Right in the heart of Wyoming is the friendly city that the ghost must have been named after. With a relatively small population of about 60,000, it’s still the second-largest city in Wyoming.
Dubbed “The Oil City,” Casper has gone on to be known for so much more and is worth a visit in 2023. It combines Western culture with a natural beauty that draws in travelers from all over.
Casper plays host to an annual Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo, featuring carnival rides, monster trucks and a parade through town. They have other summer festivals too – River Fest, the Beartrap Summer Festival and the 5150 Festival chief among them. The latter festival is a nod to Casper’s 5,150-foot elevation and celebrates local creators, vendors and musicians.
Southwest of town is Independence Rock, a state historic site that draws many to the Casper area due to its Oregon Trail significance. The massive granite rock has more than 5,000 signatures carved into its sides by pioneers.
If you’re looking to stay outdoors, there’s plenty of hiking and biking in the summer and skiing and snowshoeing in the winter.
Casper Mountain is a must-visit, where there are 60 camping spots that allow you to get spectacular night-sky views and a view into the city of Casper come morning.
