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"GOOD TIMES VALLEY!"

Saratoga     Encampment     Riverside     Ryan Park

Wyoming

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Saratoga Encampment Riverside Ryan Park Getting Involved

 

Saratoga Museum Pavilion

photo by Noel Van Hayes

 

Hotel Wolf

photo by Noel Van Hayes

 

 

American Cowboy magazine's

"20 Best Places to Live in the West"

Saratoga  #12

(April/May 2008)

 

 

Mountain Living magazine's

"10 Top Undiscovered Towns"

Saratoga #8

(February 2006)

 

 

Travel Holiday magazine's

"America's 10 Best Small Towns"

Saratoga #1

(April 2003)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For centuries, the Saratoga-Encampment Valley was loved and enjoyed by many tribes of Indians.  It was not until the early years of the 19th century that white men began to penetrate the area.

In the 1800's, the American headed west in droves, and, in the course of time, thousands came through on their way to the Pacific.  Jim Bridger picked the road; however, very few used this route until Ben Holladay constructed a road for the Overland Stage Company.

The white immigrants found it windy, cold, disagreeable, barren, ugly and a good place to leave behind.  As time went on, some hearty people took the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent vistas, the lush valley, the tremendous herds of big game, the incredible fishing in the Platte River, and the hot springs. 

The vast and remote land set the bounds on the community's early growth, and, because of its very character, agriculture became the leading industry.  In the past, Saratoga relied on timber milling, copper mining, sheep herding, and a local supply depot.  Ranching, however, took the lead and remained in that position until well into the next century.

In 1884 Fenimore C. Chatterton named the town of Saratoga after an Iroquois Indian word Sarachtoue, which translates to "place of miraculous water in the rock."  Saratoga still sits atop one of the most active mineral hot springs in Wyoming.

photo courtesy of Desert Nuclear / Paul Weinfurtner

Today, Saratoga is a popular destination spot for tourists, hunters, birdwatchers, fisherman and shoppers.  Saratoga has quality shops that offer the best and most unique items.  The Hot Springs is a major draw for the area.  People drive for hundred of miles to take advantage of the free hot springs. 

Saratoga has the best blue ribbon trout in the country with over 100 miles of freestone river flowing throughout the Platte Valley.  With several public accesses along the river, you can fish on your own or hire one of our outfitters to take you. 

Breathtaking views attract artists, photographers and nature lovers alike. Surrounding Saratoga are several mountains including Elk Mountain, the Snowy Range mountains and the Sierra Madre mountains.  Hundreds of miles of hiking trails for the novice and experienced are scattered throughout the Medicine Bow- Routt National Forest.  For winter sportsman, the snowmobile trails are second to none.  With over 300 miles of trails to choose from, you can snowmobile all day without feeling crowded. 

When you are ready to relax, choose from a fine assortment of restaurants that are sure to please even the choosiest of taste buds.  Our restaurants offer the finest meals and service in the area.

Several local events are favorites with visitors from the entire region, such as the Ice Fishing Derby and Chariot Races in the winter months and the Woodchopper's Jamboree and Rodeo and Steinley Cup Microbrew Festival in the summer months.

If you don't want to miss a thing that's going on, be sure to check our calendar.

 

 
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Community Profile

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Saratoga Town Hall

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Platte Valley Community Center

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Carbon County School District #2

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Platte Valley Community Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

featured in:

 

Denver's 5280 magazine

(June/July 2005)

 

 

bestselling book

1,000 Places to See Before You Die (USA and Canada, 2007)

 

 

America's Most Charming

Towns & Villages

(4th Edition 2001)

 

 

National Geographic's

Guide to Small Town Escapes

(2000)

 

 

 

Ice Fishing Derby

 

Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce  

 210 West Elm Street     ~     P.O. Box 1095     ~     Saratoga, WY  82331         

(307) 326-8855       info@saratogachamber.info 

 

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