Jeffrey City

Yellowcake Boom and Bust

State: Wyoming County: Fremont County Founded: 1957 Abandoned: 1982 (bust) Peak Population: 4,500

Jeffrey City boomed during the Cold War uranium rush ('yellowcake'). It had a high school, swimming pool, and thousands of residents. When the uranium market crashed in 1980, the town emptied almost instantly. Giant abandoned dormitories and apartments haunt the wind-swept desert.

Plan Your Visit

Best Time: Year-round

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 1 hour

Quick Facts

  • Uranium boomtown
  • Lost 95% of people in 3 years
  • Massive abandoned infrastructure

Location

Address: Hwy 287, Jeffrey City, WY

Coordinates: 42.4833, -107.8167