- Region
- Wyoming
- Country
- United States
- Best for
- backpacking, hiking, camping
- Best season
- Spring, Summer
- Permits
- Confirm Popo Agie Wilderness permit requir…
Plan with verified data
Popo Agie Wilderness (Units 90/92) trip tools
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Bear Country Food StorageBear country: canister, Ursack or hang, and the local rules.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
Photos of Popo Agie Wilderness (Units 90/92)
How to get there
The Popo Agie Wilderness is located on the east side of the Continental Divide in the Wind River Range, near Lander, Wyoming. Access can be gained from Lander, via Sinks Canyon Road (WY 131), which leads to several trailheads. Access into the wilderness from the north via the Wind River Indian Reservation requires obtaining a permit.
- Bruce's Parking Area
From Lander, take 5th street west to the end of the road, then turn right on Sinks Canyon Road and drive about 9 miles to Bruce's Parking Area. This is the trailhead for Popo Agie Falls and the Middle Fork Trail.
- Worthen Meadows Trailhead (Sheep Bridge and Roaring Fork)
The Worthen Meadows area contains two trailheads, Sheep Bridge and Roaring Fork, which provide access to the Popo Agie Wilderness.
- Popo Agie Campground
To reach the Popo Agie Nature Trail, take Sinks Canyon Road / 131 southwest out of Lander into Sinks Canyon State Park and park at the Popo Agie Campground.
- Popo Agie River Canyon Road End Trailhead
The Popo Agie River Canyon Road, an 18-mile scenic dirt drive through Shoshone National Forest, ends at a trailhead that accesses the Cirque of the Towers. A stock high-clearance vehicle is required.
- Middle Fork Popo Agie Public Access Area
This Public Access Area is located on the Middle Fork Popo Agie River, downstream of Sinks Canyon. Turn east off of WY Hwy 131 (Sinks Canyon Rd.) and follow to the fishing access parking area.
Sources: wyoparks.wyo.gov · Wikipedia · Wikivoyage · U.S. Forest Service. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Wyoming · United States · Season: Fall hunting seasons
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Climbing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Photography
Overview
The Popo Agie Wilderness, part of the Wind River Range, is defined by its dramatic granite peaks, high-alpine lakes, and subalpine forests. This is a rugged, scenic wilderness that provides excellent habitat for mule deer willing to climb. The 'Popo Agie' is named after a Crow Indian phrase meaning 'start of the waters,' referencing the headwaters of the Popo Agie River. What makes it special is its remoteness from easy road access and the challenging terrain that keeps many hunters out. Access is primarily from trailheads west of Lander, with pack-ins of 5-15 miles needed to reach productive areas. The ideal season is late September through early October, before significant snows close off high passes. This hunt demands strong physical fitness, navigational expertise, and the ability to deal with high-altitude conditions. Standard Wyoming deer tags are required; wilderness permits are generally self-issued at trailheads. Trade-offs include the physical demands of high-altitude hunting, rapidly changing weather, and the presence of grizzly bears, though fewer than in the Absarokas or Thorofare. The sheer number of lakes can also make route-finding complicated.
Why it stands out
Spectacular high-alpine scenery with numerous lakes and granite peaks
Excellent opportunities for spotting and stalking mule deer above timberline
Significant challenge for hunters seeking a true wilderness experience
Potential for combining a deer hunt with fishing in pristine alpine lakes
Fewer hunters willing to penetrate the deepest sections
Know before you go
Very high elevations, requiring acclimatization and good fitness
Abrupt and severe weather shifts, including early blizzards
Presence of grizzly bears in some areas, especially lower elevations
Route-finding can be complex due to varied terrain and numerous lakes
Long pack-in distances over difficult terrain
Planning notes
Where: Wyoming, United States Best season: Fall hunting seasons Good for: Backpacking, Hiking, Camping, Wildlife Viewing Featured on: Top 10 High-Country Mule Deer Backpacking Units in Wyoming (#5) Access point: Popo Agie Wilderness, Lander, WY 82520, USA
Check current permits, closures and fire restrictions with the managing agency before you commit to dates.
Field notes
- Spectacular high-alpine scenery with numerous lakes and granite peaks
- Excellent opportunities for spotting and stalking mule deer above timberline
- Significant challenge for hunters seeking a true wilderness experience
- Potential for combining a deer hunt with fishing in pristine alpine lakes
- Fewer hunters willing to penetrate the deepest sections
Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Popo Agie Wilderness (Units 90/92), United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
Coordinates
- Decimal degrees
- 42.7488, -109.0926
- Latitude (DMS)
- 42° 44′ 55.8″ N
- Longitude (DMS)
- 109° 5′ 33.5″ W
Coordinates are an access-point reference for Popo Agie Wilderness (Units 90/92), not a route. Carry a paper map and confirm trailhead or put-in access with the managing agency before you go.
