Whether you’re a nature lover or a thrill-seeker, one place should be at the top of your list.
This place is Green River, Wyoming.
With abundant recreation and rugged outdoors, this city boasts beautiful scenery suits every traveler’s taste.
This small city is even more refreshing because it sits around the Green River, making it the perfect place for kayaking and river rafting.
You’ll find the perfect rapids irresistible during the summer, especially for river tubing float trips.
Explore the Sweetwater County Museum, where you’ll learn about the heritage and outlaws of Southwestern Wyoming.
You’ll also find wildlife such as wild horses roaming the countryside when you drive between Rock Springs and Green River.
Not to be missed are the fascinating eateries, restaurants, and shops that dot the downtown area, proving that the residents of Green River love food.
If you’re up for an adventure, Green River won’t disappoint.
The city will mesmerize like no other, from rugged landscapes and recreational parks to food, culture, and history.
Ready to experience it?
Here are the 20 best things to do in Green River, WY:
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Remember those old paintings in your house depicting wild horses running free in the fields?
See that for real at the Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Loop—only this time, your backdrop is the desert.
This place is the ultimate way to see these animals in their natural habitat, living in harmony with other creatures such as hawks, eagles, coyotes, rabbits, and desert elk.
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However, it’s best to use a four-wheel-drive vehicle and take I-80 from Rock Springs to Elk Street exit (104) and go north.
This 24-mile self-guided tour takes about 1.5 hours to complete on mostly gravel roads.
Besides the wildlife, you can also spot sparse vegetation and approximately 1,100 to 1,600 horses on public land.
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Inside a 1931 post office building in Green River, you’ll find the Sweetwater County Historical Museum, which beautifully preserves the county’s history.
Admire original structures and timeless photography and hear the stories of its people.
From Sioux art pieces to the original rifle of Sheriff W. A. Johnson, Sweetwater County’s beautiful heritage unfolds here.
There are a plethora of permanent and temporary exhibits in this museum, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Don’t miss seeing the antique photos that feature the mining towns of Gunn, E-Plane, Winton, and Dines.
Plus, many artifacts remind you of the immigrants who spent their lives working in the coal mines.
The Green River Parks and Recreation manages hundreds of acres of both developed and undeveloped parklands and state-of-the-art indoor facilities for the betterment and unity of the residents of Green River.
Twenty-eight open spaces and city parks feature shelters and landscapes for sports, hiking, and picnics.
Among the parks are Centennial Park, Evers Park, Expedition Island Park, Hutton Park I, Collier Park, Andrews Park, Logan Park, and Veterans Park.
Along the Green River, on Scott’s Bottom Road is Scott’s Bottom Nature Park, managed by the City of Green River.
You can try its many facilities, including the shooting range, archery range, and small paintball complex established in 2005.
The park gets its name from the surrounding acres and wooded areas next to the river.
During the warmer months, you can join the residents as they fish in the Green River or ride an ATV for an outdoor adventure.
As you explore the place, you will also admire the beautiful wildlife, including deers, owls, and other animals.
Located in the heart of the city of Green River is the Whitewater Park and Tubing Channel.
It offers the most accessible way around the river while also offering an exhilarating way to cool off.
Two channels, both wrapping around the Expedition Island, feature wading pools for families and challenging rapids.
The northern channel is suitable for mellow adventures such as tubing, wading, swimming, and stretches for 1,200 feet.
The kids can enjoy swimming safely in the four pools, while the more adventurous ones can get on tubes to experience three or four drops in the gentle rapids.
The southern channel is ideal for kayakers, especially Castle Falls.
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If you want to experience the beauty of the wildlife in the Green River, then go to the Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge.
Admire the dry shrub prairie and wetland ecosystems, all under the protection of this wildlife refuge.
You can explore the Seedskadee Environmental Education Center or paddle along a particular part of the Green River.
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It’s the perfect place to see Western Meadowlarks, sage grouse, pronghorn, golden eagle, moose, and some Trumpeter Swans, leggy shorebirds, and ducks that drop by at different times throughout the year.
You can access the Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge along State Road 372, some 32 miles northwest of Green River.
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Located on Railroad Ave is The Brewery, also known as the Sweetwater Brewing Company and previously called the Green River Brewery.
This brewery has passed from one owner to another among the first breweries in Wyoming, though its beers retain their classic signature taste.
The Brewery won bronze medals at the World’s Fair in 1904 and 1905.
The place became the Sweetwater Brewing Company during Prohibition, but, unfortunately, it didn’t bounce back after the government repealed the law.
After its owner died in 1931, it closed down.
Whatever remained of the building was renovated and has now operated as the Brewery since 1976.
You can find the Green River Farmers Market downtown, where the locals shop for their daily fresh produce.
If you want to see the locals in action, selling, and shopping, then this farmers market is the place.
You can admire the many vendors with their fresh and colorful products and the locals checking these products out.
It aims to provide a common physical location for vendors and residents to find their favorite fresh milk, eggs, fruits, vegetables, meat, and other products.
When it calls for some Chinese, China Garden is the answer.
Family-owned and operated, this restaurant serves up the best flavors and recipes that the whole family will enjoy.
Only using the freshest ingredients, they offer the best selection of cooked-to-order Chinese dishes.
The restaurant’s cooks are always dedicated to making delectable food and dining a consistently pleasant activity.
The best thing about China Garden is that it also offers excellent American food if anyone requests it.
Head out to East Flaming Gorge Way and visit the Daily Knead, a bakery providing locals and visitors with daily bread and pastry needs.
Why should you come here?
It’s the city’s favorite bakery!
The bakery only uses the best quality ingredients, blending them to make great products.
