RIVERTON, WYOMING
“AT THE CENTER OF IT ALL”

Riverton was placed in a natural basin that had long been a gathering point for several people since pre-history to the 1838 mountain man rendezvous. The town played host to many of the legendary people such as, Jim Bridger, Kit Carson, and Lewis and Clark. Today, 1838 Mountain Man Rendevous keeps the old memories alive by hosting a living encampment, games of skill, food and dancing.

Tucked in between the Owl Creek and the Wind River Mountains, Riverton offers opportunities for all types of outdoor recreation. There’s hunting and fishing, or hiking and rock climbing all within a few minutes drive. You can boat on Boysen Reservoir, play a round of golf, study Native American petroglyphs at Castle Gardens or four-wheel drive across thousands of acres of state and federal lands.

Also be sure to visit the Riverton Museum. Open Tues. through Sat. 10am to 4pm, the Riverton Museum takes you on a trip to the past covering everything from trappers to cowboys. Another great place to take in history is the Wind River Heritage Center. Exhibits of Wyoming wildlife including 40 full-sized mounts including wolves, bears, bison, moose, elk, deer, bighorn sheep and smaller animals are featured here. Native American art, gifts, local history books and educational programs for schools and organizations are available at the Wind River Heritage Center.

In this article you will find one day trips to be enjoyed by the individual or the entire family. Whatever adventure interests you, whether it is viewing abundant wildlife, river rafting, learning about history and culture, or just plain of site-seeing, you will find it within a short drive of Riverton.

DAY TRIP TO DUBOIS
SIX SELF GUIDED TOURS

Tour 1
From Dubois to the Continental Divide at an elevation of 9,668 ft. Scenic vistas and occasionally some wildlife will surprise you. Take a side trip to Brooks Lake which is well worth the extra time. We recommend: have a picnic out there and enjoy the view at the Pinnacles.

Tour 2
Union Pass. It's the land of the mountain men and the tie hacks. And it is the point where rivers flow into three different oceans and feed three of the major river systems in the U.S. It is a very scenic road and about 15 miles from the bridge across Warm Springs Creek you will find the Union Pass monument to your right. This includes a history and monument of Three Waters Mountain (Triple Divide Peak) and other peaks. Also displayed is the story of Aboriginal use, the explorers and mountain men.

Tour 3
A short trip that includes the Fish Hatchery and the Bighorn Sheep wintering range. (Dubois has the largest Bighorn Sheep herd in the U.S.) You pass three glacial lakes and the Indian Petroglyphes.

Tour 4
This route is almost a must for the photographer. Going east of Dubois, pass the incredible Red Rocks and the view at the badlands to your left. The fishermen or women want to try one of the fishing accesses along the river.

Tour 5
On the way to the National Forest, you pass scenic ranches. The East Fork elk wintering grounds is a side trip up Bear Creek.

Tour 6
This road follows Horse Creek north of Dubois. It is one of the most scenic drives in Wyoming. Wildlife and majestic mountains are abound!

For more information on the area please contact:
Dubois Chamber of Commerce
616 W Ramshorn
307-455-2556

DAY TRIP TO LANDER

Things In and Around Town

Winter Recreation
Ice Skating/Hockey: Try ice skating or hockey. Both are popular winter activities at Lander City Park for everyone of all ages.

Sledding: Enjoy a day of sledding on one of the hills at Sinks Canyon State Park.

Snowmobile Trails: Enjoy the 70 miles of groomed trails in the Lander/Sinks Canyon area. Lander is the southern-most trailhead to the Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail and is one of the few Wyoming towns that allows snow machines on city streets. From here you can ride the trail uninterrupted into Yellowstone National Park.

Cross Country or Telemark Skiing: Here you will be surrounded by trees and scenic views of the Wind River Mountains. Try the 10 kilometers of groomed trails in the South Pass area. South Pass is known for great skiing and at 7,500 feet you will feel like you are at the top of the world. With the great views from the Lander golf course, you will feel like you are in the back-country while you ski on the groomed trails without leaving town.
Snowmobiling: Snowmobile into Christina and Louis Lakes for plentiful lake trout and brook trout.

