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Mountain Range

Rawlins

Get Your West On

Buildings

Rawlins sits at the southeastern edge of the Great Divide Basin, a unique expanse of high desert where the Continental Divide splits in two. Water that falls into the Great Basin does not flow to the ocean, but remains within its bounds. While it may appear desolate, the Basin is in fact an extraordinary desert ecosystem teeming with wildlife and diverse flora, and is home to wild horses, sand dunes, archeological relics, and the world’s largest herd of desert elk. The area has supported humans for at least 12,000 years, and by the time European settlers arrived 200 years ago, nomadic Plains tribes like the Ute, Crow, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Lakota, and, most predominantly, the Shoshone, traversed the area.

Rawlins’ beginnings, like those of many western towns, are closely tied to the railroad. While surveying for the transcontinental railroad’s route with a Union Pacific Railroad survey crew in 1867, Army General John Rawlins became thirsty and a spring was found nearby. Gen. Rawlins thought the water from the spring was particularly refreshing, and said, “If anything is ever named after me, I hope it will be a spring of water.” A small community, initially known as Rawlins’ Spring, arose around the railroad and eventually became known as Rawlins.

Mountain Range
Plains
Mountain Range
Mountain Range
Old building

Getting There

The closest international airport to Rawlins is Casper/Natrona County International Airport (CPR), which is about 2 hours away via US-287 N and WY-220 E. Laramie also has a regional airport, which is about 1.5 hours away via I-80 E. It offers a direct flight to Denver, serviced by United Airlines.

Getting Around

The Continental Divide Trail passes right through Rawlins. Visitors will discover a unique, friendly city that’s home to a nationally-recognized downtown, where rich and colorful Old West history intersects with a modern, multicultural community.

Ten things to do in Rawlins

  1. Tour the Wyoming Frontier Prison

  2. Learn local history at the Carbon County Museum

  3. Visit the Mabuhay Oriental Market

  4. Relax at the Saratoga Hot Springs

  5. Walk the CDT through town

  6. Discover downtown Rawlins through TravelStorys

  7. Explore a nearby ghost town

  8. Visit the Fort Steele State Historic Site

  9. Take a scenic drive

  10. Enjoy some Music in the Park

Mountain Range
Featured Hike
view our hike suggestion database
Island Lake Loop, Bridger Wilderness
  • Difficulty: Difficult

  • Length: Various

  • Directions: Elkhart TH: From Pinedale take the Fremont Lake Road to Forest Road 740. Follow FR 740 for approximately 9 miles to the Elkhart Park and the Trailhead to Little Seneca Lake. Access the CDT at Little Seneca Lake, which is about an 8-mile hike from the Elkhart Park Trailhead outside of Pinedale.

  • Maps:

    USGS 7.5 Quadrangles: Fremont Lake South, Fremont Lake North, and Bridger Lakes, Bridger-Teton National Forest – Pinedale Ranger District and Bridger Wilderness

  • For More Information:

    Bridger-Teton National Forest – http://www.fs.fed.us/btnf/

People hiking

I'm a thru-hiker! What do I need to know about Rawlins?

    • wifi
    • camping/ lodging
    • showers
    • food
    • laundry
    • camp supplies
    • Rawlins Post Office
    • 106 5th St, Rawlins
    • WY 82301
    • 307-324-3521
    • Rawlins-Carbon County Chamber of Commerce
    • 519 W. Cedar St, Rawlins
    • WY 82301
    • 307-324-4111
    • Walmart
    • 2390 E Cedar St, Rawlins
    • WY 82301
    • 307-417-3001
    • True Value
    • 600 W Maple St, Rawlins
    • WY 82301
    • 307-324-3867
    • Rawlins Library
    • 215 W Buffalo St, Rawlins
    • WY 82301
    • 307-328-2618
    • Rawlins Family Recreation Center
    • 1616 Harshman St, Rawlins
    • WY 82301
    • 307-324-7529
    • Wash & Dry Laundry
    • 515 15th St, Rawlins
    • WY 82301
    • 307-324-4991
    • Washboard
    • 504 23rd St, Rawlins
    • WY 82301
    • 307-328-5182

Submit a place

Is the thru-hiker section above missing a business or an amenity? If so, please let us know below!

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Getting to the Continental Divide Trail

CDT in Rawlins
One of the few communities that the CDT passes directly through, Rawlins offers the opportunity to take a gentle stroll through town on the Continental Divide Trail. Recommended points to start from are Rawlins Spring Park at the intersection of West Davis and Bennett Streets, Rawlins Family Recreation Center on Harshman Street, and Bolton Park on Washington Street.

CDT in the Great Divide Basin
Explore this geologic anomaly on the Continental Divide Trail. Its highlights include stunning buttes, roaming herds of wild horses, diverse wildlife, and expansive high desert vistas. However, water is sparse and alkaline, and there is little shade, so prepare accordingly. To reach the Basin, head north from Rawlins on US Highway 287. Take a left on Carbon County Rd 63 – it will cross the CDT in about 5 miles. The trail across the Basin is a conglomeration of dirt roads and hiking paths. This stark landscape provides a dramatic change for those intrepid enough to venture there.

Ferns

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