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Campbell County
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Campbell County, Wyoming pairs Gillette’s western heritage with Powder River Basin landscapes, coal history, open grasslands and easy road access.

Campbell County occupies a broad section of north-eastern Wyoming, where the open plains of the Powder River Basin extend beneath immense skies. Gillette is the county seat and principal service centre; farther south, Wright provides a smaller planned community closely associated with the region’s energy industry. Between them lie ranches, working landscapes, rolling grasslands and long stretches of two-lane highway, giving the county a spacious, practical character rather than the concentrated scenery of Wyoming’s mountain districts.
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The county’s identity is closely tied to coal. The Powder River Basin contains some of the United States’ largest coal deposits, and large surface mines dominate parts of the landscape. Their scale is best understood as an industrial geography: haul roads, rail infrastructure, spoil contours and carefully managed reclamation sit alongside cattle country and wildlife habitat. The Rockpile Museum in Gillette provides the clearest introduction to this story, placing the energy economy within a wider account of Native American history, ranching, transportation, settlement and everyday life in north-eastern Wyoming.
Gillette is the natural base for most visits. It combines a compact commercial centre with civic facilities, parks, the Campbell County Recreation Center and CAM-PLEX, a large events complex that hosts regional gatherings and exhibitions. The city also serves as a useful stop for travellers crossing Wyoming on Interstate 90. Wright has its own local identity, with community institutions and a landscape shaped by twentieth-century planning and mining. Outside the towns, the county is best experienced slowly, through ranch-country drives, wildlife watching, dark skies and the changing colours of the grasslands.
Campbell County is also a practical gateway to attractions elsewhere in north-eastern Wyoming. Devils Tower National Monument lies in neighbouring Crook County, not Campbell County, but is a realistic excursion from Gillette by road. The Bighorn Mountains and historic sites associated with the Bozeman Trail are also regional extensions rather than county attractions. Within Campbell County itself, visitors will find a destination grounded in working Wyoming: museums that explain local change, public recreation facilities, open country and communities whose modern prosperity was built around rail, ranching and mineral resources.

Getting to and around Campbell County

How to get there

Gillette-Campbell County Airport is located in Gillette and provides the county’s principal commercial air access, with connections generally requiring a transfer rather than serving as a major international gateway. Most international visitors will enter Wyoming through a larger airport outside the county, such as Denver International Airport in Colorado, and continue by road or domestic connection. Interstate 90 runs through Gillette and is the main overland approach from the Black Hills, eastern Wyoming and Montana; US highways connect the county with surrounding communities.

Transportation

A private or hired car is the most useful means of travelling around Campbell County because Gillette, Wright, rural viewpoints and industrial areas are separated by considerable distances and public transport is limited. Gillette has local taxi and ride-service options, but these are not a substitute for independent transport in the countryside. Interstate 90 is straightforward in normal conditions, while winter snow, wind and occasional poor visibility can affect driving. Fuel up before long rural journeys, and do not enter active mine roads or private ranch land.

Top city travel guides in Campbell County

The cities of Campbell County, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Destinations in Campbell County

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in Campbell County

Campbell County’s attractions are grounded in local history, public recreation and the expansive landscape of the Powder River Basin. In Gillette, the Rockpile Museum is the essential cultural stop, interpreting Indigenous heritage, ranching, railways, domestic life and the growth of coal mining through regional collections and displays. The Campbell County Recreation Center and the city’s parks provide practical facilities for exercise and family recreation, while CAM-PLEX serves as a major venue for exhibitions, livestock events, competitions and community gatherings. Wright offers a different perspective on the county through its planned-town setting and close connection with the energy industry. Beyond the towns, visitors can explore open grassland, wildlife habitat and reclaimed mine landscapes by following public roads and observing access rules. Birdwatching, photography, stargazing and quiet scenic drives are more realistic activities here than a dense circuit of conventional sightseeing attractions. Devils Tower National Monument is a notable nearby excursion in neighbouring Crook County, but it should not be presented as a Campbell County attraction. The county works best for travellers interested in working landscapes, local museums and the changing relationship between ranching, mineral extraction and prairie ecology.

