Major city · United States
GilletteGillette, Wyoming
Stay one night as an I-90 stop between the Black Hills and Yellowstone; skip it as a destination unless you want coal-mine overlooks and free sculpture walks.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (warm, dry, all sights open)
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, wind, black ice); late May and September can still snow
- Airports
- GCC · CPR · RAP
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Gillette is an energy town of about 30,000 on I-90 in northeast Wyoming, halfway between the Black Hills and Yellowstone. It has no public transport and almost everything needs a car. Most travellers use it as a bed for one night; two nights only if you want the mine overlook, the Rockpile Museum and the sculpture walks without rushing.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Gillette, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyGillette is a quiet family town and violent crime is low; the real risks are driving — deer at dawn and dusk, black ice…
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGCC Northeast Wyoming Regional Airport (United to Denver only; free parking; 4 AM to last evening flight).
- Getting aroundNo public transport.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–5
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$10–18
- BeerDraught beer in a bar$5–8
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–30
- Museum or sight ticketRockpile Museum entry$10
- Budget bedRV site at CAM-PLEX, a night, per roomUS$40
- Mid-range bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$95
- High-end bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$130
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GCC Northeast Wyoming Regional Airport (United to Denver only; free parking; 4 AM to last evening flight) · CPR Casper, Wyoming (About 2 h by car; often cheaper than flying into GCC) · RAP Rapid City, South Dakota (About 2 h by car; useful if you are coming from the Black Hills)
Weather and climate
Gillette: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C36°F
−9°C16°F
5 rd
Feb
3°C37°F
−8°C18°F
5 rd
Mar
9°C48°F
−4°C25°F
6 rd
Apr
13°C55°F
0°C32°F
8 rd
May
19°C66°F
5°C41°F
10 rd
Jun
25°C77°F
10°C50°F
9 rd
Jul
30°C86°F
14°C57°F
7 rd
Aug
30°C86°F
13°C55°F
6 rd
Sep
24°C75°F
8°C46°F
6 rd
Oct
15°C59°F
1°C34°F
6 rd
Nov
8°C46°F
−4°C25°F
5 rd
Dec
2°C36°F
−9°C16°F
5 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
No public transport. A car is required: business areas sit along Hwy 59, Lakeway and 2nd St, and the city is spread out. Parking is free and street parking outside downtown is usually easy. Taxis exist but can be slow and run-down; rent at the airport or downtown.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Moorcroft
goDoor to door: About 45 min
I-90 east about 35 min by car
Small ranching town; pair with a drive on Hwy 14 toward the Black Hills.
Buffalo, Wyoming
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
I-90 west about 1 h 15 min by car
Base for the Bighorn Mountains; a full day if you go up into the range.
Sheridan
goDoor to door: About 2 h
I-90 west about 1 h 45 min by car
Better food and a walkable main street; doable as a long day.
Aladdin
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Hwy 14/16 east then Hwy 24, about 1 h 15 min by car
Tiny settlement with a general store; check it is open before driving out.
Devil's Tower
goDoor to door: About 2 h
I-90 east to Hwy 14/24, about 1 h 45 min by car
The classic day trip from Gillette; go early, the loop trail gets hot.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
I-90 exit 126 area (2nd St / Hwy 14-16)
Chain motels, truck stops and fast food; easiest for one night with a car.
Downtown / Gillette Avenue
Old post office, murals and a brewery; a few independent motels, quieter at night.
CAM-PLEX area (Reata Dr)
RV parks and event parking; best if you are here for a rodeo or rally.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid chain hotel room1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Car hire, one day, compact1 × US$75 | US$75 |
| Fuel, 300 km of driving1 × US$30 | US$30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$53 |
| Trip total≈ US$289 per person per day, bed included | US$578 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at the till. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–5 |
| Diner breakfast | $10–18 |
| Burger and fries | $12–20 |
| Draught beer in a bar | $5–8 |
| Rockpile Museum entry | $10 |
| Fuel, per gallon | $3–4 (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Deer on the road at night and early morning; they freeze in headlights. Pronghorn usually move.
- Black ice and hard-packed snow on highways and city streets in winter.
- High wind any month; occasional big hail storms dent cars.
- No public transport: without a car you are stuck.
- Bike lanes and paths are not cleared in winter and are often blocked by parked trucks.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
GilletteGillette, Wyoming
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulates in Gillette; nearest are in Denver. US visitors: your own embassy is in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- GCC airport → downtown, taxi: about $20–30, 10 min (check)
- Gillette → Rapid City by car: about 2 h, fuel about $25 (check)
- Greyhound stop: 106 N Hwy 14-16, outside the convenience store; no indoor waiting room (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is this the road to Yellowstone? — Is this the road to Yellowstone?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Gillette. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep (warm, dry, all sights open) · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, wind, black ice); late May and September can still snow · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for GCC: United Denver arrivals, free parking, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: downtown Gillette Avenue, the Rockpile Museum, CAM-PLEX, Overlook Park.
- Place pages with verified hours (Rockpile Museum, Heritage Center gallery, Eagle Butte overlook) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter fixtures for black ice, wind and deer so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialCity of Gillette
- officialVisit Gillette
- officialNortheast Wyoming Regional Airport
- officialCAM-PLEX
- officialCampbell County Rockpile Museum
- secondaryWikivoyage: Gillette, revision 5204031 (CC BY-SA 4.0)