Gillette, Wyoming, known as "Coal Capital of the World," is located in northeast Wyoming, east of the Black Hills Edward Gillette. A railroad surveyor, found a shorter route for the railroad which saved 30 bridges and came by the present site of Gillette. For this service, the town of Gillette was named in honor of him. Best Western Gillette Wyoming.
Things to do in Gillette
Big Horn Mountains
This 70-mile-long range is blanketed with lodgepole and ponderosa pine and Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir at higher elevations. The Bighorn National Forest offers several recreational opportunities within the park including hiking and skiing. Call 307-548-6514 for more information.
Black Hills National Forest
Stretching across the state line near Sundance, the Black Hills is primarily located in South Dakota. The park offers hiking, biking, horseback riding and cross-country ski trails throughout. Call 307-283-1361 for more information.
Coal Mine Tours
Ramping up production since 1970, Wyoming mines produce roughly 350 million tons of coal per year. This colossal strip mining effort is an eye-opener. No matter what your opinion on the procedure may be, the tour is worth the visit. Call 307-686-0040 for more information.
Devil's Tower National Monument
Rising 1,267 feet above the plains, this odd formation was used as a contact point for humans and aliens in the 1977 blockbuster hit Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Enormous columns of rock morph into hexagonal columns-some having four, five or seven sides. In the setting sun, the tower often glows a haunting red hue long after the surrounding countryside no longer reflects the sun's rays. This is truly a geological marvel that should not be missed. Call 307-467-5283 for more information.
Durham Buffalo Ranch
Located 30 miles south of Gillette, the Durham Buffalo Ranch is home to the largest herd of buffalo in existence. The Flocchini family has dedicated a 55,000 acre spread to returning the land to its original condition. Call 307-939-1271 for more information.