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Best landmarks in Campbell County

The most recognisable landmark in Campbell County is the Rockpile Museum in Gillette, whose name and collections reflect the rocky outcrops and geological character of the wider Powder River Basin. It is an important civic marker as well as a museum, helping visitors read the county’s past through objects connected with ranching, transport, settlement and mining. Gillette’s urban landscape contains further reminders of its railway-era origins and its later growth as an energy centre, although the city’s significance is more cumulative than monumental. Wright is a landmark of a different kind: its planned form and civic layout express the era of large-scale coal expansion and the deliberate creation of an industrial community on the prairie. Outside the settlements, the broad mine contours, rail corridors, reclaimed grasslands and rolling horizons form a distinctly human-shaped landscape whose scale is itself striking. Visitors should distinguish these county landmarks from Devils Tower, an internationally recognised natural monument located in neighbouring Crook County, and from the historic military sites of the Powder River region lying elsewhere in north-eastern Wyoming.

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Best restaurants in Campbell County

Dining in Campbell County is centred on Gillette, with Wright providing a smaller selection of everyday restaurants and cafés. The food scene reflects the practical character of a north-eastern Wyoming service centre: American grills, family restaurants, cafés, bakeries, steak-focused menus and familiar road-trip fare sit alongside newer casual dining. Beef, burgers and hearty breakfasts are strongly associated with the local setting, while regional ranching and agricultural production help explain the prominence of meat and filling comfort food. Visitors will also find national chains near the main transport routes, useful for travellers with early departures or long drives. Gillette’s independent restaurants offer the best opportunity to look beyond standard highway dining, while supermarkets and seasonal produce outlets are convenient for self-catering. The county does not have a sharply defined signature cuisine comparable with a coastal or immigrant food region; its culinary identity is instead tied to Wyoming’s western ranch culture, working schedules and broad American traditions. Plan provisions before heading into sparsely settled country, where dining choices and opening arrangements can be limited.

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Best bars in Campbell County

Evening life in Campbell County is concentrated in Gillette and is generally relaxed rather than club-driven. Traditional pubs, sports bars, hotel lounges, casual restaurants and locally oriented drinking places provide the main social settings, with occasional live music, community events and performances adding variety. CAM-PLEX can bring larger gatherings to town, although its programme changes, so visitors should check current listings rather than expect a permanent nightlife district. Wright has a smaller selection of places for an evening meal or drink, and rural areas largely become quiet after dark. Gillette’s size supports a more varied evening than the surrounding grasslands, but the county is not known for a major late-night nightclub scene. Brewing, spirits and cocktail options may be available in town, yet alcohol is only one part of local leisure culture; evening walks, organised events, dining and dark-sky viewing can be equally appropriate. Arrange transport in advance if staying outside Gillette, particularly in winter or after drinking.

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Best nightclubs in Campbell County

Evening life in Campbell County is concentrated in Gillette and is generally relaxed rather than club-driven. Traditional pubs, sports bars, hotel lounges, casual restaurants and locally oriented drinking places provide the main social settings, with occasional live music, community events and performances adding variety. CAM-PLEX can bring larger gatherings to town, although its programme changes, so visitors should check current listings rather than expect a permanent nightlife district. Wright has a smaller selection of places for an evening meal or drink, and rural areas largely become quiet after dark. Gillette’s size supports a more varied evening than the surrounding grasslands, but the county is not known for a major late-night nightclub scene. Brewing, spirits and cocktail options may be available in town, yet alcohol is only one part of local leisure culture; evening walks, organised events, dining and dark-sky viewing can be equally appropriate. Arrange transport in advance if staying outside Gillette, particularly in winter or after drinking.

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Best shops in Campbell County

Shopping in Campbell County is concentrated in Gillette, which serves as the principal retail centre for a large rural hinterland. The city offers practical high-street services, supermarkets, outdoor and workwear retailers, independent businesses and the everyday shops expected in a regional Wyoming hub. Visitors looking for locally meaningful purchases should seek western clothing, ranch-inspired goods, books about Wyoming, regional artwork and products connected with the county’s coal and frontier history rather than expecting a specialist craft district. The Rockpile Museum shop, where available, is a useful place to look for interpretive material and locally relevant souvenirs. Wright has a smaller retail offer, mainly serving residents and visitors passing through, while rural areas have few shopping facilities. Seasonal community events, craft fairs and local markets may provide opportunities to buy handmade goods or food products, but their timing varies. Stock up on fuel, snacks and outdoor necessities in Gillette before exploring the county, since distances between commercial centres are substantial and roadside retail is not continuous.

