The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Atlantic City/South Pass in Wyoming is rich in gold-mining history. Atlantic City, today home to just 57 annual residents, was established as a mining town in 1868 during a major westward expansion into the state of Wyoming. The neighboring city to Atlantic City, South Pass, was founded even earlier, around 1824, and was used as a water-trade route that extended from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Northwest. Right up until the founding of Atlantic City, it was estimated that about 500,000 pioneers traveled through South Pass to reach Oregon, California and the Great Salt Region.
Today, visitors can tour 40 preserved historic buildings with original artifacts in the Atlantic City/South Pass area, most of which were essential to gold mining operations. Also found here is the South Pass City Historic Site, which was where the first women's vote in Wyoming occurred over 150 years ago. The US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages this area, keeping it open year-round for visitors to explore.
The Sweetwater Gap Trail is an out-and-back trail in the Shoshone National Forest and is popular with backpack campers.
Length: 16 miles
Intensity: Moderate
This trail is a loop trail and features a waterfall with some challenging uphill terrain along the route.
Length: 7.7 miles
Intensity: Moderate
The Sheep Bridge Trail is also located in the Shoshone National Forest and features fishing spots along its route.
Length: 5.8 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Perhaps the most popular activity at Atlantic City and South Pass is group or self-guided touring. You can spend a full or half-day doing a driving tour through the area from Atlantic City to South Pass City, and then eventually go to Miner's Delight, a ghost town adjacent to these two towns. In Atlantic City, visitors can stop at a restaurant for lunch or visit the Continental Divide Trail. From there, drive to South Pass, just four miles away, and stop to tour the South Pass City Historic Site on foot. A fee of $1 per adult lets visitors in to see 27 historic buildings and over 30,000 original artifacts here.
While in Atlantic City/South Pass, you're bound to see some local wildlife, like pronghorn sheep, deer, elk, moose, and raptors. Especially at the South Pass Overlook, you can spot antelope from above or go bird-watching.
Plenty of trout inhabits the rivers, creeks, and lakes in and around Atlantic City/South Pass. The most commonly caught are rainbow trout, brown trout, and cutthroat trout. Willow Creek, Sweetwater River, Green River, Pathfinder Reservoir, Seminoe Reservoir, and Boysen Reservoir are just a few bodies of water anglers can try out. Anytime you fish in the area, be sure to have a valid Wyoming-issued state fishing license.
Picnicking is a popular activity for visitors between touring the different historic buildings in Atlantic City and South Pass City. Bruce Picnic Site, in nearby Lander, has picnic tables set up just feet from a beautiful rushing river. It also has fire pits at each site. Another popular picnicking spot is Lander City Park.
When you're looking for RV sites with full hookups, consider staying at a non-BLM-managed campground in the Atlantic City/South Pass area instead. You can go RV camping at a location like Sleeping Bear RV Park & Campground or Twin RV Park & Campground, both of which have full hookups and free Wi-Fi for guests to use, plus dump stations.
The Atlantic City/South Pass area is a Bureau of Land Management free camping option for those who enjoy dispersed BLM RV camping. The South Pass Overlook is especially popular with campers, and it can be easily accessed by RVs too. There are no water or electricity hookups in this area, so be sure to pack accordingly for your stay. To find other camping options in the area, search online for "BLM camping near me."
If you are planning to tour Atlantic City/South Pass, be sure to pack plenty of drinking water and dress for the weather. This area is open daily, rain or shine, so you may still be able to tour it with umbrellas and rain gear as needed.
If you are staying at Bureau of Land Management campgrounds, whether organized or dispersed, be sure to pack for a primitive experience since you most likely won't have any hookups. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
All Atlantic City/South Pass visitors are asked to follow the Leave No Trace policy put in place by the BLM. This policy includes simple-to-follow rules, such as picking up your trash, avoiding contact with wildlife, and watching any campfires you start closely.
To reach Atlantic City/South Pass from Lander, take State Highway 28 South for about 28 miles. From there, take the Atlantic City turnoff, and follow the road until it becomes gravel, about 0.5 miles. From there, you can park and tour the towns by foot or continue to take the BLM roads to reach the Miner's Delight area.
Ready to visit Atlantic City/South Pass? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
