About Carbon County

Carbon County, in the south-central part of Wyoming, is made up of mountains, desert, and alpine prairie. The hills seem to almost breathe the spirit of cowboys, pioneers, and mountain men. The majority of the county is open, with towns at regular intervals, disbursed across over nearly 8000 sq. miles. The towns are surrounded by wildlife and spectacular scenery. The County contains all of the elements that are associated with the West, in a way that pulls people to it.

The scenery isn’t lovely in the traditional lush sense it has more stark majesty, with subtle tones, except when dressed in winter finery. During winter, nature tends to wax fanciful, creating surreal scenes that cannot be envisioned, but have to be seen.

This part of Wyoming is replete with ranching heritage, pioneer legacy, and railroad history. A strong mining tradition clings to many of the towns as well, due to the plentiful coal deposits that give Carbon County its name. The county holds more incorporated towns-10- within its boundaries than any other county in Wyoming,and has been in existence (under Territorial governance, then State governance) since 1868.

carboncounty2Today, Carbon County continues to inspire residents and visitors with its intriguing mix of natural, historic and modern marvels.  The region is also still prized by hunters, fishermen and others who enjoy outdoor activities including hiking, camping, cross-country sking and snowmobiling.

Carbon County Trivia

  1. Home to the last postal relay airport built before Postal Relay Stations became obsolete (still in fairly well preserved condition).
  2. Contains part of the former Republic of Texas western line located on the eastern edge of Sinclair, eastern edge is just east of Hanna, and north edge is near Seminoe. That strip of the Republic was probably the Wyoming/Texas Cattle Corridor, where cattle were driven from summer grazing in Wyoming, to winter range in Texas.
  3. After the closure of the Wyoming Territorial Prison, the first State Penitentiary was built in Rawlins.
  4. One of the most consistently windy spots in the US and home soon to the country’s largest wind farm.
  5. Home to the fastest animal in North America (only a Cheetah is faster worldwide) – the Pronghorn Antelope, as well as Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, and Black Footed Ferrets.
  6. Birthplace of Coyote expert Bill Austin (Rawlins).
  7. Home to the Como Bluff Dinosaur Graveyard (just barely).
  8. Home to the Fossil Cabin Near Como Bluff, a cabin constructed entirely of dinosaur fossils.
  9. When the Oregon Trail switched from wagon to rail, the rails ran through Carbon County and still do today.
  10. The largest shipping point for cattle in the early 1900s (Medicine Bow). It was both an east-west crosspoint, and a north-south crosspoint.
  11. Stopping points on the Lincoln Highway in Carbon County include Como Bluff, Medicine Bow, Hanna, Rawlins.
  12. Contains a national forest with a well-preserved tie camp (log cabins and common rooms still standing).
  13. Location of legendary treasure hoard of Butch Cassidy’s gang (Baggs).
  14. Legendary location of two lost mines.
  15. The longest running oil refinery in Wyoming is located in Sinclair.
  16. Contains a publicly accessible hot spring (Saratoga).
  17. From any point in Carbon County, you are within easy distance of skiing, hiking, water sports, historical sites, incredible campsites, and photo opportunities that amaze and astound.