Is Gillette Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Gillette, Wyoming, a small but vibrant city in the northeastern corner of the state, is often referred to as the “Energy Capital of the Nation.”

Positioned along I-90 between the Black Hills of South Dakota and Yellowstone National Park, it’s a practical stop for travelers exploring the American West.

While its claim to fame is its coal, oil, and natural gas industries, there’s more to this town than its energy-rich foundations.

Established in the late 1800s as a key railroad hub, Gillette grew into a community where hardworking ranchers and miners shaped its resilient, down-to-earth culture.

Today, it’s a gateway to outdoor adventures and an unexpected blend of modern amenities and cowboy charm.

Visitors are drawn to the area for its wide-open spaces, unique museums, and nearby attractions like the sprawling Thunder Basin National Grassland.

Even with a population of just over 33,000, it’s still the third-largest city in the state.

Considering the community once provided 40% of the nation’s coal, that’s quite a feat for a relatively small town.

Whether you’re stopping by on a road trip or curious about life in the heart of coal country, Gillette promises a mix of history, industry, and the kind of friendly hospitality you’d expect in Wyoming.

Warnings & Dangers in Gillette

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Gillette has a low risk, with crime rates that shouldn't cause any concern. You'll want to appreciate the outdoors and the slower pace of life and enjoy your time here.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Public transportation in Gillette, Wyoming, is limited. The city offers a demand-response service called CATC (Campbell County Public Transit) for local travel, but it requires advance scheduling. Rental cars or taxis are the most practical options for visitors, as there’s no fixed-route bus system or regional public transit available.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

No data is available for pickpockets or purse snatchings over the past five years, which appears to mean there haven't been any. Even theft rates are high enough to warrant worrying about anything more than basic safety steps and common sense.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Gillette faces low risks of major natural disasters. Tornadoes and earthquakes are rare, and flooding is generally minor. Wildfires can occur during dry summers, especially in the surrounding grasslands. Winter storms are the most common concern, bringing heavy snow, icy conditions, and frigid temperatures typical of the region.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Only two robberies that fall into the category of muggings have been reported in the past five years, giving this another low risk.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Gillette has a very low risk of terrorism due to its small population and remote location. While no area is completely immune, the city’s focus on local industries like energy and its distance from major urban centers minimize its profile as a target, keeping residents and visitors relatively secure.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Check local police department and sheriff’s office social media sites for the latest scams. That will help keep the risk low. Most of the scams here prey on the locals, not visitors.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women shouldn't have any additional concerns compared to men, and it's a safe place to visit day or night, as long as you're using standard safety steps. With the wind and dust in this area, it's recommended you don't wear your finest clothing or anything you don't want to get dirty.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The U.S. has strict standards for tap water per the Safe Water Drinking Act. Communities are required to provide a Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) once a year by July 1. The 2023 report in Gillette shows full compliance and no violations.

Safest Places to Visit in Gillette

The Visit Gillette Wright website is the official tourism site for the city and neighboring Wright, about 40 miles south.

Look at the Planning and Guides section to find niche lists of things to do in Campbell County.

Starting in downtown Gillette, you’ll find a small but mighty core of the city.

The downtown visitor’s guide is available for free from the tourism site.

If you’ve been downtown before, it’s worth exploring again, as a redevelopment campaign has really turned the neighborhood around.

If you want to explore the historic areas, download the self-guided audio tour.

You can also get a map of the Avenues of Art tour if you’d like to see some genuine Wild West artwork.

The two main museums in Gillette are the Campbell County Rockpile Museum, which offers a deep dive into the region’s history, showcasing artifacts from the Powder River Basin’s past, and the Frontier Relics & Auto Museum presents an extensive collection of vintage automobiles and memorabilia.

In Wright, the Wright Centennial Museum chronicles the area’s development from the homestead era to its emergence as a key player in the energy sector, featuring exhibits on local legends and lore.

To tour a working mine, head to the Eagle Butte Coal Mine.

These tours provide an in-depth look at the mining operations, showcasing the massive equipment used, and the processes involved in coal extraction.

Summer and fall visitors shouldn’t miss a chance to see the bison herd at Durham Ranch.

About 3,000 bison roam 55,000 acres.

Did you know that a bison is what most people call a buffalo?

You’ll learn that and other fun facts on this tour.

Wyoming Game and Fish offers free self-guided driving tour maps, which will take you 2–3 hours, depending on which direction you go.

Along the way, you’ll see pronghorns, deer, hawks, and many more native animals.

In the region, Devils Tower National Monument is about an hour away.

Considered by Indigenous people to be sacred, this tower is unique in many ways and rises nearly 870 feet above the surrounding landscape.

Keep in mind that rock climbing is the only way to the top of the tower.

Thunder Basin National Grassland sprawls across northeastern Wyoming, offering an escape into the unspoiled wilderness where rolling prairies meet rugged badlands.

The site is beautiful during the day, but the stargazing is nearly unparalleled on clear nights.

Places to Avoid in Gillette

Gillette is a safe community, and you won’t need to worry about dangerous parts of town.

Most neighborhoods are safe to explore, but you should focus on staying on main roads between itinerary stops.

Don’t go onto private property, even if the land is expansive.

The presence of a wired fence means that it is someone’s land.

Once you get outside the city limits, expect to find gravel roads if you aren’t staying on the main highway.

Also, if you aren’t a fan of hunting or seeing the results of hunting, you might want to skip a fall and early winter trip.

This is an area renowned for its hunting and fishing.

Ask the tourism office what places to avoid where hunters might be present.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Gillette

So... How Safe Is Gillette Really?

Wyoming is in the Top 5 Lowest Violent Crime Rate States in the nation, and the violent crime rate in Gillette is just 15% higher than the state average.

That’s still 40% lower than the national average.

In addition, over the past five years, fewer than one in five violent crimes involved a stranger.

That lowers the risk even more for visitors.

Theft rates are about 10% higher than the national average, but that’s also in part due to shoplifting accounting for 26% of all thefts.

Car break-ins account for 18% over the past five years.

That risk can be instantly lowered by removing personal items from the car when you park and locking the doors.

Honestly, nothing in the crime data or recent headlines suggests there should be any hesitation about visiting Gillette.

Just be prepared for the remote roads and landscape and have emergency supplies ready in case of a storm.

How Does Gillette Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

All international visitors need either a visa defining the purpose of the trip (tourist, work, school, etc.) or a visa waiver. Start the process using the Visa Wizard module on the U.S. State Department website. You can also download the CBP One mobile app to help on the go. Also, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your trip, or you’ll need to apply for a new one.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar (USD) is accepted in the United States. International airports usually have a currency exchange desk on site, while regional airports won’t. Your home bank offers the lowest fees. For those using credit cards, check to see if there’s a foreign transaction fee. Credit cards, not debit cards, offer the best fraud protection.

Weather

Gillette, Wyoming, has a mix of weather throughout the year. Summers are warm, often in the 80s or low 90s, while winters get cold, with plenty of freezing days. The area receives around 60 inches of snow and about 17 inches of rain annually, keeping things dry but seasonal.

Airports

The closest commercial airport to Gillette, Wyoming, is Gillette-Campbell County Airport (GCC), offering regional flights primarily through Denver. About 130 miles away, Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) in South Dakota provides additional options with more flight destinations.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance protects the cost of baggage loss/theft, delays, cancelations, and emergency health issues. Rental car insurance should include roadside assistance and uninsured motorist coverage. Comprehensive insurance offers the best peace of mind.

Gillette Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Wyoming - Safety by City