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Visit Casper News and Story Ideas 

Story Ideas

For years, Casper has had a reputation as an under-the-radar and largely undiscovered destination. But we know that this place has many stories to tell, from its diverse history to cultural offerings and outdoor pursuits to richly engrained Western history.  

To get your wheels turning, we’ve included a handful of Casper-centric story ideas below.

Come Explore The Road to Yellowstone

While there are many ways to get to Yellowstone National Park in northwest Wyoming, one of the most popular and stunning routes leads right through Casper. Many visitors fly into Denver and road trip through Wyoming, and we’re big believers that the best Yellowstone vacation starts right here. Visitors find affordable lodging, smaller crowds and cool ways to experience more of Wyoming in Casper – like casting a line on the North Platte River, hiking Casper Mountain or kayaking through Fremont Canyon – before continuing to the world’s first national park. 2022 is also the 150th anniversary of Yellowstone National Park.

Ride the Oregon Trail

Casper is the hub where all the major historic trails – the Oregon, Mormon, California and Pony Express – come together. And while the Oregon Trail game played a memorable role in the lives of Gen X and Millennials, today those same generations can set out on the real Oregon Trail on a horseback trail ride or wagon ride with Historic Trails West. Before setting out on the trail, start your visit at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center (which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year) to learn about the history of the trails and the hundreds of thousands of pioneers who passed through modern-day Casper on their journey to the West. Additional highlights include Independence Rock and Register Cliff.

Meet Your Next Family Travel Destination

With places like Yellowstone National Park, Devils Tower National Monument and Denver all a short drive from Casper, it’s easy to see why it might get overlooked for a family vacation. But when it comes to family travel, Casper has it all. From long weekend getaways or a stopover on an epic family road trip, Casper is perfect for families. Soak up history at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center, where kids and adults alike can learn about the area’s past through interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. Check out the 11,600-year-old Columbian mammoth and Lee Rex the T. rex at the Tate Geological Museum at Casper College. Rent a boat or kayaks and paddle up the rose-colored cliffs of Fremont Canyon at Alcova Reservoir. Or hit the trails on Casper Mountain to see a waterfall, as well as a sweeping view of Wyoming’s plains.

Taste Casper, Wyoming

In a mountain town of around 57,000, you may not expect Casper’s culinary scene to be that impressive. But with 193 restaurants, a distillery and five breweries, Casper is the second-best culinary destination in Wyoming. From steakhouses to Thai restaurants and the best BBQ in the West, Casper has a hearty food and drink scene that is rapidly gaining traction for locals and visitors alike.

5,000 Fish Per Mile, And That's Just the Beginning

Home to the North Platte River, Casper is one of the best fly-fishing destinations in the country. With up to 5,000 fish per mile, the North Platte River has plenty of places to cast your line including Grey Reef and the Miracle Mile, both of which helped earn Casper the #1 Big Fish Destination by American Angler Magazine. The North Platte River is home to incredible year-round fly-fishing, as it sits below five reservoirs that help provide consistent water flows. Because the North Platte winds right through Casper, you can also cast a line steps from downtown. And while fly-fishing the North Platte River is one of the area’s main attractions, additional fishing opportunities can be found at Pathfinder Reservoir and Alcova Reservoir.

Casper, Wyoming's World-Class Outdoor Recreation Hub 

With its location at the base of Casper Mountain and with the North Platte River running through the heart of the city, it may be no surprise that Casper is home to world-class outdoor recreation. From downtown, you’re never more than 30 minutes away from some of the region’s best fishing, biking, hiking and climbing areas. Casper Mountain and its trail system are prime for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, downhill skiing and fat biking. At the base of the mountain, Garden Creek Falls at Rotary Park is one of Casper’s most treasured spots and becomes a life-size ice sculpture during winter. You can also venture out on some of the city’s paved trails, including Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park and the Platte River Trails. For rock climbing, head 30 miles southwest to Fremont Canyon and its high-rising walls and climbing routes.

Cowboy Up at the College National Finals Rodeo

Since 1999, Casper has hosted the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR), an annual event that brings the top collegiate rodeo athletes to compete for the national title in their respective events. During CNFR – which is held at the Ford Wyoming Center – cowboys and cowgirls go head to head in saddle bronc riding, bare back riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, breakaway roping and goat tying. Throughout the weeklong festivities, cowboy up with a visit to the 100+-year-old Lou Taubert Ranch Outfitters, set out on a horseback trail ride on the Oregon Trail with Historic Trails West and attend one of many events at David Street Station.