August 9, 2022
Wyoming Fall Colors: Scenic Drives and Aspen Groves
The remarkable geological and wildlife destination of Yellowstone National Park receives visitors all year round. A short distance away, Wyoming’s Wind River Country provides breathtaking landscapes, and we often say that autumn is our best kept secret.
Nights are cool and days are still long enough to fill with sight-seeing and exploration. The colors begin to change from greens to reds, oranges and yellows. Fish are biting and wildlife is active. Outdoor recreation abounds with opportunities from hunting and fishing to climbing and mountain biking. Set your GPS to go beyond Yellowstone because Wind River Country in the fall awaits.
Wyoming in Fall: Things to Do in Riverton
Riverton is known as the Rendezvous City because of its history in the days of fur trappers and traders, and it still lives up to the name. Gather here and participate in local events and explore the unique landscape surrounding it.
Autumn Activities in Riverton
Discover Castle Gardens Petroglyph Site
Castle Gardens is a natural development of stark white spires and ancient petroglyphs.
Take On Boysen State Park
Boysen State Park is a mingling of desert and vast waters, and it leads to the dramatic Wind River Canyon.
Visit the 1838 Mountain Man Rendezvous Grounds
The 1838 Mountain Man Rendezvous Grounds is the true location of the original rendezvous. Here you can walk in the same footsteps as historical traders.
Hit the Wyoming Heritage Trail
Take a stroll or bike ride along the Wyoming Heritage Trail, once a busy railroad that has since been transformed into a scenic path that stretches 22 miles from Riverton to Shoshoni. Equestrians and ATVs are also allowed on the trail. You’ll experience a variety of unique Wyoming landscapes, including views of changing foliage along the river, open fields, sand dunes and high desert plains, as well as historical monuments such as the Historical Black Bridge.
Experience History at the Riverton Museum
Learn about the history of the Rendezvous City at the Riverton Museum. Try some of the local cuisine, from fresh wood-fired pizzas to juicy local beef burgers and steaks.
Things to Do in Fall: Wind River Indian Reservation
Just beyond Riverton, you’ll find the Wind River Indian Reservation, home to the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes.
Autumn Activities on the Wind River Indian Reservation
Take a Scenic Driving Tour
Take a couple of hours and follow the Wind River Indian Reservation driving tour to learn more about the region, its history and the enduring culture.
Visit the Northern Arapaho Experience Culture Room
Located inside the Wind River Hotel & Casino, the Northern Arapaho Experience Culture Room provides visitors the opportunity to see the past, present and future of the Northern Arapaho. They also offer tours, language lessons and storytelling.
Discover the Wind River Wild Horse Sanctuary
The Wind River Wild Horse Sanctuary welcomes visitors to learn about wild mustangs, Native American culture and life on a working ranch on the Wind River Indian Reservation. Take a tour via horse-drawn wagon or ATV and feel the ground tremble as the wild horses run.
Visit Fort Washakie and the Sacajawea Cemetery
Fort Washakie is home to the Shoshone Tribal Cultural Center and the cemeteries where both Chief Washakie and Lewis and Clark’s Shoshone guide, Sacajawea, are buried.
Shop at Wind River Trading Company
You will also find the Wind River Trading Company that features locally made Native American artwork, including hand-tanned leather goods, beadwork and drums.
Things to Do in Fall: Wyoming Fall Colors in Lander
Lander is nestled in the foothills of the Wind River Mountains and offers a multitude of outdoor recreation opportunities as well as plenty of shops and restaurants.
Autumn Activities in Lander
Browse Lander’s Main Street
Soak up the art on Main Street, dine on locally sourced meals and sip beverages at at one of two microbreweries.
Visit the Fremont County Pioneer Museum
Check out the history of Lander at the Fremont County Pioneer Museum.
Hit Awesome Autumn Trails
As the hot summer heat dissipates, time spent outside gets cooler and cooler, with crisp air and the feel of autumn. Mountain bikers and climbers like to take full advantage of fall in Wind River Country. Trails are dry and are well maintained after a summer of use. There are multiple races, rides and clinics.
Go Rock Climbing
Local climbers fully embrace “Send-tember” and “Rock-tober.” Cooler temperatures make for ideal conditions.
Explore Sinks Canyon State Park
Trek through Sinks Canyon State Park and as deep into the Wind River Mountains as your legs desire. The Popo Agie Falls Trail is a fall favorite among locals. Watch the aspens turn gold as you hike along the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River and ascend just 1.5 miles of trail until you reach the cascading falls.
Go Fishing in the Fall
Fall is also a prime season for fishing in Wind River Country. Species like brown trout are setting up to spawn once the temperatures begin to cool down. Some of the bigger fish start to feed more aggressively to put on weight for the winter ahead.
Wyoming Fall Colors and Things to Do in Dubois
The small western town of Dubois has a lot to offer, especially in the fall.
Autumn Activities in Dubois
Take Fall Strolls in Dubois
Stroll the boardwalk sidewalks and wander among the wooden buildings with tall facades while you consider its lumberjack history. Dubois cuisine ranges from steak, pizza and wings to a hearty brunch at a local cafe.
See Fall Colors in Dubois’ National Forests
There are 2.4 million acres of national forest surrounding Dubois. Recreational opportunities include many scenic areas, camping, fishing, hunting, horsepacking, hiking, photography and a large array of remarkable views for the artist. The crisp fall air and changing leaves will draw you in and add a dramatic touch to all your photos.
