Casper, Wyoming: A City Worth the Visit

Casper, Wyoming, finds itself in the middle of a state that is mostly renowned for its sights and happenings to visit in the northwest and southeast corners; that is, Jackson Hole, Yellowstone National Park, and Cheyenne Frontier Days. As a result, Casper is often overlooked as a Wyoming travel hotspot to visit, despite all that it has to offer. Casper, Wyoming, was very paramount to settling the Western Frontier. The Oregon, California, Mormon, Pony Express, Bridger, and Bozeman Trails all went through the area, making it a stop along the pathway to the dreams of many people who were seeking a better life, adventure, and even fortune. These accounts can be relived at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center. One of its gallery exhibits, called Inscription Wall, is a sandstone wall engraved with the names and musings of pioneers and go-getters who passed through the area during the nineteenth century. Those wanting an even more authentic Frontier experience can embark on covered wagon trail and horse rides along some of the above mentioned trails. The local guides at Historic Trails West will oblige.

The city was named by Sports Illustrated the “50th Anniversary Sportstown for the State of Wyoming” in 2003, because of all the active and spectator sporting activities that can be accessed within the city and its surrounding areas like Casper Mountain, the city’s spectacular backdrop to the south. The mountain rises to almost 8,300 feet above sea level, and offers not only scenic drives, camping, and hiking, but an annual family festival in Beartrap Meadow every summer. Alcova Reservoir is a fishing and boating activity mecca, but fans of pre-historic eras will find a Dinosaur Trail that contains signing which identifies past geological eras of the visible rock and fossil remains. The 400-foot high, billion year old Fremont Canyon existed even before the coming of the dinosaurs. In the 21st century, this venue offers climbing, boating, rafting, and fly fishing opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast. Tourists can take a rafting trip without even leaving the city as Platte River Raft’N’Reel offers float and rafting trips on the Platte River, which snakes through the city. The National Indoor Football League team, the Wyoming Cavalry, and the Colorado Rockies’ Pioneer Advanced Rookie League team, the Casper Rockies, keep spectator sports fans occupied throughout the spring and summer seasons.

History

Casper came into existence upon Brigham Young’s arrival in 1847. He wanted to establish an Upper Crossing point over the Platte River en route to the Mormon’s new homeland in Utah, using ferries. In 1862, the US Army established a fort close by for manning telegraph stations, named Platte Bridge Station. In July 1865, Lt. Caspar Collins of the 11th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry fought heroically against the Lakota and Cheyenne during the Battle of the Platte Bridge, but was killed. The fort’s name was changed to Fort Caspar to honor him. Two years later, the fort was disbanded. For reasons unexplained, the letter “e” found its way into the spelling of Casper after the town was founded in 1888. The Fort Caspar Museum and Historical Site, which includes the fort named after Collins, can be explored. The fort’s buildings were reconstructed on the original foundation sites in 1936. Fort Caspar’s buildings and exhibits focus on Wyoming life in the 1860’s.

In 1890, the same year that Wyoming became the nation’s forty-forth state, oil was discovered just north of Casper in the Salt Creek fields. Since then, the city has experienced several boom and bust periods over this natural resource. Casper is currently Wyoming’s second largest city with a population of around 51,000, and proudly rises 5,123 feet above sea level. It’s nicknamed “Wyoming’s Mile High City”, even though a mile is 5,280 feet above sea level!

More Fun

Those wanting to experience the history of the Casper area since the beginning of time can visit the Tate Geological Museum, which showcases more than 3,000 specimens of dinosaur fossils, minerals, and jade. The museum is located on the Casper College Campus. A more detailed article on the Tate Geological Museum can be found at this Associated Content link:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/content.cfm?content_type=article&content_type_id=6391

Several blocks north of the museum is Casper’s premiere art venue called the Nicolaysen Art Museum and Discovery Center, which showcases contemporary Western Art of the Northern Rockies, High Plains, and of Native Americans. It features an interactive learning center.

