Crook County occupies Wyoming’s northeastern corner, a land of Black Hills ponderosa pine, open rangelands, and one of the most recognized geological formations in America. Its county seat, Sundance (~1,169), gave its name to the infamous outlaw Harry Longabaugh — who did his only jail time here and became known as the Sundance Kid. The county is also home to Devils Tower National Monument, designated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 as the nation’s first national monument, which drew spending of approximately $41.7 million from visitors in 2024 alone. With approximately 7,300 residents spread across nearly 2,900 square miles, Crook County is Wyoming’s third-least-populous county — deeply rural, aging (median age 53.8 in Sundance), and economically grounded in ranching, agriculture, oil and gas extraction, and mineral mining.
The county’s economy relies heavily on mining (oil and minerals) for over a third of its economic output, alongside cattle ranching, dryland and irrigated farming, timber from the Bear Lodge Mountains, and tourism centered on Devils Tower and Black Hills recreation. The nearest significant urban areas are Gillette (~61 miles west) and Rapid City, South Dakota (~79 miles east). For landlords, Crook County is Wyoming’s most rural and small-scale rental market — a setting where the tenant pool is tiny, relationships matter enormously, vacancy periods can be extended, and properties are acquired at very low cost. The strongest stable tenant segments are government employees (school district, county, state), established agricultural and ranching workers, and oil and gas field workers associated with the county’s ongoing mineral production.
All residential landlord-tenant matters are governed by Wyoming Statutes §§ 1-21-1001 through 1-21-1211. Eviction actions (FED) are filed in the Sixth Judicial District Court in Sundance. No rent control exists anywhere in Wyoming.
Hulett (~300, Devils Tower gateway), Moorcroft (~700), Pine Haven
County Population
~7,300 (3rd least populous WY county)
Median Age
53.8 years (Sundance) — among WY’s oldest communities
Median Rent
~$962/mo (Sundance 2023)
Principal Economy
Oil & gas + mineral mining (>1/3 economic output), ranching, agriculture, timber (Bear Lodge Mtns), tourism (Devils Tower)
Devils Tower
America’s first national monument; ~$41.7M visitor spending (2024); gateway in Hulett
PCI (2024)
$65,854
Rent Control
None
Landlord Rating
3.5/10 — very small market, limited tenant pool, affordable acquisitions; best suited for patient, relationship-oriented investors; Devils Tower tourism creates modest seasonal STR opportunity in Hulett
⚖️ Eviction At-a-Glance (Wyoming)
Nonpayment Notice
3-Day Notice to Pay or Quit
Lease Violation (curable)
3-Day Notice to Cure or Quit
Illegal Activity / Non-curable
3-Day Unconditional Notice to Quit
Month-to-Month Termination
30-Day Written Notice (1 full rental period)
Court Action
Forcible Entry & Detainer (FED) — District Court
Court
Sixth Judicial District Court, Crook County
Courthouse Address
309 E. Cleveland St, Sundance, WY 82729
Court Phone
(307) 283-2523
Mailing Address
PO Box 406, Sundance, WY 82729
Court Hours
Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Circuit Court (smaller matters)
309 Cleveland St, Sundance; (307) 283-2929
Eviction Enforcement
Sheriff only (Writ of Restitution required)
Crook County Local Ordinances & Landlord Rules
Local rules that apply alongside Wyoming state law
Category
Details
Rental Registration
Wyoming has no state-level landlord licensing. No blanket rental registration required in Sundance, Hulett, or Moorcroft. Code enforcement is complaint-driven. Wyoming lodging tax applies to short-term rentals. The Hulett area, as the closest incorporated community to Devils Tower, sees meaningful summer STR demand from monument visitors. The Black Hills region also draws hunters in fall (whitetail deer and turkey), creating a secondary STR season.
Rent Control
None. Wyoming has no rent control anywhere in the state. Crook County rents are modest — Sundance median gross rent was ~$962/month as of 2023, affordable by any Wyoming standard. Month-to-month rent increases require one full rental period’s written notice.
