Activities
Hiking & Backpacking
Camping
Wilderness Pack Trips
Wilderness Fishing
Rock Climbing
Mountain Climbing

Hiking & Backcountry Recreation
The high Wind River Mountains typically don’t free up from snow until around mid-July. “Summer” in the high country is about 3 months long, usually lasting until mid-September before snows return. That being said, it can snow ANY day of the year in the mountains given the right weather conditions. Backcountry visitors should come prepared for a variety of weather conditions for warm days and possible very cold nights. Good footwear, warm clothing to layer, sunscreen and bug repellant are mainstays for the supply list.

Much of the high country terrain is above tree level, hikers should also bring self-contained portable stoves and fuel supply. Water purification tablets or filters are also a must to avoid ingesting harmful microorganisms from surface water sources. The water may look clean, but do not drink from lakes or streams without first purifying the water. Mosquitoes and biting bugs are at their worst during July and August. By late August and September the bugs generally aren’t so prolific.

There are many good guidebooks and maps for the Wind River Mountains available at bookstores or to order online. There are also many web pages by people who have done hikes into the Winds that can be found using search engine searches on terms like “hiking Wind River Mountains”.

Wilderness Areas
Four designated wilderness areas are located within the Wind River Mountains. Three are managed by the U.S. Forest Service from two National Forests, the fourth is managed by the Shoshone and Arapho Tribes from the Wind River Indian Reservation.

Note that there are no roads in designated wilderness areas. Mechanized vehicles, including snowmobiles and mountain bikes, are not allowed in the wilderness, but are allowed outside those boundaries.

Popular areas of these wilderness areas get a lot of visitors during the peak summer months, so expect company and some competition for campsites in some areas. With millions of acres in which to play, there are many places to go to get away from it all and be alone.

All users should be aware that in the wilderness setting, help can sometimes be days away should misfortune or emergencies arise. Cell phones often do not have reception in many remote areas, so visitors should come prepared to take care of medical emergencies and subsist without help for days.

Special regulations apply to wilderness areas, so be sure to check with the managing entity for rules for the area you plan to visit. Organized groups typically require a free permit, and there is a day stay limit for camping to avoid overuse of areas.

Not all trails are maintained in the backcountry and some trails are not recommended for pack stock. Be sure to bring good maps, compass and research the area you plan to visit so you are aware of what you can expect to encounter when there. Be alert for signs of hypothermia and altitude sickness.

Wind River Range Wilderness Areas:
Bridger Wilderness ( Bridger-Teton National Forest)
Popo Agie Wilderness ( Shoshone National Forest)
Fitzpatrick Wilderness ( Shoshone National Forest) | Wind River Roadless Area ( Wind River Indian Reservation)

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
Approximately 80 miles of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) runs through Wyoming. This scenic trail goes from Mexico to Canada. In Wyoming, it goes from the Sierra Madre mountains to the western edge of Yellowstone National Park along the Continental Divide. The trail passes through the Big Sandy Opening in the southern part of the Winds to Green River Lakes on the northern end of the range. The trail is marked with CDT signs, wooden signs, tree blazes or rock cairns. In some places, the trail is obscure, so it is helpful to have good maps and a compass with you. This is a very scenic segment of the CDT, making this hike a memorable one that will last a lifetime.