Watch Bighorn Sheep
Just outside of town, you can watch North America’s largest wintering herd of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. Autumn is the ideal time to spot the herd, as the rams rut in the fall in dramatic fashion, smashing their curled horns against each other in a stinging show of brute force.
Visit Dubois’ Many Museums
Dubois has three stellar museums that can’t be missed.
Just a few miles southeast of town is the National Museum of Military Vehicles. At 140,000 square feet with nearly 500 fully restored military vehicles, artillery pieces, naval vessels and aircraft, it’s the world’s largest private collection of military vehicles.
In town, the Dubois Museum is dedicated to the history of the Upper Wind River Valley in Wyoming. Stop by and tour seven historical cabins and artifacts from the Precambrian Era and extending through the end of the timber industry in the 1980s.
On the same block, the National Bighorn Sheep Center features dioramas with full-scale taxidermy mounts that recreate the bighorn sheep habitat, interactive exhibits and wildlife films for the whole family.
Drive Togwotee Pass for Wyoming Fall Colors
Take your time driving Togwotee Pass so you can appreciate its ruggedly wild beauty on trails to hidden gems like petroglyphs and waterfalls. You’ll be greeted with sweeping colorful views of the Breccia Cliffs and opportunities to explore, photograph, fish, swim, hike and much more. Places like Wind River Lake, Brooks Lake, the Continental Divide Trail and Brooks Creek Falls await.
Enjoy the “shoulder season” with smaller crowds and room to breathe. Wind River Country offers unforgettable adventures and breathtaking scenic views with every season, but the magic of the warm colors and chillier days of fall makes this place that much more special.
FAQ: Fall in Wind River Country
1: When is the best time to see Wyoming fall colors in Wind River Country?
The ideal window is late August through mid‑September, when aspens shift from green to golden yellow. This approximately six‑week span—when crisp air replaces summer heat and before winter’s first snows—is considered the best time to experience vibrant foliage and seasonal wildlife patterns.
2: How long does the fall foliage season last in Wyoming?
Expect about a six-week fall color season. In the high-country, golden and red aspen hues appear in early September and typically persist into late October before snow descends.
3: Where should I stay when visiting Wind River Country for fall colors?
For prime access to fall scenery and recreation, consider staying in:
- Lander – close to Sinks Canyon, Popo Agie Falls, mountain biking and hikes.
- Dubois – a quaint western town near alpine trails and scenic overlooks.
- Riverton/Shoshoni – ideal for scenic drives and river access. Riverton is also where Central Wyoming Regional Airport is located.
These hubs offer lodging, dining and a gateway to Fall’s scenic beauty.
4. What are the top things to do in fall in Wind River Country?
Fly fishing and lake fishing: Rivers like the Wind River and the Popo Agie brim with spawning trout; high alpine lakes are ideal pre‑winter stops.
Mountain biking: Trails in Dubois and Lander (e.g., Johnny Behind the Rocks, Dubois Overlook) are dry and scenic in autumn.
Hiking and sightseeing: Explore Popo Agie Falls, Red Canyon and scenic historic sites like South Pass.
Fall festivals and farmers’ markets: Seasonal markets and fairs run through September/October in Dubois, Lander, Riverton and Shoshoni.
5: Which scenic drives showcase the most spectacular fall colors in Wyoming?
Wind River Canyon drive by Boysen Reservoir: Offers desert cliffs and autumn hues.
Highway 28 to Red Canyon: Displays subtle reds, oranges and ambers from canyon overlooks.
Togwotee Pass (US Hwy. 26/287): Winding through the Absaroka and Wind River Ranges, this high mountain pass delivers alpine vistas, brilliant aspen groves and occasional wildlife sightings—especially stunning near the Continental Divide.
6. What fall activities are available on the Wind River Indian Reservation?
TravelStorys Wind River Indian Reservation Audio Tour – This immersive, app-driven, free self-guided tour brings to life historical and cultural landscapes through narrated stops at key Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho heritage sites—including Sacajawea’s and Chief Washakie’s graves, Crowheart Butte and more. You can listen hands-free as you drive along Highways 26 and 287—even without cell service.
Wind River Wild Horse Sanctuary – Visit the only public sanctuary for wild mustangs located on an Indian reservation. With over 250 horses, guided wagon tours, an educational visitor center and a glimpse into local Native American heritage, it offers a meaningful fall outing in a scenic area.
Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative – Witness reintroduced buffalo roaming tribal lands. This conservation effort celebrates cultural heritage and wildlife restoration—you may spot dozens of bison along Highway 26, especially during autumn grazing season.
7: What wildlife can I spot while enjoying Wyoming in fall?
Expect sightings of:
- Elk, mule deer, moose: Frequently seen in forest and canyon areas.
- Bighorn sheep: Especially near Whiskey Mountain outside Dubois.
- Birds of prey: Bald eagles, hawks and falcons patrol the sky.
- Trout: Active streamer fishing—brown, golden and rainbow varieties in rivers and lakes.
8: Are there guided tours to experience fall in Wyoming?
Fishing Guides – Fall is prime time for trout fishing in Wind River Country. Local guides offer expert-led experiences on rivers and alpine lakes, targeting brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout during their most active season.
National Bighorn Sheep Center Tours – Located in Dubois, the center offers guided educational tours into bighorn sheep habitat. Fall is one of the best times to view these iconic animals as they descend from higher elevations during their rutting season.
Wind River Wild Horse Sanctuary – Visit this unique sanctuary on the Wind River Indian Reservation to see wild mustangs. Guided tours offer insight into the care, history and cultural significance of these horses to Native tribes, all framed by the vivid fall landscape.