Visitors have created a tsunami of terrible reviews for Rock Springs WY. They’re combating this by describing their city as a place they don’t want to go back to. Once a bustling town, Rock Springs now struggles with a population dramatically reduced to levels lower than those recorded in 1860. It is marked by systemic flooding and a legacy of white racist violence and lynchings. Beyond that, its infamous reputation for crime further contributes to the terrifying visage it offers. No wonder so many visitors liken the city to bleak backdrops from blockbuster dystopian fantasy worlds. They call it “eerie” and say there is not a single redeeming feature.
Rock Springs once had a much larger population and today is home to just a small fraction of that boomtown’s glory. This decline paints a picture of the larger forces at work impacting hundreds of small towns throughout America. Today’s population barely touches one-tenth of its historical high-water mark. This astonishing decline raises the question of what’s left of this once-vibrant community.
A Troubling History
Rock Springs has a long and complicated history filled with racial tension and violence. Most notably, it was the site of some of the worst lynchings and race riots in our nation’s history, which left deep scars on its community. The collective effect of these incidents has added to the city’s negative perception, with visitors claiming to feel unsafe or unwelcome. One traveler, reflecting on their experience, stated,
“That place felt like an eerie ‘Walking Dead’ city without the apocalypse.”
When placed alongside the undeniable faith in future progress, such sentiments reveal the distance between this town’s past, present, and future.
The city is still dealing with a severe fallout from crime and social justice issues. Perhaps the most alarming issue is the extremely high rate of teen pregnancy. As one longtime Greenpoint resident and former local elected official explained,
“Well we have the highest teen pregnancy rate in the country.”
All of these issues can discourage future tourists who would otherwise come in search of the town’s rich history.
Traveler Experiences
Traveler’s experiences in Rock Springs have been mostly terrible, strongly skewing public perception. It’s no wonder many visitors have criticized it as one of the worst places they ever experienced in their travels. One reviewer remarked on the environment, stating,
“Most meth. Most crime. Most collective reckless disregard for self-preservation of any place I’ve ever been.”
This type of feedback strikes a chord with fellow users who feel the same way about their experience.
Another participant discussed feeling a greater sense of belonging in Rock Springs compared to Miami. Of the two evils, they did not like Atlanta and preferred Miami despite its own shortcomings. They stated,
“I’m excited to never go back to Miami,” suggesting they would rather return to Miami than visit Rock Springs again.
Such comments highlight just how deep the burn of disappointment runs among those who have traveled here to experiment with this Wyoming city.
The Stench of Rock Springs
In addition to worries about safety and social climate, visitors focused on the physical infrastructure surrounding Rock Springs. One visitor even remarked on the fecal smells that shroud the whole part of town as “overpowering.” Unfortunately, this toxic factor only deepens the real-life hellscape that might have originally attracted unsuspecting tourists.
Given these experiences, many travelers have conveyed a sense of remorse for having even stopped in Rock Springs. One individual recounted their time there, stating,
“I actively hated every second I was in Rock Springs and tried to cut my trip short but couldn’t.”
These types of detailed accounts create a bleak and dark picture of what most people feel is a dying, toxic, and unfriendly environment.
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