- Region
- Wyoming, USA
- Best season
- Spring, Summer
- Permits
- Confirm permit requirements, camping rules…
- Managed by
- Bridger-Teton National Forest on the west and Shoshone National Forest on the east encompass most of the range. Portions of the eastern side lie within the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Plan with verified data
Wind River Range trip tools
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
Photos of Wind River Range
How to get there
The Wind River Range is in western Wyoming. Orient access planning around Bridger-Teton National Forest on the west side of the Continental Divide and Shoshone National Forest on the east. Portions of the eastern side are within the Wind River Indian Reservation; confirm the jurisdiction and actual access before traveling.
- Bridger-Teton National Forest
Regional access-planning area on the west side of the Continental Divide, not a specific trailhead. Identify and verify an approach suited to the intended destination.
- Shoshone National Forest
Regional access-planning area on the east side of the Continental Divide, not a specific trailhead. Check the jurisdiction of the chosen approach because portions of the eastern range lie within the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Wyoming, USA · Season: Best: Jul – early Sep
- Fishing
- Climbing
- Mountaineering
- Hiking
- Backpacking
- Wildlife Viewing
The country
The Winds sit south of the Absarokas and hold most of Wyoming's remaining glaciers. Approaches are long — 8 to 20 miles just to reach the alpine — which is why the crowds stay small.
Why enthusiasts come
It's the American Alps that Coloradans go to when Colorado feels tame. Climbing, backpacking, and trail-running objectives stack for weeks.
Planner-relevant notes
Bridger-Teton and Shoshone national forests, no permits, minimal restriction — leave-no-trace matters more here. Mosquitoes into late July.
Top experiences
The Cirque of the Towers (Big Sandy trailhead) is the classic 3-night intro. The Fremont-Titcomb backpack from Elkhart is the deeper mountain trip. Gannett Peak is Wyoming's highpoint (technical). Fishing golden trout in Titcomb Basin.
Planning essentials
No permits required for backcountry camping — a rare luxury. Bear canisters strongly recommended (grizzly reintroduction is expanding). Trailheads are remote and unpaved.
Field notes
- The 'Big Sandy' side is drier and gets you into the Cirque fastest.
- Elkhart Park is the standard Titcomb trailhead — long but stable.
- Snowfields on Bonney and Knapsack Cols can hold into August.
- Snow lingers at pass elevations through July in average snow years.
- Golden trout in Titcomb Basin are the only ones many anglers ever catch on trail.
Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Wind River Range, Wyoming, USA. 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
- 43.1500, -109.6000
- Latitude (DMS)
- 43° 8′ 60.0″ N
- Longitude (DMS)
- 109° 35′ 60.0″ W
Coordinates are an access-point reference for Wind River Range, not a route. Carry a paper map and confirm trailhead or put-in access with the managing agency before you go.
Topic summary
The finest granite alpine range in the Lower 48 — Cirque of the Towers, Titcomb Basin, and 100 miles of glaciated country.
Key takeaways
- Region: Wyoming, USA
- Best season: Best: Jul – early Sep
- Coordinates: 43.150, -109.600
Climate suitability
Best: Jul – early Sep
Keep planning
Popular pursuits at Wind River Range
- Fishing
Resident gamefish, seasons, and the water that holds them.
- Climbing
Rock and alpine lines with approach beta.
- Mountaineering
Glacier and high-route objectives with real consequence.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Wildlife Viewing
Best light, best season, and where animals move.
Animals around Wind River Range
A high mountain range in western Wyoming
The Wind River Range runs roughly northwest to southeast for approximately 100 miles through western Wyoming. The Continental Divide follows its crest, giving the range a clear geographic backbone for trip planning. Gannett Peak reaches 13,802 feet and is Wyoming’s highest mountain; Fremont Peak, at 13,750 feet, ranks third in the state. Beyond those two summits, more than 40 other named peaks exceed 12,999 feet. Those elevations matter when choosing an objective: this is high mountain country, and a destination name alone says little about the demands of reaching it. Build plans around a specific approach and turnaround point rather than treating the entire range as one outing. Allow room for changing mountain weather, and match the objective to the group’s experience.
Choose a side before choosing an approach
Most of the Winds falls within two national forests that together include three wilderness areas. Shoshone National Forest lies east of the Continental Divide, while Bridger-Teton National Forest lies to the west. Portions of the range’s eastern side are within the Wind River Indian Reservation. That layout makes land jurisdiction an early planning question, not something to sort out after arriving. First identify which side of the divide contains the intended objective, then establish which authority manages the actual approach. A forest name is useful regional orientation, but it is not a trailhead or a complete set of access directions. Confirm the chosen access and current requirements with the relevant managing authority before committing to an itinerary, especially where a plan involves different jurisdictions.
Plan around the terrain, not just the summit
The Winds and both national forests are part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. For an outdoor trip, the defining combination is extensive mountain terrain, wilderness lands, and a crest lined with very high peaks. Gannett Peak and Fremont Peak provide recognizable objectives, but their elevations and prominence do not establish a suitable route for any particular group. Likewise, the Continental Divide describes the range’s crest rather than a ready-made hiking itinerary. Separate destination selection from route selection: decide what kind of mountain outing fits the group, then verify the approach, terrain, and equipment needed. Carry layers for changing conditions, plan water needs, and use wildlife-aware food storage appropriate to the managing authority’s guidance. Keep the plan flexible enough to turn back when conditions exceed the group’s ability.