Security Deposit
No statutory cap in Wyoming. Must disclose if any portion is nonrefundable. Return within 30 days of termination/eviction OR 15 days after receiving forwarding address (whichever later); extended 30 days if damages. No interest required. Utility deposit: return within 10 days. Standard 1 month practice in this small market.
Very Small Market — Relationship Landlording
Crook County’s rental market is among Wyoming’s smallest in absolute terms. With a total county population of ~7,300 and a county seat of ~1,169, the number of potential rental tenants is genuinely limited. This has two important implications for landlords. First, vacancy periods when a tenant leaves can be meaningfully longer than in larger markets simply because the replacement pool is small. Second, the community is small enough that reputation matters enormously: landlords who maintain their properties, treat tenants fairly, and resolve disputes constructively will find word-of-mouth referrals from departing tenants valuable, while landlords with poor reputations will find themselves with persistent vacancies. In markets of this size, relationship-based management is not just good ethics — it is good business strategy.
Devils Tower Tourism Economy
Devils Tower National Monument generated approximately $41.7 million in visitor spending in 2024, a significant economic contribution to a county of 7,300 people. The monument draws climbers, hikers, photographers, and general visitors from around the world, particularly in summer. The town of Hulett (~300), which sits closest to the monument, sees the most direct tourism benefit. For landlords near Hulett specifically, short-term rental opportunities during the summer visitor season (June–August) can supplement long-term rental income. The annual Bear Lodge Mountain Trail Ride and other regional events add secondary demand spikes. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in nearby South Dakota (early August annually) also draws significant traffic through northeastern Wyoming, including Crook County.
Aging Population
Crook County is among Wyoming’s oldest communities by age profile, with a median age of 53.8 years in Sundance. The county’s share of residents 65 and over (23.9% at 2020 census) is significantly higher than the Wyoming average. An aging population creates some specific rental demand: retirees downsizing from larger homes, seniors seeking single-story accessible units, and families relocating to the area to be near aging parents. The aging demographic also means that rental supply may gradually increase as older homeowners transition out of their properties. Landlords offering well-maintained, single-story homes or accessible units may find a growing niche in this market.
Wyoming FED Eviction Process
Evictions are Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) proceedings filed in the Sixth Judicial District Court (309 E. Cleveland St, Sundance). After serving appropriate notice, the landlord files a FED complaint. Upon judgment, the court issues a Writ of Restitution. Only the Crook County Sheriff’s Office may enforce the eviction. No self-help eviction, lockout, or utility shutoff permitted. Domestic violence is an affirmative defense to eviction.
Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-21-1001–1016 and 1-21-1201–1211 — applicable in Crook County
⚡ Quick Overview
3
Days Notice (Nonpayment)
3 (all violations)
Days Notice (Violation)
14-30
Avg Total Days
$$70
Filing Fee (Approx)
💰 Nonpayment of Rent
Notice Type3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit
Notice Period3 days
Tenant Can Cure?Yes - tenant can pay all rent within 3-day notice period to stop eviction
Days to Hearing3-10 (summons sets return day for hearing; typically within days of filing) days
Days to Writ0-30 days after judgment (court determines; Writ of Restitution issued) days
Total Estimated Timeline14-30 days
Total Estimated Cost$150-350
⚠️ Watch Out
3-day notice for nonpayment. No statutory grace period. Very landlord-friendly state with fast process. Notice must be in writing and left with tenant in person or at usual place of abode. After 3 days, landlord files FED complaint with circuit court ($70 filing fee). Summons sets return day (hearing date). If landlord wins: court issues Writ of Restitution giving tenant 0-30 days to vacate (court discretion - better chance of more time if tenant attends trial). If tenant doesn't attend = likely immediate writ. After writ: only sheriff can physically remove. Landlord can remove property and leave it outside after sheriff executes writ. No statutory cap on security deposits. Lease must state if any deposit portion is nonrefundable. Safe Homes Act: DV victims can break lease with 30 days notice + protection order.
