On tours of the Eagle Butte Coal Mine, visitors first see reclaimed land before entering the mine. In the West Pit, they see 100-foot-thick coal seams and learn about blasting, equipment, and the challenges of modern mining. The contrast between reclaimed land and active mining makes this tour a special way to explore the region’s past and present.
Discover the History
The Campbell County Rockpile Museum is dedicated to local and regional history. Its focus is the culture and people of Campbell County, Wyoming. The museum grounds include two rural schoolhouses, a caboose, a freight car, a windmill, and horse-drawn agricultural equipment. The collection spans rural education, railroads, and agriculture. The museum opened to the public on July 21, 1974.
The landscape also provides important context. Campbell County covers 4,761 square miles. Its lowest point is on the Little Powder River in the northern part of the county, at 3,400 feet above sea level. North Pumpkin Butte reaches 6,060 feet along the county’s western edge. Ranching is the predominant land use; the semiarid climate receives an average of 15.75 inches of precipitation per year. As a regional point of reference, Campbell County lies between the Black Hills in South Dakota and the Bighorn Mountains. A short drive provides access to skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, and fishing.
Events and Major Venues
CAM-PLEX spans more than 1,000 acres and brings together a range of event spaces, including a performing arts theater, a convention and exhibition hall, multipurpose pavilions, a racetrack, and rodeo grounds. It also has RV sites and a 21-acre park with a picnic area. As a year-round venue, it hosts conferences, theater and dance performances, trade shows, livestock shows, and rodeos. CAM-PLEX also hosts world-class concerts and touring Broadway productions.
Art and Activity
At the AVA Community Art Center, you can take instructor-led workshops in a range of artistic media. Two gallery spaces feature rotating monthly exhibitions. For those interested in visual arts, the center offers a different way to explore culture and creativity alongside the history of the Rockpile Museum.
The Campbell County Recreation Center complements the cultural offerings with sports facilities. Its 42-foot climbing wall incorporates design elements from Devils Tower National Monument. There is also a six-lane, 200-meter track and five indoor tennis courts. The facilities vary considerably, from the vertical climbing wall to the track and tennis courts.
Seasonal Experiences
Campbell County Parks and Recreation holds the Festival of Lights every year. It runs from mid-November through the first week of January; the exact dates vary from year to year. The festival includes a drive through Cam-Plex Park, and its displays may change from one year to the next. The stated scale is more than 50 light displays, over 100 individual features, and more than 1,000,000 lights. These figures may also vary from one year to the next.
In the fall, Campbell County’s wildlife attracts hunters from around the world. Another seasonal offering is the Durham Bison Ranch’s two-hour tours, which run from June through August. Visitors must arrange their own transportation to the ranch. Check the seasonal dates and transportation information in advance when planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Gillette, Hot Springs County, Laramie, Big Horn, Niobrara County, Crook County, Washakie, Teton.
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