Five Wyoming Towns Are Quiet, But Their Motels Serve Oil Workers

Travelers visiting five small Wyoming towns should enjoy the local culture but choose their lodging with care, according to a new guide from local journalist Glenn Woods. The report lists specific communities where visitors are welcome, but where the available hotels are primarily designed for industry employees rather than vacationers.

Woods, who travels extensively across the state, says the residents in these towns are high-quality people worth meeting. He notes that visitors will love the local history. However, he warns that most motels and RV parks in these locations exist to house workers from the oil, gas, and ranching sectors. He advises that these facilities are great for that purpose but not ideal for a standard vacation stay.

The guide begins with Torrington, which Woods describes as a quiet farming community. He says there is little for a vacationer to do there, but he highly recommends the local downtown cafes. The food is described as the best feature of the town.

Lusk is listed next as another cute farming town. It features family-run restaurants and a hotel that Woods enjoys. He calls the local airport a pilot's dream. He suggests visitors slow down to look around and eat at a local diner to meet the people, noting that guests might otherwise wonder why they stopped.

Bill, Wyoming, is described as having a population of approximately 11 people, with some arguing the number is closer to five. The town has one notable restaurant that Woods loves. A new, modern hotel in Bill serves railroad workers. The guide states that eating at the local restaurant is the only real reason to stop in Bill.

Big Piney offers plenty of activities for those interested in hunting, fishing, and hiking in the surrounding area. However, Woods states there is nothing to do inside the town itself. Moorcroft is listed similarly. The town has a hotel and is located near Keyhole Reservoir and Devil's Tower. Woods notes there is nothing to do in Moorcroft itself.

Woods concludes by telling readers to never miss the opportunity to visit the smallest towns in the West. He distinguishes between the value of the visit and the choice of where to sleep, implying the two decisions should be separate.