Wind River Range

State: Wyoming. Type: Rocky Mountain subrange, roughly 100 miles long, running through Fremont County and neighboring areas in western Wyoming. Home to Gannett Peak (13,804 ft), Wyoming's highest point, and Gannett Glacier, the largest single glacier in the U.S. Rockies. Managed across the Shoshone National Forest (east side) and Bridger-Teton National Forest (west side), with roughly 728,020 acres protected across the Bridger, Fitzpatrick and Popo Agie Wilderness areas.

The Wind River Range is one of the Rocky Mountains' most rugged and glaciated subranges, stretching about 100 miles across western Wyoming with the Continental Divide running along its crest. Its high point, Gannett Peak at 13,804 feet, is the tallest mountain in Wyoming, and the range holds more than 180 glaciers, including Gannett Glacier, the largest single glacier in the contiguous U.S. Rockies. Access towns Pinedale and Lander sit on opposite sides of the range and serve as jumping-off points for its wilderness areas. The range is split between the Shoshone National Forest on its east flank and the Bridger-Teton National Forest to the west, with three designated wilderness areas -- the Bridger, Fitzpatrick, and Popo Agie -- protecting roughly 728,000 acres of alpine terrain. Backcountry destinations like Titcomb Basin and the Cirque of the Towers draw serious backpackers and climbers, and a section of the Continental Divide Trail through the range was voted hikers' favorite stretch of the entire 3,000-mile trail in 2019. The range also supports grizzly bears, elk, moose, bighorn sheep and roughly 300 bird species.

The Wind River Range lies primarily in Fremont County in western Wyoming, with the Continental Divide running along its crest. The main access towns are Pinedale on the west side and Lander on the southeast side.

As a high alpine range with peaks over 13,000 feet and more than 180 glaciers, the Wind River Range has a cold, snowy alpine climate with a short summer hiking/climbing season; specific temperature data was not confirmed on the sources checked, so travelers should check current mountain-weather forecasts before a trip.

Summer is the primary backcountry season given the range's high elevation and glaciers, though specific opening/closing dates for snow-free trail access were not confirmed on the sources checked; check current trail-condition reports from the Bridger-Teton or Shoshone National Forests before planning a trip.

The range's wilderness areas -- the Bridger, Fitzpatrick and Popo Agie -- were established to protect its glaciated high country, which totals roughly 728,020 acres of designated wilderness. Specific establishment dates for each wilderness area were not confirmed on the source checked. The range's Cirque of the Towers and Titcomb Basin have long been popular with climbers and backpackers, and a section of the Continental Divide Trail crossing the range was voted hikers' favorite section of the trail in a 2019 survey.

Backpacking to destinations like Titcomb Basin and the Cirque of the Towers is the range's signature activity, along with technical mountaineering on peaks such as Gannett Peak. The Continental Divide Trail crosses the range in a stretch voted hikers' favorite section of the full trail. White Pine Ski Resort, near Pinedale, offers the range's only lift-accessible skiing. Fishing for trout in alpine lakes and wildlife viewing (grizzly bears, elk, moose, bighorn sheep) are also popular.

Titcomb Basin and the Cirque of the Towers are the range's best-known backcountry destinations. Gannett Peak, Wyoming's highest point at 13,804 feet, and Gannett Glacier, the largest single glacier in the U.S. Rockies, are major natural landmarks. The Bridger, Fitzpatrick and Popo Agie Wilderness areas protect the bulk of the high country.

Pinedale (west side) and Lander (southeast side) are the two main gateway towns. The Big Sandy Trailhead, roughly a 2-hour drive from either Pinedale or Lander, is the closest access point to the popular Cirque of the Towers, reached via 27 miles of dirt road (the final 10 miles rough but generally passable in a 2WD vehicle from Pinedale, per trip-planning sources) or via the Sweetwater Rest Area turn off Highway 28 from Lander.

There are no gate hours for the wilderness areas themselves, though trailhead access can be seasonal depending on snowpack; specific seasonal opening dates were not confirmed on the sources checked, so check current Bridger-Teton or Shoshone National Forest trail reports before a trip.

No permit is required for individual backpackers heading to destinations like the Cirque of the Towers, though self-registration at trailhead stations is required. Permits are required for organized groups (e.g., Scout troops) and for overnight stock use (horses, mules, llamas, pack goats). Travelers entering the Wind River Indian Reservation portion of the area need a separate tribal permit.

Multi-day backpacking trips are typical, given the roughly 2-hour drive just to reach trailheads like Big Sandy, plus a 6-mile hike to Big Sandy Lake and a further approximately 4-mile push over Jackass Pass to reach the Cirque of the Towers; day-hike options nearer trailheads are also possible for shorter visits.

Pinedale and Lander both offer small-town lodging (motels, inns, lodges) as gateway communities; backcountry travelers typically camp within the wilderness areas at designated or dispersed sites, such as those at Big Sandy Lake. Specific lodging names were not confirmed on the sources checked.

Pinedale and Lander both have small-town dining options serving as the last stop before backcountry trips; specific restaurant names were not confirmed on the sources checked.

Pinedale and Lander themselves offer regional history and outfitting services. The broader Wind River Indian Reservation borders parts of the range, requiring a tribal permit for travel within its boundaries. Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks lie further north in the same general region of Wyoming.

No details on nearby commercial airports were confirmed on the sources checked; Pinedale and Lander are the practical staging towns, reached by personal or rental vehicle, with the closest regional airport service likely in Jackson or Riverton (unconfirmed here -- verify independently).

This is remote, high-elevation wilderness with cold overnight temperatures even in summer, grizzly bear presence, and long approach hikes/drives -- carry bear-aware food storage and be prepared for self-rescue given the distance from services. Self-registration at trailheads helps rangers track backcountry use. A separate tribal permit is required if your route crosses into the Wind River Indian Reservation. Mountain weather can change quickly at these elevations.

Full backpacking gear (tent, sleeping bag rated for cold nights, bear-resistant food storage), navigation tools, and layered clothing for rapidly changing alpine weather. A high-clearance or 2WD-capable vehicle is useful for the rough final miles of dirt road to trailheads like Big Sandy.

Register at the trailhead self-registration station when starting a trip. Budget roughly 2 hours of driving from Pinedale or Lander just to reach the Big Sandy Trailhead, plus a full day of hiking to reach the Cirque of the Towers via Big Sandy Lake and Jackass Pass. Check current trail and snowpack conditions with the Bridger-Teton or Shoshone National Forest before setting out, and confirm whether your planned route crosses Wind River Indian Reservation land requiring a tribal permit.

Dial 911 for any emergency, though cell service is unreliable in this remote wilderness; carrying a satellite communicator is a common backcountry precaution. For land-management questions, contact the Bridger-Teton National Forest or Shoshone National Forest offices.

Bridger-Teton National Forest (USDA Forest Service) - https://www.fs.usda.gov/btnf ; Shoshone National Forest (USDA Forest Service) - https://www.fs.usda.gov/shoshone

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.