Topic summary
The Popo Agie Wilderness, part of the Wind River Range, is defined by its dramatic granite peaks, high-alpine lakes, and subalpine forests.
Key takeaways
- Region: Wyoming
- Country: United States
- Best season: Fall hunting seasons
- Good for: backpacking, hiking, camping, wildlife viewing
- Coordinates: 42.749, -109.093
Intended uses
- backpacking
- hiking
- camping
- wildlife viewing
Climate suitability
Fall hunting seasons
Keep planning
Popular pursuits at Popo Agie Wilderness (Units 90/92)
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Hunting
Seasons, tags, and the units that hold animals.
- Climbing
Rock and alpine lines with approach beta.
- Wildlife Viewing
Best light, best season, and where animals move.
- Canoeing
Paddle routes, portages, and put-ins.
Animals around Popo Agie Wilderness (Units 90/92)
Trip-planning details need confirmation
Popo Agie Wilderness (Units 90/92) is the requested destination in Wyoming, United States. Place-specific access, routes, terrain, seasonal conditions, and management details cannot be established here. The meaning and boundaries of “Units 90/92” also need confirmation before they are used for navigation or trip planning. Confirm the destination boundaries, managing agency, trailheads, and route conditions before choosing an itinerary. Check permit requirements and any applicable fees directly with the managing agency. No driving directions, route distances, difficulty ratings, or access recommendations are supplied because those details have not been verified for this destination.
Sample itineraries
- Day-trip planning outline · 1 day
A planning outline, not a verified route: confirm a Popo Agie Wilderness access point, trail conditions, and a suitable turnaround with the managing agency before choosing a day hike.
- Overnight planning outline · 2 days
A planning outline, not a verified route: confirm overnight requirements, legal camping locations, access, and current conditions before selecting an outbound route and return plan. No specific campsite or trail is established here.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Not established
Destination-specific spring conditions and access timing are not established. Confirm conditions with the managing agency before choosing travel dates.
Summer
Not established
No verified summer access window or trail conditions are available here. Do not treat a summer departure as confirmation that a proposed route is usable.
Fall
Not established
Destination-specific fall conditions are not established. Obtain a current forecast and agency access update before finalizing a route.
Winter
Not established
Winter access and route suitability are not established. Confirm both before planning a trip.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Not established | Destination-specific spring conditions and access timing are not established. Confirm conditions with the managing agency before choosing travel dates. |
| Summer | Not established | No verified summer access window or trail conditions are available here. Do not treat a summer departure as confirmation that a proposed route is usable. |
| Fall | Not established | Destination-specific fall conditions are not established. Obtain a current forecast and agency access update before finalizing a route. |
| Winter | Not established | Winter access and route suitability are not established. Confirm both before planning a trip. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm Popo Agie Wilderness permit requirements directly with the managing agency.
Official source: Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites, & Trails - Permits & Fees · Verified September 18, 2026
Hazards & regulations
- Route hazards are not established here; obtain a destination-specific conditions update before selecting a trail.
- Seasonal access is unverified; do not rely on these planning outlines as confirmation that an access point is usable.
- The meaning and boundaries of Units 90/92 are unverified; confirm the applicable boundaries and regulations before planning unit-specific activities.
What to pack for Popo Agie Wilderness (Units 90/92)
- Current destination map with verified access points
- Confirmed route and return plan
- Managing agency contact information
- Current conditions report
- Confirmed regulations for the intended activity
Popo Agie Wilderness (Units 90/92) FAQ
- Are these ready-to-follow itineraries?
- No. They are planning outlines only. Trail names, access points, distances, and campsite details have not been established.
- What do Units 90/92 identify?
- Their designation and boundaries are not established here. Confirm what the unit numbers refer to and whether they apply to the intended activity.
- Do Wyoming state park fees apply?
- No applicable fee has been established for Popo Agie Wilderness. Confirm destination-specific requirements with the managing agency rather than assuming state park rules apply.
- When is the best time to visit?
- A reliable seasonal recommendation cannot be made without destination-specific access and conditions information. Check with the managing agency before selecting dates.
- Which wildlife should visitors prepare for?
- No destination-specific species are established here. Ask the managing agency about wildlife precautions and food-storage requirements before assembling a final packing list.