So…what do you do when your weekend plans fall through but you’re still yearning for an adventure? GO OUT AND HAVE AN ADVENTURE!
Seriously, sometimes the best adventures are those spontaneous moments, usually starting with, “You know what would be fun…?” And that’s exactly how Aly and I found ourselves heading east towards Evanston, Wyoming.
If you’re in Salt Lake City and looking for a fun day trip, consider heading east to the state of rolling hills, open ranges, and sweeping vistas. If you’re looking at a Wyoming map, put your nose close to the south west corner and don’t blink. Once you find it, travel to the place that epitomizes small-town America, slows life down a bit, and check out one of the best places to visit in Wyoming.
Here is my list of things to do in Evanston, Wyoming!
Travel Back in Time at the Piedmont Ghost Town
As a child of the American West, I feel a keen connection to its ghost towns – those deserted, old mining towns that helped to shape the United States. Thanks to those crazy ads on Facebook, I discovered that there was a small ghost town located in southwest Wyoming, just a short drive south from Evanston and full of photographical promise.
It definitely delivered.
Piedmont started out as a logging camp that supplied ties for the Union Pacific Railroad in the 1860s, becoming a lively town with a general store, hotel, school, post office, and, of course, several saloons.
In 1896, Butch Cassidy met up with his band in Piedmont, just before heading up to rob the Montpelier, Idaho bank. It is also widely believed that Calamity Jane, the famous frontierswoman and scout, lived in Piedmont as a young girl.
Piedmont (Italian for “foot of the mountain”) is home to some pretty crazy-looking structures, 3 of which are still preserved today.
No, they’re not alien…rather charcoal kilns, built in 1869 to supply charcoal for the iron smelting industry in Utah. The kilns measure 30 x 30 feet and are made out of local limestone and sandstone.
You can still go inside 3 of the standing kilns and see how much charcoal is still affixed to the insides.
And if you’re a singer, bust out your vocal skills and take advantage of the killer acoustics!
Directions from Evanston
*Head south on Wyoming State Road 150 (WY-150S)
*Turn left onto County Road 173 towards Sulphur Creek Reservoir, about 10 miles down the road
*Piedmont ruins will be on your left, about 15 miles down the dirt road
If you choose to visit Piedmont, keep in mind that you’ll be driving through open ranges and over dirt roads. I have a Honda Civic, a little coupe that sits close to the ground and has long lost the protective shield on the undercarriage.
The road is so hard-packed, anything just short of a low-riding show car will be just fine. Just make sure to schedule a detailed car wash after the trip.
You WILL come across roads blocked by cattle crossings or cows just chilling. I’m super comfortable driving in the worst traffic possible, but got a little nervous as I slowly approached a cow road-block.
Remember – keep calm and drive slowly.
The cows won’t charge, even if they’re staring you down like a disapproving parent. Beware – they have RBF (Resting Bovine Face)! You don’t want to spook them, so just go slow. You might even be lucky enough to see some cowboys!
Picnic at Bear River State Park
Honestly, I had no idea that there was a state park in Evanston until I did some last-minute researching.
The Bear River runs through Evanston and offers some picturesque picnic spots, endless walkways through lush trees, and opportunities to view the local wildlife, both fowl and flower.
Take a picnic lunch and hang out by the surprisingly quickly flowing river, embracing the cool breeze and reveling in the fact that you are merely yards away from a herd of bison!
There are surprises around every corner and I was in a constant state of awe.
Stroll Down Main Street
Want a glimpse of what real Americana is? Find any small town and take a stroll down its Main Street. Even though Aly and I happened to visit during a holiday weekend, there was still much to see and admire.
And no matter where you go in the world, apparently you’ll be able to find awesome street art!
So what did I learn from my trip to Evanston? Never underestimate the beauty and wonder of those “unglamorous” destinations that are often overlooked by other travelers. There is beauty everywhere…you just need to know how to find it!
Have you ever been to Evanston? What would be on your top things to do in Evanston list?
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