Scenic countryside, myriad wildlife, lively cultural festivals, art and history make Rock Springs a popular destination in southwest Wyoming. Rock Springs is famous for being a melting pot of cultures and lays claim to being home to 50-plus nationalities. This is evident in the city’s architecture and events.
Find Rock Springs’ major attractions split between Downtown Rock Springs and the surrounding countryside of Sweetwater County. Getting around the downtown area is comfortable on foot but you’ll need a car to reach the attractions beyond the city center.
Start your visit at the Rock Springs Historical Museum to learn about the city’s pioneer and mining heritage. Collect a self-guided walking tour of Rock Spring’s historic downtown. Spot significant landmarks such as the Stockgrowers Mercantile Company building, one of the city’s oldest buildings. See the work of local and national artists at the Community Fine Arts Center. Attend a concert or play at the Broadway Theater.
Stop for lunch at one of the many steakhouses and Western-style saloons or a restaurant showcasing the city’s Asian influences. Alternatively, enjoy a picnic in tree-lined Burning Park. Throughout the summer the park hosts free concerts and International Day, which celebrates the city’s multicultural heritage. Afterward, check out the archaeology and geology displays at the Western Wyoming Community College’s Natural History Museum.
A visit to Rock Springs isn’t complete without exploring its magnificent surroundings. Hike, fish and go boating at Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. Spot birdlife amid the prairie and river of Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge. Look for wild horses, coyotes and eagles along the Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Loop. Ride on horseback or drive a jeep across the rolling dunes of Killpecker Sand Dunes. Check out the desert buttes and badlands of Adobe Town.
Rock Springs is about a 5.5-hour drive from Denver and a 3-hour drive from Salt Lake City. Interstate highways and intercity buses connect Rock Springs with other major U.S. destinations. Expect warm summers and cold winters, when frequent snowfall creates a pristine blanket of white over the nearby mountains.