Route options
- Continental Divide crest
The Continental Divide follows the crest of the Wind River Range. This is a geographic focus for route research, not a verified continuous trail itinerary; establish a specific segment and approach before planning travel.
- Gannett Peak
At 13,802 feet, Gannett Peak is Wyoming’s highest mountain. Treat it as an objective requiring separate approach and route verification, not as a defined hike with established access or difficulty here.
- Fremont Peak
Fremont Peak rises to 13,750 feet and is Wyoming’s third-highest mountain. Select an approach only after confirming the terrain and required skills; no specific ascent itinerary is established here.
Sample itineraries
- Western Winds day hike · 1 day
Plan a day hike on the Bridger-Teton National Forest side of the range. Choose a route after checking current access and conditions with the forest. Keep the objective modest enough to return without committing to the high crest.
- Eastern Winds overnight · 2 days
Plan an overnight outing on the Shoshone National Forest side. Confirm the route, camping rules and land boundaries before departure; portions of the eastern range lie within the Wind River Indian Reservation. Use the second day for the return rather than adding an unverified cross-range connection.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Conditions-dependent; confirm locally
Treat high-elevation access as uncertain until current conditions are checked. Snow and cold can make a mountain outing more demanding than conditions at the starting point suggest. Keep plans flexible rather than assuming the crest is accessible.
Summer
Conditions-dependent; confirm locally
The range's high elevations still call for warm layers and weather protection. Check conditions for the intended route rather than assuming summer means snow-free travel or mild weather along the Continental Divide.
Fall
Conditions-dependent; confirm locally
Plan conservatively for cold and changing mountain weather. Carry enough insulation for delays, and shorten objectives when conditions make exposed high terrain unsuitable.
Winter
Conditions-dependent; confirm locally
Treat winter travel as a cold-weather mountain undertaking, not an extension of summer hiking. Confirm access and snow conditions, and choose terrain that matches the group's equipment and experience.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Conditions-dependent; confirm locally | Treat high-elevation access as uncertain until current conditions are checked. Snow and cold can make a mountain outing more demanding than conditions at the starting point suggest. Keep plans flexible rather than assuming the crest is accessible. |
| Summer | Conditions-dependent; confirm locally | The range's high elevations still call for warm layers and weather protection. Check conditions for the intended route rather than assuming summer means snow-free travel or mild weather along the Continental Divide. |
| Fall | Conditions-dependent; confirm locally | Plan conservatively for cold and changing mountain weather. Carry enough insulation for delays, and shorten objectives when conditions make exposed high terrain unsuitable. |
| Winter | Conditions-dependent; confirm locally | Treat winter travel as a cold-weather mountain undertaking, not an extension of summer hiking. Confirm access and snow conditions, and choose terrain that matches the group's equipment and experience. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm permit requirements, camping rules and access with the managing national forest or relevant tribal authority for the exact route.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- High elevation: Gannett Peak reaches 13,802 feet, and many other peaks exceed 12,999 feet. Allow time to adjust and turn back if altitude symptoms develop.
- Mountain weather: the high Continental Divide crest warrants insulation, weather protection and conservative turnaround decisions.
- Navigation and remoteness: the range extends approximately 100 miles and includes three wilderness areas. Carry offline navigation and leave a trip plan.
- Land boundaries: portions of the eastern range lie within the Wind River Indian Reservation. Verify access rather than assuming national forest rules apply everywhere.
What to pack for Wind River Range
- Topographic map showing the intended route and land boundaries
- Compass and offline navigation
- Written trip plan shared with a trusted contact
- Insulating layers
- Waterproof outer layer
- Warm hat and gloves
- Emergency shelter
- Water and a treatment method
- Food plus a reserve
- First-aid kit
- Headlamp
- Sun protection
Wind River Range FAQ
- Where is the Wind River Range?
- The Wind River Range lies in western Wyoming and runs roughly northwest to southeast for approximately 100 miles. The Continental Divide follows its crest.
- Which agencies manage the range?
- Most of the range is encompassed by Shoshone National Forest on the east and Bridger-Teton National Forest on the west, including three wilderness areas. Portions of the eastern range are within the Wind River Indian Reservation.
- What is the highest mountain?
- Gannett Peak, at 13,802 feet, is the highest mountain in both the range and Wyoming. Fremont Peak reaches 13,750 feet.
- Can one set of access rules cover the whole trip?
- Do not assume so. Identify the land jurisdiction along the entire route and confirm requirements with the relevant forest or tribal authority, especially on the eastern side.
- Is the range part of Greater Yellowstone?
- Yes. The entire Wind River Range and both national forests are part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
- How should a first visit be planned?
- Start with a modest objective on one side of the range. Verify the actual route, access and current conditions before choosing an overnight or high-crest trip. Elevation and wilderness terrain matter more than a destination name alone.