Atlantic City & South Pass Wyoming
Table of Contents
Start Your Planning With These Local Businesses
Local Businesses
A Local's Guide to Wyoming's South Pass & Atlantic City: Ghost Town Road Trip Worth the Drive
Your kids are going to find gold. Not much. Maybe a fleck smaller than a grain of sand, worth maybe a tenth of a penny. But they'll swirl muddy water in that pan like they're on the Yukon Trail, and when they spot that first speck, they'll talk about it for six months straight.
That's what happens at South Pass City. Not the reconstructed, gift-shop version of a ghost town. The actual buildings where miners lived and went broke. About three hours south of Jackson, South Pass City and Atlantic City give you something rare: history you can touch without someone telling you to stop.
The drive crosses high desert where wagon ruts from 1850 are still carved into the ground. You can do this as a long day trip or turn it into an overnight loop through towns that haven't been Disneyfied yet. Cell service disappears completely. The nearest gas station is 30 miles away. Your kids will get filthy.
If that sounds terrible, skip this one. If it sounds like exactly what you need, let's go.
What You Need to Know First
- Best for: Families with kids 5+ who don't mind dirt and can walk a mile or two
- Real cost: $150-200 for four people (day trip including gas, admission, lunch). Add $100-150 if you're staying overnight.
- When to go: Late May through mid-October. Summer gets busy but everything's open. Fall brings fewer crowds and golden aspens.
- Vehicle needs: Any car works. Roads are paved or maintained gravel.
- Do this before you leave Jackson: Fill your tank, download offline maps, pack layers and snacks
- Book ahead: Gold Rush Days weekend (July 8-9) fills up hotels in Pinedale and Lander months early
South Pass: Where Half a Million People Crossed the Rockies Without Noticing
Here's the thing about South Pass: half a million pioneers crossed the Continental Divide here between 1840 and 1870, and most didn't realize they'd done it.
At 7,400 feet, this 20-mile-wide saddle is so gradual that wagon trains rolled over the top of the Rocky Mountains without the cliff edges or steep grades they'd been dreading. They kept waiting for the hard part. It never came.
The moment of realization hit at Pacific Springs, a few miles west, when someone noticed water flowing toward the Pacific instead of back east. Wait. We're already over?
You can still see the proof. From the South Pass Rest Area on Highway 28, follow signs for Oregon Buttes Road about 2.8 miles to the wagon ruts. They're not subtle. Deep grooves worn into rock and dirt by thousands of wheels over decades. Stand next to them and the Oregon Trail stops being a classroom poster and starts being real.
Take your kids there before the ghost towns. Let them walk in the ruts. It changes how they see everything else.
South Pass City: What's Actually Here
Pull off Highway 28 and follow signs to South Pass City State Historic Site. You'll see weathered buildings that turn out to be 24 original structures with over 30,000 artifacts inside. Nothing's been reconstructed or cleaned up for Instagram.
In 1867, miners hit the Carissa Lode. Word spread fast. Within two years, 2,000 people were here building a town fueled by optimism and chaos. By 1872, the easy gold was gone. So were the people. They left everything standing.
What Your Family Actually Does
Explore buildings nobody's sanitized for you. The Smith-Sherlock Mercantile still has goods on shelves. Jail cells are as cramped as they should be. The South Pass Hotel is where stagecoach passengers woke up with frost on their blankets. Kids can run building to building and nobody stops them from touching things.
Pan for gold in Willow Creek. Park rangers hand you a pan, give you 60 seconds of instruction, and let you loose. Will you find enough to pay for lunch? No. Will your kids find a few specks and tape them to the fridge for the next year? Absolutely. We still have ours.
Tour the Carissa Mine. This 30-minute walk through the mill and hoist house shows you massive machinery that pulled gold from rock and genuinely dangerous conditions miners worked in. Tours run Friday-Sunday only at 2 PM from June 6 through August 30. Free with site admission. Children 7 and under not allowed. Book ahead—these fill up fast.
Walk the trails. Three short loops explain the landscape and history. There's also a segment of the Continental Divide Trail passing through town. You might meet thru-hikers who've been walking since Mexico.
The Real Story About Women Getting the Vote (No Tea Party Involved)
Most versions involve Esther Hobart Morris hosting a genteel tea party where she convinced Wyoming legislators to support women's suffrage. Great story. No evidence it happened.
Here's what actually went down in 1869: A saloon owner named William Bright introduced a women's suffrage bill. Democrats passed it partly to embarrass the Republican governor, fully expecting him to veto it and look bad. He didn't. He signed it. Wyoming became the first place on earth where women could vote.
Two months later, the town's Justice of the Peace quit in protest. Morris got his job on February 14, 1870. First woman in America to hold judicial office. She presided over 27 cases from a log cabin with a sod roof. Newspapers called her work "grave and decorous," which in 1870 meant "we can't believe a woman is actually good at this."
