Discover Rock Springs: History in the High Desert

Rock Springs combines the landscape of a high-desert oasis with a diverse history that can be discovered on walking tours, in a former city hall and at historic railroad structures. There are also theater performances, a cultural festival in July and the White Mountain Petroglyphs. When planning a trip, you can choose your vacation rental based on whether culture, independent exploration or the region’s landscapes is most important to you.

Discovering History Independently

A good starting point for learning about the city’s history is the Rock Springs Historical Museum. It is located in the former Rock Springs City Hall, a building constructed from sandstone bricks in 1894. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is closed on Sundays and major holidays. These fixed hours are particularly helpful when planning a visit.

The museum provides a free guide for the Historic Downtown Walking Tour or the Historic Cemetery Walking Tour. This allows you to explore the surrounding area independently and choose between two different historical focuses. The downtown tour includes stops at the original railroad depot, so-called “Ghost Signs” on downtown buildings and a statue honoring local miners. Those interested in labor history, urban development and visible traces of bygone eras will find several concrete points of interest.

Culture Between Theater and Tradition

The Broadway Theater offers an auditorium with 370 seats. Its program includes touring productions, concerts, comedy and family events. Depending on your travel plans, a theater visit can add a cultural evening, while the historical walking tours focus on the history of Rock Springs.

A special tradition is International Day, which celebrates Rock Springs’ diverse heritage every July with food, exhibits, costumes and live entertainment. Its history goes back to the first events, which began in 1926 as International Night. Railroad Park adds to the historical picture with monuments and the old Union Pacific railroad depot.

High Desert and Rock Art

Rock Springs is located in a high-desert oasis. The White Mountain Petroglyphs provide another landscape and cultural-historical highlight. The site features rock art panels that are more than 200 years old. A steep footpath, approximately two-thirds of a mile long, leads there from the parking lot. You should take these details into account when planning your day, especially if you want to combine several different experiences.

For an initial overview of additional destinations, the Explore Rock Springs & Green River Visitor Center offers area maps of Flaming Gorge Country, the Red Desert and beyond. It also provides brochures and travel guides to local attractions and scenic drives, as well as tips for wildlife viewing and fishing on the Green River.

Choose Rock Springs as Your Travel Base

When searching for a vacation rental, you can put your personal priorities first: historic walking tours and a museum visit, an evening at the Broadway Theater, the International Day program or the landscapes around the White Mountain Petroglyphs. This creates a travel plan that takes into account not only your accommodation but also the discoveries you want to make.

If you would like to explore other places nearby, you can also find Little America and Green River here. With its museum, historic traces, theater and high-desert landscapes, Rock Springs itself offers various ways to experience a trip that combines culture and nature.

For the overarching travel overview: Sweetwater County.