For shoppers, Lou Taubert Ranch Outfitters offers a great selection of Western-themed attire. Lovers of the mall life can visit Eastridge Mall, which is currently Wyoming’s largest shopping center. It houses roughly 90 stores and restaurants.

Bosco’s Italian Restaurante offers some of the best Italian cuisine in the state, including gluten-free and low-carb menu options. The Wonder Bar is a great place to relax after a hard day’s sightseeing. It was opened in 1934 after the repeal of Prohibition. Horses are allowed to come into the bar as long as they are potty-trained! Celebrites like Dizzy Dean and Ernest Hemingway have been patrons to this establishment, known for the Three B’s: Burgers, Beer, and Billiards. Upstairs from the bar is “The Attic”, which features live nightly entertainment.

Casper Venue Contact Information

What to See:

Casper Mountain: www.casperwyoming.info/winter_activities.html for information on seasonal outdoor activities available in the Casper area.

Casper Rockies: 330 Kati Lane. 1-307-232-1111. Ticket information: www.casperrockies.com

Fort Caspar Museum and Historical Site: 4001 Fort Caspar Rd. 1-307-235-8462. Admission Charge. www.fortcasparwyoming.com

National Historic Trails Interpretive Center: 1501 N. Poplar St. 1-307-261-7700. Admission Charge. www.casperwyoming.info/trails_center.html

Nicolaysen Art Museum & Discovery Center: 400 E. Collins Dr. 1-307-235-5247. Free Admission. www.thenic.org

Platte River Raft ‘n’ Reel: 17000 Hwy 220. 1-307-267-0170. www.raftnreel.com

Tate Geological Museum: Casper College, 125 College Dr. 1-307-268-2447. Free admission. www.caspercollege.edu/tate/webpage.asp

Wyoming Cavalry: 800 Werner Court, Ste. #125. 1-307-472-5030. www.wyomingcavalry.com

Shopping:

Eastridge Mall: 601 SE Wyoming Blvd. 1-307-265-9392. www.shopeastridge.com

Lou Taubert Ranch Outfitters: 125 E. 2nd St. 1-307-234-2992.

Restaurants and Nightlife:

Bosco’s Italian Restaurante: 847 E. “A” St. 1-307-265-9658.

Wonder Bar: 256 S. Center St. 1-307-234-4110. www.thewonderbar.com

Go Exploring Beyond Casper:

Alcova Reservoir: Thirty miles southwest of Casper off of Highway 220. Go to www.casperwyoming.info/boating.html for more information about boating and water activities around the vicinity of Casper.

Fremont Canyon: roughly forty miles southwest of Casper off Highway 220. www.fremontcanyon.com

Historic Trails West: Box 428, Mills, WY 82644. 1-307-266-4868. www.historictrailswest.com

How to get there:

Three major airlines serve Natrona County International Airport (airport code is CPR; website is www.casperairport.com, and located twelve miles west of Casper): United Airlines from Denver: 1-800-UNITED-1 or www.united.com SkyWest Airlines (a Delta Connection) from Salt Lake City: 1-800-221-1212 or www.skywest.com; and Northwest Airlines from Minneapolis: 1-800-225-2525 or www.nwa.com; By auto, Interstate 25 is the main route for getting to Casper. For a more comprehensive roadmap of the Casper and Wyoming areas, visit www.sitesatlas.com/Maps/Maps/WY1.htm

Hotel/B&B Accommodations

Here’s some centrally-located hotels that offer great deals and many amenities, including indoor fitness centers, pools, whirlpools/jacuzzis, and shuttle services:

Best Western Ramkota Hotel: 800 N. Poplar. 1-307-266-6000. http://casper.ramkota.com

Holiday Inn on the River: 300 W. “F” St. 1-307-235-2531. Reservations: 1-877-576-8636. www.casperhi.com

Parkway Plaza Hotel and Convention Centre: 123 W. “E” St. 1-307-235-1777. Reservations: 1-800-270-7829. www.parkwayplaza.net