Small Wyoming town with a resilient spirit and scenic beauty.
Cokeville is a small, close-knit town in Lincoln County, southwestern Wyoming, sitting near the Idaho border at an elevation of roughly 6,100 feet. With a population of around 500 people, it offers a quiet, rural atmosphere surrounded by sagebrush plains and mountain backdrops.
The town is perhaps best known nationally for the 1986 Cokeville Elementary School hostage crisis, a traumatic event the community has turned into a story of survival and faith, later depicted in the 2015 film 'The Cokeville Miracle.' Beyond this history, visitors find a peaceful stopover with access to outdoor recreation in the surrounding Bear River Valley region.
- •Cokeville City Park — a pleasant green space for picnicking and relaxing in town.
- •Bear River Valley Scenery — sweeping rural landscapes ideal for photography and drives.
- •Cokeville Elementary School Historic Site — reflects the town's well-known 1986 story of resilience.
- •Nearby Fossil Butte National Monument — world-class fossil site about an hour's drive away.
- •Star Valley — scenic agricultural corridor offering charming small-town stops close by.
- •Local Churches and Community Centers — central to the town's tight-knit cultural life.
Getting around: Cokeville has no public transit, rail, or rideshare services; a personal vehicle or rental car is essential for getting around town and exploring the surrounding area, as distances between attractions can be significant.
Best time: Summer (June through August) offers the mildest weather and easiest road access for exploring the surrounding high-desert and mountain terrain.
Local food: Look for hearty Western staples like beef-based dishes, homestyle cooking at local diners, and fresh trout from nearby Wyoming streams.
This guide is provided for general information only. Verify details locally before making travel decisions.