🍂 Fall in Wyoming: Scenic Drives & Stunning Foliage 🍂

Sand Creek Public Access Area

Fall has officially arrived—Monday marked the first day of autumn! The crisp mornings and cool evenings are setting the stage for one of the most beautiful times of the year in Northeast Wyoming.

If you’re looking to soak in the changing colors, our state offers incredible scenic drives that make the perfect fall outing. From tree-lined backroads to sweeping mountain views, Wyoming’s landscapes come alive with vibrant shades of gold, orange, and red.

One of the best parts? You don’t have to go far to experience it. A short drive to Devils Tower offers both stunning scenery and the chance to see this iconic landmark framed by autumn colors. For something a little more tucked away, Sand Creek south of Beulah WY, is another easy-to-reach location that showcases peaceful views surrounded by fall foliage.

Whether you’re heading out for a quick afternoon drive or planning a weekend adventure, fall is the perfect time to enjoy the beauty of Wyoming. 🍁

Check out the Travel Wyoming blog https://travelwyoming.com/blog/stories/post/6-amazing-fall-drives-in-wyoming, for some scenic Wyoming drives showcasing beautiful fall colors.

Exploring Gillette through a Scavenger Hunt

Our office recently traded in showing houses and paperwork for an afternoon of adventure around Gillette! Our agents split into three teams and took on a community scavenger hunt with seven stops around town. It was the perfect mix of teamwork, problem-solving, and exploring some of our favorite local spots.

See if you can solve the riddles yourself! The clues we used are listed below. Take a guess before scrolling down to see the answers.

Clue #1:

Not quite Nevada, but secrets still hide,

Where robots and gadgets are built with pride.

If Area 51 is where aliens roam,

this location is where technology rules.

Find the spot where futures are made—

With tech and tools and big dreams displayed!

Clue #2:

Where colors run wild,

A red truck rolls through a prairie-style mile.

Buffalo graze and a jackalope grins,

With Devil’s Tower where the skyline begins.

Look for the spot that shouts “Welcome to town!”

Clue #3:

Where iron rails and cattle trails cross,

And black gold was found.

Stories are stacked like layers of shale,

With echoes of railroad, and cattle drives.

Seek the place where history talks—

Rooted deep in time with a rock in the theme.

Clue #4:

I don’t have legs but help you cross,

Without me, you might feel at a loss.

I stand between the future and past—

Find me where knowledge and footsteps last.

Clue #5:

From cars to quilts, this place has evolved,

A puzzle of past that’s nearly solved.

Now home to relics and Pendleton finds,

With coffee, culture, and creative minds.

Catch a tune on open mic night—

You’re getting close, the clue feels right

Clue #6:

Out past where giants of metal with feathers of steel, shuttle people to and fro,

Look to the land where fossil lies.

Carved by machines under open skies.

From this point, take in the scene—

A legacy built on coal and machines.

Find the spot where trucks look small,

And the energy below powers it all.

Clue #7:

Rest your feet, the search is through,

A final seat is waiting for you.

Once a place to rest, now to dine,

Rumors of ghosts transcend time.

Last stop- sit, relax, unwind-

you may even see a train go by.

In the end, Team #3 - Lexi Ostlund, Jordan Ostlund, Maurica Hanson, and Stacey Mackearney-completed all the missions and made it the final stop first so they earned bragging rights for this afternoon of friendly competition. 🏆 But the best part? We ALL got to celebrate our community!

A huge shoutout to Area 59 and the Campbell County Rockpile Museum for their amazing support in our office scavenger hunt! Their spirit and willingness to be part of the fun made our event even more exciting. If you haven’t checked them out yet, both spots are local highlights worth visiting!

The Answers

Team #3 with the Director of Area 59, Ellen Petersen-holding the projects they completed.

#1- Area 59 is a community education space packed with state-of-the-art equipment, including 3D printers, plasma cutters, and a fabrication shop, among other tech resources. With classes and hands-on opportunities for learners of all ages, Area 59’s mission is to inspire creativity and innovation by providing an inclusive space where ideas can come to life. Our teams got to paint wood cut-out ornaments!

