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Gillette calls itself the Energy Capital of the Nation, and the claim is easy to see: the surface mines of the Powder River Basin around town produce a large share of America's coal, and in summer visitors can ride a bus out to watch giant haul trucks and draglines at work. The town grew up as a railroad and ranching stop on the Burlington line in the 1890s and boomed with oil and coal in the 1970s.
The story of the region is told at the Campbell County Rockpile Museum, named after the rocky knob that guided cattle drives into town, and outside the visitor center a field of retired mining machinery shows the sheer scale of the industry. CAM-PLEX, a large event park on the east side, fills its calendar with rodeos, concerts, horse shows and conventions, while downtown Gillette Avenue mixes local cafes with outdoor sculptures from the Avenues of Art program.
Gillette also works well as a base for northeast Wyoming. Pronghorn roam the Thunder Basin National Grassland to the south, Keyhole State Park offers boating and camping to the east, and Devils Tower is about 90 minutes away.
A free county museum at the foot of the Rockpile with exhibits on Native peoples, homesteaders, cattle ranching and the energy boom, plus a sheep wagon, a one-room schoolhouse and other historic buildings on the grounds. Allow an hour or two and check the rotating local history exhibits.
A rough rocky butte on the west side of Gillette that once guided cowboys driving cattle to the railroad. Today it rises above the museum named after it, and a short climb gives a view across town and the prairie. Go in the early morning or evening light, and wear shoes with grip.
An outdoor display of retired mining equipment, including an enormous dragline bucket and haul truck parts, that shows the scale of Powder River Basin coal mining. It is free and open any time of day, and families can stand inside a bucket that dwarfs a pickup truck. Pair it with the nearby visitor center.
In summer the local visitor bureau runs guided bus tours into one of the huge surface coal mines north of Gillette, where you see draglines, shovels and trains loading coal for power plants across the country. Seats are limited, so reserve ahead, and bring identification and closed-toe shoes.
A sprawling event park on the east side of Gillette with rodeo arenas, a heritage theater, exhibit halls and RV camping. It hosts horse shows, national rodeo finals, gun shows and touring concerts through the year. Check the event calendar before your trip, since big events fill local hotels quickly.
The compact historic core along Gillette Avenue and 2nd Street has locally owned coffee shops, bars, boutiques and restaurants in early twentieth century brick buildings. Summer brings street events and farmers markets. Park once and walk the few blocks, looking out for the public sculptures on the corners.
Gillette's public art program places dozens of bronze and metal sculptures along downtown streets and in parks, with pieces rotated and bought for the permanent collection over time. Many depict wildlife, cowboys and western themes. Pick up a map at the visitor center and make it a self-guided walk.
More than half a million acres of shortgrass prairie and sagebrush south and east of Gillette, home to pronghorn, mule deer, sage grouse and prairie dog towns. Gravel roads cross the grassland, so it suits a slow scenic drive. Bring water and fuel, as services are scarce and cell signal is patchy.
A reservoir park in the western Black Hills foothills east of Gillette, with boating, walleye fishing, swimming and campsites along the shore, plus views toward Inyan Kara Mountain. It is a popular summer weekend escape for local families. Buy a state park day pass at the entrance and bring your own shade.
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Log in to add photosPhoto: Mr. Satterly, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Tony Webster, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Tony Webster, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Mr. Satterly, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Mr. Satterly, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Mr. Satterly, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
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Photo: Tony Webster, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Tony Webster, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Tony Webster, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Tony Webster, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Mr. Satterly, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Mr. Satterly, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Mr. Satterly, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Mr. Satterly, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Mr. Satterly, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Mr. Satterly, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Mr. Satterly, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Mr. Satterly, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Mr. Satterly, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Tony Webster, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Mr. Satterly, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Mr. Satterly, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
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Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture Lance Cheung/Multimedia PhotoJournalist, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Tony Webster, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture Lance Cheung/Multimedia PhotoJournalist, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture Lance Cheung/Multimedia PhotoJournalist, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Tony Webster, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Tony Webster, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Larry D. Moore, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