Summer Recreation
Downtown: Explore Lander's Historic Downtown District on foot. Lander's Walking Tour Guide provides the history of many buildings as well as anecdotes about some of Lander's more colorful characters. Browse the art galleries, shop the specialty shops, and dine in restaurants and cafes.

Golf: Golf at Lander’s 18 hole public golf course. Take a walk on the Greenway that parallels the Popo Agie River. The Greenway runs from 1st and Main to the Lander City Park.

Tours: Tour Eagle Bronze Foundry, which casts and produces many of the world's largest bronze statues and monuments.

Hike/Backpack: Hike or backpack the many trails in the Wind River Mountains, a range that has over 40 peaks that top 13,000 feet and over 150 glaciers. The "Winds" contain the tallest peak in Wyoming - Gannett Peak at 13,804 feet - and over 735,000 acres of continuous wilderness area, the largest such designation in the continental U.S.

Self Guided Tours: Take a self-guided cassette tape "Explore the Land of Trails" driving tour of Sinks Canyon, the Loop Road, South Pass and Atlantic City, and Red Canyon. You can purchase or rent these tapes at the Lander Area Chamber of Commerce office.

Rock Climb: Rock climb at the internationally renowned Wild Iris and Sinks Canyon climbing areas.

Mountain Bike: Mountain bike on endless trails on public land.

Fishing: Fish our many lakes and mountain streams.

Riding: Horseback ride by the week.

Camping: Camp at one of the beautiful private, state and federal campgrounds or head into the backcountry for more solitude and beauty.

Outfitting: Get into the Wind River Mountains with an outfitter: try llama or horse packing for an outdoor experience with more "creature" comforts.

Sinks Canyon State Park and Environs: See the unusual geological phenomenon at Sinks Canyon State Park - the Popo Agie River disappears into a cavern (the "Sinks") and then reappears in a trout-filled pool ¼ mile downstream (the "Rise"). The visitor center has interpretive materials, an overlook to the Sinks, and nature trails.
Hike a 1.5 mile trail to the 150-foot Popo Agie Falls. Rock climb at this internationally renowned area.

Wildlife Adventures: Hunt for moose, elk, bighorn sheep, antelope, and other wildlife on your own or with the outfitters. Enjoy watching for raptors, songbirds, waterfowl, and upland game birds in several different habitats.

South Pass City and Atlantic City: Tour South Pass City State Historic Site and its interpretive exhibits, living history demonstrations, visitor's center and authentic general store with gift items for sale. Try your luck and skill in panning for gold.

Pioneer Trails: Explore the Pioneer Trails (the Oregon, Mormon, and Pony Express) by car, mountain bike, horseback, or wagon train and see the rugged terrain that over 350,000 emigrants crossed between 1841 and 1866. The South Pass portions of these trails are among the most pristine and well preserved in the state.

For more information on the area please contact:
Lander Chamber of Commerce
160 N 1st Street
307-332-3892

DAY TRIP TO THERMOPOLIS

Thermopolis Top Ten Attractions

HOT SPRINGS STATE PARK
NO ENTRANCE FEE
Lots of grass, trees, walkways, path along terraces, walking bridge, hot mineral pools, picnic areas, etc.

BUFFALO PASTURE
There are several thousand acres dedicated to the buffalo herd that the state of Wyoming maintains at Hot Springs State Park.

WIND RIVER CANYON
The Canyon is located 6 miles South of Thermopolis on WY Hwy 20. The canyon is 14 miles in length and the Big Horn river flows through it. Geologically, the canyon is about 3 billion years old at the South end and 300 million years old at the North end.

WYOMING DINOSAUR CENTER
Approximately one mile east of the traffic light and across the river, you will find the Dinosaur Center. Summer activities include "kids digs" and tours of the active dig sites.

THE HOT SPRINGS & SOAKING POOLS
Located within the boundaries of Hot Spring State Park is the main source of hot water. From this site the water travels to cooling ponds, the terraces, two water slide parks, a state bathhouse and two hotels.

HOT SPRINGS COUNTY MUSEUM
This museum is located one block west of the traffic light. Besides the main museum which has a main floor and basement, there is also an annex across the street.

THERMOPOLIS GOLF COURSE
Golf course is located next to the airport and just east of Roundtop mountain. It has nine holes and is somewhat hilly. Carts are available during season (April-Sept).

