If you’re looking for a fascinating day trip idea, why not hit the road and discover the mining history of Wyoming on the Gold Flakes to Yellowcakes Scenic Byway? This is just one of many of Wyoming’s historic mine byways, but it’s one that tells a story that’s often ignored when talks of iron ore, gold, oil, and coal mining come up.
Start your journey in the Sweetwater Mining District and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Wind River In South Pass City, you can even see the restored Carissa Mine! This was one of the most popular gold mining towns in the West.
Today, little remains of South Pass City and its sister town, Atlantic City.
Flickr / m01229
The South Pass Mercantile is one of a few businesses still standing. In Atlantic City, you’ll find the Merc and Miner’s Grubsteak still serving up hungry patrons traveling through.
Flickr / Don Barrett
Nearby, Miner’s Delight has been partially restored by the BLM, and is one of the most fascinating ghost towns in the state.
Flickr / BLM Wyoming However, the mining history of Wyoming includes more than the gold rush towns of the West. Head out towards Riverton to discover Jeffrey City and the Gas Hills of Wyoming’s Uranium mining districts.
After WWII, a huge demand for processed uranium — yellowcake — led prospectors once again out to Wyoming. Like many precious resources, it was quickly found beneath the Cowboy State’s soil.
Wikimedia Commons / USGS
From 1954 into the 1970s, this area of Wyoming near Riverton was a booming uranium mining district. Jeffrey City was home to 4,000 people, and a quarter of them worked in the “yellowcake” fields.
alptraum / iStock / Getty Images Plus After a while, the town (and its signature Uranium Drive) sit vacant and empty. A decrease in demand by the 1980s led to the depopulation and bust of Jeffrey City and the Gas Hills.
Today, little remains on the Gas Hills Historic Mining District, but many people make the journey out to this vapid landscape to see how quickly life can change.
Flickr / Jeff B
Recent efforts to reclaim the land include a sagebrush planting effort by the BLM and local schools. One day, these barren fields will look like any other in Wyoming, and the history will remain buried underneath the Earth.
Facebook / BLM Wyoming
The mining history of Wyoming is fascinating to anyone interested in learning more about the Cowboy State! You can find more information about this historic Wyoming byway right here.
Wind River
In South Pass City, you can even see the restored Carissa Mine! This was one of the most popular gold mining towns in the West.
Flickr / m01229
Flickr / Don Barrett
Flickr / BLM Wyoming
However, the mining history of Wyoming includes more than the gold rush towns of the West. Head out towards Riverton to discover Jeffrey City and the Gas Hills of Wyoming’s Uranium mining districts.
Wikimedia Commons / USGS
alptraum / iStock / Getty Images Plus
After a while, the town (and its signature Uranium Drive) sit vacant and empty. A decrease in demand by the 1980s led to the depopulation and bust of Jeffrey City and the Gas Hills.
Flickr / Jeff B
Facebook / BLM Wyoming
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Address: South Pass City, WY 82520, USAAddress: Jeffrey City, WY 82310, USA
