Things to Do in Lincoln County, Wyoming

Top things to do

The county is large and thinly populated, so the most rewarding trips are built around a handful of anchors rather than a long checklist. These are the ones worth planning for.

Fossil Butte

Fossil Butte National Monument is a National Park Service site west of Kemmerer. It protects part of the bed of Fossil Lake, and the visitor center displays more than 2,000 fossils from it, including fish, insects, plants and reptiles. You cannot collect fossils inside the monument, but the museum and the scenic drive make it a satisfying half day. It is the single best answer to the question of what to see in the county.

Star Valley

If you are asking what there is to do in Star Valley, Wyoming, the short answer is the outdoors. The Greys River Road runs for almost 60 miles from Alpine south to Tri Basin Divide, according to the Forest Service, and gives access to fishing, kayaking, camping, hiking, OHV riding and horseback riding. Trails reach into the Wyoming Range and the Salt River Range. In town, Afton's elk antler arch over US Highway 89 is the classic photo stop. Our outdoor recreation in Star Valley guide goes into more detail.

Wildlife and open country

Lincoln County also contains part of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, which are among the federally protected areas in the county. They are quieter than the main attractions and suit travellers who prefer open country to museum visits. Check the managing agency's website before visiting, since access and seasonal rules differ.

Kemmerer area

Kemmerer is a good place for a slower look at western history. The J. C. Penney Historic District, a National Historic Landmark, marks the place where the first Golden Rule store opened in 1902. Walk the main street, then drive out to the monument. If you are searching for things to do in Kemmerer, Wyoming, this pairing of retail history and ancient fossils is the heart of it.

By season

Summer

Summer is the easiest season. The Fossil Butte visitor center is open every day, and the monument's scenic drive, which leads to the picnic area and the Nature Trail, is normally open from late May until November. In Star Valley the forest roads and trails are open to walkers, anglers, riders and campers, and the long days make early starts and late dinners easy. Remember to check Wyoming Game and Fish rules before you fish and National Forest notices before you camp.

Winter

Winter changes the county. The monument's scenic drive is closed from November until late May depending on weather, and its visitor center closes on Sundays and some holidays during that period, although the park itself stays open from sunrise to sunset all year. In Star Valley the mountains hold deep snow, and the roads and trails that serve walkers in summer are covered. Winter use on national forest land follows Forest Service rules, so check the Bridger-Teton National Forest before you plan a trip on snow. Mountain roads can close in storms, so keep your schedule flexible.

Family friendly ideas

• Fossil hunting without the digging: children enjoy the visitor center's displays of fish, insects and early horses. In summer the monument runs ranger programs, including fossil preparation demonstrations.
• A river picnic: pick a public access point in Star Valley and keep it simple, with shoes that can get wet and a plan for the weather.
• Antler arch and main street: an easy stop in Afton that works for every age.
• Paid digging at a commercial quarry: if your children want to split their own fossil slabs, ask about the commercial quarries on nearby private and state land. The National Park Service notes that some of them charge a fee to let visitors dig, which is the legal way to take a fossil home.

Planning tips

Distances

Plan for long drives. The county covers roughly 4,100 square miles, and a typical day involves one anchor activity plus travel. Jackson is about 36 miles from Alpine via US Highway 89 through the Snake River Canyon, so the answer to how far Star Valley is from Jackson Hole is close: for many visitors Alpine is the quiet doorstep to the Jackson area. The monument is around 12 miles west of Kemmerer.

Services

Fossil Butte has no camping and no food service, so bring water and snacks. Camping is permitted on adjacent land managed by the Bureau of Land Management, and the visitor center can provide a map. In Star Valley you will find the widest choice of lodging and groceries in Afton, Thayne and Alpine. For choosing where to sleep, see the towns in Lincoln County overview.

A simple three day plan

This is our own suggestion, not an official itinerary. On day one, visit the Fossil Butte visitor center in the morning and walk Kemmerer's main street in the afternoon. On day two, drive across the county to Star Valley, with a stop in Cokeville if you have time to see the wildlife refuge area, and settle in at Afton. On day three, choose one outdoor activity, such as a walk along the Greys River corridor, a day on the water or a drive to Alpine, and leave a margin for the road home.

What about things to do in Lincoln County this weekend? We do not publish event calendars, because dates change and we are not connected to organisers. Check the websites of the venues and of the National Park Service and Forest Service for current openings, fees and closures before you travel.