WHITE WATER RAFTING
For the adventurous traveler this is a must. White Water Rafting on the Wind River offers grades 4-5 in various areas as well as a trip through a gorgeous canyon. Come and float the beautiful Big Horn River on Rafts, canoes, drift boats, etc.

PETROGLYPHS
Twenty five miles west of Thermopolis is Legend Rock. This Petroglyph site is maintained by the State of Wyoming. These petroglyphs date back thousands of years.

TEDDY BEAR MUSEUM
Three (3) museums in one; Teddy Bear Museum, Quilt Museum and Wax museum. The Chamber of Commerce is also located in the museum building. There is a model railroad display and barbed wire display along with the above.

BOYSEN STATE PARK, DAM & RESERVOIR
Located twenty miles south of Thermopolis you will find Boysen Dam & Reservoir. It is located at the south end of the Wind River Canyon. Just below the dam are two beautiful campgrounds operated by the State of Wyoming.
For more information on the area please contact:

Thermopolis Chamber of Commerce
119 S 6th Street
307-864-3192

DAY TRIP TO
SOUTH PASS

South Pass is the gentle ascent where the trail crosses the Continental Divide. Emigration began in 1843 when over 1,000 people made the 2,000 mile trip. Close to 500,000 individuals traveled this route over the Continent heading for Utah, California and Oregon. The last recorded wagon crossed South Pass in 1912. Wagon ruts and the graves of those who died along the way are visible today. South Pass City is now a renovated historic site offering visitors a glimpse into the past. The site is open during the summer months and is approximately 30 miles from Lander. Atlantic City dates back to the 1860's when thousands rushed to the area to be a part of Wyoming's first gold rush.

Today Atlantic City provides visions of the gold rush years as well as camping, cabins, a bed & breakfast and a restaurant/bar that is a national Historic Site. Miners Delight, an original mining camp established in 1867, is now a ghost town open to visitors wanting to walk back in time. Camp Stambaugh, a few miles away, was established in 1870 to protect the area. Close to South Pass you will find Willie's Handcart Monument, a place dedicated to the 75 members of the Willie Handcart Company who lost their lives in a mid-October 1856 winter storm. Here you will see ruts of the Oregon-Mormon Trail. Oregon Buttes Road will lead you to the most pristine sections of the Oregon-Mormon Trail and at South Pass Overlook you will be able to imagine the hardships of the trail.

DAY TRIP TO
WIND RIVER INDIAN RESERVATION

The 1.7+ million-acre Wind River Indian Reservation, established in 1864 through the Bridger-Teton Treaty with the U.S. government, is home to the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes. The Wind River Indian Reservation offers visitors a cultural peek into the history of two Native American tribes who now share the beautiful wide open spaces north of Lander.

St. Stephen's Mission, a Catholic mission three and a half miles southwest of Riverton, was founded in the early 1900s. The original mission buildings still exist and Mass is still held in the old, recently remodeled church. A gift shop and heritage center is open to the public. The North American Indian Heritage Center offers historic photographs of tribal members.

If you are looking to discover more about Sacajawea, the Wind River Indian Reservation is the place to go. Near Fort Washakie you will find the grave of Sacajawea, her nephew Bazil, and a memorial to her son Baptiste. Many believe she returned to her Shoshone people in Fort Washakie where she died and was buried on April 9, 1884, by the Episcopal missionary, Reverend John Roberts. While living on the Wind River Indian Reservation Sacajawea served as a translator for Chief Washakie in negotiations to establish the reservation and was often seen wearing one the peace medals given out by Lewis and Clark. Sacajawea Cemetery is located in the foothills of the Wind River Mountains where you will find the 13,569-foot Mt. Sacajawea.

Located approximately ½ mile from the Shoshone Tribal Offices, Chief Washakie Cemetery is the final resting place of the last chief of the Shoshone Tribe, Chief Washakie. Chief Washakie is buried in the older section of the cemetery. A large headstone marks his grave.

In the courtyard of the Shoshone Tribal Office, a statue of Chief Washakie can be viewed. This statue was created with such attention to detail that not only does one stand in this courtyard, but also in the US Capitol Building and in the State Capitol Building as well.

At the center of it all, Riverton is a great place to start to see all of these areas. For maps and more information please contact the Riverton Chamber of Commerce.