In south-central Wyoming, near the Colorado border, whole villages of Indians converged periodically at a "Grand Encampment" to hunt buffalo and other wild game that roamed the area. A mining town, later built in the area (18 miles south of Saratoga) was rightly named Encampment.
Once called Grand Encampment by French-Canadian trappers who rendezvoused along the Encampment River, this small town has a rich history. In 1897, copper was discovered in the Sierra Madre Mountains just above this quiet settlement, and soon hundreds flocked to the area to get their share of the mined riches. A smelter was built along the river, and an incredible (for its time) tramway was built. This tram ran for sixteen miles from the mining sight in the mountains down to the smelter. The tram could carry almost a thousand tons of ore a day!
Part of this tram is now on display at the Grand Encampment Museum, which is a must see when visiting here. Other wonderful displays (including the infamous two-story outhouse!) are set up there, and volunteers offer tourists a wealth of information on the area’s history. Today, Encampment has a population of approximately 500 year-round residents. It rests at the base of the Sierra Madres, and is the gateway to the Medicine Bow Forest.
Fred Pflughoft
The Grand Encampment Opera Hall is over one hundred years old. Melodramas are still performed there at least twice a year by the Grand Encampment Opera Company and are highly entertaining for the whole family. One performance is held during the Woodchoppers Jamboree and Rodeo. This event is held every year on the third weekend in June, and is located at the Encampment Rodeo Grounds. In addition to the melodrama, visitors will enjoy wood chopping events and a rodeo.
The first fort in Wyoming was started as a fur trade post in 1834, known as Fort John. Located near the Laramie River, it had become Fort Laramie by 1849 when the military took control. The fort's grounds just west of the town of Fort Laramie in southeast Wyoming have an open parade ground surrounded by military-era buildings. One structure, Old Bedlam, is the oldest standing building in the State of Wyoming. At or near Fort Laramie, fur traders, overland emigrants, the frontier army and Indians gathered as they came to trade, work and meet. read more
Laramie Peak, at 10,272 feet, the highest point in the Laramie Mountains, looms on the horizon and became an important landmark to westward emigrants on the Oregon Trail. A 5.5-mile trail up Laramie Peak is a steep climb, rewarded by a panoramic view at the top. read more
