Where the Tow Cowboys Treat Your Ride Like Rodeo Practice
Wyoming: land of wide-open spaces, Yellowstone, and tow trucks that seem to patrol the plains. From Cheyenne to Jackson Hole, one small parking misstep can send your vehicle to impound faster than a herd of bison. Between private property rules, municipal ordinances, and remote lots, retrieving your car can be a Wild West adventure.
Who Can Tow?
Towing companies must be licensed and insured. Authorized tows generally occur in three ways:
- Law enforcement – police may remove illegally parked, abandoned, or hazardous vehicles.
- Municipal authority – towns can authorize towing during snow emergencies, street cleaning, or local events.
- Private property – property owners can request towing if vehicles violate posted rules.
Private property towing is common in apartments, ski towns, and downtown areas. Signage is required but often small or hidden, giving tow companies legal cover.
When Can They Tow?
Vehicles may be towed for:
- Blocking driveways, fire lanes, or handicapped spaces
- Expired registration or plates
- Abandoned or inoperable vehicles
- Violating private property rules
- Unpaid citations
Even small towns like Jackson or Cody have towing spikes during ski season, festivals, or tourist events.
Notification Requirements
Wyoming law says tow companies must notify local law enforcement—but don’t hold your breath. Police log the vehicle so you can find it... eventually. Delays are the norm, and most drivers only discover their car’s gone after playing phone tag with multiple lots or waiting for a surprise letter in the mail.
Fees and Storage
Base towing fees generally range $125–$200, with storage around $20–$35 per day. Additional charges —after-hours retrieval, mileage, administrative fees, or “special handling”—can appear unexpectedly, especially in remote areas.
Vehicle Recovery
To reclaim a vehicle, Wyoming tow yards usually require:
- Government-issued ID
- Proof of ownership
- Proof of insurance
- Payment of all fees
Cash is the safe bet, though some lots will reluctantly swipe your card. Don’t expect speed with their limited hours, lost forms, and tiny paperwork mistakes that can tack on extra storage days. Even the smallest hiccups such as a leased car tied to a corporate account or an expired registration, can trap your ride in impound for days, turning a simple pickup into a full-blown test of your sanity.
Legal Recourse
Want to dispute an illegal or outrageous tow? Knock yourself out...municipal or small claims court awaits. Stockpile your photos, tow notices, and receipts, because you’ll need them. But most drivers just hand over the cash and stew later, exactly what tow companies are banking on, since human impatience is worth more than any paperwork fight.
Your Car Joins the Wyoming Tow Rodeo...Let’s Get It Back!
Wyoming’s towing system is legal, structured, and highly efficient at testing patience. Between municipal rules, private property tows, and vast rural distances, fees can escalate quickly. OUTPOUND.com can help locate your vehicle, verify charges, and plan recovery before storage costs run wild. Because in Wyoming, missing a tow notice isn’t just inconvenient...it’s a cowboy’s gauntlet.
