Burlington WyomingATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Burlington, Wyoming.
1. Museum of Flight and Aerial Firefighting
AVIATION HISTORY ON DISPLAY
The Museum of Flight and Aerial Firefighting offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into the history of aviation and aerial firefighting techniques. Visitors can explore various aircraft exhibits and learn about the brave pilots who fought wildfires from the sky. The museum features interactive displays that appeal to aviation enthusiasts of all ages.
2. Crazy Woman Trading Post
LOCAL CRAFTS AND SOUVENIRS
Crazy Woman Trading Post is a charming local shop offering authentic Wyoming souvenirs and handcrafted items. The shop features works from local artisans including jewelry, pottery, and Western-themed décor. Visitors appreciate the friendly atmosphere and unique selection of items that capture Wyoming's frontier spirit.
3. Big Horn Basin GeoScience Center
PREHISTORIC WYOMING DISCOVERIES
The Big Horn Basin GeoScience Center showcases the rich geological and paleontological history of the region. Exhibits feature fossils, minerals, and interactive displays explaining Wyoming's prehistoric past. Visitors can learn about dinosaur discoveries and the unique geological formations that make this area scientifically significant.
4. Jurassic Cowboy
DINOSAURS MEET WESTERN CULTURE
Jurassic Cowboy offers a unique blend of paleontology and Western heritage in an engaging visitor experience. The attraction features dinosaur exhibits alongside displays of cowboy culture, creating an educational experience that connects Wyoming's prehistoric past with its frontier history. Families particularly enjoy the kid-friendly activities and photo opportunities with life-sized dinosaur models.
5. The Burlington Ditch
HISTORIC WATER ENGINEERING
The Burlington Ditch stands as a testament to early settler ingenuity and their impact on the region's agricultural development. This historical landmark demonstrates how irrigation transformed the arid Wyoming landscape into productive farmland. Visitors can walk along portions of the ditch and read informational plaques explaining its historical significance.
6. Devils Tower National Monument
SACRED NATURAL WONDER
Devils Tower National Monument is an awe-inspiring 1,267-foot monolith that rises dramatically above the Belle Fourche River. This sacred site holds great spiritual significance for many Native American tribes including the Arapaho, Crow, Cheyenne, Kiowa, Lakota and Shoshone. Designated as America's first national monument in 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelt, the tower attracts rock climbers, hikers, and visitors seeking to appreciate its natural grandeur.
7. Sinks Canyon State Park
THE DISAPPEARING RIVER
Sinks Canyon State Park features the mysterious Popo Agie River that dramatically disappears underground at 'the Sinks' before reappearing a quarter mile away at 'the Rise.' Scientific tests have confirmed the connection between these two points, though unexplainably more water emerges at the Rise than enters at the Sinks. Visitors can hike scenic trails, observe local wildlife, and witness this fascinating natural phenomenon firsthand.
8. Heart Mountain
DISTINCTIVE NATURAL FORMATION
Heart Mountain is a distinctive geological feature that stands as one of Wyoming's strange and wild landmarks. The mountain's unusual shape and isolated position have made it both a navigational landmark and a subject of geological study. Visitors can hike trails around the mountain while enjoying spectacular views of the surrounding Bighorn Basin.
9. Killpecker Sand Dunes
VAST DESERT PLAYGROUND
Killpecker Sand Dunes comprise one of the largest active sand dune fields in North America, stretching for over 100 square miles. The dunes offer recreational opportunities including sandboarding, off-road vehicle adventures, and photography in a surreal landscape. Visitors are often surprised to find this desert-like environment nestled within Wyoming's diverse topography.
10. Boar's Tusk
ANCIENT VOLCANIC REMNANT
Boar's Tusk is a dramatic volcanic neck rising 400 feet from the surrounding landscape, formed when magma hardened within the vent of an extinct volcano. Standing as the only remaining feature of a volcano that eroded away millions of years ago, this landmark creates a striking silhouette against the Wyoming sky. Visitors can hike to the base of this geological wonder for closer views and photographic opportunities.
11. Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site
FRONTIER MILITARY HISTORY
Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site preserves the remains of a key military outpost established along the Bozeman Trail in 1866. The fort played a significant role in the conflicts between the U.S. Army and Native American tribes fighting to preserve their traditional hunting grounds. Visitors can explore the interpretive center, walk the fort grounds, and learn about pivotal events including the Fetterman Fight and Wagon Box Fight.
12. Historic Governors' Mansion
WYOMING'S EXECUTIVE RESIDENCE
The Historic Governors' Mansion served as the official residence for Wyoming's governors and their families from 1905 to 1976. This beautifully preserved Colonial Revival house offers visitors a glimpse into the private and public lives of Wyoming's early state leaders. Tours showcase period furnishings and exhibits that highlight different eras of the mansion's use.
13. Independence Rock State Historic Site
OREGON TRAIL MILESTONE
Independence Rock served as a crucial landmark for pioneers traveling the Oregon Trail, who aimed to reach it by July 4th to ensure they could cross the mountains before winter. This massive granite dome features thousands of names carved by 19th-century travelers, earning it the nickname 'The Great Register of the Desert.' Visitors today can walk around the rock, spot historical inscriptions, and gain insight into the challenges faced by westward emigrants.
14. Granger Stage Station
PIONEER TRANSPORTATION HUB
Granger Stage Station is a well-preserved reminder of Wyoming's role in the Pony Express and overland stage routes of the 1800s. The stone station served as a vital rest stop for mail carriers, passengers, and freight traveling between Missouri and California. Visitors can explore the historical structure and imagine the bustle of activity during the frontier transportation era.
15. Washakie Museum & Cultural Center
REGIONAL HISTORY PRESERVED
The Washakie Museum & Cultural Center showcases the rich history of the Bighorn Basin through engaging exhibits on geology, paleontology, and cultural heritage. Named after the renowned Shoshone leader Chief Washakie, the museum features artifacts from prehistoric times through the pioneer era. Interactive displays and educational programs make this a must-visit destination for understanding the region's diverse past.