Home » Top 12 Things to Do in Rock Springs, WY
Last Updated on November 15, 2023
Rock Springs, Wyoming, is a city that engages all of the senses.
From desert sand to rushing water and historical significance to modern beauty, there is a little something for every visitor indoors and out.
The Best 12 Things to Do in Rock Springs
While Rock Springs is known for their iconic Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area or even the fascinating Natural History Museum, there’s definitely something for everyone in this Wyoming city.
1. Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area
Whether you’re a watersports lover or a wanderer that appreciates a really killer view, there’s one place in Rock Springs, Wyoming, that you must see to believe. It’s the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area.
Home to both the Green River and the Flaming Gorge Reservoir, the eye-catcher here rests between them — the Flaming Gorge Dam, with its orange tips on the horizon line like it was made to offset the sunset. Should you find the water calling to you, you can kayak, water ski, spend a day sailing and so much more.
2. Flaming Gorge Tour
Flaming Gorge Country is a huge attraction for those who crave a little outdoor adventure, but you don’t have to go it alone. Book a bus tour to explore during the summer months, and you can expect knowledgeable and supportive guides to transport you to every geological wonder that awaits you so you don’t miss any of the incredible scenery.
Prefer to make your own itinerary? Online audio and video tours provide you with enough information to venture out and about on a tailored schedule.
3. Natural History Museum – Western Wyoming Community College
Immerse yourself in the fantastic world of prehistoric Wyoming. The Natural History Museum at Western Wyoming Community College provides a step back in time during your modern-day vacation, allowing you to come face to face with five dinosaur replicas, each built to the size they were when they roamed the area.
You can take a peek at the lives of primitive humans by way of household items and artifacts left behind by prehistoric settlers, as well as fossils and archaeological findings from ancient days gone by.
4. Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Loop
Wyoming is a haven for all things wild, including the animals that call the state home. A short drive from Rock Springs to Pilot Butte, the wild horses are a mainstay, left to run and roam uninhibited on their native land. What is the best way to see wild horses?
On the Wild Horse Scenic Loop, a 23-mile scenic drive that takes you through their natural habitat while you take in the sweeping views. Don’t forget to pack your camera.
Pro tip: The horses share the land with other wildlife, so keep an eye out for coyotes, eagles, desert elk, and more.
5. White Mountain Petroglyphs
It’s time to take Rock Springs’ history all the way back to the beginning. Featuring more than 300 feet of ancient carvings and artwork, the White Mountain Petroglyphs provide a glimpse into the lives of Sweetwater County’s first residents, with etchings dating back up to 1,000 years.
In addition to observing the carved record left by Native Americans in this sacred place, it allows visitors to do a little hiking and is a fantastic backdrop for taking photos and videos.
6. Sweetwater Speedway
Rock Springs visitors: start your engines — or at least watch the pros fire theirs up on race day at Sweetwater Speedway. This titan in the local scene is led by passionate motorsports enthusiasts, and that shows in over 40 years of providing the area’s best dirt track racing.
Bring the whole crew down for family fun that will satisfy their need for speed, from sprints to stock cars to Go-Karts.
7. Killpecker Sand Dunes
One of the many highlights of desert topography is soft, warm sand, and Killpecker Sand Dunes has plenty of it. Located a little north of Rock Springs, the dunes offer everything an outdoorsy adrenaline-chaser could want, including excellent sand surfing, sand skiing, ATVing, and more.
But amid this reddish-gold outdoor oasis, a secret awaits you. When the sand is moved at Killpecker, it makes a sound like someone singing due to a deviation in grain size and shape. There are only seven dunes like this in the world, so come check it out.
8. Boar’s Tusk
If you ever wanted to get up close and personal with a volcano, you’ll get your chance in Rock Springs, Wyoming. Located at Killpecker Sand Dunes, Boar’s Tusk, a cleverly-named volcanic rock formation, is a 400-foot subvolcanic “core” that was part of an active volcano over 2 million years ago. In the decades since then, Boar’s Tusk has grown dormant but has stood the test of time and remains a popular beacon of outdoor adventure.
9. Sweetwater County Historical Museum
If there’s anywhere in the U.S. that has a fascinating story for every period throughout history, it’s Sweetwater County. You can learn all about it at the Sweetwater County Historical Museum. Located just a short drive from Rock Springs in Green River, this museum operates from a converted post office building, and the inside is just as interesting as the outside.
ind out about Rock Springs’ roots in coal, hear tales of old-timey fur trappers, and even explore what the county was like when it belonged to the dinosaurs.
10. Sidekicks Bookbar
If an evening spent curled up with a glass of wine while lost in a good book sounds like paradise, Rock Springs has just the place. Sidekicks Bookbar provides the unique experience of sipping your favorite varietal in a chic bookstore environment, thumbing through pages while feasting on one of many delicious dessert options.
From bestsellers to cookbooks and everything in between, their eclectic selection will surely have something for everyone. Keep your eyes on their community events while you visit, as they host everything from tarot readings to family-friendly author events throughout the year.
11. Rock Springs Historical Museum
Exploring a city’s history will often lead you to its museum, and when you visit Rock Springs, that adventure into the days of old will not disappoint.
From a beautifully antiquated exterior to the escapades of Butch Cassidy to the pivotal history of the railroad, the exhibits are educational and fun for the whole family. Visit the Rock Springs Historical Museum and come away with a better understanding of how the Wild West was settled.
12. Square State Brewing
It’s time to relax and unwind with a cold one, and why not do that in a craft brewery that feels like your neighborhood bar? Make yourself at home at Square State Brewing in Rock Springs, and you will find a warm atmosphere, a ton of tasty craft flavors on tap, and delicious eats to pair them with.
Try out the Spat Hook Amber or the Pineapple Express, and keep your eyes peeled for games and barroom fun on your next visit.
FAQ: Things to Do in Rock Springs
The top attractions to visit in Rock Springs are the Flaming Gorge Reservoir, the Sweetwater Events Complex, Square State Brewing, Sweetwater Speedway, and the Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Loop.
Some essential safety tips to remember when visiting Yellowstone are that geysers are often boiling, and some are acidic, so they are not for swimming.
Remain on trails, boardwalks, or other designated paths while viewing them.
Additionally, do not throw coins, sticks, or other garbage into geysers as it can clog them, eventually altering their natural process. Yellowstone is home to an abundance of creatures, but they are all wild and should not be approached by visitors. Observe everything from a safe distance.
The most popular things to do in Rock Springs with kids are visiting the Flaming Gorge Reservoir, the City of Rock Springs Museum, the Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Loop, the White Mountain Petroglyphs, and the Natural History Museum – Western Wyoming Community College.
Rock Springs is best known for extensive industrial contributions to both the railroad and coal mining, as well as infamous Wild West bandits that had run-ins in the city.
Rock Springs, Wyoming, sits on one side of the Red Desert and is considered a high-desert oasis. It is sandy and relatively dry but not entirely without bodies of water or greenery.
Plan Your Visit to Rock Springs Today!
A visit to Rock Springs means a getaway tailored to precisely what you want to see, do, and experience. Why not explore a little more for yourself?
About Lexi MitchellAlexis “Lexi” Mitchell creates content for the Wyoming Office of Tourism’s social media accounts and PR efforts. She graduated from the University of Wyoming with her Bachelor of Arts in Communication. She enjoys visiting new places and camping with her family in the Wyoming wilderness. She loves floating the Green River during the summer and exploring the Red Desert.