The pastries are all locally made, giving you the authentic Green River taste.
Choose from their wide selection of bread, tarts, pies, rolls, brownies, cookies, cakes, and desserts—all guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth.
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What’s better than having family fun and learning history simultaneously?
Expedition Island, located in the center of Green River, commemorates the starting point of Major John Wesley Powell’s two expeditions down the Green and Colorado Rivers in 1869 and 1871.
During these expeditions, Powell also named some of the areas along the way, including the ‘Flaming Gorge.’
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As a National Historic Site, it offers an opportunity for an enjoyable stroll, with a path that encircles the island.
It’s also great for evening walks as the pathway is lighted, and the area has picnic places, restrooms, and a playground.
You can also use access to the Green Belt Nature Walk.
Love coffee?
Green River does, too, so visit the Coal Train Depot Coffee on N 1st E St E.
This locally-run coffee shop is in the historic train depot in Rock Springs but now has a new location in the Tomahawk Building in Green River.
It’s interesting to note that this place is where the locals and travelers either say hello or goodbye to their loved ones.
Today, this coffee shop wants to make this place alive again and become a gathering grounds where people can meet.
Come here with your family and friends and say hello over a delicious cup of coffee.
Green River City is home to more than 12 miles of a series of connector trails that follow the Green River banks.
The Greenbelt Trail System features amazing greenery and sights.
It’s the perfect trail when you need to get out and breathe fresh air or enjoy the beautiful sunshine in the city.
Enjoy the twists and turns through Green River’s corporate limits and the Upland and the Iowa Bridger.
The CIG/Conoco pipeline trails are also composed of 1.9 paved miles that traverse through residential areas.
Whichever part of the pathway system you take, you are guaranteed a positive experience.
Take a break from exploring the offerings of Green River and head to Collier Park, located on Uinta Drive.
Spanning 6.3 acres, it’s a favorite spot for families, offering a large play area and tons of recreational opportunities.
It provides modern equipment for kids five years old to 12 and has two basketball courts, a soccer field, a baseball field, a skate park, and a picnic area.
Both locals and visitors can take their families on a picnic as the park provides picnic tables for groups, with a picnic area with a double grill.
It also features lighted areas to enjoy yourself with the kids even at night.
Are you a golf enthusiast?
Green River also has something for you.
Visit the Rolling Green Country Club on Country Club Road and try your swing there.
This 18-hole course has 6,900 yards for a par of 71, allowing players of every skill level to enjoy the game.
If you’re just new to the sport, there are PGA professionals who can give you tips to improve your swing.
Since it opened, Don Pedro’s Mexican Restaurant has been a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike to enjoy a great meal.
People have come to love the family-run restaurant and its delicious selection of Mexican dishes.
The restaurant takes pride in ensuring each dish is made with only the freshest ingredients and uses traditional Mexican recipes.
Patrons rave about the flavorful tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and other classic Mexican dishes they serve.
Don Pedro’s Mexican Restaurant also offers margaritas made with fresh lime juice, perfect for pairing with your meal or as an after-dinner drink.
Little Bear Motel is the perfect stop for travelers looking to explore the great outdoors since it offers easy access to all the nearby attractions and activities that make this part of Wyoming so special.
The Motel is a cozy and welcoming place for guests to rest their heads after an adventurous day outdoors.
The clean and comfortable rooms offer all the amenities needed for a short stay, including free WiFi and TV with cable channels.
It is a great location for visitors because it is just minutes from the famous Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, which offers scenic views and outdoor recreation like hiking, bird-watching, and fishing.
Guests can also take advantage of monthly rates if they stay longer in Green River.
Located in the heart of Green River, Harts & Flowers Floral and Embroidery has provided customers with beautiful floral arrangements and intricate embroidery for over 20 years.
The small family-owned business is passionate about creating unique designs that bring joy to their customers’ lives.
Harts & Flowers provides several services, including custom silk flower arrangements, wedding bouquets, centerpieces, and embroidered items, including apparel and home decor.
Whether you need a special gift for someone or want to add personal touches to your home or wardrobe, this store has everything you need.
Customers can also take advantage of the expert advice Harts & Flowers’ staff offers when selecting the right item for any occasion.
Hitching Post Restaurant and Saloon is a popular destination giving a unique dining experience to visitors with both western-style steakhouse fare and traditional American cuisine.
The restaurant has been serving great food since it opened in 2005 and was recently renovated to add more modern amenities, such as flat-screen TVs throughout the establishment.
Guests can enjoy their favorite drinks at the bar while they wait for seating or take advantage of the outdoor patio when the weather is pleasant.
With friendly service and an extensive menu featuring everything from burgers to steaks, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at this local eatery.
From massive corporate gatherings to intimate get-togethers, Hitching Post Restaurant & Saloon serves them all.
Peace of Mind Health Spa is the perfect place for those seeking a tranquil and refreshing experience just 5 miles east of the city.
The health spa features a variety of services designed to promote physical and psychological well-being.
From massage therapy to aromatherapy, every guest at Peace of Mind will find something to ease their stress, fatigue, and anxiety.
The spa’s amenities include traditional hot stone treatments and more modern options such as reflexology and cupping.
In addition to these services, guests can enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages while relaxing in the comfortable lounge.
A visit to Green River is an excellent activity for the family.
It may be small, but it has kept its connection with nature despite modernity.
It has continued to preserve its beautiful history through its museums and provide recreational places for its residents through its parks and nature reserves.
Green River offers a great respite for families who want to escape the hectic pace of the metropolis and just lay back and relax in a calm environment.
It’s always worth visiting Green River, Wyoming.
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