The
valley of the Big Wind River is a fabled pioneer
territory, with more history that one can absorb in a
short visit. What was once part of the enormous Wind
River Indian Reservation is now the town of Riverton. It
lies in the center of a half-million acres which were
withdrawn from the reservation for homesteading. The town
was founded in 1906.
The
Wind River Reservation is an important player in
Wyoming's economy. It's home to the Eastern Shoshone and
Northern Arapahoe tribes. Two million acres of land are
Indian-owned. The Shoshone live in the northern, western
and southcentral portions of the reservation while the
Arapahoe occupy the southeast segment. Annual pow wows
are held at Fort Washakie, Crowheart, Ethete and
Arapahoe. The grave of famed Chief Washakie is found at
Ft. Washakie. He died in 1900 at the age of 102. Riverton
is a modern agricultural community with accommodations
for travelers including motels and RV parks.
What
to See & Do
Riverton
makes an ideal base for exploring the historic topwns and
natural attractions of the area, including Lander, South
Pass City and the ghost town of Atlantic City.
Lander
is nestled beside the Wind River Ranmge foothills, on the
banks of the Popo Agie River. It was a frontier military
outpost and was the first permanent settlement in the
region. People come from far and wide to explore the
natural wonders of Sinks Canyon State Park, where the
river cascades down a dramatic waterfall, and then
disappears into a cave in the side of a mountain, and
comess back to the surface a quarter-mile down the
canyon. The park offers spectacular rock climbing
possibilities, and is the scene of the annual
International Climbers Festival, held each July.
Other
activities available include wildflower viewing in the
soporing, exploring the geology of Ree Canyonb, touring
thev Wind RIver Reservation, and cross-country skiing in
the wilderness or on groomed trails.
South
Pass City, located southeast of Riverton on Highway
28, is one of the West's most important historic sites.
The town was built in 1867 when gold fever struck the
region. The outstanding find at the Carissa Mine brought
hundreds of prospectors and within a year, the town's
population boomed to 2,000. South Pass Avenue was half a
mile long, filled with stores, hotels, saloons, banks,
and other attractions for miners. More than 30 gold mines
were opened. The nation's first female judge, Esther
Morris, was appoionmted by the town, the vanguard of
Wyoming's women's suffrage movement. The town boomed but
the bust came in 1872 leaving the region to ranchers.
South Pass City is now a remarkable historic site, with
24 old buildings, picnic sites and a visitor center. The
center has demonstrations, lectures and audio-visual
shows during the summer months. The celebration on July
4th draws people from every part of the state -- and
beyond.
To
get to South Pass City, drive southwest from Riverton on
Highway 789 to Lander and then take Highway 28 south to a
sideroad which leads through Atlantic City (a
semi-ghost town) to the historic site. Atlantic City was
a gold mining camp and now mostly ghost town although a
few rustic homes are occupied. The businesses which are
open in the original buildings cater to travelers. There
are still a few operating gold mines in the area. South
Pass City is 35 miles southwest of Lander and 59 miles
from Riverton. Sink's Canyon State Park is six
miles southwest of Lander, providing a handy picnicking
stop or a campsite when visiting nearby South Pass
City.
Where
to Eat
Lander
has the best eating places in the area and makes a good
stop while visiting South Pass City. Try Judd's
Grub (burgers, seafood, Mexican) at 634 Main, or
The Loft (upstairs at 351 Main St.) for Thai
cuisine.
Camping
Wind
River Good Sams RV Park
1618 E. Park Ave, Riverton 82501
307-857-3000 800-528-3913
E-mail
Rudy's
Camper Court
622 East Lincoln (1/2 block west of U.S. 26)
307-856-9764
Open all year, near museum, shopping, golf, with full
hook-ups.
Owl
Creek Kampground
11124 US Hwy 26E-789, 5 miles northeast of Riverton,
Riverton 82501
307-856-2869
Email
