Gillette

Around Gillette

Photo: Tony Webster · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Town and around · Wyoming · 47k people

Gillette

Locals say the Basin · “Energy Capital of the Nation”, “Coal City”

Big skies, deep mines, and open hearts.

goldnavycoal black

Join the room Ask the neighbours

Welcome to the Basin! Whether you're here for the energy industry or the wide-open spaces, you'll find a community that works hard and plays hard. Come for the rodeo, stay for the sunsets over the Powder River.

Clubs for Gillette

No clubs for Gillette yet.

The room

One room for everyone around Gillette. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A 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 Gillette. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

  • Keyhole State Park Popular lake for boating, fishing, and camping near Moorcroft.
  • Campbell County Rockpile Museum Local history and coal mining heritage exhibits.
  • Cam-Plex Multi-purpose events center hosting fairs, rodeos, and concerts.
  • Gillette College Community college with a strong energy technology program.
  • Gillette City Park Central green space with playgrounds and picnic areas.
  • Wright Centennial Museum Small museum in Wright showcasing local railroad and ranch history.
  • Outdoors Hunting deer and antelope
  • Outdoors Boating and fishing at Keyhole
  • With kids Explore the Rockpile Museum
  • With kids Swim and picnic at Keyhole State Park
  • Evenings Live music at local bars
  • Evenings Rodeo events at the arena
  • Locals love Rodeo arenas
  • Locals love Hunting supply stores

Through the year

  • Campbell County Fair August Livestock shows, carnival rides, and demolition derby at Cam-Plex.
  • Gillette Rodeo July PRCA-sanctioned rodeo with bull riding and barrel racing.
  • Coal Country Classic Car Show Summer Vintage cars and trucks cruising through downtown Gillette.
  • Rockpile Museum Heritage Days June Living history demonstrations and pioneer crafts at the museum.
  • Wyoming State High School Rodeo Finals June Top high school cowboys and cowgirls compete in the arena.

Semi-arid climate with big temperature swings, strong winds, and low humidity. Most days are sunny, but winters can be harsh and summers hot. Best: Late spring to early fall offers mild days and cool nights, ideal for outdoor work and play.

Talk like a local

“The Basin”
The Powder River Basin, the local region.
“Energy Capital”
Gillette's nickname due to its coal and oil production.
“CC”
Campbell County, often abbreviated in casual talk.
“G-town”
Gillette, as a shorthand.

Getaways

  • Sheridan Historic downtown, Bighorn Mountains access.
  • Spearfish Spearfish Canyon, waterfalls, and Black Hills charm.
  • Casper North Platte River, Casper Mountain, and museums.
  • Rapid City Gateway to Mount Rushmore, Badlands, and Black Hills.

Local flavour

Rooting for Denver Broncos (NFL), Colorado Rockies (MLB), Denver Nuggets (NBA), University of Wyoming Cowboys (NCAA)

Eat and drink

  • Wyoming beef steak Beef is the state's signature, often served at local steakhouses.
  • bison burgers
  • Rocky Mountain oysters (calf fries) A classic rodeo-town appetizer.
  • chokecherry pie Wild chokecherries are foraged across the plains.
  • cowboy coffee Strong, black, and brewed over an open flame.

Where people go

  • coal mines The open-pit mines are a defining feature of the region.
  • oil derricks Pumpjacks and derricks dot the landscape.
  • rodeo arenas Rodeo is a beloved local tradition.
  • hunting camps Deer and antelope hunting are popular in the fall.
  • rolling plains of the Powder River Basin The wide, grassy plains are the backdrop of daily life.

Heritage and traditions

Gillette is proud of its energy heritage as the 'Energy Capital of the Nation,' with a deep-rooted cowboy and ranching culture that thrives in the Powder River Basin.

This time of year in Gillette

  • Hunting season Fall Fall is prime time for deer and antelope hunting.

Say it like a local: “crick” — Creek

Festivals

  • Donkey Creek Festival June A summer community celebration with a parade, live music, food vendors, and family activities.

A little history

  • 1891 Town founded when the railroad arrived, named after surveyor Edward Gillette.
  • 1970s Coal mining boom begins, transforming the area into an energy hub.
  • Early 1900s Ranching and farming dominate the local economy.

Rivalries

  • Campbell County High vs. Thunder Basin High Local high school football and basketball games draw big crowds.
  • Gillette vs. Sheridan Friendly competition in football and wrestling between the two towns.
  • Gillette vs. Casper Rivalry in basketball and volleyball, often for state titles.
  • Game day High school football
  • Outdoors Snowmobiling

Locals speak with a Western American accent, often saying 'pop' for soda and 'crick' for creek. You'll hear 'howdy' as a greeting and a laid-back, friendly tone.

Only here

  • Gillette is known as the 'Energy Capital of the Nation.'
  • Campbell County is the largest coal-producing county in the United States.
  • The high school mascot is the Camels.
New here? A few tips
  • Be prepared for strong winds and cold winters; dress in layers.
  • Coal trucks are common on the roads, so drive carefully and expect delays.
  • The town is spread out, so a car is essential.
  • Try a local steak at a diner or steakhouse.
  • During hunting season, wear bright orange if you're outdoors.

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 area
BuffaloWyomingRanch country under the Bighorn skyNewcastle–SundanceWyomingSmall-town heart, big-sky soul.SheridanWyomingWhere the West is still wild and the mountains meet the plains.SpearfishSouth DakotaWhere the prairie meets the pinesBelle FourcheSouth DakotaOpen skies, wide prairies, and the heart of the nation.DouglasWyomingWhere the prairie meets the sky and the jackalope roams.CasperWyomingWhere the prairie meets the mountain.Rapid CitySouth DakotaWhere the prairie meets the pines

Gillette, WY. 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.

Join the conversationFree, with just an email.

Sign in