Major city · United States
Medicine Bow
Skip Medicine Bow unless you are a railroad or dinosaur history buff: the town has one museum, one historic hotel and no passenger trains. A 30-minute stop on a drive between Laramie and Rawlins is enough.
Medicine Bow is a tiny Wyoming town (pop. 284) that was a transcontinental railroad stop. Its main draw is the Medicine Bow Museum in the old station and the 1911 Virginian Hotel. There are no passenger trains, no restaurants open daily and no gas station. Most travellers pass through in under an hour.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–September
- avoid December–February (cold, some businesses close)
- Airports
- CYS · LAR
- 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 Medicine Bow911 ▾
- 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 Medicine Bow, 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
- SafetyMedicine Bow is very safe.
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.
- AirportCYS Cheyenne Regional Airport (About 1 h 15 min drive east; limited flights.).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable (about 3 blocks long).
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
- CYS Cheyenne Regional Airport (About 1 h 15 min drive east; limited flights.) · LAR Laramie Regional Airport (About 45 min drive; limited flights.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Mar
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°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
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Dec
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C) low), wettest May (9 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Medicine Bow: 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 (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
5 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
5 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°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)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
6 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
5 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
5 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 (about 3 blocks long). You need a car to reach Medicine Bow; no public transport.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 45 min
Drive east on I-80 / US 30, about 45 min
University town with restaurants and the Wyoming Territorial Prison.
Door to door: 1 h 15 min
Drive east on I-80 / US 30, about 1 h 15 min
State capital with the Cheyenne Depot Museum and rodeo.
Door to door: 30 min
Drive west on I-80 / US 30, about 30 min
Larger town with the Wyoming Frontier Prison museum.
Door to door: 30 min
Drive south on WY-130, about 30 min
Gateway to the Snowy Range; hiking and fishing.
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.
Medicine Bow town centre
The Historic Virginian Hotel is the only accommodation; book ahead.
Laramie
45 min east; more motels and restaurants.
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
- $0 (passing through)
- Mid
- $35–100 (one night at the Virginian)
Watch out
Safety
- No passenger trains: the line is freight-only.
- The Virginian Hotel is the only restaurant option — check if it is open before you arrive.
- No gas station in town; fill up in Laramie or Rawlins.
- Cell service can be spotty on the approach roads.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Medicine BowMedicine Bow
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Laramie → Medicine Bow, driving: about 45 min, no tolls
- Rawlins → Medicine Bow, driving: about 30 min, no tolls
Say or show
- Howdy — Hello (how-dee)
- Thanks — Thank you (thanks)
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 Medicine Bow. 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–September · avoid December–February (cold, some businesses close) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Medicine Bow
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