Cheyenne a Must-See for History Buffs, Outdoor Enthusiasts
Quebec 01 Missile Alert Facility
Driving north of Cheyenne on Interstate 25, you’d be hard-pressed to recognize an old intercontinental ballistic missile system facility left over from the Cold War era. But in an unassuming ranch-style house out in the middle of the prairie lies some fascinating Wyoming – and U.S. – history. Named Quebec 01, it’s the only accessible Peacekeeper Missile Alert Facility left in the world, and it strives to preserve and interpret this important history from the late 20th and early 21st centuries. In 2019, Wyoming Parks and Cultural Resources opened the Quebec 01 Missile Alert Facility as a new state historic site that highlights the role F.E. Warren Air Force Base played in the nuclear deterrent mission during the Cold War. The site also fosters an understanding of the mission and duties of the personnel assigned to work there.
Location: Approximately 30 miles north of Cheyenne, take Exit 39 off I-25. Turn left and go approximately one-quarter mile. The site is on your left.
Tour information: Open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
Admission: $6 for adults, $5 for military, $2 for youth ages 12 -17. Children 11 and under are free.
Quebec 01 Missile Alert Facility.
Mountain biking
Looking for something outdoors? When the days turn warmer and leaves begin to appear on the trees, find yourself on a jaunt to Curt Gowdy State Park. The park boasts over 35 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, and is open year-round. Well-designed trails ranging in elevation from 6,800-7,600 feet are suitable for any skill level, and reveal hidden and colorful respites to connect you back to nature. Here you’ll find incredible vistas and the occasional surprise waterfall. “Kate’s Trail” is a 1-mile concrete trail starting and finishing at the Visitor Center that gives folks with disabilities an opportunity to view natural areas of the park.
Specific features of Curt Gowdy State Park’s trail system include four mountain biking play areas as well as mountain biking skills areas. Locals suggest Shoreline and the Stone Temple Pilot circuit as favorite trails, and a trail/enduro bike for the best experience. In 2009, the trails system was designated as an EPIC trail system by the International Mountain Bicycling Association. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash at all times – and owners must pick up after them! Check out local bike shops Rock on Wheels or the Bicycle Station for a rental bike. Expect a state park daily use fee of $6 for Wyoming residents and $9 for non-residents.
Location: From Cheyenne, head west on WY 210 (or Happy Jack, as the locals call it), for 25 miles.
Mountain biking in Curt Gowdy State Park.
For more information on Cheyenne, visit Cheyenne.org.
