The small town of Sheridan Wyoming really surprised us in how well preserved it is and how many businesses are located in the historic downtown area. It appears to be thriving! The old building architecture is beautiful, the town has several murals painted, and they have bronze sculptures everywhere downtown! It was a fun and interesting four days…
Sheridan WY Info
Sheridan has about 18,000 people and is at 3,700 elevation. We keep descending in elevation as we are headed back to the east. The average Aug high is 86 degrees with a low of 52. Mining is still the major economic driver as is ranching. The population is 95% white and is also overwhelmingly conservative Republican.
The Route
I had planned another roundabout loop to get from Cody to Sheridan Wyoming to be able to stop and see the Custer battlefield on the way and to avoid more tricky mountain passes. It would add a few more miles and one overnight in Billings Montana. No biggie. I’m retired and have no tight time schedule! And we pick up a new state Montana.
Peter D’s RV Park
We always research our RV parks. The first time is when Pat books them several months in advance. The second time is just a day or so prior to arriving. There are several apps that will gather reviews from guests. The reviews let us know what to expect and hopefully will learn from others mistakes.
Peter D’s RV Park has mostly perfect reviews and it is easy to see why. The interior roads and the grass lawns were all perfectly manicured. The restrooms and laundry were the cleanest that I have seen in my years of RV travel.
The reason is that Pete and his wife are out checking on things almost constantly. He told me that they clean every hour. And it shows. We would definitely stay here again.
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
The site of Custer’s Last Stand (LINK) is a national monument and also has a national cemetery. It also serves as a memorial to those who fought in the battle: George Armstrong Custer’s 7th Cavalry and a combined Lakota-Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho force.
This is George Custer’s spot where he died. Black painted headstone. Buried elsewhere. 
The visitor’s center and a great 40 minute park ranger talk did a good job in explaining what happened from both sides point of view.
The battle was in June of 1876 and there are grave markers at exactly where the 263 solders fell. All over a several mile long series of rolling hills. While no one knows exactly what happened, we do know that Lt. Col. George A. Custer and all his attached personnel died in one of the Indian’s last armed efforts to preserve their way of life.
Downtown Sheridan
On our travel day, we arrived at about 2pm, got all set up, and then went into town to walk around some and have an early dinner. It was a good thing that we arrived early at Wyoming’s Rib and Chop House. Without any reservations, we just barely made it and it was just before 5pm! It was packed out by the time we left. Trish had a steak and I had the broiler oysters app and a grilled chicken dinner. All very good.
On Thursday night we came back downtown for their 3rd Thursday street fair. Another home run! A very well planned closing of the downtown streets and filling them with tons of booths, plus a free concert, plus many beer and food vendors.
Interesting name 
Made in Baltimore in 1912 
Cute kids 
A very good oldies band 
Ed – I found some homebrewers! They invited me to their meeting. 
And of course the Republican group.
One very odd thing that we noticed about Sheridan. If you venture a few streets off main to the neighborhoods, many of the street intersections have no stop signs at all. You just slow down and ease out to have a quick look before punching across. It seemed odd to me, but Wyoming kind of prides itself in a lack of regulations and unneeded laws.
A barbar shop from the 40’s. 
We loved this one 
Read the label 
Some sort of trumpeters 
Nice little Airstream 
The Sheridan Inn
As one of the original hotels in Sheridan, WY, constructed in 1892, the Sheridan Inn Hotel was conceptualized and developed by William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody. As part owner, “Buffalo Bill” directed hotel management, and even auditioned new members for his touring company show from the front porch.
As it looked back in the day. 
Breakfast nook 
Main lobby 
Trish on the great porch 
Historic Elks Lodge
We found another historic lodge in Sheridan! Built in 1909 and remodeled in the 1960’s.
Front door 
A full elk! Wow 
Loved the 60’s decor
History Museum
Their coal heritage 
Read this one. Very interesting. 
The coal company town of Monarch. Now a ghost town. 
The Mint Bar
Sheridan’s legendary Mint Bar has been serving frosty brews since 1907, with only a short hiatus during prohibition (The Mint Still ran a speakeasy in the back). The meeting place for cowboys, ranchers, locals and travelers alike to grab a barstool, kick back a cold one and spread the tall tales of town.
A very unique historical bar. 
Aspen wood booths and a fireplace. 
The walls are lined with cattle brands. 
The bartender lady said at late night closing time, there are many animal eyes watching. 
That’s all for this segment. Sheridan is a very nice and clean community and we enjoyed the friendly people and the historic downtown. Thanks for following along! Hit the subscribe button below and leave a comment. Take care and God Bless.
Thanks for sharing. Looks like a great stop. To bad summer has to end…. So much more of the “West” to see.
Travel safe!
Robert
This has been a fast summer!