9 Best Things To Do in Laramie, Wyoming
If you’re looking for things to do in Laramie, Wyoming, you’ve come to the right place.
For the last five years, my wife and I have been traveling the USA full time in our vintage Airstream. Laramie, Wyoming has been one of the best-hidden gems we’ve visited.
It’s not just a rural, cowboy town. There’s a vibrant downtown and rich history.
Laramie also has great local beer, college sports, and outdoor activities galore.
Today we’re sharing the best of what’s around.
Let’s dive in!
Fish on Lake Hattie
Price: FREE!
Why You’ll Love It: Home of the “Hattie Fatty,” it is the largest of the Laramie plains lakes with between 1500 and 3000 surface acres depending on water level. This lake has the perfect pH for some big fish, and is great for the beginner to the advanced angler. Species include rainbow, brown, and perch. Fish from the shore or a boat. You can also boondock camp here.
Lake Hattie is also one of our Favorite Free Campsites in Wyoming.
Address: Just past Twin Buttes, take Pahlow Lane to Rodeo Lane and follow the signs.
What’s the Word: Locals say that the early morning is best to avoid the notorious Laramie winds, and that the East shore is the best for fishing. (www.visitlaramie.org)
Laramie Wyoming Vibe Score: 8.7/10 can’t beat the views or the price!
Explore the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site
Price: $7 adults, $3.50 kids, 11 under free.
Why You’ll Love It: History, the old West, true crime, outlaws, gunslingers and ghosts? What could be a cooler location to visit? Built in 1872, it is one of the oldest buildings in Wyoming, and was used as a prison until 1901 and then turned over to the University of Wyoming for an agricultural research station.
On the National Register of Historic Places, self-guided or led tours give interesting stories of Old West bandits including Butch Cassidy, prison breaks, and even ghostly hauntings.
Address: 975 Snowy Range Road, Laramie
What’s the Word: Visitors remark on interesting history, “well preserved artifacts,” great stories of Old West outlaws, “definitely paranormal activity” and holiday events including pumpkins and Christmas. There is also an RV dump station for $10. (Google reviews)
Laramie Wyoming Vibe Score: 10/10
Visit Vedauwoo
Price: $10 per night camping first come, first serve, no hookups or potable water.
Why You’ll Love It: “Veda-voo” or “land of the earthborn spirit” is an important Native American site delineated by a series of rock outcroppings north of Interstate 80 between Cheyenne and Laramie, Wyoming.
Gorgeous sunsets reflecting off the interesting rock formations, excellent hiking and climbing opportunities, and a variety of camping sites on a first come first serve basis await RV and tent campers. Only 15 miles from Laramie, it is easy to enjoy nature and then run into town for a craft brew or a nice meal.
Address: Exit #329 off I80, 30 miles west of Cheyenne and 20 miles east of Laramie, go north. Vedauwoo Complex Road, Buford, Wyoming.
What’s the Word: “One of the most magical places on earth” says one reviewer on tripadvisor.com and multiple sources state “must visit place for a day trip, stop off the interstate or a weekend adventure with plenty to do.”
Laramie Wyoming Vibe Score: 10/10
Hike the Laramie River Greenbelt Trail
Price: Fishing license needed otherwise free.
Why You’ll Love It: This 6-mile paved trail goes through the town of Laramie, Wyoming. You can enjoy the path on a bicycle or on foot, take your leashed dog, fish, and view many kinds of birds and wildlife. The path takes you through city parks as well as on the grounds of the Wyoming Territorial Prison.
Address: This trail winds through most of Laramie. Various ways to park and jump onto the trail.
What’s the Word: “Plethora of wildlife,” “great trail for dogs and adjacent to the Laramie Dog Park,” “great urban bike trail” says reviewers on tripadvisor.com
Laramie Wyoming Vibe Score: 6/10
Explore the Medicine Bow National Forest
Price: $9 per day or annual pass, camping varies from free to $10/night
Why You’ll Love It: With over 1 million acres, this park has recreational opportunities for everyone, no matter what your fun entails. Hiking, rock climbing, wildlife viewing, camping, water recreation, mountain biking, photography, fishing, and amazing unobstructed views.
Address: 2468 Jackson St, Laramie
What’s the Word: One Trip Advisor reviewer says “unsurpassed beauty and majestic setting.”
Laramie Wyoming Vibe Score: 9/10
Grab a Beer at The Library Sports Grill & Brewery
Price: $6-$15
Why You’ll Love It: The oldest brewery in Laramie offers a variety of styles of craft beer, none of which have fruit syrups, corn sugar, or rice sugar. The location offers a casual sports bar atmosphere and a full selection of menu options, along with plenty of televisions to watch your favorite sporting events.
Address: 201 E Custer St, Laramie
What’s the Word: “The food is amazing” and a “great place to stop for a quick bite or to hang with friends” from Yelp reviews. Locals recommend the brussel sprouts, burgers, and the artichoke bites.
Laramie Wyoming Vibe Score: 7/10
Get a Burger at Roxie’s on Grand
Price: $6-$21
Why You’ll Love It: This casual hang out has a wide variety of food on the menu from wings to pizza, pasta to steaks, burgers and pizza, including some interesting combos like a fig and bacon pizza that has high reviews.
Address: 221 Grand Ave, Laramie
What’s the Word: “Great local vibe, awesome food, and fun place to watch a game.” (Facebook)
Laramie Wyoming Vibe Score: 8/10
Best Laramie Campground: Government Gully
Price: FREE
Why You’ll Love It: Great views of Laramie down below and the mountains. Perfect cooler weather escape, and it’s on BLM land, so it is FREE. This location has strong signal for AT&T and Verizon.
Address: Latitude: 41.26, Longitude -105.46 Happy Jack exit off 80 and then onto 726 or Government Gully Road. East of Laramie.
What’s the Word: Very quiet, close to town, but the road is often iffy and big rigs may not fit. No amenities. (Campendium)
Laramie Wyoming Vibe Score: 9/10
Best Laramie BnB: Vista de La Luna Bed and Breakfast
Price: $149-$289 depending on season and room type
Why You’ll Love It: Perfect for a combo vacation or a couple with a mixed idea of how much nature is a good thing, this premiere bed and breakfast is luxury after hiking and other outdoorsy activities at nearby Vedauwoo and Curt Gowdy parks. Eco-friendly and dog-friendly, with five different rooms to choose from.
Address: 88 Monument Rd, Buford, WY
What’s the Word: One Hotels.com reviewer enthused that this was the “most restful vacation I have ever had.”
Laramie Wyoming Vibe Score: 8/10
Trip Routing to Laramie, Wyoming
If you’re traveling with an RV, trip planning to Laramie is essential.
We use RV Trip Wizard to route our cross country trips.
It allows us to avoid steep passes, tolls, and tunnels – making travel day way less stressful! Try RV Trip Wizard Free for 7 Days.
Discover the Best Free Camping Across the USA
To be honest with you, we hate paying for camping. There are so many free campsites in America (with complete privacy).
You should give it a try!
As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours. Every time you pay federal taxes, you’re contributing to these lands.
Become a FREE CAMPING INSIDER and join the 100,000 campers that love to score the best site!
We’ll send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the USA (one per state). Access the list by submitting your email below: