Evanston
Around Evanston
Photo: Tricia Simpson · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Wyoming · 23k people
Evanston
High desert, high heart
Sienna
Welcome to Evanston and the surrounding high desert country. Whether you're here for the fishing, the fossils, or just the wide-open skies, you'll find a place that moves at its own pace. Stop by a local diner and ask about the best spot on the river—you'll get an answer and a story.
Clubs for Evanston
No clubs for Evanston yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Evanston. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Evanston. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Bear Lake Turquoise lake shared with Utah, famous for raspberries and boating.
- Fossil Butte National Monument Preserves one of the world's richest fossil fish beds.
- Evanston's Historic Union Pacific Depot A restored 1900s railroad depot, now a museum and event space.
- Uinta Mountains The only major east-west range in the U.S., with high peaks and alpine lakes.
- Bridger Valley Historic fur-trading and pioneer valley near Lyman and Mountain View.
- Sulphur Creek Reservoir Popular local spot for fishing, camping, and birdwatching.
- Outdoors Fish for cutthroat trout in the Bear River
- Outdoors Hike the Uinta Mountains
- With kids Swim and picnic at Bear Lake State Park beaches
- With kids Tour the Fossil Butte National Monument visitor center
- Evenings Local rodeo nights
- Evenings Small-town taverns
- Locals love Trout streams and reservoirs
- Locals love Small-town cafes and diners
Through the year
- Bear Lake Raspberry Days August Celebrates the local raspberry harvest with a parade, food, and crafts.
- Fossil Butte National Monument Fossil Day October Public fossil digs and talks at the monument.
High desert climate with big temperature swings—cold, snowy winters and warm, dry summers. Best to be out from late spring through early fall. Best: Summer and early fall are prime—warm days, cool nights, and clear skies.
Talk like a local
- “The Lake”
- The lake
- “The Uintas”
- The Uintas
Getaways
- Ogden, UT Historic 25th Street, Union Station, and outdoor gear shops.
- Logan, UT Cache Valley scenery, Logan Canyon, and the American West Heritage Center.
- Salt Lake City, UT Big-city museums, dining, and pro sports.
- Rock Springs, WY Western Wyoming's coal town with a lively downtown and nearby Red Desert.
Local flavour
Rooting for Denver Broncos (NFL), Utah Jazz (NBA), Utah Utes (NCAA), Wyoming Cowboys (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Basque-style lamb
- Fry sauce Utah-style condiment, common in the area.
- Huckleberry pie From nearby mountain berries.
- Trout Fresh from local streams and reservoirs.
Where people go
- Bear Lake Known as the 'Caribbean of the Rockies' for its turquoise water.
- Fossil Butte National Monument World-famous fossil site near Kemmerer.
- High desert plains and sagebrush The iconic landscape of the region.
- Mountain reservoirs Popular for fishing and boating.
- Small-town main streets Historic, walkable downtowns with local charm.
Heritage and traditions
This region takes pride in its rugged frontier heritage—railroads, coal mines, and Basque sheepherders—alongside its world-famous fossil beds and the playful legend of the Bear Lake Monster. Locals appreciate the wide-open spaces, small-town friendliness, and the blend of Wyoming and Utah cultures.
This time of year in Evanston
- Hunting season Fall Fall is for deer, elk, and antelope hunting, a major local tradition.
Say it like a local: “Raspberry shake” — A raspberry milkshake, a must-have at Bear Lake.
Festivals
- Bear Lake Raspberry Days August Held in August in Garden City, celebrating the raspberry harvest with a parade, food, and crafts.
- Fossil Butte National Monument Fossil Day September Annual event in September with fossil talks, hikes, and kids' activities.
- Evanston Cowboy Days July A summer rodeo and Western heritage celebration in Evanston, featuring bull riding and a parade.
- Kemmerer Fossil Festival June Held in June, this festival highlights the area's fossil treasures with tours and family events.
- Bear Lake Monster Swim August An open-water swim across Bear Lake in August, named after the local legend.
