A
plains
community, Casper is the second-largest city in Wyoming.
Its growth paralleled the development of oil fields in
the area following the discovery of oil in 1888, and is
now the hub of the oil and gas industry in the Rocky
Mountain region. Casper is still the hub of the oil and
gas industry in Wyoming, but it has also become the state
center for shopping, medical care, entertainment and
meetings.
The
city is near the site of Old Fort Caspar, which is
located on the banks of the North Platte River, and the
city is named (after a spelling change) for Lieutenant
Caspar Collins, an officer from Ohio who died along with
most of his volunteer soldiers trying to relieve another
cavalry detachment in the face of a hostile group of more
than two thousand Indians.
What
to See & Do
While
Casper is not on any of the scenic mountain drives (and
is many miles east of the Rockies) it makes a handy place
to stay before driving through the Wind River Range to
Grand Teton National Park.
Casper
Mountain rises 3000 feet above the city, providing year
round recreation. From Look Out Point, half way up the
mountain, you can see 60 miles north to the Big Horn
Mountain Range, and in the valley below you can see the
tricky terrain covered by the pioneers on the Oregon,
California and Mormon Trials that followed the North
Platte River into this area.
A
particularly scenic day trip from Casper leads south
along Highway 220 to Alcova Lake. This area which was
once an Indian campground is now a state recreation area
with a dam widening the North Platte River in
Fremont Canyon. There is camping here along with water
sports. The marina has boat rentals, a restaurant and
store. Gray Reef Reservoir, 28 miles west of the
city on Highway 220, also has a campground with good
fishing and boating.
Continue
on Hwy. 220 for another six miles and you'll find the
Pathfinder Reservoir with tent and trailer sites
and a marina with food and docking. 50 miles along Hwy
220 is Independence Rock, a state historic
landmark on which are carved more than 5,000 names of
early emigrants traveling along the Oregon Trail to the
Salt Lake Valley and California. The Rock was named by a
party of trappers during a celebration on July 4, 1830.
Eight
miles further and you come to Devil's Gate and the
Mormon Handcart Visitor Center. The Center tells
the story of two handcart companies stranded nearby in
blizzards in 1856. Many lost their lives before help
arrived.
Sand
Creek Ranch is a guest ranch operation, about 70
miles south of Casper on Highway 220. The ranch lies at
the foot of the Seminole and Pedro mountains and is next
to the Pathfinder Reservoir. There are three cabins
accommodating a total of 18 people. The ranch offers
trail rides, mountain photographic junkets and big game
hunting. This is also a working cattle ranch.
Where
to Eat
For
family dining, Armor's should fill the bill. At
3422 South Energy Lane (on State Highway 220, 3.5 miles
south of the Poplar St. exit of I-25) Armor's serves
continental and American cuisine and has a children's
menu. There is also a lounge available.
Poor
Boys Steakhouse located in the Parkway Plaza Hotel
and Convention Centre, 125 West "E", serves up great beef
entrees in friendly surroundings. A monthly special
varies from seafood to other meats. All That Jazz lounge
is adjacent to the restaurant.
El
Jarro is a family-owned Mexican restaurant with food
and cocktails at 500 West F Avenue. Botticelli
Italiano Ristorante, 129 W. Second St. offers casual
dining in a courtyard setting with pasta the specialty.