No tea party. Just political maneuvering that accidentally made history and a woman who proved everyone wrong by doing the job well.
Before You Go: Essential Details
- Season: Late May through mid-October 2025, daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Off-season: Grounds open sunrise to sunset, buildings closed
- Admission: $8 adults (non-residents), $4 Wyoming residents, free for kids 17 and under. Family of four pays $16.
- Gold Rush Days: July 8-9, 2025. Drilling competitions, vintage baseball, anvil blasting, food vendors. Book Pinedale or Lander hotels now if you're coming this weekend.
- Contact: 125 South Pass Main St, South Pass City, WY 82520 | (307) 332-3684
Atlantic City: The Ghost Town That Refuses to Die
Ten minutes down a gravel road sits Atlantic City, and the first thing you notice is people actually live here. Not many. Fewer than 100 year-round. But enough to keep two businesses running and the wooden boardwalks maintained.
Where South Pass City is a preserved museum, Atlantic City is a living ghost town. Founded in 1868, named for the Atlantic Lode, went through the same boom-bust cycles. Difference is, some people never left.
What You're Looking At
Walk boardwalks where dance halls operated until 3 a.m. Check out St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, built in 1912 and still holding services. The Atlantic City Mercantile has been here since 1893. Started as general store, post office, and telephone hub. Today it's a bar and restaurant where you can get a solid burger and hear stories from people who chose to live here year-round.
The Miner's Delight Inn operates out of the old Carpenter Hotel, where Nellie Carpenter started feeding miners in 1890. It's a bed and breakfast now if you want to sleep in actual history. (Book months ahead for summer.)
On the hill above town, you'll see ruins of the Dexter Mill, built between 1905 and 1908 to spark a mining revival. The State Geologist wrote a report so scathing it's almost funny: the mill was built far from any productive mine, on ground so flat that gravity couldn't move ore through the system. Everything had to be hauled by wagon. It never worked right. Big dreams, terrible planning.
Where to Eat (Your Only Two Options)
The Atlantic City Mercantile and Miner's Grubstake both operate seasonally with limited days. Both are typically open Friday-Sunday only with varying hours. The Mercantile usually runs 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Miner's Grubstake hours vary.
Call ahead—these are NOT open daily and hours change. Don't expect craft cocktails or a kids' menu. Do expect good burgers and local character.
- Atlantic City Mercantile: (307) 332-5143
- Miner's Grubstake: (307) 332-0915
The Day Trip from Jackson: What It Really Looks Like
Here's what works if you're staying in Jackson:
- 7:30 a.m. Leave Jackson. Stop in Pinedale for gas and bathrooms.
- 10:30 a.m. Arrive South Pass City. Hit the visitor center, sign kids up for gold panning.
- 10:45 a.m. Explore buildings. Let kids run. Don't rush this.
- 12:00 p.m. Gold panning in Willow Creek. Plan 30-45 minutes.
- 12:45 p.m. Carissa Mine tour (if you booked it for Friday-Sunday) or walk trails.
- 1:30 p.m. Drive to Atlantic City (10 minutes).
- 2:00 p.m. Lunch at Atlantic City Mercantile or Miner's Grubstake (if open—call first).
- 3:00 p.m. Walk boardwalks, check out the church.
- 4:00 p.m. Head back to Jackson (or keep going on the Wind River Loop).
- 7:00 p.m. Back in Jackson. Kids asleep in car. Everyone tired and happy.
Total cost: About $150-200 for a family of four. Gas $50-60, admission $16, lunch $60-80, snacks $20-30.
Or Do the Full Wind River Loop (If You've Got Two Days)
If you've got an extra day, do the full Wind River Loop: 335 miles through Pinedale, South Pass, Lander, and Dubois before returning to Jackson via Togwotee Pass.
Stop 1: Pinedale (Gateway to the Wind Rivers)
What to do: The Museum of the Mountain Man pairs perfectly with your ghost town visit. Fremont Lake is Wyoming's second-largest natural lake. The Pinedale Aquatic Center has a waterslide for burning off energy indoors when weather turns.
Where to eat: Pitchfork Fondue cooks steaks on actual pitchforks over open flames. If your kids think that sounds cool, go. Wind River Pizza & Pasta and Los Cabos Family Mexican Restaurant work for easy family meals.
Where to stay: The Log Cabin Motel has cabins with kitchens. Perfect when you need space and your own fridge. Check availability here because summer books up fast. The Best Western Pinedale Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites both have pools.
Stop 2: Lander (Where Rivers Disappear into Mountains)
What to do: Sinks Canyon State Park is Wyoming weird in the best way. The Popo Agie River disappears into a limestone cavern called "the Sinks" and reappears a quarter-mile downstream at "the Rise." Short walk. Kids lose their minds. The Fremont County Pioneer Museum has a Children's Exploration Series. The Wind River Wild Horse Sanctuary offers mustang tours.
