Seven reasons to find your way to Platte County, Wyoming

If you’re aiming to go outside and play in a spectacular setting for your next family vacation, or perhaps just craving a peaceful rural escape, look toward the “heart of Wyoming.” Here are seven great reasons to consider paying a visit to Platte County’s great outdoors:

Drink in the unforgettable scenery

With five inviting small towns, mountains, lakes, towering high-desert spires and forested slopes, Platte County’s scenic territory more than delivers on Wyoming’s promise of wide-open spaces, breathtaking views and rustic adventures.

Get active with amazing recreation

The only county in Wyoming to claim two state parks, Platte County offers endless opportunities to enjoy hiking, biking, camping and other outdoor recreation without having to fight the seasonal crowds of Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. Just 35 miles apart, Glendo State Park and Guernsey State Park each offers its own unique visitor experience, making it entirely possible to check out both in one trip.

Splash into waterfront fun

Within the parks and at additional reservoirs, rivers and fishing holes, Platte County locals and visitors love to cast a line and see what’s biting. Known for its walleye, Glendo State Park offers an abundance of excellent fishing opportunities year-round. Guernsey State Park is more geared toward boating and swimming, with several beaches where guests can put in and float down river, and even allows cliff diving for true adrenaline junkies.

Take an animal adventure

Beyond the bald eagles, antelope, deer, prairie dogs, coyotes and other native wildlife you’re likely to glimpse in the rural and park settings, the Twin Pine Ranch at Laramie Peak offers a chance to observe and hunt the majestic buffalo in their natural habitat.

See history come alive

Platte County is sited on the original Pony Express route and the legendary Oregon Trail, boasting the deepest wagon ruts of the entire journey at 6 feet in depth to mark the path settlers originally traveled during America’s westward expansion in the mid-1800s. Similar to Independence Rock a little farther west, the Register Cliff Historic Site landmark preserves a tangible record of pioneers who carved their names into the sandstone for family members who later followed in their footsteps.

Eat, drink and be merry

With all this adventure and fresh air, visitors are sure to work up an appetite. To satisfy a variety of thirsts, Platte County claims both the oldest soda fountain and the oldest bar in the state of Wyoming. The Chugwater Soda Fountain serves up retro hand-dipped milkshakes, floats and classic ice cream treats. Meanwhile, Miners and Stockmen’s Steakhouse and Spirits in Hartville is a must-stop for traditional steaks and cocktails in a storied atmosphere that’s more than a century old. Other dining options throughout the county range from pizza and Mexican fare to barbecue and home-style comfort food.

Rest and relax

To accommodate overnight visitors, Platte County rolls out a growing selection of lodging options that includes camp sites, hotels and short-term vacation rentals.

For more information on what to do, see, eat and experience during your visit to Wyoming’s Platte County, visit wyplatteco.com.

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