Thursday, February 26, 2026 |
Photo – CDT marker – Courtesy Discover Carbon County Wyoming
Rawlins officials commit to enhancing the city’s standing as a tourist destination.
In a recent media release, Rawlins Public Information Officer Mira Miller wrote that the city is the only location where the Union Pacific Railroad’s Historic Transcontinental Rail Corridor, the Lincoln Highway, the First Transcontinental Air Mail Route, the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, and the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail intersect.
Speaking to Bigfoot99, Public Information Officer Miller said city officials are pursuing ways to highlight Rawlins as a one‑of‑a‑kind historic destination.
City Manager Matt Hall described Rawlins as an “anthropological anomaly,” adding that the city is the largest community located directly on the Continental Divide Trail. Positioned at the midpoint of the 3,100‑mile route between Mexico and Canada, Rawlins is a frequent stopping point for long‑distance hikers. Combined with the historically significant trails and routes that converge in Rawlins, Hall said the city should be recognized across Wyoming.
The City Council recently issued a resolution in support of securing destination development grant funding and private partnerships to highlight the unique aspects of Rawlins. Public Information Officer Miller said the money will be used to develop ways to strengthen the city’s reputation among those unfamiliar with its historical significance.
City Manager Hall added that the goal of the destination development study is to potentially establish interpretive sites in the downtown district to encourage people to visit the community. However, Hall said the project is too early in development to say exactly what the final plan will look like.
Last November, Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Pam Thayer and members of the Continental Divide Trail Community Committee discussed an idea to construct a gathering place for hikers along West Cedar Street, between 1st and 5th Streets, called the Multi‑Block Destination District.
City Manager Hall agreed that the area where the Union Pacific transcontinental rail corridor, Lincoln Highway, and CDT intersect would be the best location for a future attraction.
Hall said that when concrete plans are in place, city officials will reach out to the Wyoming Office of Tourism for funding. The city manager said he believes the state agency is likely to financially support a lesser‑known tourist destination such as Rawlins.
Hall added that state lawmakers have indicated they would like to use tourism money collected from those popular sites to help improve the profile of smaller locations.
Public Information Officer Mira Miller said city officials are encouraged by the potential economic benefit of the proposed project and the opportunity to bring more traffic to local businesses.
