Experience Cowboy Culture and Beautiful Views in Casper, WY
There’s no place quite like Casper: It’s common to see wader-clad anglers braving the North Platte River, which winds through the city, throughout the year. Even downtown, there are wide-open skies and the nearby Casper Mountain – not skyscrapers or office buildings – that dominate views. Thanks to plentiful outdoor recreation and a burgeoning downtown, you’ll never run out of things to do that are uniquely Casper.
Reel in Trout, Enjoy the View
It’s no exaggeration to say that Casper, Wyoming, is an iconic fly-fishing destination.
Blake Jackson, co-owner of Ugly Bug Fly Shop and Crazy Rainbow Fly Fishing, has been guiding river expeditions for two decades. In addition to clients from across the country, he regularly works with European customers and says he’s had visitors from as far away as Australia.
“If I had to fish one place for the rest of my life,” Jackson says, “it would be the Grey Reef, which is the stretch of the North Platte here that runs through Casper and down to Glenrock [Wyoming].”
It’s known for its populations of large brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout. Then, there’s the Miracle Mile, so-called due to its stunning scenery as well as the number and size of trout coming out of the water. That part of the river has world-class fishing and a fair bit of notoriety, he says.
Fishing isn’t the only reason to get outside, though. The area boasts numerous parks, golf courses, hiking and biking trails, camping, shooting and archery ranges, and rock climbing. In the winter, there are opportunities for downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, ice skating, snowmobiling and snowshoeing, says Angela Berry, who’s lived in the city for over four decades. She’s especially fond of Casper Mountain, Fremont Canyon and Garden Creek Falls in Rotary Park, where hikers can find spectacular views of waterfalls, cliffs and striking city views.
Experience Cowboy Culture
Casper takes pride in its Western heritage.
“Visit with just about anyone, and you will quickly see that the people of Casper are all about the cowboy way of life,” Berry says.
As the Marketing Director for the Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo, which draws over 140,000 visitors to the area every July, she has a front-row seat to popular activities like the sidewalk chalk art festival, downtown parade, livestock sale, and 4-H and FFA animal exhibits. Berry says her favorite event is the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo, which, she says, is among the top rodeos in the nation out of more than 700.
“I love watching the best cowboys and cowgirls in the nation compete here,” she says.
The Casper region is home to several annual rodeos, such as the College National Finals Rodeo (it’s the Super Bowl for college rodeo kids, says Jackson) and Casper College’s Ropin’ and Riggin’ Days, which has been going on strong for over 65 years.
Finally, says Berry, don’t skip a visit to the century-old Lou Taubert Ranch Outfitters, which boasts nine floors of Western gear and over 10,000 pairs of boots.
The city also has some of the “best museums on the planet,” Jackson says. He’s a particular fan of the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center, which explores historical migration in the area along the Oregon, Mormon and California trails and “gives you chills” when learning what early settlers endured. There’s also the Nicolaysen Art Museum, which has hosted exhibits featuring modern art by Indigenous artists and quilt art by Wyoming artist Joan Sowada, in addition to its array of permanent collections.
Order a Steak – or Yak
Is Casper a cow town? Yes, in the best possible way. Thanks to its location in cattle country, there are plenty of restaurants around town that serve a mean steak. Just check out FireRock Steakhouse. In addition to 28-day dry-aged steak, diners can also find local bison on the menu.
Silver Fox Steakhouse, open since 1980, is an institution. “You can’t go wrong with any of their steaks,” Berry says.
Looking to grill your own at home? Frank’s Butcher Shop serves every part of the cow you can think of (plus some you probably haven’t), all raised on Frank’s own area ranch or sourced from other Wyoming producers.
Beef isn’t the only red meat showing up on local menus. A handful of yak producers keep adventurous eaters supplied with the novel protein.
Tacos Mexico utilizes the meat in quesabirria and birria ramen, burritos and carne desebrada, while J’s Pub & Grill serves it up as yak chili mac, which gives high-end comfort food vibes.
“It’s delicious – and very filling,” Berry says.
Get to Know Casper
Want to learn more about living and working in Casper, WY? Check out the latest edition of Livability Casper, Wyoming.