Evanston, Wyoming is located on Interstate 80, 4 miles east of the Utah state border, and approximately 85 miles northeast of the Salt Lake City area. With a population of approximately 11,000, Evanston offers opportunities for small town comforts and sense of community, as well as year-round outdoor recreation. The commute to work in Evanston will take about ten minutes with a view of the beautiful Uinta Mountain range as you drive south toward the Wyoming State Hospital. A person could spend more than a lifetime and not cover the full range of outdoor experiences available in the Evanston area (see Areas of Regional Interest below). Evanston also has a public recreation center, which offers year-round fitness and recreation opportunities (e.g., aerobics, basketball, handball, jogging, swimming, weight training), and summer brings the opportunity to participate in, or watch, community sporting teams and events. Evanston’s downtown offers a variety of shopping, dining and services, and entertainment.
Evanston is in a high-altitude climate. The town rests at approximately 7,000 feet (for comparison, Denver – the mile high city – is at approximately 5,000 feet). We have more than 300 days of sunshine each year. Although snow may fall in any month in this mountain region, it is primarily limited to November through April. Spring, summer and fall offer excellent opportunities for walking, hiking, cycling, and golf. Evanston has a combined city and state park (Bear River Parkway) with more than two miles of paved walkway and an additional ¾ mile groomed trail. Evanston also has an 18-hole golf course. A high-plain area with rolling hills, Evanston offers excellent road cycling. Mountain biking in the Uinta Mountains is readily accessible, 30 miles south of town, with multiple trails of varying difficulty. And, for those who desire a change of pace, one can always take in a rodeo or a mountain-man rendezvous in the region.
Ranching and the Wyoming State Hospital, along with energy exploration and development, have been the Evanston community’s economic mainstays. In recent years, tourism and outdoor recreation have also been growing steadily and comprise a significant resource to the community.
Cost of Living, Housing and Childcare:
The cost of living in Evanston is influenced by the energy industry. Previously it was considered low by most national standards, and Wyoming has no state income tax. Rental apartments and condominiums in Evanston are currently ranging between $800-950 per month. It may be possible to reserve an off-campus apartment prior to arriving in Evanston. Information regarding housing and rentals will be provided to interested staff.
Multiple licensed daycare resources are available in the Evanston area for reasonable rates.
Areas of Regional Interest:
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Park City, Utah
Approximately one hour west and a short drive off of Interstate 80 is the world famous skiing and resort town of Park City, Utah (home of the cross-country, free-style, down hill, and slalom ski events of the 2002 Winter Olympics). In addition to world-class skiing, Park City offers a small-town feel with numerous restaurants and specialty stores. The greater Park City area continues to expand rapidly and larger stores and outlet malls are developing in this region.
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Salt Lake City, Provo and Ogden Areas
The cities of Ogden, Salt Lake City and Provo, Utah, along with smaller communities, comprise an extended metropolitan area of over a million people. At an average distance of 85 miles, this area offers universities (University of Utah, Brigham Young University), theater, myriad other forms of entertainment, shopping, as well as a broad range of summer and winter outdoor sports. Those who enjoy university and/or professional sporting events, theatre, symphony (Utah has a very good symphony orchestra), concerts, and “big name” entertainment have convenient access to Utah. The relative closeness of these areas affords interns broader educational and cultural opportunities than some might expect when first learning of the Evanston area.
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Uinta Mountains
The Uinta Mountains (part of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest) are only 30 miles south of Evanston. In the summer and fall, this mountain range and national forest area offers excellent opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing, mountain biking, picnicking, sightseeing, and rock climbing. In the winter, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing are available either on groomed trails or by exploring the native back areas. For the adventurous, telemark skiing, winter camping, and access to Yurts (wooden basic structures for camping) are also excellent experiences in the park.
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Jackson, Teton Mountains and Yellowstone
Further to the north (approximately three hours) are the town of Jackson, Wyoming, and the world-famous ski resort of Jackson Hole. The Snake River winds its way through this area, offering first-rate white water rafting. Across the mountain (accessed through Idaho) is the Grand Targhee ski resort, a lesser known but equally exceptional ski area that often has fewer tourists and less crowded ski runs. In season (Summer, Winter) and off-season (Spring, Fall) visits to Jackson offer excellent camping, hiking and exploration of the Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park (approximately four to five hours from Evanston).
Maps/Directions:
Most staff traveling to Evanston will fly into Salt Lake City and drive east on Interstate 80 (approximately 90 miles). The Salt Lake City airport is a major hub for Delta and other airlines.
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