Last year, I traveled to Casper for the first time to experience the Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo, and I left wondering why people don’t talk about this place more. It has everything I love about a destination: friendly people, incredible local businesses, beautiful scenery, amazing food, and that unmistakable small town charm where everyone seems to know each other.
So when I had the opportunity to come back this year for the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR), I jumped at the chance.
The Entire Town Comes Alive for CNFR
If you’ve never heard of the College National Finals Rodeo, think of it as the national championship of college rodeo. Every June, hundreds of the country’s best collegiate rodeo athletes travel to Casper to compete in events like bull riding, saddle bronc, bareback riding, barrel racing, breakaway roping, steer wrestling, tie down roping, and team roping.
And Casper absolutely embraces it.
The entire city transforms into rodeo season. Storefronts are decorated, restaurants are packed, western wear is everywhere, and there is this incredible sense of community that you can feel the moment you arrive.
I didn’t grow up around rodeo culture, but every year I gain a greater appreciation for the athleticism, dedication, and grit these competitors bring to the arena. Watching the bucking bulls and broncs is thrilling enough, but what really stood out to me this year was seeing so many incredibly talented women competing. It made me proud watching these athletes perform at such an elite level. Girls can rodeo too gosh darn it!
If you’ve never been to a rodeo before, it’s a must, and CNFR is one of those events everyone should experience at least once.
Don’t Skip the Mercantile
One of my favorite discoveries was The Mercantile at WYO Sports Ranch.
Think of it as a beautifully curated marketplace filled with small businesses from Wyoming and surrounding states. I was pleasantly surprised to even find several Colorado vendors represented.
It is the perfect place to pick up unique gifts, western apparel, home décor, locally made products, and support small businesses all in one stop.
If you’re like me and can’t resist browsing locally owned shops, you’ll want to budget extra time here and extra $$ to fulfill all of your shopping desires!
Downtown Casper Completely Won Me Over
One of the things I love most about Casper is that downtown still feels authentic.
You won’t find endless chain stores. Instead, you’ll discover coffee shops, boutiques, bookstores, bakeries, and western outfitters owned by people who genuinely love their community.
A few of my favorite stops included:
- Copper Cup Coffee
- Rail Yard
- Unleashed Dog Bakery (Ziggy’s favorite stop, obviously)
- Sherrie’s Place
- Lou Taubert Ranch Outfitters
Lou Taubert especially deserves a visit. It’s one of the oldest western outfitters in the country, and walking through the doors feels like stepping into Wyoming history.
Wyoming’s Natural Beauty Is Underrated
Before visiting Casper, I had no idea just how beautiful the surrounding landscape was.
One afternoon we took the scenic drive toward Pathfinder Reservoir, looping behind Alcova Reservoir, and I honestly couldn’t stop looking out the window.
Wide open skies. Rock formations. Crystal blue water. Breathtaking!
Next time I visit, I definitely plan on spending an entire day on the water on a boat or just floatin away on a tube somewhere.
Spend Time Exploring Casper’s Museums
Casper surprised me with how much culture and history it offers.
We visited the Nicolaysen Art Museum, a contemporary art museum featuring rotating exhibitions from regional and national artists. The museum also includes interactive spaces and community programming, making it a fun stop whether you’re an art lover or simply looking for something different.
We also toured the Tate Geological Museum, home to one of the largest Columbian mammoth fossils ever discovered, along with fascinating dinosaur exhibits, Wyoming geology, and prehistoric history. It was far more interesting than I expected and a great stop for families.
One Experience I’ll Never Forget
If you do one thing while visiting Casper…book a Dutch Oven Wagon Dinner Ride with Historic Trails West.
This ended up being one of my favorite experiences of the entire trip.
We climbed aboard a horse drawn wagon and spent two hours traveling through the Wyoming landscape while our guide, Morris, shared stories about the Oregon Trail, early settlers, and Wyoming’s history.
Eventually we arrived at a rustic outpost where dinner was already cooking over an open fire.
The meal was incredible.
The hospitality was unmatched.
The setting couldn’t have been more beautiful.
Historic Trails West also offers multi day wagon adventures where they provide everything you need for an authentic western experience.
It’s truly one of those once in a lifetime activities you’ll remember forever.
Casper Mountain Is Worth the Drive
Before leaving town, we drove up Casper Mountain, stopping at Lookout Point for panoramic views over the city.
The drive alone is worth it.
If you have extra time, stop by Garden Creek Falls, an easy and scenic waterfall tucked into the mountain.
It is the perfect way to end a trip before heading back toward Colorado.
Worth the Drive
Every time I visit Casper, I leave wishing I had planned another day.
Whether you’re coming for the CNFR, looking for an easy road trip from Denver (it’s only about four hours away), or simply searching for a destination that feels authentic, welcoming, and full of hidden gems, Casper deserves a place on your travel list.
Between the outdoor adventure, incredible local businesses, rich western history, amazing restaurants, and community spirit, it’s one of those places that quietly steals your heart.
I know it certainly stole mine.