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Team #1 checking off the selfie mission at the downtown mural.

#2- The 3rd Street Plaza mural is a vibrant centerpiece in Gillette’s downtown, painted in 2022 with the help of the community. Bursting with color and local character, it celebrates the spirit of Wyoming with iconic imagery that instantly catches the eye. 

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Team #2 at the Campbell County Rockpile Museum.

#3- According to their website, the Campbell County Rockpile Museum has been a Gillette treasure since opening on July 21, 1974. The museum sits on the famous Rockpile, a landmark that marked the first claims of Gillette’s earliest settlers and signaled arriving travelers from the west. Inside, visitors can explore fascinating exhibits, including the iconic Branding Iron display, and connect with the rich history of our community.

At this stop, our teams completed a mini-scavenger hunt inside the museum—and yes, it was on the clock! ⏱️ The pressure was on!

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Team #3 at the Gillette College Bridge.

#4- The Gillette College Bridge over Donkey Creek—stunning when lit up, and just as distinguished in the daylight. A local landmark that shines in every season!

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Team #1 at Frontier Auto Museum.

#5- The Frontier Auto Museum is a Gillette favorite with a history as rich as its exhibits. Built in 1949 as a Ford dealership, the building later became home to The Quilt Nook. It was transformed into the museum we know today in 2016 according to their website. Inside, visitors can explore an incredible collection of vintage cars, neon signs, antiques, and unique shopping finds—all showcased in nostalgic, themed spaces. You may work up an appetite looking at the collections and shopping. If you do, they have something for that as well. The Commodore Cafe inside the museum offers a variety of food, along with coffee and vintage sodas. They also host open mic nights and rent out their space after hours for events. This museum is a local treasure for residents and a must-see stop for visitors.

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Team #2 having solved clue #6.

#6-The Eagle Butte Coal Mine, located just seven miles north of Gillette, offers a unique glimpse into one of the area’s most important industries. Visitors can observe the process from public lookouts, where massive trucks and shovels work the open pit mine, giving an up-close look at the scale and impact of coal mining in Wyoming.

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#7- From hotel rooms to today’s foodie hotspot 🍴—the historic Goings Hotel on Gillette Ave is now The Railyard! We ended our scavenger hunt here, enjoying great food and service, after a day exploring some of Gillette’s hidden gems.

Ready or not, the halls are buzzing again in Campbell County schools!

Here in Campbell County, we know how important schools are in our community.

According to the Campbell County School District website, more than 8,500 students, make our local school district the third largest in Wyoming, and it touches nearly every family across our wide-open county. The district spans 4,761 square miles (that’s over 3 million acres!) and is home to 24 schools—including 17 elementary schools, one virtual elementary option, and six secondary campuses spread across Gillette, Wright, and Recluse. No matter where you live in Campbell County, there’s a place for kids to learn, grow, and discover their potential.

Of course, schools don’t run on classrooms alone. Behind the scenes are nearly 1,800 employees—

teachers, support staff, and so many others—who keep things moving every single day. With an average of 18 students per teacher, kids here get more than just lessons—they get connections, encouragement, and the kind of support that can make all the difference.

And let’s not forget the wheels that literally keep it all turning, especially necessary when your school district covers 3,000,000+ acres. Each day, district bus drivers cover more than 11,000 miles across 115 routes to make sure students get to and from school safely. In one year, those buses log more than 2.3 million miles (yes, million!) between daily routes, activity trips, and field trips. A snapshot from last school year showed 3,500 students picked up in the morning and 4,200 dropped off after school—a powerful reminder of just how many lives are touched by this daily effort.

When you add it all up—the teachers, staff, bus drivers, and thousands of students—it’s easy to see why Campbell County School District is such an important part of our community. They’re not just teaching kids; they’re helping shape the future of northeast Wyoming.

We’re proud to call this district ours-it continues to inspire, support, and grow the next generation.

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For more information check out the attendance zone map for Gillette area schools here: View Map.

Campbell County School District calendars for the 2025-2026 school year can be found at https://www.ccsd.k12.wy.us/calendars/district-calendars