Douglas: History and Recreation on the North Platte River

Douglas is located on the Oregon Trail. Three self-guided walking tours, museums and recreational opportunities on the North Platte River offer different ways to explore the city and its history. When planning your trip, you can choose whether to explore historic buildings, collections or outdoor activities.

Historic Sights in Douglas

Three walking tours lead to historic homes, commercial buildings and burial sites. The tour Historic Residences of Douglas covers 18 homes. The Downtown Buildings Tour highlights 25 buildings constructed between 1886 and 1926. This gives you a choice of different focuses: homes, commercial architecture or burial sites. The Downtown tour also specifies a construction period, which places the buildings in a historical context.

The Douglas Railroad Museum and Visitor Center is housed in the historic Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad Passenger Depot. The depot is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At the museum, visitors can step inside several historic railroad cars, including passenger, dining and caboose cars. Admission is free, and donations are welcome. Check current visitor information and details about access to the railroad cars before your visit.

The Wyoming Pioneer Museum is located at the Wyoming State Fairgrounds in Douglas. It preserves regional stories through exhibits, historic artifacts, photographs and educational presentations. Its collections include Tom Horn’s saddle, artifacts from Indigenous American cultures and rodeo memorabilia. The specific saddle is featured alongside collections that highlight Indigenous cultures and rodeo.

Camp Douglas offers a glimpse into a World War II prisoner-of-war camp in Wyoming. Visitors can still see the former Officers Club building and view artifacts related to the camp. Check current access information before your visit.

In the center of Douglas, a jackalope statue in Jackalope Square provides a photo backdrop. It offers another distinctive stop alongside the historic buildings and museums.

Along the North Platte River and Outdoors

Fishing is possible on the North Platte River practically in downtown Douglas; regulations and conditions may vary. Douglas has a total of 5 miles of paved walking and biking trails, 2 miles of which run directly along the river. These figures indicate both the extent of the trail system and the portion directly associated with the North Platte River.

The Douglas Municipal Water Park is a seasonal facility. Its amenities include two large water slides, a splash pad and a separate shallow pool for small children. Since the park operates seasonally, check current operating dates before your trip.

More Destinations and Events

At Fort Fetterman, a restored officers’ quarters, an ammunition storehouse, and visible foundations of the fort and Fetterman City remain. The seasonal historic site is about 9 miles from Douglas. Confirm current access before your visit.

Ayres Natural Bridge Park is about 15 minutes from Douglas. Visitors can hike, mountain bike, fish and picnic there; check seasonal access before your trip. The activities listed are quite different from the historic walking tours in Douglas and offer another way to enjoy time outdoors.

The Wyoming State Fair in Douglas features concerts, a parade, a demolition derby, carnival rides, exhibits, youth activities and the Wyoming State Ranch Rodeo Championships. Program details vary each year, so check the event dates and current program in advance.

Discover more destinations: Glenrock

Return to the main travel overview: Converse County.