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Campbell County essentials

Currency and Payment
Campbell County uses the United States dollar (USD), like the rest of Wyoming. Credit and debit cards, including contactless payments, are widely accepted in Gillette and Wright, and card payment is common at hotels, fuel stations, restaurants and museums. Carry some cash for smaller rural businesses, vending machines or unexpected connection problems, particularly when travelling away from the main towns. Banks and ATMs are concentrated in populated areas, so do not assume that every remote stop will offer banking services.
Safety
Campbell County is generally an easy place to travel, but its distances and exposed environment require sensible preparation. Winter storms, strong winds, ice and reduced visibility can make driving hazardous, while summer heat, limited shade and dehydration are concerns on outdoor stops. Keep to marked roads and public access areas around mines, railways and ranches, and watch for heavy industrial traffic. When hiking or viewing wildlife, carry water, tell someone your plans and remember that mobile coverage can be inconsistent beyond Gillette.
Emergency Situations
Dial 911 anywhere in Campbell County for police, fire and ambulance assistance; this is the national emergency number used throughout the United States. Give the dispatcher a precise location, road number, mile marker or nearby landmark, since rural addresses may be difficult to identify. For vehicle trouble on remote roads, remain with the vehicle when conditions are severe and use hazard lights where appropriate. Weather alerts are particularly important in winter, and visitors should follow official instructions during wildfire, blizzard or hazardous-road incidents.
Do's and Don'ts
Do respect private ranch land, fences, gates and posted industrial restrictions, and ask permission before photographing work sites or entering property. Do give large trucks and agricultural vehicles generous space on rural roads, and use designated paths and facilities in parks. Do not assume that open-looking grassland is public access, and do not remove fossils, rocks or historic objects. Tipping in restaurants and for many personal services follows normal United States practice, while quiet courtesy and queueing are expected in public places.
Local Tips
Allow time to visit the Rockpile Museum rather than treating Gillette only as a fuel stop, as it explains the county’s transition from Indigenous and ranching landscapes to a major energy-producing region. Check local information before travelling to outdoor areas because roads, weather and access arrangements can change. The county is particularly rewarding at dawn or dusk, when low light reveals the scale of the grasslands and mine-reclamation landscapes. If using Gillette as a base for Devils Tower, remember that the monument is in neighbouring Crook County and warrants a full road excursion.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHowdy[haw-dee]
GoodbyeSee ya later[see yah lay-ter]
YesYup[yup]
NoNope[nohp]
Please/You're welcomeSure thing[shur thing]
Thank youThanks a lot[thanks uh lot]
Excuse me/SorryPardon me[par-din mee]
How are you?How ya doin'?[how yah doin'?]
Fine. And you?Good! How 'bout you?[good! how bout you?]
Do you speak English?Can ya speak English?[can yah speak ing-glish?]
I don't understandI ain't gettin' it[I ain't gettin' it]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I see the menu?[can I see the men-yoo?]
I don't eat meatI don't eat meat[I don't eat meat]
Cheers!Cheers![cheers!]
I would like to pay, pleaseCan I get the check?[can I get the chek?]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![help!]
Go away!Get lost![get lost!]
Call the Police!Call the cops![call the cops!]
Call a doctor!Get a doctor![get a docter!]
I'm lostI’m lost[I’m lost]
I'm illI ain't feelin' well[I ain't feelin' wel]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I wanna buy...[I wanna buy...]
I'm just lookingJust browsin'[just brow-zin']
How much is it?What’s the price?[what's the pryce?]
That's too expensiveThat's way too pricey[that's way too pry-see]
Can you lower the price?Can ya drop the price?[can yah drop the pryce?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What time ya got?[what time yah got?]
It's one o'clockIt's one o'clock[it's one o'clock]
Half past (10)Half past ten[half past ten]
MorningMornin'[mornin']
AfternoonAfternoon[afternoon]
EveningEvenin'[evenin']
YesterdayYesterday[yesterday]
TodayToday[today]
TomorrowTomorrow[tomorrow]
1One[one]
2Two[two]
3Three[three]
4Four[four]
5Five[five]
6Six[six]
7Seven[seven]
8Eight[eight]
9Nine[nine]
10Ten[ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...?[where's the...?]
What's the address?What’s the address?[what’s the ad-dress?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can you point it out?[can you point it out?]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next bus?[when's the next bus?]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket to ...[a ticket to ...]

