Cowley WyomingATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Cowley, Wyoming.
1. Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark
SACRED NATIVE AMERICAN SITE
The Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark is a circular stone structure about 80 feet in diameter made from rocks and cairns, serving as one of the largest stone medicine wheels in North America. This sacred Native American site is still used for ceremonial purposes today and requires a 2-mile hike from the parking area to access. Visitors should note that the wheel is closed during winter months and during ceremonial use.
2. Devils Tower National Monument
FIRST US NATIONAL MONUMENT
Devils Tower National Monument is an iconic 1,267-foot monolith that towers above the Belle Fourche River and was designated as the nation's first national monument in 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelt. Also known as Bear Lodge, it is a sacred place for many Native American tribes including the Arapaho, Crow, Cheyenne, Kiowa, Lakota, and Shoshone. The site offers excellent opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and rock climbing.
3. Mustang Mountain Vineyard
LOCAL WYOMING WINERY
Mustang Mountain Vineyard is a charming winery located in Cowley, Wyoming that offers visitors a taste of locally produced wines. The vineyard provides wine tastings and an opportunity to learn about viticulture in Wyoming's unique climate. Visitors can enjoy the scenic views of the surrounding landscape while sampling the vineyard's wine selection.
4. My Studio
ART AND LESSONS
My Studio in Cowley offers various lessons and artistic experiences for visitors of all ages. The studio serves as a creative space where locals and tourists can engage in hands-on artistic activities. Classes and workshops are available for those looking to explore their creative side while visiting the Cowley area.
5. Heart Mountain
ICONIC WYOMING LANDMARK
Heart Mountain is a striking geological formation and one of Wyoming's strange and wild landmarks. The mountain's distinctive heart-like shape makes it a recognizable feature of the Wyoming landscape. Visitors can explore hiking trails around the area and learn about both its natural history and cultural significance.
6. Killpecker Sand Dunes
MASSIVE DESERT LANDSCAPE
Killpecker Sand Dunes is one of the largest active sand dune systems in North America, offering a surreal desert landscape in the heart of Wyoming. Visitors can engage in various recreational activities including sandboarding, ATV riding in designated areas, and photography. The dunes' ever-changing formations created by wind patterns provide a unique natural attraction unlike anything else in the region.
7. Boar's Tusk
ANCIENT VOLCANIC REMNANT
Boar's Tusk is a striking volcanic remnant that rises dramatically from the surrounding plains, standing as a sentinel in Wyoming's desert landscape. This unique geological formation is the eroded remains of a volcanic plug, estimated to be about 2.5 million years old. Adventure seekers and photographers are drawn to this distinctive landmark for its otherworldly appearance and historical significance.
8. Sinks Canyon
DISAPPEARING RIVER WONDER
Sinks Canyon State Park features the mysterious middle fork of the Popo Agie River that dramatically disappears into an underground cave called 'the Sinks' before reemerging a quarter mile away at 'the Rise.' Scientific tests using colored dye confirmed that the water at the Rise is the same water that vanishes at the Sinks, though more water emerges than initially disappears, creating an unexplained natural phenomenon. The canyon offers hiking trails, rock climbing opportunities, and wildlife viewing in the stunning landscape of the Wind River Mountains.
9. Buffalo Bill Center of the West
FIVE MUSEUMS IN ONE
The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is a premier cultural institution comprising five distinct museums that celebrate the American West's art, history, and natural science. Visitors can explore the Buffalo Bill Museum, Whitney Western Art Museum, Plains Indian Museum, Cody Firearms Museum, and Draper Natural History Museum all under one roof. The center offers an immersive educational experience that honors the spirit, culture, and heritage of the American West through its extensive collections and exhibits.
10. Independence Rock State Historic Site
OREGON TRAIL LANDMARK
Independence Rock State Historic Site is a massive granite dome that served as an important landmark for pioneers traveling the Oregon Trail in the 1800s. Many travelers carved their names into the rock, earning it the nickname 'The Great Register of the Desert,' with over 5,000 names still visible today. Visitors can hike around or to the top of the rock, taking in sweeping views of the surrounding Wyoming landscape while connecting with this significant piece of American westward expansion history.
11. Old Trail Town
AUTHENTIC WESTERN BUILDINGS
Old Trail Town features a collection of authentic frontier buildings from the late 1800s that have been relocated and preserved in Cody. Visitors can walk through historic cabins, saloons, and a general store that once housed notorious Western figures like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The site also includes a cemetery where several notable Western personalities are buried, providing a genuine glimpse into Wyoming's frontier past.
12. Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site
FRONTIER MILITARY HISTORY
Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site preserves the remains of a military fort established in 1866 during Red Cloud's War, one of the most significant conflicts between Native Americans and the United States government. The site features a visitor center with exhibits, a video presentation, and interpretive trails that guide visitors through this turbulent chapter of Western history. From the nearby Fetterman and Wagon Box fight sites to the reconstructed fort walls, visitors can gain insight into the complex relations between settlers and Plains Indians during the expansion of the Bozeman Trail.
13. Granger Stage Station State Historic Site
PONY EXPRESS STOP
Granger Stage Station State Historic Site preserves a stone building constructed in 1856 that served as a stop on the Pony Express route, the Overland Stage Line, and later the transcontinental telegraph. The sturdy structure has withstood the test of time and offers visitors a tangible connection to Wyoming's transportation and communication history. Travelers can explore the station and imagine the bustling activity that once centered around this remote outpost during America's westward expansion.
14. Historic Governors' Mansion
WYOMING EXECUTIVE RESIDENCE
The Historic Governors' Mansion served as the official residence for Wyoming's governors and their families from 1905 to 1976, hosting numerous historical events and distinguished visitors. Now preserved as a state historic site, the Colonial Revival mansion has been restored to reflect various time periods of its use, from the early 1900s through the mid-20th century. Visitors can tour the elegantly appointed rooms filled with period furnishings and learn about the political and social history of Wyoming through the lives of its gubernatorial families.
15. Bighorn National Forest
MOUNTAIN RECREATION PARADISE
Bighorn National Forest encompasses over one million acres of diverse landscape featuring alpine meadows, glacial valleys, dramatic canyons, and abundant wildlife. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy activities year-round, including hiking, fishing, camping, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing across more than 1,500 miles of trails. The forest's dramatic Cloud Peak Wilderness area offers pristine backcountry experiences with stunning mountain vistas and crystal-clear mountain lakes for those seeking solitude in nature.