how much there is to see and do here , you ’ ll most likely want to extend your stay . There ’ s something for everyone , from the adrenaline junkie to the history buff and rock hound .
Start in Rock Springs , where you can take a trip back in time and dig into the state ’ s mining and railroad past . This desert oasis , named for a former spring that babbled through town , grew with the development of the area ’ s coal mining production and subsequent need for railroads . Today , it thrives with trona mines . The mineral is a common source of soda ash used in manufacturing glass , chemicals , paper , detergents and textiles . A booming oil and gas industry is also responsible for keeping the town on the map .
You can easily get your history fix at the Rock Springs Historical Museum and the Sweetwater County Historical Museum in nearby Green River . There you ’ ll find exhibits on everything from coal mining and the Union Pacific Railroad to early settlers and notorious outlaws , like Robert Leroy Parker ( most commonly known as Butch Cassidy ), who journeyed through the area over the years . Or , you can set out to discover remnants of bygone days as you explore the surrounding region with its numerous historic pioneer trails , fossil beds and petroglyphs .
One of the highlights of Sweetwater County is getting to see the wild horses that make their home in this corner of the state . These beautiful creatures run free and untamed , reminding visitors that the frontier spirit is still alive and well in our country . Though you can drive the Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Loop on your own – a 23-mile route on an often rough road ( reliable transportation is a must !) – the best way to view these magnificent beasts is via a guided excursion with Green River Wild Horse Tours & Eco Safaris .
Owner and guide Rich Nobles has extensive knowledge of the wild horses , as well as of their history and the high desert country they inhabit . Not only will you be able to see the horses and possibly other creatures such as pronghorn , coyotes , mule deer , hawks , eagles and more in their natural environment , but you ’ ll get a real taste of the scenery . Impressive vistas surround you at every turn as you navigate through a stark and unforgiving landscape of sandstone , shale , sagebrush and buffalo grass , dominated by White Mountain .
Nobles drives an Australian made Pinzgauer , or as he calls it , an “ SUV on steroids .” It ’ s a rugged safaristyle vehicle with open air capabilities that allow passengers to get the best possible view of their surroundings . Some of the finest views in Wyoming are located along the Wild Horse Scenic Loop , with several panoramic overlooks of the area ’ s prominent features , such as Pilot Butte , a distinctive navigational landmark and Boar ’ s Tusk , a 400-foot-tall volcanic spire that acts as a sentinel to the vast Killpecker Sand Dunes . The Wyoming , Wind River and Uinta mountain ranges are also on display , along with the Overland Trail and Union Pacific Railroad corridors . You ’ ll be taken off-road , up and down steep embankments , as you keep an eye out for the horses and any other animals
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