December 3, 2024
Wyoming’s Wind River Country is home to the seventh-largest Indian reservation in the country. Encompassing more than 2.2 million acres, the Wind River Indian Reservation is home to the Eastern Shoshone and the Northern Arapaho tribes. Visitors will find lots of things to do including going to powwows and museums to learn about the local culture or can recreate on thousands of acres of vast, unspoiled reservation lands (with a special permit).
Discover Things to Do on the Wind River Indian Reservation
When visiting Wyoming’s Wind River Country, visitors have an abundance of things to do on the Wind River Indian Reservation. From experiencing traditional Native American culture to exploring the reservation’s natural beauty, countless activities and attractions are waiting to be discovered in this special destination.
1. Wind River Hotel and Casino
The Wind River Hotel and Casino is located just outside of Riverton. It features the Northern Arapaho Experience Culture Room, RV spaces, and the largest casino on the Wind River Indian Reservation. It has several restaurants, including Red Willow, The Buffalo Sportsbook Grill, and The Buffalo Coffee, which serves Starbucks Coffee. The casino features table games, slots, and the Wind River Sportsbook.
What Locals Love
The Wind River Hotel and Casino hosts dancing exhibitions on Tuesday nights during the summer in its Northern Arapaho Experience Culture Room.
2. Sacajawea Grave Site
On South Fork Road in Ft. Washakie is the Sacajawea Cemetery, the final resting place of history’s most well-known Native American woman, Sacajawea. The Lewis and Clark expedition may not have succeeded without help from this remarkable woman. Sacajawea was captured as a young girl and brought to what is now North Dakota. She was 14 when she was taken along on the Corps of Discovery expedition for two years as a guide and interpreter. During that 3,000-mile journey, she gave birth to a son, Jean Baptiste, whose father was a Quebec fur trapper. Her language skills and knowledge of the terrain were valuable and allowed her to return to her homeland and then further on, to the Pacific Ocean. Although there are no photographs of Sacajawea, her likeness portrays a strong courageous Shoshone woman, carrying her young child on her back. She is the face of the golden dollar coin issued in the year 2000.
What to Expect
According to local history, Sacajawea lived to be 100 years old and was laid to rest on the Wind River Indian Reservation in 1884 by Reverend John Roberts, who said he knew her well. Others claim that she died of a fever when she was 25 years old.
3. Chief Washakie’s Grave
The Fort Washakie Cemetery is located along the Little Wind River. Among the many graves is the final resting place of Chief Washakie, the legendary leader of the Eastern Shoshone. He was one of the most respected Native American leaders in history and spoke several Indian languages, as well as English and French. After befriending the famous trapper Jim Bridger, Chief Washakie represented his people in negotiations with the United States government which led to the creation of the Wind River Indian Reservation. He died in 1900 in Fort Washakie. When he passed, he was buried with full military honors at the Fort Washakie Post Cemetery. Across the cemetery stands his 14-foot statue.
Local Tip
The landscape has changed dramatically since Chief Washakie was born, but the beautiful backdrop of the Wind River Mountains remains a sight for sore eyes. Through winter, spring, summer, and fall the long mountain range welcomes visitors from near and far like an old friend.
4. Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative
See hundreds of buffalo that were reintroduced to the Wind River Indian Reservation as part of the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative. The initiative has led to buffalo conservation, management, training, and community revitalization. In addition to being essential in the spiritual ceremonies of the tribes, buffalo provided clothing, food, and shelter.
What Locals Love
Locals in Wind River Country love the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative as a family-friendly destination, where kids can see hundreds of majestic buffalo up close.
5. Wind River Basin Campground
The Wind River Basin Campground is Native American-owned, and camping is in tipis. Each tipi provides information about the Northern Arapaho Tribe and the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Local Tip
For the best experience, plan your trip to Wind River Basin Campground during the late summer to early fall when conditions are ideal for camping and enjoying the outdoors.
6. 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.
What to Expect
When visiting the Northern Arapaho Experience Culture Room, talk to the person at the entrance. Often, it is one of the elders of the Northern Arapaho tribe. They can tell tribal stories and provide information about the items in the Room.
7. Eastern Shoshone Tribal Cultural Center
Explore the Eastern Shoshone Tribal Cultural Center, where you can take a dive into the history and culture of the Shoshone people. See artifacts, artwork, photography, maps, and even treaties. The Center sells beadwork and other locally made Native American goods.
8. Hines General Store
Have a picnic with supplies from the deli in Hines General Store in Fort Washakie, and walk your purchases to the tables across the street at The Path of Honor.
9. St. Stephens Indian Mission and Heritage Center
Make your way to St. Stephens Indian Mission & Heritage Center. Founded in the late 1800s, St. Stephens Indian Mission holds mass and services and is worth a visit, especially as the church is painted with colorful Native American designs.
10. Attend a Powwow
Feel the drum beat. Hear the singing. See the colors. One of the top things to do on the Wind River Indian Reservation is attend a powwow, a must-visit event full of culture. detailed regalia, skilled footwork, and precise movements. There are three large powwows from June through September. The Eastern Shoshone Indian Days Powwow is Wyoming’s largest powwow and takes place in June. The Ethete Celebration Powwow is held in July, and the Arapaho Powwow, held in September, is Wyoming’s oldest powwow.
Local Tip
The Fremont County Pioneer Museum in Lander and the Wind River Hotel & Casino in Riverton host Native American dancing featuring Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho dancers from the Wind River Indian Reservation. (Summer dance exhibitions are offered in Lander on Wednesday nights and in Riverton on Tuesday nights in June, July, and August.)
11. Wind River Wild Horse Sanctuary
Another great thing to do is to enjoy a guided wild horse tour while learning about Native American culture at the Wind River Wild Horse Sanctuary, which is home to over 250 wild mustangs. The sanctuary is family-operated and one of four public off-range pastures in the United States and the only one located on an Indian Reservation.
Local Tip
When visiting this destination, plan on stopping by the Sanctuary’s educational interpretive visitor center. It includes curated panels and displays as well as a small gift shop.
12. The Path of Honor – Wind River Veterans Memorial
Located on the Wind River Indian Reservation, another thing to do is to visit The Path of Honor – Wind River Veterans Memorial is a tribute to all military service members and Veterans who live within the boundaries of the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming.
13. TravelStorys Wind River Indian Reservation Audio Tour
Hop in the car for a peek into the history of the Wind River Indian Reservation through the TravelStorys Wind River Indian Reservation Audio Tour. During this tour, you’ll visit significant sites such as Sacajawea’s gravesite, while enjoying the beauty of the reservation and hearing stories told by the Eastern Shoshone and the Northern Arapaho. Download the tour here.
14. Red Willow
Experience culinary excellence at Red Willow Restaurant, located in the Wind River Hotel and Casino. Their menu features premium steaks and the freshest seafood, prepared to perfection. Enjoy an upscale, welcoming atmosphere that’s perfect for special occasions and romantic dinners.
15. Deka-Guy Hee
Located at the Shoshone Rose Casino and Hotel, the Deka-Guy Hee Restaurant, which means “The Eating House” in Shoshone, offers a unique dining experience that combines Wyoming’s rich American Indian heritage with classic American dishes.
Posted in Notes From the Field