The Strangest Road Names in Wyoming and How They Got Them
Driving through Wyoming reveals a landscape as wild as its place names, and nowhere is that more evident than the curious road names scattered around the state. Near the town of Cody, roughly an hour east of Yellowstone National Park, you can explore the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. While the museum itself doesn’t have a quirky road name, the nearby roads like “Rough Rider Road” nod to the adventurous spirit of Buffalo Bill Cody, the museum’s namesake. This road pays homage to his legendary Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and his time as a Rough Rider in the Spanish-American War. Touring the museum’s five impressive galleries, from Western Art to Natural History, visitors get a sense of how these names tie into Wyoming’s frontier identity.
Out in the town of Thermopolis, about 45 minutes north of Riverton, the Hot Springs State Park offers more than just a soak in natural mineral waters—it’s near the intriguingly named “Big Horn Basin Loop.” This scenic drive circles the impressive geological formations and hot springs that define the area. The name references the Big Horn Mountain range visible from the park, but the loop itself is a modern road with a name that sounds like it belongs in a cowboy tale. The park’s trails, such as the Wind River Canyon Trail, provide chances to spot bighorn sheep and enjoy roaring waterfalls. Visiting in early spring brings vibrant wildflowers and fewer crowds, perfect for soaking in both the hot springs and the area’s peculiar road names.
In the shadow of the Grand Tetons, just 10 miles north of Jackson, the Moose-Wilson Road winds its way through the National Elk Refuge and Grand Teton National Park. The name “Moose” isn’t just a clever title—it’s a real place, a small community noted for its proximity to abundant wildlife. This road’s name might seem straightforward, but the combination with “Wilson” comes from a nearby town named Wilson, just south of Jackson. The road offers access to the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, where you can walk the easy yet breathtaking 4-mile loop trail through aspen groves and wetlands. Early morning is the best time here to see wildlife, making the road’s name a fitting introduction to a place where moose and other animals often cross your path.
Far to the northeast, in the small town of Lusk—about two hours east of Casper—the streets reflect the quirky legacy of the Old West. One famously strange name is “Chicken Street,” a nod to the town’s historic poultry farming days and the somewhat humorous local nickname. The Stagecoach Museum in Lusk showcases pioneer life and includes exhibits on transportation and local history, helping visitors connect these odd road names with the practical realities of frontier life. Summer evenings here are especially atmospheric, with mild weather perfect for wandering the small downtown and imagining the dusty wagons and chickens that gave rise to such a name.
Near the town of Saratoga, about an hour south of Rawlins, the “Red Desert Road” cuts through some of Wyoming’s most otherworldly terrain. This road takes you close to the Red Desert, a vast expanse of sand dunes, sagebrush, and unique geological features like the Killpecker Sand Dunes. The name’s simplicity masks the eerie, almost alien beauty of the landscape, which includes petrified wood and fossil beds. The nearby Platte River Trail offers a moderate 6-mile hike along the river, contrasting the sandy desert with lush riparian habitats. Fall is the ideal time to visit when the heat subsides and the desert plays host to migrating birds and vivid sunsets.
On the western edge of Wyoming, just outside Evanston and about 40 minutes north of the Utah border, you can find roads with names that reflect the mining past, such as “Coal Creek Road.” This area is a gateway to the Bridger-Teton National Forest, where rugged mountain trails like the White Pine Trail take hikers past alpine lakes and old mining ruins. The Coal Creek Road name comes from the coal deposits that once fueled local industry and transportation. In winter, this region transforms into a snowy playground, but the road’s name reminds visitors of the gritty history that shaped the landscape beneath the pristine snows.
Finally, the Wind River Indian Reservation, near the town of Fort Washakie about 45 minutes south of Riverton, offers road names steeped in Native American culture and history. Roads such as “Sacred Circle Road” reflect the spiritual traditions of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes. While driving here, visitors can explore the nearby Wind River Heritage Center, which presents exhibits on tribal history, art, and traditions. Hiking the Medicine Wheel Trail, about 20 miles north of Fort Washakie, gives a physical sense of the sacred landscapes that inspire such names. Visiting in late summer aligns with annual festivals and ceremonies, offering a deeper understanding of the living cultures behind these evocative roads.
Each of these places shows how Wyoming’s road names aren’t just quirky labels but windows into the state’s rich history, culture, and geography. Whether you’re driving near the Tetons or wandering the Red Desert, these names link the modern traveler to stories that shaped the West. Exploring them on foot or by car reveals the vibrant tapestry of Wyoming’s past and present, making every mile a step through time.