Lyman is a small, friendly Bridger Valley community
Lyman is a small community in southwestern Wyoming’s Bridger Valley, about 3 miles south of Interstate 80. “It’s a little off the beaten path, but everyone’s very friendly,” says Holly Benson, broker with Cowboy State Realty, who has lived in the Bridger Valley for more than 17 years.
Lyman has its own school system, a library and a few parks. There are two meetinghouses for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as a Baptist church. Neighboring Mountain View is home to a grocery store and several restaurants.
Housing variety and space for off-street parking
In central Lyman, sidewalks line the curving streets and cul-de-sacs, and yards generally provide enough space for storage sheds, trampolines and private driveways. In other parts of the community, sidewalks are less common. A few area homes date back to the early 1900s, but the majority were built in the 1980s or later. Buyers may find a mix of manufactured homes, ranch-style houses and some relatively new traditional-style residences. In the 2020s, some townhouses were added as well.
In the state of Wyoming, sold prices for homes are not publicly available. Site-built homes tend to list in the $220,000 to $650,000 range. Manufactured homes may go between $150,000 and $240,000, and townhouses generally run from $260,000 to $280,000. The CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Lyman area school options
Children can begin their education at Urie Elementary School, which rates a B-minus on Niche. Lyman Intermediate School gets a B, and Lyman High School earns a B-minus. High school students can participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, including drama, wrestling and swimming. The swim team practices at the high school’s on-site aquatic center.
Town parks and exploring the region
There are a few recreation spaces in Lyman, including a soccer field and a skate park along Franklin Street. Heritage Park features a basketball court and a splash pad. The Lyman Aquatic Center, located at the high school, is open to the public most evenings and weekends, and there are weekly story times at the Lyman Library.
Many residents spend their free time exploring the region. The towering peaks of the Uinta Mountains are about 30 miles south, and the Green River runs through Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, around 40 miles southeast. “Flaming Gorge is a big attraction. Boaters come all the way from Utah to visit,” Barnes says. “You’re also about 20 minutes from hunting and fishing areas.”
A few local businesses and more retail in Mountain View
Lyman is home to a few businesses, including John’s Bar and TJ’s Pizza Video & Ice Cream. The Valley Theatre, along Owen Street, shows first-run movies. Mountain View is about 6 miles away, with Benedict's Market, a full-service grocery store. Mountain View also has more dining options, such as Fiesta Guadalajara and Zheng Zhong Chinese & Thai Restaurant. Many residents make regular trips into Evanston, 40 miles west, where there is a Walmart Supercenter.
Car travel, trona mines and services
Locals rely on cars for travel. In winter, the region can get severe snowstorms, so “almost everyone has four-wheel drives or all-wheel drives,” Barnes says. State Route 413 and Interstate 80 Business run through the center of town, providing a route to Interstate 80 and nearby employers. One of the area’s main industries is mining for trona, a mineral used to make baking soda. Several active trona mines are within a 40-mile drive of Lyman. The closest emergency room is at the Evanston Regional Hospital, about 40 miles west, and the Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport is around 75 miles away.
Fourth of July, Pioneer Days and Christmas celebrations
Bridger Valley residents gather for several annual events. Lyman and Mountain View take turns hosting the Fourth of July activities and fireworks. On the weekend closest to July 24th, Lyman holds the Bridger Valley Pioneer Days Celebration, complete with a parade down Main Street, a community barbecue and a rodeo at the arena along Franklin Street. In December, there’s a Christmas parade and a large craft fair at Lyman High School.
