Backroads to Evanston, Wyoming

Sometimes the best adventures aren’t planned—they just happen when you decide to take the backroads and see where they lead. That’s exactly what we did on our way to Evanston, Wyoming. We had no timeline, no expectations, and honestly no idea how long it would take. What we did know was that we were open to whatever we found along the way… and wow, did this route deliver.

The drive itself turned into an experience. We moved slower than expected, not because the road was difficult, but because there was so much worth stopping for. Quiet stretches of land, wide-open skies, and reminders that some of the best stories live far from highways.

One of our first memorable stops was Bear River City. With a population under 1,000 people, it feels like a place where time politely slows down. We joked that the cattle probably outnumber the humans by the thousands—and honestly, that might not be far off. It’s peaceful, humble, and exactly the kind of small-town America that makes you appreciate simplicity.

Further along the route, we reached the Aspen Tunnel, a hidden gem tucked into the Wyoming landscape. Sitting at an elevation of 7,575 feet, the tunnel feels both historic and dramatic. Surrounded by mountain terrain near Aspen Mountain and close to the Altamont Tunnel, this spot feels like something you stumble upon rather than seek out—and that makes it even better.

Then came Piedmont Ghost Town, one of those places that instantly pulls you into another era. Once a thriving railroad and timber town, Piedmont slowly faded when the Union Pacific Railroad built a new line that bypassed it. Walking through what remains, you can almost hear echoes of the past—hard work, ambition, and the inevitable changes that reshaped the West. It’s quiet, haunting, and fascinating all at once.

This backroad journey reminded us why we love traveling the way we do. No rush. No pressure. Just curiosity and a willingness to explore. Evanston was the destination, but the road there was the real reward. If you ever have the chance to take the long way—do it. The backroads still have plenty of stories to tell.

Piedmont Charcoal Kilns State Historic Site is home to the historic charcoal kilns in Piedmont, Wyoming—lasting remnants of a once-thriving charcoal-making industry in southwestern Wyoming. Built around 1869 by Moses Byrne, these massive stone kilns were constructed near the Piedmont Station along the Union Pacific Railroad. They played a vital role in producing charcoal used to fuel railroad operations and nearby industries, making Piedmont an important stop during the region’s industrial growth.

The Southwest Wyoming wind energy facility - is on ranch land currently used for cattle grazing. Agricultural activities take place directly adjacent to the wind turbine foundation pads. The site, located in Uinta County, approximately 10 miles northeast of Evanston, has 80 Vestas V80, 1.8 MW wind turbines Add in Butch Cassidy bank robbery history and you have yourself a full day on a simple but not so simple back road to Evanston, Wyoming. Thank you for reading and watching and supporting our adventures. To find out more about us. Visit https://linktr.ee/megonervingadventures

What we found on a random road in Wyoming

 What we found on a random road in Wyoming.

What we love most about our RV Full-Timing life is that we get to explore. We just pick a road and go for it. On this day it was no different, except for the fact that we are workamp now for the summer season. So we only get 2 days off. That just means we have to go back LOL. 

Our plan was to head to Wyoming and check out the businesses there to see if it would be wiser to start shopping there for our food/gas/supplies in general. We took the backway, (neither of us having ever been this way) to see the backcountry. 

We found stuff. A Ghost Town,  Kilns and just beautiful landscapes EVERYWHERE. 

The ghost town is called Piedmont. It was a timber and railroad town. The town was alive around 1867 and had some famous (and not in a good way) travelers. Butch Cassidy used Piedmont as a meeting place with all of his criminal soulmates for the big bank robbery in Montpelier, Idaho. There is a guess at what they stole - in the range of $10,000 which for that time was a lot. Although I think today $10,000 is a lot but then I don't have that lol. The Union Pacific fell victim to many criminal acts because of the like of Butch Cassidy and cronies. 

There are still some property still there with reminders of what it was like back in the day. It was neat to sit on the side of the road dreaming about, what it was like back in that time. No doubt life was hard but man their office view is breaktaken.

Oh course so much lumber was taken. 

There are still farms in the area.

The houses are starting to fall down even more so - when I did the research of the area, what a difference just a couple of years of hard weather on these old houses. It is private property so use your best judgement and leave it as you found it. 

Moses Bryne was the first in Piedmont but changed the name to Piedmont because it means in Italian 
"Foot of the Mountain"

Those clouds were just magical

I hope a bride was carried over the threshold 

Oh the secrets that this empty house holds

And just further down the road we find our next find. Piedmont Charcoal Kilns. Neither of us have ever seen such a thing in our lives, (now you can understand our love for our life because not only seeing but learning things almost on a daily basis). 

The kilns are remnants of charcoal making. And you could smell them. These were built by the first family of Piedmont Mose Byrne in 1869 just two years after settling in the new town. I'm not sure how long these were producing charcoal, because in 1971 the area was registered with the National  Register of Historic Places. 100,000 bushels a month down to a physical reminder of what was once. 

There were 4 but as time goes by they will eventually all tumble down

These are huge up close.

Amazing at what the inside looks like - right?

This was taken from inside.

There was so much more that we had seen on this day, but you're just going to need to go and see the area for yourself. It would be fun to compare notes. Do bring a sacked lunch because there are picnic tables there next to the interpretive panels. They really made the whole area visitor friendly.

I hope you enjoyed our adventure day of where we just picked a random road and went for it!! You just never know what you will see. The video below is a blast from the past. Get ready to chuckle... We live on the wild side of life. 

We took a Belly Dancing Class - it was so hard but it was so much fun. We had people make fun of us because it was beneath them. But you know what. Life is about having fun and it's our fun. 

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