Gillette sits on Interstate 90 in northeastern Wyoming, about halfway between the South Dakota border and Buffalo. A substantially-sized Wyoming city with a population of about 23,000 (2010), Gillette's economy depends largely on the coal mining industry in the Powder River Basin. Tourist activities in Gillette include exploration of the area's coal connections, both past and present, along with a diverse selection of other entertainment options.
Open 9 to 5 Monday through Saturday (except holidays), the Campbell County Rockpile Museum invites you to journey into Gillette's past, free of charge. Here, you'll learn not only about this region's longtime relationship with coal mining, but also other historical details about the area, including its pioneer days, American Indians, and natural history. Children will be entertained with touchable exhibits that include dressing up in period clothing.
Campbell County Rockpile Museum
900 W. 2nd St.
Gillette, WY 82716
307-682-5723
ccgov.net/departments/museum
For an in-depth and eye-opening experience of what coal mining entails today, take a free tour of an operating coal mine close to Gillette. Sign up at the Gillette Visitors Center in the Flying J Travel Plaza parking lot, just off Interstate 90 at exit 126. Tours depart from here and last for about two hours. Tours take place only in summertime, starting in June.
Gillette Convention & Visitors Bureau
1810 S. Douglas Hwy., Unit A
Gillette, WY 82718
307-686-0400
Take a walking tour through Gillette's historic downtown district to learn more about the city's past. Stop at the Gillette Chamber of Commerce or the Gillette Visitors Center to pick up a free, detailed brochure with information about this self-guided tour. You will stroll along Gillette Avenue as the tour takes you to private houses, buildings, and other points of interest---nearly every address has its own entry.
Gillette Chamber of Commerce
314 S. Gillette Ave.
Gillette, WY 82716
307-682-3673
gillettechamber.com
Campbell County opened a new recreation center in Gillette in 2010. This 189,000-square-foot facility features a junior Olympic swimming pool, children's swimming areas, modern weightlifting equipment, walking/running tracks, basketball courts, an aerobics room, and an indoor rock climbing gym that includes a reproduction of Devils Tower. Open daily, admission to the facility costs $10.25 per family or $4 per adult, as of February 2010. If you prefer to play outside, Gillette also has more than 30 outdoor city parks.
Campbell County Parks and Recreation Department
250 Shoshone Ave.
Gillette, WY 82718
307-682-7406
ccprd.com/html/new_facility.html
Campbell County's CAM-PLEX Multi-Event Facilities in Gillette host a wide range of local, regional, and national events throughout the year, including trade shows, festivals, concerts, plays, motorcycle rallies, horse shows, dog shows, rodeos, and more. The enormous complex also features nearly 2,000 campsites in its six RV campgrounds, some of which also permit tent camping.
CAM-PLEX Multi-Event Facilities
1635 Reata Dr.
Gillette, WY 82718
307-682-8802
cam-plex.com
