About Saratoga & the Upper North Platte Valley
A small Wyoming town with a lot of reasons to stay an extra day
The Platte Valley Community Center sits in the heart of historic downtown Saratoga, a town of about 1,700 people tucked into the Upper North Platte Valley between the Sierra Madre and Snowy Range mountains.
For event planners and attendees, that location is part of the appeal: everything you need is close, but you’re also surrounded by some of Wyoming’s most beautiful country.
Walkable Downtown
Restaurants, lodging and shops are all within a few blocks of PVCC. Event attendees can step out for lunch, grab coffee between sessions, or enjoy a walk or short drive back to their lodging.
Hot Springs
Saratoga is famous for its free public hot springs – open 24 hours a day, year-round. It’s a favorite amenity for locals and a popular reason many out-of-town guests extend their stay.
Outdoor Recreation
The Upper North Platte River runs right through town and is one of the best blue-ribbon trout fisheries in the West. Nearby you’ll find hiking, mountain biking, hunting, snowmobiling, and skiing depending on the season. Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest is a short drive away.
Getting to Saratoga
Saratoga sits just off Highway 130 in south-central Wyoming, about 20 miles south of I-80 at the Walcott Junction exit. Driving is the most common way to arrive — the routes are scenic, and a car is useful once you’re here.
Approximate driving times to Saratoga:
Casper, WY — 150 miles / about 2½ to 3½ hours depending on route
Laramie, WY — 80 miles / about 1½ hours
Rawlins, WY — 45 miles / about 45 minutes
Steamboat Springs, CO — 126 miles / about 2 hours
Cheyenne, WY — 150 miles / about 2½ hours
Fort Collins, CO — 145 miles / about 2½ hours
Denver, CO — 210 miles / about 3½ hours
Airports
Shively Field (SAA) in Saratoga accommodates private and charter aircraft.
For commercial travel, the closest options are:
Laramie Regional Airport (LAR) — about 1½ hours away
Cheyenne Regional Airport (CYS) — about 2 ½ hours away
Casper/Natrona County International (CPR) — about 2 ½ hours away
Yampa Valley Regional Airpot (HDN) — about 2½ hours away
Denver International Airport (DEN) — about 3½ hours away, with the most flight options
Where to Stay
Saratoga offers a range of lodging within walking distance or a short drive of PVCC, from historic hotels to modern inns and vacation rentals. The Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce maintains a current list of accommodations.
When to Visit
Saratoga is a year-round destination, but seasons shape the experience:
- Summer (June–August) is full of blooming flowers, sunshine, warm days, festivals, and prime outdoor activity.
- Fall (September–October) brings cooler weather, stunning fall colors, and hunting season.
- Winter (November–March) is quieter, with snowmobiling and cross-country skiing nearby, and easier lodging availability.
- Spring (April–May) is unpredictable in the best Wyoming way — mostly sunshine, sometimes windy, with the occasional surprise snow flurry. Lodging is easy to come by, and it’s a quieter window for retreats and conferences.
Platte Valley Community Center 