Rawlins, WY

Perched along the Continental Divide in south-central Wyoming, Rawlins is a rugged, friendly community of roughly 8,000 people. Sitting at 6,800 feet elevation, the town pairs vast high-desert horizons with a deep frontier history rooted in the historic railroad boom. It offers a calm, unpretentious lifestyle where neighbors know each other, surrounded by the same sweeping plains and rugged bluffs that once guided pioneer wagons across the West.

ATTRRichard Bauer / CC BY 2.0

Daily life is anchored by a walkable historic downtown, local public schools, and unmatched room to roam. Hikers can hop onto the Continental Divide Trail right from town, while anglers, campers, and off-roaders have the Red Desert, Seminoe State Park, and the North Platte River right in their backyard. With convenient access to Interstate 80 and U.S. 287, Rawlins provides an affordable, practical home base with an easy connection to Laramie, Casper, and western Wyoming.