- Roundhouse Summer Concert Series Summer Outdoor concerts at Evanston's historic Union Pacific Depot during the summer.
Landmarks with a story
- Evanston's Historic Union Pacific Depot A restored 1900s railroad depot that anchors the town's history as a railway hub.
- Fossil Butte National Monument Preserves an ancient lake bed with remarkable fossil fish, a national treasure near Kemmerer.
- Bridger Valley Named for Jim Bridger, this area was a crossroads for the Oregon Trail and Mormon pioneers.
- Kemmerer's Old Town A small historic district with early 20th-century buildings, including the original J.C. Penney store.
- St. Mary's Catholic Church in Evanston A historic church serving the town's diverse immigrant community, including Basque and Irish.
- Bear River State Park A park along the Bear River with wildlife viewing and trails, reflecting the region's natural heritage.
Food traditions
- Basque-style lamb Evanston's Basque sheepherder community introduced slow-roasted lamb, often served with beans and bread.
- Fry sauce A mix of ketchup and mayonnaise, ubiquitous in Utah and Wyoming, served with fries and burgers.
- Huckleberry pie Wild huckleberries grow in the mountains, and pie is a summer treat at local diners.
- Trout Fresh-caught cutthroat trout from the Bear River, often pan-fried with butter and lemon.
- Raspberry shakes Bear Lake raspberries are blended into thick shakes, a must-have at Garden City stands.
Music and arts
- Western music and cowboy poetry The region's ranching and rodeo culture is celebrated through Western songs and poetry at local gatherings.
- Basque folk music and dance Evanston's Basque community preserves traditional accordion music and group dances at festivals.
- Outdoor concerts at the Roundhouse The historic depot hosts summer concerts with local bands, blending music and heritage.
A little history
- 1868 Union Pacific Railroad reaches Evanston
- 1880s–1900s Coal mining booms in Kemmerer and Diamondville
- 1902 J.C. Penney opens first store in Kemmerer
- Early 1900s Basque sheepherders settle in the Bridger Valley
- 1972 Fossil Butte designated a National Monument
- Game day High school football
- Game day Rodeo
- Outdoors Fish for cutthroat trout in the Bear River
- Outdoors Hike the Uinta Mountains
- With kids Visiting Bear Lake State Park beaches
- With kids Exploring the Fossil Butte National Monument visitor center
Residents speak with a Western American accent, blending Wyoming and Utah influences. You'll hear 'you guys' often, and in the Utah side, a slight 'soda' vs 'pop' preference. Local terms like 'crick' and 'holler' reflect the rural landscape.
Only here
- The Bear Lake Monster, a mythical creature said to live in the lake, is a beloved local legend.
- Kemmerer is the 'Fossil Fish Capital of the World'—you can dig for 50-million-year-old fish fossils.
- Evanston's Union Pacific Depot is a stunning example of railroad architecture in the West.
- The original J.C. Penney store still stands in Kemmerer, drawing curious shoppers.
New here? A few tips
- Prepare for high altitude and dry air; drink water and use sunscreen even on cloudy days.
- Winter is long and snowy; invest in a good coat and learn to drive on icy roads.
- Pronounce 'Kemmerer' as 'KEM-er-er' (three syllables) and 'Evanston' as 'EV-in-stun'.
- Try a raspberry shake at Bear Lake in the summer—locals swear by them.
- Distances between towns are long; keep a full tank of gas and snacks in the car.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Nearby
Every areaKemmerer–Star ValleyWyomingA valley of stars and fossil dreams.OgdenUtahWhere the mountains meet the rails.LoganUtahMountain views, Aggie prideBrigham CityUtahWhere peaches and pioneers meet.HeberUtahWhere the mountains meet the sky.Salt Lake CityUtahWhere the mountains meet the lake.Provo–OremUtahLocal rooms for Utah Valley.VernalUtahWhere the red rock holds ancient stories.
Evanston, WY-UT. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.