Once known as Dogget, Riverside, Wyoming was originally a shipping center for the copper mines located in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. Its location along the banks of the Encampment River made it an ideal spot for fishing, rafting, and kayaking. Due to the town's reputation, the citizens changed the name to Riverside, which better represented the town's beauty and location.
The railroad gave names to unnamed places as it laid tracks westward over the Rocky Mountains that would eventually become the Trans-Continental Railroad.
Well ahead of those tracks were Army surveyors laying out the route and marking the waterholes the great steam-locomotives would need to fill their empty tanks.
Encampment, Wyoming, a small town with a population of approximately 500 year-round residents, has a rich history that dates back to the late 1800s. Once called Grand Encampment by French-Canadian trappers who rendezvoused along the Encampment River, this town played a significant role in the mining industry. In 1897, copper was discovered in the Sierra Madre Mountains just above the settlement, attracting hundreds of people to the area to try their luck in the mines.
From its Native American roots to its early settlement by European pioneers, Saratoga has a captivating story to tell. But what truly sets this charming town apart is its natural mineral hot springs, which have been attracting visitors for centuries. In this blog, we'll take a closer look at the history, attractions, and experiences that make Saratoga a must-visit destination.
The best thing about birding is you can do it anywhere you travel. It is nice however, to know where some of the local hot spots are when traveling. Hopefully this article will help with that for Carbon County, Wyoming.
During its more than 80-year history as a corrections facility, approximately 13,500 inmates called the Wyoming State Penitentiary in Rawlins “home.”
Wyoming’s Frontier Prison, often referred to as the “Old Pen,” housed 11 women from when it opened in 1901 until 1909, at which point it became a facility primarily for men.
The Carbon County Museum, open year round, tells the stories of the region and its communities. It interprets the history of the region, including the vast Native American influence, the coming of the railroad, the outlaws of the Old West, and the ranchers who continue to work the area.
Near Encampment & Riverside, Wyoming these bowl-shaped rock formations become natural bathtubs when filled with rain water. From the trailhead off of Blackhall Mountain Road, it's a 1.5 mile round-trip hike to the tubs.
I had driven the scenic byway between Laramie and Rawlins, Wyoming before and knew that spending a few nights somewhere in between was a must. Surrounded by the Medicine Bow National Forest, I knew that Saratoga would be the perfect destination. Eliza and I headed out early, left the traffic and city behind for the mountains with our swimsuits and fly rods in tow.
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