Converse County: Nature, History and Special Trails
Accommodation in Converse County
Converse County combines vast grasslands, striking mountain scenery and an unusually diverse history. Laramie Peak rises in southern Converse County to just over 10,000 feet above sea level. Elk, pronghorn and mule deer roam freely in the grasslands. This gives the region different focal points for planning your trip: wildlife viewing, active days and historical discoveries can be combined according to your preferred pace of travel.
Nature Experiences Among Mountains, River and Prairie
Medicine Bow National Forest in southern Converse County offers opportunities for camping, fishing, hiking and backpacking. Those who want to spend most of their stay outdoors can make these activities the focus of their trip. Another distinctive destination is Ayres Natural Bridge. It is one of only three natural bridges in the United States beneath which water flows. Rafting is also offered at Ayres Natural Bridge Park.
To reach Ayres Natural Bridge, take I-25, Exit 151, and then County Road 13. At the Douglas Bike & Walking Trail, follow the North Platte River. The trail is suitable for walking, jogging and cycling; along the route, you can observe wildlife and numerous bird species. Glendo State Park also offers many opportunities for active days. The park is located in neighboring Platte County and offers water sports, hiking, mountain biking, camping, fishing and group gatherings year-round. In addition, it has 45 miles of multi-use trails for non-motorized activities and six boat ramps with seasonal access to the water.
History and Culture in Converse County
The region’s past is visible in several very different places. The Camp Douglas Officers’ Club is the only building of the former prisoner-of-war camp that is still standing today. From 1943 to 1946, Douglas was home to Wyoming’s largest prisoner-of-war camp. The Officers’ Club is known for elaborate murals depicting scenes from life in the American West.
The history of the railroad can also be experienced firsthand. The Douglas Railroad Museum is located in the historic passenger station of the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad. The depot is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and visitors can enter several historic railroad cars. The Wyoming State Fair began in 1905 in Douglas. It presents Wyoming’s culture and heritage and combines rodeo events with educational programs on agriculture, education, youth and the lifestyle of the American West.
The Wyoming Pioneer Museum offers further insights, and its collection includes, among other things, Tom Horn’s saddle. In Glenrock, the Paleon Museum displays dinosaur fossils, geological treasures and prehistoric discoveries from Wyoming and beyond. Admission includes a guided museum tour with a look inside the fossil preparation laboratory. The Paleon Museum Dig School also offers field programs at active dinosaur excavation sites.
Trails, Structures and Historic Landscapes
In Glenrock, Al’s Way follows the community’s historic railroad bed and is paved. The Historic Glenrock Walking Tour uses informational panels to explain the stories of early travelers who passed through this area, traded, founded settlements and left their names in stone. The tour is accessible year-round. This allows you to combine nature and cultural themes during your stay without committing to just one type of trip.
Fort Fetterman State Historic Site is located on a plateau above the valleys of LaPrele Creek and the North Platte River. Restored officers’ quarters and an arsenal house interpretive exhibits and artifacts relating to the history of the fort, Fetterman City and its Indigenous predecessors. Fort Fetterman Day is held annually on the Saturday closest to July 19. The area around Esterbrook Church offers a different landscape impression: The handcrafted log cabin dates from 1943, one window looks out over mountain meadows and Laramie Peak, and wildflowers bloom in the meadows during summer.
Choosing the Right Location for Your Accommodation
When searching for a vacation rental or holiday home, it is worthwhile to first determine the focus of your trip. For days spent in nature with hiking, fishing or backpacking, the southern part of Converse County comes to the fore. Those who prefer museums, railroad history and historic sites can include Douglas and Glenrock in their travel plans. Families with different interests thereby gain several options for varied days: A museum visit can be followed by a walk along the river, while an excursion to a historic site can be complemented by experiences in nature.
Converse County is therefore not a destination for just one type of vacation. Mountain landscapes, prairie, river trails, fossils, railroad history and the culture of the American West each add their own distinctive character.
For the overarching travel overview: Wyoming.
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