Where to eat: The Gannett Grill at the Lander Bar has a patio with a yard where kids can play while you eat. This alone makes it worth going. Cowfish has more interesting options. Mulino Italian Bistro if you want a nicer family dinner.
Where to stay: Holiday Inn Express & Suites has an indoor pool and free breakfast. Book here for summer weekends. The Rodeway Inn Pronghorn Lodge is centrally located.
Stop 3: Dubois (Pronounced "Dew-Boys," Not "Doo-Bwah")
What to do: The National Bighorn Sheep Center is more interesting than it sounds. They have telescopes for spotting sheep on actual cliffs. The National Museum of Military Vehicles is world-class. In summer, the Dubois Friday Night Rodeo is the real deal. If weather turns bad, Nana's Bowling & Bakery saves the day.
Where to eat: The Cowboy Cafe is famous for portions that are comically large and pies that are legitimately incredible. Order pie. The Village Cafe is your backup.
Where to stay: Longhorn Ranch Lodge and RV Resort has cabins with mountain views. Chinook Winds Lodge sits on the river with a fire pit and outdoor games. The Stagecoach Inn & Suites has a pool and you can walk to downtown.
From Dubois, head back to Jackson via Togwotee Pass. One of the most scenic drives in the state.
Driving Times & Distances
- Jackson to Pinedale: 1.5 hours (77 miles)
- Pinedale to South Pass City: 1 hour (55 miles)
- South Pass City to Atlantic City: 10 minutes (4.5 miles)
- Atlantic City to Lander: 45 minutes (35 miles)
- Lander to Dubois: 1.25 hours (74 miles)
- Dubois to Jackson via Togwotee Pass: 1 hour 40 minutes (86 miles)
Full loop: About 7 hours of driving, 335 miles total. Add stops and you're looking at two full days minimum.
Don't Forget These Basics
Gas: Fill your tank in Pinedale, Farson, or Lander before heading to the historic sites. There's nothing at South Pass City or Atlantic City. Running out means waiting hours for help.
Cell service: Basically nonexistent. Download maps in Pinedale or Lander. Tell someone your route. Accept that you're going off-grid for a few hours.
Weather: Changes fast at 7,400 feet. Pack layers even if it's 75 degrees in Jackson. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer. Morning frost happens into June.
Food: The two Atlantic City restaurants keep limited hours and are NOT open daily. Pack snacks and water for kids.
Best season: Late May through mid-October for full access. June through August is warmest and busiest. September and early October bring golden aspens and fewer people.
Questions You're Going to Ask
Is this really good for young kids or are you overselling it?
Kids 5 and up love this. The gold panning alone makes it worth the drive. Younger than 5, they'll enjoy running around for an hour before getting bored. Bring snacks and be ready to leave when they're done.
Can we really see the Oregon Trail wagon ruts or is it one of those "if you squint" situations?
They're real and deep. About 2.8 miles from the South Pass Rest Area on Highway 28, follow signs for Oregon Buttes Road to a marked viewing area. The grooves are deep enough to stand in.
How much time do we need?
For just South Pass City and Atlantic City: 3-4 hours exploring plus 6 hours driving from Jackson. Total: 10 hours, which is long but doable.
For the full Wind River Loop: Two full days minimum if you want to enjoy the towns.
Where do we eat and are there bathrooms?
South Pass City has public restrooms. Atlantic City has two restaurants (Mercantile and Miner's Grubstake) with bathrooms, but call ahead because they're only open Friday-Sunday with varying hours. Pack snacks because food options are limited.
What if it rains?
Most South Pass City buildings are open to walk through, so you've got shelter. The Carissa Mine tour runs in any weather (Friday-Sunday only). Atlantic City's restaurants work as backup. If weather looks questionable, Lander and Dubois both have indoor options.
Is it haunted or is that just marketing?
The only spirits you'll find are at the Atlantic City Mercantile bar. The towns have history and a few local legends about restless miners, but the real ghosts here are historical, not supernatural.
Why This Beats Another Day at Jenny Lake
Jackson Hole has incredible mountains and wildlife. You should absolutely do those things. But if you want to understand Wyoming, how it became a state, why people came here, what it was like before it was a vacation destination, you need to go south to where the story started.
South Pass opened the West. These mining towns proved people could build communities in places everyone said were uninhabitable. Women voted here before anywhere else on earth. Your kids can pan for gold in the same creeks miners worked 150 years ago.
Most importantly: this is one of the few places left where history isn't polished up and presented to you behind velvet ropes. You walk through buildings that haven't been sanitized. You see artifacts left where they were. You touch wagon ruts worn into stone.
It's messy and imperfect and real.
Think your family can handle a ghost town without Wi-Fi? Head south from Jackson and find out.
Book your Pinedale stay now if you're doing this in summer. Check Lander hotels here. Both towns fill up fast, especially around Gold Rush Days weekend (July 8-9).
