Major city · United States
Kemmerer
Half a day: see the original J.C. Penney store and Fossil Country Museum, then drive 15 min west to Fossil Butte National Monument. Not a base.
Kemmerer is a small Wyoming town on US-30, best known as the birthplace of J.C. Penney and the gateway to Fossil Butte National Monument. Most travellers stop for an hour or two on the way between Rock Springs and the Idaho border.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, some services limited)
- Airport
- RKS
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kemmerer911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kemmerer, 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
- SafetyVery low crime.
Show all 12 answers
- 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.
- AirportRKS Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport (Rock Springs) (About 50 min east on US-30; limited flights via Denver.).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable; a car is needed for Fossil Butte and any regional travel.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- BeerBeer (domestic pint)$4–6
- Budget bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$100
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$150
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · 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 →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
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
- RKS Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport (Rock Springs) (About 50 min east on US-30; limited flights via Denver.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Feb
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Mar
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Dec
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C) low), wettest May (9 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kemmerer: 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°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
6 rd
Feb
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
6 rd
Mar
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
7 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
6 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
6 rd
Dec
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable; a car is needed for Fossil Butte and any regional travel.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Fossil Butte National Monument
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Drive west on US-30, about 15 min
Visitor centre with fossils; trails. Free entry.
Fossil Lake Safari
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Drive 30 min NW; follow website directions, not GPS
Dig your own fossil; May–Sep only, book ahead.
Rock Springs
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive east on US-30, about 50 min
Larger town with more dining and lodging options.
Evanston, Wyoming
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive south on US-189, about 45 min
Historic downtown and Bear River State Park.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown Kemmerer
A few motels and a historic hotel; walkable to the Penney store and museum.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$100 | US$100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Fossil Lake Safari 2-hr dig (adult)2 × US$79 | US$158 |
| Fossil Lake Safari 2-hr dig (child 7–16)2 × US$49 | US$98 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$60 |
| Trip total≈ US$328 per person per day, bed included | US$656 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Burger and fries | $10–15 |
| Beer (domestic pint) | $4–6 |
| Motel room (double) | $70–150 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Fossil Butte National Monument visitor centre hours vary by season; check the NPS site.
- Fossil Lake Safari requires a high-clearance vehicle when the road is wet; follow their directions, not GPS.
- Services (restaurants, fuel) thin out after 20:00.Services (restaurants, fuel) thin out after 8:00 PM.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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KemmererKemmerer
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulates in Kemmerer. Nearest: Denver (many countries) or Salt Lake City.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Rock Springs → Kemmerer (US-30): About 50 min by car
- Kemmerer → Fossil Butte National Monument: About 15 min by car
Say or show
- Howdy — Hello
- Thanks — Thank you
- How much? — How much is it?
- Where's the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
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 Kemmerer. 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: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, some services limited) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the J.C. Penney mother store, Fossil Country Museum and Fossil Butte National Monument with verified hours and entry fees.
- Eat pages with last orders for the few downtown restaurants.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for US-30 and US-189.
Sources
- officialKemmerer official website
- secondaryFossil Lake Safari
- secondaryWikivoyage: Kemmerer, revision 5326928 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Kemmerer
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