Parks and the outdoors in Gillette

10 parks, gardens, beaches and walks in and around Gillette.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Do
Campbell County Fair
Rodeos, bands, animal shows, dog race, tractor pull, and pig wrestling are just a few of the things you can find at the fair. The fair is mostly geared towards two types of people; local ranchers and children. The two meet when the families occasionally wander away from the free stage entertainment through the barn areas to see prize pigs, rabbits, sheep, rams, cows, chickens, goats, ducks, and turkeys. If you didn't grow up on a ranch then inside the Central and East Pavilion is a peek into their world. There is a reason farm kids don't have as many allergies as city kids. You will find out once you step through those doors and all the sawdust, a dozen species of animal hair and feathers, and smells that cling to you for hours being blown by high powered fans hits you like a brick. If you can get past that then walk through the pens and crates, maybe even stop for a show or get a free sample of sheep. While the ranchers are friendly they aren't there to entertain you and go about their business.
Free
See
Campbell County Rockpile Museum
Museum of the Powder River Basin
The Rockpile was a landmark for cowboys and now it's a landmark for the museum next to. This quiet museum has a mix of objects and information about homesteading, ranching, farming, coal mining, ancient geology, and American Indians. There are a few hands on displays with old items for children, but a few are still interesting for adults. A back room in the main building is used for rotating exhibits and the empty space there in front of the covered wagons is for events and talks. Don't forget to walk outside to the big white building with a garage door. There are more exhibits inside and outside on the South side of the building.
Mon-Sat 8AM-5PM$10
Do
Dalbey Memorial Park
Dalbey is the crown jewel of parks in the city. There are shelters, a mile-long walking path, a boardwalk, a scenic bridge, statues, memorials, information boards, a large disc golf course, baseball fields, football field, benches, and places for cornholing and horseshoes. At the center is the man-made Gillette Fishing Lake which is stocked with fish for year-round fishing and is a good spot for bird watching.
7AM-11PMFree, fishing $14/day nonresident
See
Energy Equipment Park
High Plains Energy Equipment Display
A large outdoor museum of retired coal mining, oil drilling, and agricultural heavy equipment. You can take your photo with a coal haul truck the size of a house, a dragline bucket you could drive a car into, or the formerly biggest tire in the world. Explore however you wish because there are no amenities, staff, or paths.
Free
See
Festival of Lights
Feeling the holiday spirit? Then this massive drive-through Christmas lights display is for you. It has dozens of animated displays, a light tunnel, and many thousands of lights. A short range radio station is setup at the park that plays Christmas music so don't forget to tune in.
November-JanuaryFree
Do
International Pathfinder Camporee
7th Day Adventists hold their religious event for children every five years and Gillette was selected for a second time. Tens of thousands of children are coming to do community service in the city, participate in events at the CAM-PLEX Park, and worship their lord and savior Jesus Christ. Expect every hotel, motel, and RV spot to be booked.
Closed
See
Overlook Park
One of the highest points in the city for a great view of Gillette north of the interstate. The park is open long enough to allow day or night viewing. Be careful on Goldenrod Avenue when it is icy or there is heavy snow. The road can be steep.
7AM-11PMFree
Eat
Pizza Carrello
Homemade dough and a wood fired oven makes pizzas that are better than anywhere else in the city. Owners are friendly to those who walk a different path in life. Everything feels clean, spacious, and welcoming. Then they top it off with homemade desserts.
Tue-Sun 11AM-9PM$7-13 9in personal pizza
Do
Red Rock Trails
The main trail is over 12 miles long. Bikes and horses are also allowed. Expect to see rolling prairie full of grass and sagebrush without a tree in sight. Grazing has been allowed again, so there may be cows.
Free
See
Sculpture Walk
The Campbell County Cemetery District runs a program where artists can put their sculptures on display for sale and the public can enjoy them. These pieces of art are scattered across Mount Pisgah Cemetery with a high concentration at Inspiration Garden. Some are fine art to contemplate the fragility of life while others will leave you scratching your head.
Free

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Gillette (CC BY-SA 4.0).