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Sheridan, Wyoming
Nestled at the base of the Bighorn Mountains, Sheridan, Wyoming, is riddled with history and epic scenery. Located halfway between Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore, Sheridan is the epitome of the Old West. When visiting, you’ll see remnants of the cowboy, pioneer and rancher lifestyle that so many sacrificed for as they traveled with the westward migration. Sheridan breathes tradition and encourages family fun any time of year; summer street festivals, semi-annual rodeos, brew fest, concerts in the park and farmer’s markets are just a few of the many things that invite people from around the world to this small Wyoming town. Visitors can also find events that encompass the traditional western lifestyle; every May spectators can watch the Eaton Horse Drive as cowboys run their herd through the heart of downtown from open land to the Eaton Ranch. Want to experience a true Cowboy lifestyle? Stay at one of the nearby ranches to stay in cabins, go horseback riding, and explore open land as far as the eye can see. If you love small towns and a slower pace of life, Sheridan is the perfect place for your next visit.
BY LINDSI LUFFMAN
Sheridan Rodeo Week
Twice a year you can join in the action of Rodeo Week. In mid-July attendees can participate in the Boot Kick-Off and bed races, watch bucking broncos and Pow Wows, while enjoying the sights and sounds of a carnival. The winter rodeo offers exciting action-packed days full of skijoring through downtown (a competition where skiers are pulled by a horse and rider along a course with jumps, gates and rings), Cowboy Polo, Bike Races and live music over at Black Tooth and Luminous Breweries.
Mint Bar
Lit up every night with the iconic neon Wyoming Bucking Bronco, the Mint Bar has been a legendary meeting place since it’s opening in 1907. Like many historic bars, the Mint has been many things over the years, from a cigar company and soda shop with a speakeasy hidden in the walls to a casual spot to get a cold one and let the horses rest. A visit to Sheridan isn’t complete without grabbing your friends and telling them you’ll “meet them at the Mint.”
Don King Museum
ATTACHED TO King’s Rope, the museum is home to over three decades of the King’s family collection of Western and Cowboy memorabilia from across the world. Visitors will see walls lined with hundreds of saddles as well as in-tact coaches, wagons, Native American artifacts, generations of firearms, Western tack and original artwork. Anyone who has a love of Cowboy history will want to make this a stop while in Sheridan. The museum is open Monday - Saturday 8:00am to 5:00pm.
Bighorn Mountains
A scenic short drive outside of Sheridan, you’ll find stunning views along over 1,200 miles of trails through the Bighorn Mountains. The trails differ in difficulty, but you’ll find something for every level of hiker. Rivers throughout the Bighorns also offer amazing spots for fly fishing Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout, Black-nose Dace and Mountain Whitefish. Wildlife viewing is also a big part of the mountain range no matter what activity you participate in; keep an eye out for Bald Eagle, Whitetail deer, black bear, mountain lions and more.
Kings Saddlery on Main Street
Located in Downtown Sheridan on Main Street, King’s Saddlery and Ropes is a large western tack store that has something for “every cowboy, cowgirl and city-slicker.” From custom tooled leather goods, saddles, ropes and other horse tack to jewelry, knick-knacks and more for the general western lifestyle lover. King’s is a family run business started by the late Don King in 1946. Some of his custom handmade saddles are now in the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and the PRCA Rodeo Hall of Fame.
History. Heritage. Craft CULTURE. The Great Outdoors. Sheridan is The Nature of the West.
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million acres of pristine wildland in the Bighorn National Forest, encompassing 1,200 miles of trails, 30 campgrounds, 10 picnic areas, 6 mountain lodges, legendary dude ranches, and hundreds of miles of waterways. The Bighorns offer limitless outdoor recreation opportunities.
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restaurants, bars, food trucks, lounges, breweries, distilleries, tap rooms, saloons, and holes in the wall are spread across Sheridan County. That’s 101 different ways to apres adventure in the craft capital of Wyoming. We are also home to more than 40 hotels, motels, RV parks, and B&Bs.
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seasons in which to get WYO’d. If you’re a skijoring savant, you’ll want to check out the Winter Rodeo. July features the beloved WYO Rodeo. Spring and fall are the perfect time to chase cool mountain streams or epic backcountry lines, race the Bighorn Trail run, and more.
Sheridan features a thriving, historic downtown district, with western allure, hospitality and good graces to spare; a vibrant arts scene; bombastic craft culture; a robust festival and events calendar; and living history from one corner of the county to the next.