ADVENTURE AROUND EVERY CORNER
Places to go, sights to see, and memories to make—all right here in Goshen County.
Take a stroll back in time
Start at the Fort Laramie National Historic Site, open from dawn until dusk, 365 days a year. Free to the public, this Wyoming treasure includes 20+ historic structures to explore, each restored and refurbished to their original appearances. If you visit between Memorial Day weekend and the end of the summer, you can also take in living history/interpretive programs and historic weapons demonstrations.
Not far from Fort Laramie, another adventure awaits: The Confluence Trail! This 1.9-mile loop starts at the historic Army Iron Bridge and includes plenty of shady spots and benches along the way. For those with kiddos, this is a designated “Kids in Parks” TRACK Trail… which means there’s even more fun to be had along the way!
Visit a local farm, orchard, or livestock market
From the last Saturday in September through the night of Halloween, Ellis’ Harvest Home welcomes the public to pick pumpkins, explore the on-site corn maze, and enjoy an array of snacks and treats. While you’re there, be sure to stop by the petting zoo, try your hand at grain cart basketball, and take the pedal tractors for spin!
Over at Young’s Apple Box Orchard, you can hand-pick delicious, locally grown fruit from the family’s peach, crabapple, pear, and plum trees.
And don’t miss out on the excitement of the Torrington Livestock Markets. Sit among modern-day cowboys for a live auction, then head outside to walk the catwalk above the livestock pens.
Meet up with Mother Nature at Hawk Springs State Recreation Area
Drop in at the boat dock for an exciting day on the water; pack in a picnic and while away the day on one of Hawk Springs’ beloved sandy beaches; or plan ahead to tuck in for the night at one of the area’s 26 campsites.
Go fish (or go hunt)
In addition to dropping a line in the water (or through the ice) at Hawk Springs State Recreation Area, you’re invited to explore more than 30 walk-in hunting and fishing areas around the county.
Be sure to get your Wyoming fishing license or hunting license before heading out!
Out at Springer/Bump Sullivan Wildlife Management Area, rumor has it you’ll find some of the best pheasant and goose hunting in the state.
See the local wildlife
The Rawhide Wildlife Habitat Nature Trail is a delightful 1.7-mile loop, where—if you’re quiet and lucky enough—you might just spot some of the locals: White-tailed deer, pronghorn antelope, cottontail rabbits, bald and golden eagles, ring-necked pheasants, beavers, and more than 50 species of songbirds.
For the birders out there, we recommend stopping by Hawk Springs Recreation Area, the Springer/Bump Sullivan Wildlife Habitat, and the Table Mountain Wildlife Habitat Management Area to catch some of our county’s “frequent fliers” in action. In fact, Table Mountain serves as a major staging area for thousands of ducks and geese during spring and fall migrations each year.
Get to know our earliest homesteaders, pioneers, and residents
Torrington’s Homesteaders Museum is the home of Goshen County history. (Even the building itself—a Union Pacific Depot—is historic.) This space and experience is truly one of a kind… where else will you get to see Goshen County’s first automobile, an original homestead shack, and a one-room schoolhouse, all in one place?
After reading about it in the museum, you can visit the former town of Empire for an in-person glimpse into Wyoming’s first racially self-sufficient and politically autonomous African American community.
Taste what it means to “let the fruit do the talking”
Since 2004, Table Mountain Vineyards has prided itself on this motto—and produced an array of award-winning, fruit-forward wines as a result. Stop in for a tour, and enjoy a sip or two!
Perfect your golf swing
Cottonwood at Torrington Golf Course is our local golfing oasis, known for its lush greens and towering cottonwood trees.
Enjoy a swim or a splash
Nothing’s nicer on a hot summer day than a trip down the waterslide at Dale Jones Municipal Pool, a dash through the Fort Laramie splash pad, or a trip to the beaches at Hawk Springs.