Families Learn History While on Summer Vacation in Southwest Wyoming

Posted by Aurae Beidler Jan 14, 2009

I recently wrote a series of articles about Southwest Wyoming and the city of Rock Springs. This area of Sweetwater County provides ample opportunities for adventure and learning. Visitors may actually find learning about history and geology the most memorable experience of their Wyoming vacation.

During my trip to Wyoming, I learned some fascinating things. I learned about Wyoming amazing geological history, when the state was covered by Lake Gosiute and giant fish and reptiles patrolled the shores. I saw theses fossils during a tour of Western Wyoming Community College and its Natural History Museum. I was amazed that most of the dinosaur skeletons, even though casts, were found right there in Wyoming! The T-Rex fossils were huge! After the tour, I could imagine all of these prehistoric creatures roaming the lands around Rock Springs.

One of the great learning resources in Rock Springs is the Rock Springs Historical Museum. This place has a huge collection of artifacts from Wyoming's coal mining past. Visitors can learn amazing things at the museum. Another great thing about the Rock Springs Historical Museum is the self-guided walking tour of the old downtown area. The published guide gives good background information and historic pictures. It was fun to learn about the city's ties to Butch Cassidy.

I also have to mention the historic trails just north of Rock Springs near Farson. To see the actual place where pioneers followed the Oregon Trail just blew my mind. The ruts in the ground, running as far as I could see was amazing. It was eerie to learn about all the unmarked graves along the trails. The historic trails is a great place for families to learn about pioneer life.

Make sure to visit Sweetwater County and learn about history, geology, culture while experiencing a wild west adventure!