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the Circuit Court - Forcible Entry and Detainer (WS § 1-21-1001 to 1-21-1016). Pay the filing fee (~$$70).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Wyoming eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Wyoming attorney or local legal aid organization.
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⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Sundance (county seat, Sundance Kid namesake) + Hulett (Devils Tower gateway, STR opportunity) + Moorcroft (I-90). Oil & gas + mining + ranching + timber + tourism. Very small market — 3rd least populous WY county. Aging community. Mountain Time. FED in 6th District Court. No deposit cap. 3-day notices; 30-day M-t-M. No WY income tax. Sheriff enforces.
Crook County
Screen Before You Sign
Best profiles: CCSD#1 teachers/staff, county government workers, established ranching employees (long-tenure, community roots), oil & gas direct employees. Tiny tenant pool — references and character matter more here than anywhere in WY. Run WY court records. In-person property visits before applications strongly recommended. Income at 3x rent. No WY income tax.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Crook County, Wyoming
Crook County is Wyoming at its most elemental: enormous skies, ponderosa pine ridgelines, cattle on open range, and a sparse population that has lived in this corner of the Black Hills for generations. It is not a county that attracts investors looking for appreciation, cash flow at scale, or a dynamic rental market. It is a county that rewards patience, community engagement, and a genuine commitment to providing good housing to the small number of people who call this place home. For the right investor — one who understands and values the rural character of northeastern Wyoming — Crook County offers property at low acquisition costs, a tenant base of neighbors rather than strangers, and the quiet satisfaction of being part of a community that has not yet been discovered by the outside world.
The Sundance Kid’s Town
Harry Longabaugh earned the name Sundance Kid after serving an 18-month jail sentence in Sundance for horse theft in 1887. The Crook County Museum in the historic Old Stoney Building preserves this history, and the town has leaned into its outlaw heritage with a mixture of civic pride and gentle humor. For landlords, the more relevant history is Sundance’s role as a stable county seat community with government, education, healthcare (Crook County Medical Services District), and agricultural services providing the backbone of local employment. The school district, county offices, and medical center together represent the most stable employment base available to Crook County tenants.
Devils Tower and the Tourism Economy
Devils Tower National Monument — the massive igneous butte that rises 1,267 feet above the surrounding terrain and was designated as the nation’s first national monument by President Roosevelt in 1906 — is the dominant geographic and cultural feature of Crook County. Generating $41.7 million in visitor spending in 2024 for a county of 7,300 people, the monument is a significant economic driver. For landlords near Hulett (the closest community), summer short-term rental demand from monument visitors, climbers, and Black Hills travelers creates a viable seasonal income opportunity. The monument’s cultural significance to several Native American tribes — for whom it is known as Bear Lodge — also makes it a destination for cultural and spiritual visitors throughout the year.
Crook County landlord-tenant matters are governed by Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-21-1001–1016 and 1-21-1201–1211. Nonpayment: 3-Day Notice to Pay or Quit. Lease violation (curable): 3-Day Notice to Cure or Quit. Illegal activity / non-curable: 3-Day Unconditional Notice to Quit. Month-to-month termination: 30-Day Written Notice. Security deposit: no statutory cap; disclose if any portion nonrefundable; return within 30 days of termination/eviction or 15 days after receiving forwarding address (whichever later); extended 30 days if damages. Utility deposit: return within 10 days. No rent control. No just-cause eviction. No self-help eviction; no lockout; no utility shutoff. Sheriff-only enforcement. Domestic violence is affirmative defense to eviction. No WY income tax. Court: Sixth Judicial District Court, 309 E. Cleveland St, Sundance, WY 82729 (PO Box 406); phone (307) 283-2523. Hours Mon–Fri 8am–5pm MT. Last updated: May 2026.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Crook County, Wyoming and is not legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always verify current requirements with a licensed Wyoming attorney before taking legal action. Last updated: May 2026.
