Visit Greybull
Friendly, small-town atmosphere at an affordable price to get the most out of your vacation.
Stunning Nature Like Nowhere Else
Nestled between the Bighorn Mountains and the sweeping plains of the Big Horn Basin, Greybull offers access to some of Wyoming’s most unique and untamed landscapes. From the fossil-rich Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite to the thundering Shell Falls and wild horse herds of McCullough Peaks, nature lovers will find rugged beauty, wide-open skies, and outdoor adventures unlike anywhere else.
Whether you’re hiking, birdwatching, fishing, or simply taking in the scenery, Greybull is your gateway to the extraordinary.
Historic Downtown: Shop, Stay, Eat, Explore
Greybull’s charming downtown blends small-town hospitality with a rich sense of place. Stroll past century-old brick buildings, a vibrant mural, and locally owned shops that reflect the heart of Wyoming’s spirit. Enjoy homestyle dining, artisan coffee, and friendly taverns, or explore one-of-a-kind museums and hidden gems.
Whether you’re staying overnight or just passing through, downtown Greybull invites you to slow down, wander, and discover the stories that make this place unforgettable.
Affordable Adventure Starts Here
In Greybull, your dollar goes further. Whether you’re booking a motel, grabbing a bite, or filling up the tank before a scenic drive. With some of the most competitive lodging rates in the Big Horn Basin and locally owned businesses that value quality and fairness, Greybull is the perfect home base for budget-conscious travelers.
Enjoy authentic experiences, not inflated prices, and spend more time exploring without breaking the bank.
The Founding of Greybull
A Frontier Town With Enduring Spirit
Nestled in the heart of the Big Horn Basin, the town of Greybull, Wyoming, has long served as a crossroads—where wild beauty, hardy ambition, and rich resources collided to build a lasting community. Though Greybull as we know it today began to take shape in the early 20th century, its roots stretch back to a time of pioneers, prospectors, and wide-open possibilities.
A River Runs Through It
Greybull owes both its name and its origin to the Grey Bull River, a branch of the Big Horn River that cuts through the basin’s rugged terrain. The river itself draws its name from a local Native American legend about a rare albino buffalo (or “white bull”) seen drinking at the river’s edge. The “grey bull” came to symbolize strength, mystery, and sacredness—qualities still felt in the region’s untamed landscape.
Railroads and Opportunities
Greybull’s real boom came with the arrival of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in 1906. The town quickly grew from a sleepy outpost into a bustling railroad hub and commercial center. A depot was constructed, and with it came jobs, travelers, and supplies. Within just a few years, Greybull had banks, saloons, schools, and a thriving Main Street.
Legacy and Today
Today, Greybull’s historic charm is part of what makes it a hidden gem in northern Wyoming. Travelers can stay in the Historic Hotel Greybull (once a prohibition-era speakeasy), visit the Museum of Flight & Aerial Firefighting, or simply stroll the downtown district where echoes of the past still linger.
The legacy of Greybull’s founding is felt in every wide-open view and every welcoming smile from locals who know the value of perseverance. History is not just preserved, it’s lived, celebrated, and shared.
Things to Do
Greybull offers a variety of attractions and outdoor adventures. Enjoy it all, whether you are staying or just passing through. Here are some ideas to check out.
Wild Horse Viewing
The McCullough Peaks Herd Management Area east of Cody spans more than 109,000
acres of colourful badlands and desert mountains. Here you can observe a herd of
wild mustangs exhibiting coat colours ranging from bay and buckskin to palomino
and roan. Bring binoculars and scan the open sagebrush for bands of horses,
pronghorn and raptors
Big Horn Basin Geology Loop
Design your own driving loop through one of the richest geological areas in the
U.S. Start at Greybull and visit the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite, Devil’s
Kitchen and Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site. Continue east through
Shell Canyon and Shell Falls, then loop south through the Bighorn Basin’s
colourful badlands. Interpretive panels explain geologic layers from the
Jurassic to the Cretaceous eras.
ATV & Jeep Trails
The Bighorn Mountains and nearby basin offer numerous off-highway routes. The
Red Gulch/Alkali National Backcountry Byway is a 33-mile unpaved route through
colourful bluffs west of the Bighorns. Other easy trails include Bald Mountain,
Fenton Pass and Hunt Mountain Road, which climbs along the backbone of the
northern Bighorns and affords panoramic views. Always check current conditions
with the Bighorn National Forest and carry adequate supplies.
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Spanning over 120,000 acres on the Wyoming–Montana border, Bighorn Canyon offers
boating, hiking and camping among towering canyon walls. Start at the
Cal S. Taggart Visitor Center in Lovell and choose from over 17 miles of hiking
trails or explore Bighorn Lake by boat. The park documents more than
10,000 years of human history.
Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite
One of the largest Middle Jurassic dinosaur track sites in North America,
Red Gulch lies 10 miles west of Greybull. A boardwalk and interpretive signs
guide visitors across exposure of ancient tidal flats where hundreds
of dinosaur footprints were preserved. The tracksite offers picnic areas and is wheelchair-accessible.
Historic Downtown Greybull
Stroll down Greybull Avenue to see century-old brick buildings, western
storefronts and friendly local shops. Greybull blossomed with the arrival of the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in the early 1900s; today you’ll find
boutiques, saloons and cafes preserving that heritage. Don’t miss the 1916
Historic Hotel Greybull on the corner of Highway 14/16/20.
Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site
This state park protects a prehistoric rock shelter with
petroglyphs and pictographs. Archaeologists uncovered more than 60 cultural levels from the Paleoindian period to historic times. Facilities include campgrounds, a visitor center, hiking trails and interpretive displays.
Museum of Flight & Aerial Firefighting
Located at the South Big Horn County Airport just north of town, this museum
preserves the history of aerial firefighting. It was established in 1987 by
Hawkins and Powers and houses restored airtankers used for fighting wildfires.
Exhibits include World War II aircraft and a memorial to flight crews.
Bird Watching
The Bighorn Basin’s diverse habitats – sagebrush flats, cottonwood riparian
zones and alpine forests – support more than 327 bird species. Look for mountain
bluebirds, sage grouse and raptors along rural roads, or explore Bighorn Canyon
and Shell Canyon for golden eagles, falcons and migratory songbirds. Consult
birding field guides or the local Audubon chapter for the latest sightings.
Greybull River Access
The Greybull River flows from the Absaroka Range through Meeteetse and Greybull
before joining the Bighorn River. Anglers pursue native Yellowstone cutthroat,
brown and rainbow trout; float-fishing is possible in the lower valley. Public
access points near Meeteetse and along Highway 14/16/20 provide parking and
primitive boat launches. Remember to obtain a Wyoming fishing license and
respect private property.
