Wind River Range: Explore Wyoming’s Breathtaking Wilderness

The jagged peaks of the Teton Mountains, the ski slopes of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and the gurgling geothermal pools of Yellowstone tend to get all of the shine when people consider booking a trip to Wyoming. Nature lovers will happily tell you that Wyoming is a magnificently beautiful place brimming with vast stretches of wilderness—such as the Wind River Range—where you are more likely to run into a bison than another human being.

The Wind River Range—which spans 2.25 million acres—is home to pristine glacier-fed lakes, cascading waterfalls, and dramatic 13,000-foot-high peaks. Cell phone reception is sparse and amenities are few, but visitors who are hearty enough to hike the Winds—as hiking enthusiasts call the range—can expect to experience a level of solitude that is increasingly rare in our bustling modern world.

Hiking the Winds requires a high degree of fitness and some meticulous planning. It is important to pack a map, a compass, a GPS, and ample amounts of food and water. The trailheads in the Winds are located on remote roads, so it is vital to ensure that your automobile is in working order and has a full tank of gas. Last but not least, mosquitos are a menace during the warmer months, so be sure to pack wilderness-grade bug repellent.

Experiencing the splendor of the Winds is certainly worth the preparation. The Cirque of Towers features a semi-circle of 15 jagged peaks that are located above the tree line. Hikers can expect to view thundering waterfalls, stately rock formations, and patches of sparkling snow year-round. The best time to hike the Cirque of Towers is from July-September, due to a lesser risk of extreme weather.

If you’re yearning to explore a sparsely populated wilderness area are but still would like a guide, Wyoming is home to numerous dude and guest ranches. Visitors can spend a few nights at a guest ranch and opt to explore the Winds via horseback, or with a trusty pack llama. Guest and dude ranches allow travelers to experience rustic cowboy living with amenities such as comfortable beds, warm meals, and hot showers.

If the crowds at Yellowstone and the Tetons are making you claustrophobic, consider venturing west to the Wind River Range. Few travel experiences compare to observing several bighorn sheep peacefully drinking from a shimmering mountain lake high above the tree line, without another human anywhere in sight to disrupt them.