Manderson WyomingATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Manderson, Wyoming.
1. Bighorn River
SCENIC RIVER STROLL
The Bighorn River offers visitors a leisurely stroll through the picturesque landscape of Manderson. Tourists can enjoy the natural beauty while walking along the riverbank until they reach the historic Rairden Bridge. The river provides a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of more popular tourist destinations in Wyoming.
2. Rairden Bridge
HISTORIC RIVER CROSSING
Rairden Bridge stands as a historic landmark in Manderson, connecting the community across the Bighorn River. The bridge serves as a destination point for those taking riverside walks and offers excellent photo opportunities. Its historical significance makes it an interesting stop for visitors interested in local infrastructure history.
3. Washakie Museum & Cultural Center
REGIONAL HISTORY SHOWCASE
The Washakie Museum & Cultural Center provides visitors with an immersive learning experience about the Big Horn Basin's history and culture. The museum features exhibits on paleontology, geology, and Native American history relevant to the region. Visitors can explore artifacts, interactive displays, and educational programs that highlight the unique heritage of the area.
4. Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite
ANCIENT FOSSIL FOOTPRINTS
Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite offers visitors a glimpse into Wyoming's prehistoric past with well-preserved dinosaur footprints. The site features Middle Jurassic dinosaur tracks that are approximately 167 million years old, making it a significant paleontological destination. Visitors can walk along a boardwalk to view the tracks and learn about them through interpretive signs.
5. Greybull Museum
LOCAL HERITAGE COLLECTION
Greybull Museum houses a diverse collection of artifacts showcasing the history and culture of the Big Horn Basin. The museum displays items related to local industries, including ranching, railroading, and oil production that shaped the region. Visitors can explore exhibits that tell the story of early settlers and the development of Greybull and surrounding communities.
6. Crazy Woman Trading Post
UNIQUE LOCAL MERCHANDISE
Crazy Woman Trading Post offers a distinctive shopping experience featuring local crafts, artwork, and western memorabilia. The trading post sells authentic Wyoming souvenirs, handmade items, and regional foods that make perfect gifts or mementos. Visitors appreciate the friendly atmosphere and opportunity to purchase items that reflect the culture and heritage of the region.
7. Wyoming Mountain Guides
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SERVICE
Wyoming Mountain Guides provides expert-led outdoor excursions for visitors wanting to explore the wild landscapes surrounding Manderson. Their professional guides offer rock climbing, hiking, and mountaineering experiences suitable for various skill levels. Participants gain valuable knowledge about local geology, wildlife, and wilderness skills while enjoying unforgettable adventures.
8. Devils Tower National Monument
SACRED ROCK FORMATION
Devils Tower National Monument features a massive 1,267-foot monolith that towers above the Belle Fourche River and surrounding landscape. The site holds sacred significance for many Native American tribes including the Arapaho, Crow, Cheyenne, Kiowa, Lakota, and Shoshone. President Theodore Roosevelt designated Devils Tower as America's first national monument in 1906, preserving its unique geological features and cultural importance.
9. Sinks Canyon State Park
DISAPPEARING RIVER MYSTERY
Sinks Canyon State Park is home to the remarkable disappearing Popo Agie River that vanishes underground before reappearing a quarter mile away. Scientific tests using colored dye confirmed the connection between where the river disappears at "the Sinks" and where it reemerges at "the Rise." The unexplained phenomenon that more water emerges than initially disappears adds to the natural wonder of this unique geological feature.
10. Boot Hill Cemetery
HISTORIC COWBOY RESTING PLACE
Boot Hill Cemetery serves as the final resting place for many cowboys who were part of Wyoming's wild frontier history. The historic cemetery offers visitors a glimpse into the sometimes harsh realities of life in the Old West. Its name derives from the tradition of burying cowboys with their boots on, symbolizing their death while still active in their rugged profession.
11. Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site
FRONTIER MILITARY HISTORY
Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site preserves the remains of a key military post established in 1866 during the Bozeman Trail conflicts. The fort played a significant role in the Plains Indian Wars and was the site of the Fetterman Fight, one of the U.S. Army's worst defeats in the Indian Wars. Visitors can explore the interpretive center, tour the grounds, and learn about this pivotal chapter in American westward expansion.
12. Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site
ANCIENT ROCK ART
Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site features impressive prehistoric rock art panels created by indigenous peoples thousands of years ago. The site contains over 92 rock art panels with petroglyphs dating back as far as 10,000 years, documenting human presence in the region. Visitors can view these ancient artistic expressions while enjoying the beautiful canyon setting along Medicine Lodge Creek.
13. Big Horn County Museum
PIONEER LIFE COLLECTION
Big Horn County Museum showcases the rich history of the region through extensive collections of pioneer artifacts and historical buildings. The museum complex includes numerous restored structures such as a schoolhouse, church, blacksmith shop, and homesteader cabins that visitors can explore. Exhibits highlight the challenges and triumphs of early settlers who shaped the development of Big Horn County.
14. Shell Falls
DRAMATIC MOUNTAIN WATERFALL
Shell Falls offers an impressive natural spectacle as water from Shell Creek plunges 120 feet through a narrow canyon in the Bighorn Mountains. The interpretive center provides information about the geological history and ecosystem of this stunning natural feature. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the falls from observation platforms and explore hiking trails through the surrounding landscape.
15. Legend Rock State Petroglyph Site
ANCIENT NATIVE ARTWORK
Legend Rock State Petroglyph Site contains one of the largest concentrations of prehistoric rock art in the western United States. The site features over 300 petroglyphs created by various indigenous cultures spanning thousands of years of human history. Visitors can view these ancient artistic expressions that depict human figures, animals, and abstract designs through guided tours that protect and explain this fragile cultural resource.