Buford (Wyoming)

Buford is a town in Southeast Wyoming, notable for having the smallest population (one person), and for having been sold and renamed in 2013 to "PhinDeli town".

Understand

When the transcontinental railroad was built across southern Wyoming in the 1860's, the Buford had been founded at the railroad point. It had the highest terrain of any railroad town of Wyoming at 8,000 feet, which at first proved difficult. But by the end of the decade, the town had swelled to 2,000 people. Eventually a post office was built, which was in service until 2004. In 2013, Buford had been auctioned off and unofficially the town was renamed. Buford is considered to have an arid continental climate with 235 days of sunshine. Make sure to hydrate, and watch for signs of altitude sickness.

Buford (Wyoming)
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       0.8     31 14       0.6     30 15       4.4     37 21       0.7     49 30       2.7     61 42       1.5     72 50       2.2     76 54       1.1     73 52       0.7     70 49       2.2     49 29       2.2     35 19       0.6     28 14 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches Taken from World Weather Online, Buford, 2018/19 averages.
Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       20     −1 −10       15     −1 −9       112     3 −6       18     9 −1       69     16 6       38     22 10       56     24 12       28     23 11       18     21 9       56     9 −2       56     2 −7       15     −2 −10 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm

Get in

• The easiest way to enter is via I-80 at Exit 335. One should be careful of road closures in Winter that could trap the person.

Get around

For obvious reasons, the best form of transportation in town is walking. However, a car is recommended for visiting the landmarks and attractions outside of Buford.

• Avis Car Rental (Inside Cheyenne Airport), ☏ +1 307 632-9371. (updated Apr 2019)

See

The town itself is the biggest tourist attraction, as most people come here just for the sake of saying they visited the "smallest town in America."

• 1 Buford Trading Post (The Gift Shoppe), Buford Frontage Road (Directly off of I-80, Look for Cenex sign.), ☏ +1 307 632-3999. Although you can't wander inside, take some time to check out the signs, the old pumps, and the landscape around you. (updated Apr 2020)

Do

• 1 Tree in the Rock (2.3 miles west of Buford. Left turn exit.). Unusual tree clinging to life on a stone. This species is known to live for up to 2,000 years. (updated Apr 2019)
• 2 Ames Monument State Historic Site (Ames Brothers Pyramid), 210 Monument Road, ☏ +1 307 632-7946. Open 24/7. (updated Apr 2019)
• 3 Curt Gowdy State Park, 1264 Granite Road (On WY 210, easier accessed via nearby Cheyenne.), ☏ +1 307 632-7946. Recreational area named for famous sports caster. Consider fishing at Lake Granite during the summer. (updated Apr 2019)
• 4 Vedauwoo Campground (Exit 329, then follow County Road 700 until County Road 720, then turn left.), ☏ +1 307 745-2300. Camp and Park all in one, plus Turtle Rock. (updated Apr 2019)

Buy

• 1 Wholesale Fireworks, 1 Buford Rd, ☏ +1 307 638-8734. A fireworks store. (updated Aug 2018)
• Suzq Acres Appaloosa's Horse Breeders, ☏ +1 307 637-7221. (updated Aug 2018)

Eat

At this time, your best option is to either visit nearby Cheyenne or Laramie, and try to find a place with a Bison Burger, rated one of the best in the state.

Sleep

If you're looking for the authentic experience this is it, but for some form of modern comfort and security, you may consider staying in Laramie or Cheyenne.

• 1 Sherman Hills Campground (inside Curt Gowdy State park). A place away from everything, a good place to start touring the park the next day. (updated May 2019)

Go next

• Laramie is a college town about 12 miles west of Buford. There's plenty of shopping and events for this medium sized town.
• Cheyenne is the state capital and largest city, with a population of 67,000 (est. 2017). Just 30 miles east of Buford.
• Fort Collins is a large city with a swell of activities, and a university. About one-and-a-half hours away, and good launching point for the Front Range.

Routes through Buford

Rock Springs ← Laramie ←

W  E

→ Cheyenne → North Platte