Laramie & the Community
Laramie is a friendly and safe community of approximately
25,000 residents nestled between two mountain ranges in the southeastern
corner of Wyoming. At almost 7,200 feet in elevation, Laramie is a unique blend
of western hospitality and comfortable sophistication that comes from
being home to a major university. The welcoming atmosphere and beautiful
scenery create a warm community full of opportunity for all those who
visit or live here. The surroundings offer extensive opportunities for
outdoor activities. Laramie has all the advantages of a small town and,
because of the University, there are cultural and sports activities comparable
with larger cities.
Quick Facts
- Over 300 days of sunshine per year
- No pollution
- No traffic jams
- Laramie Regional Airport
- Directly off Route 80, a major interstate highway
- Only 120 miles from Denver, CO
- Temperature Stats (F):
- Annual average: 55 high / 27 low
- Winter average: 41 high/ 8 low
- Summer average: 80 high / 37 low
- Precipitation Stats:
- Annual average: 10.88 inches
- Average rainfall: 6 inches
- Average snowfall: 36.0 inches
- Average humidity: 20%
- Elevation: 7165 feet
Quality Indicators
Outdoor Explorer magazine listed Laramie as the fourth best place in the nation to live for outdoor families, citing UW for enhancing Laramie's quality of life.
UW was honored by Outside magazine in fall 2003 as one of America's best adventure colleges and universities.
Local Attractions
Snowy Range and Medicine Bow Mountains
To the east and west of Laramie are mountains that offer a
variety of year-round recreation and sightseeing opportunities.
Wildlife species abound in both areas, including black bear, badger, bobcat,
coyote, elk, mule deer, wild turkey and hundreds of other bird species.
The trout fishing is some of the best in the west.
Vedauwoo (pronounced VEE-dah-voo)
Located in the Medicine Bow National Forest 12 miles east
of Laramie via I-80, Vedauwoo features towering granite rock formations that
provide a stunning backdrop for picnicking, hiking, cross-country skiing,
mountain biking, and camping.
The site has also become a hot spot for rock climbers from around the
world, and it has even taken on a new role, serving as a stage for the
UW Department of Theatre and Dance’s vertical ballet productions.
Happy Jack
Located east of Laramie, Happy Jack is home to popular national forest
hiking, cross-country skiing, and mountain biking trails.
The Snowy Range Ski and Recreation Area
Located 32 miles west of Laramie on Wyoming Highway 130 the Snowy Range Ski and Recreation Area is open
seven days a week, mid-November to Easter. Slopes are serviced by five
lifts with 25 runs on 150 acres and a vertical drop of 1,000 feet. The
area also has a snowboard half-pipe and sits adjacent to miles of non-maintained
cross-country ski trails.
The Snowy Range also boasts plenty of trails for snowmobile enthusiasts,
and it is popular for powder-filled play areas and off-trail riding opportunities.
These trails can receive up to 300 inches of snow per year.
Wyoming Territorial Prison
The restored Wyoming Territorial Prison, originally built
in 1872 and one of only two territorial prisons remaining in the nation,
is the centerpiece of the Wyoming Territorial Prison and Old West Park.
The park is also home to the Happy Jack Gift Shop, Frontier Town, and
the tipi campground. Other activities include dinner theater productions,
living history reenactments, period arts and crafts demonstrations, and
nature trail walks. The park is open from mid-May to the end of September.
Many special events include “haunted” prison tours at Halloween
and craft fairs and visits from Santa Claus during the Christmas holiday
season.
To learn more about Laramie and Wyoming, visit:
To take virtual tours of the campus, the community, and the area, visit
http://www.uwyo.edu/tour
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