement around every corner with activities like camping, golfing, sightseeing, hunting, wildlife viewing, hunting dinosaurs, shopping or just plain getting away from it all. Order a free Travel Guide for help planning your adventure to southwest Wyoming.