History of Campbell County

Indigenous Homelands and Early Travel Routes

Long before American settlement, the plains of present-day Campbell County were used by Indigenous peoples, including communities associated with the Northern Cheyenne, Lakota and other Plains nations. The region’s grasslands supported seasonal movement, hunting and trade, while later wagon and military routes crossed north-eastern Wyoming. The broader Powder River country became an important zone of conflict as the United States sought to secure routes and settlement during the nineteenth century. Although much of the most famous military history occurred in neighbouring counties, it forms essential context for understanding the county’s later development.

The Bozeman Trail Era

During the 1860s, the Bozeman Trail cut through the Powder River region as a route from the Oregon Trail country towards Montana’s gold fields. Its use brought emigrants and soldiers into direct conflict with Indigenous nations defending their lands. Forts and military campaigns associated with the trail were located principally outside modern Campbell County, but the county lay within the wider landscape affected by these events. The resulting warfare and treaties reshaped travel, settlement and federal control across north-eastern Wyoming.

Ranching and Settlement in the Late Nineteenth Century

After the reduction of military conflict and the opening of transport links, cattle ranching became a defining economic activity across the Powder River Basin. Homesteaders, stock growers and merchants established themselves around water sources and emerging routes. The open grasslands favoured large-scale grazing, while the distance between settlements encouraged self-reliance and relatively dispersed communities. Ranching remains visible in Campbell County today, even though later mineral development transformed its economy and settlement pattern.

The Founding of Gillette and Railway Expansion

Gillette was established in the late nineteenth century in connection with railway expansion through north-eastern Wyoming and was incorporated in 1891. Rail access enabled livestock, agricultural goods and mineral products to reach wider markets, while the new town became a trading and service centre for surrounding ranches. Its location at the meeting point of transport routes helped it outgrow smaller settlements and laid the foundation for its present role as Campbell County’s administrative, commercial and cultural centre.

Coal Development in the Powder River Basin

Coal was known in the Powder River Basin before the modern energy boom, but large-scale extraction accelerated during the twentieth century as railways, electricity generation and industrial demand expanded. Campbell County became one of the country’s most important coal-producing areas, with surface mining changing the physical landscape and attracting workers, investment and infrastructure. The industry influenced housing, schools, roads and local government, while reclamation programmes have sought to restore mined land to grassland and wildlife habitat after extraction.

Wright and Planned Energy Communities

Wright was developed in the 1970s as a planned community associated with the expansion of coal mining in the Powder River Basin. Its layout and civic facilities reflect a period when energy demand drove rapid population growth and new settlements in otherwise sparsely populated country. Wright’s history illustrates how industrial development created not only mines and rail links but also schools, shops, recreation facilities and neighbourhoods. The community remains an important part of Campbell County’s modern social and economic story.

Economic Change and Reclamation

Campbell County’s recent history has been shaped by changing energy markets, environmental regulation and debates about the future of coal. Mining remains central to the county’s identity, but employment and investment have also broadened into services, construction, transport, healthcare, education and outdoor recreation. Reclaimed mine lands, restored grasslands and renewed attention to local heritage show how the county continues to negotiate the relationship between extraction, conservation and community life in the Powder River Basin.

Campbell County in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Campbell County

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  • History of Campbell County and travel essentials
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Imagine standing before the majestic landscapes of Thunder Basin National Grassland or exploring the rich history at the Rockpile Museum. From the natural beauty of Devil's Tower to the vibrant energy of downtown Gillette, Evendo ensures you won't miss a beat.

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