The Sinks Canyon Trail

This driving tour offers everything from wildlife viewing and scenic vistas to a taste of the rough and tumble Old West.  You’ll visit the Fremont County Pioneer Museum and the Museum of the American West, stop at Sinks Canyon Visitor Center and head up The Loop Road into the Shoshone National Forest and stop at Red Canyon, our own scenic wonder.  You’ll have opportunities for picnicking and fishing along the way.

 

 

FULL DAY DRIVING TOUR, 65 MILES ROUNDTRIP

Lander

The friendly town of Lander, population 7,500, was the first community settled in Wind River Country. At the base of the Wind River Mountains, Lander became the central supply point for Indians, trappers, ranchers and homesteaders in the 1800s and was also a favorite watering hole for notorious outlaws, including Butch Cassidy.

For a taste of history before starting on the Sinks Canyon Trail, visit Lander’s Pioneer Museum at 630 Lincoln Street. The museum has an exceptional collection of Native American and pioneer artifacts and is open six days a week.

Sinks Canyon

The Sinks Canyon Trail is an easily accessible mountain experience. Start by picking up a picnic for the mountains. From downtown Lander, follow the signs to Sinks Canyon Road, where the tour begins. Sinks Canyon and the State Park get their name from the geological wonder known as “The Sinks.” Stop at the Rise, the Sinks and the Visitors Center to learn more about the underground disappearance of the Popo Agie River. For an intimate look at the park, ask for information on interpretive nature walks, camping and picnic areas within the canyon.

Popo Agie falls in the autumn
The lower Popo Agie Falls. Photo: Scott Copeland

From the Visitors Center, continue south on Sinks Canyon Road, keeping an eye out for rock climbers on the cliffs to the right and wildlife everywhere else.

At Bruce’s Bridge parking lot either park and take a magnificent 1.5-mile hike up to the roaring Popo Agie Falls or continue on the unpaved, single-lane Loop Road into the Shoshone National Forest.

The Loop Road

Frye Lake
Skipping rocks at Frye Lake. Photo: Shelli Johnson, YourEpicLife.com

The 26-mile Loop Road is a narrow, winding dirt road that offers wonderful views of the Wind River Mountains as well as picture perfect spots at several lakes for lunch and fishing. Worthen Reservoir, and Frye, Fiddler’s and Louis lakes are all accessible by car.

You’re at the top of the Loop Road at almost 10,000′ when you see a “Blue Ridge” sign. At Louis Lake, motorized boating is allowed, while non-motorized boating is allowed on the other accessible lakes.

Red Canyon

Once you reach Hwy. 28, where the pavement begins again, you’re less than 30 miles from Lander. Turn left and watch for the breathtaking Red Canyon to the left. Pull into the turnout area for a long look at the deep red cliffs that overlook the Red Canyon Ranch, owned by The Nature Conservancy and operated as a working cattle ranch.

HALF DAY DRIVING TOUR, 65 MILES ROUNDTRIP

The Sinks Canyon Tour over the Loop Road and back to Lander can be completed in a half day by just driving and sightseeing. The entire loop is roughly 65 miles, but remember that the 26-mile Loop Road is a rough gravel road with a 25 mph speed limit. With only a few stops, the trip can usually be completed in less than three hours.

Quick Driving Tour, 18 Miles Roundtrip

If you prefer a short hike, skip the Loop Road and spend time in Sinks Canyon State Park. (See full day tour for information.)

Restaurants

Arby’s

1140 W. Main
Riverton, WY

Atlantic City Mercantile

100 E. Main
Atlantic City, WY

Bar 10

114 S. Broadway
Riverton, WY

Breadboard

124 E. Washington
Riverton, WY

Breadboard

1350 W. Main
Lander, WY

Brown Sugar Coffee Roastery

303 E. Main
Riverton, WY

Buffalo Coffee

180 Red Wolf Place
Riverton, WY

Buffalo Grill

180 Red Wolf Place
Riverton, WY

Burger King

2150 N. Federal Blvd.
Riverton, WY

Carson’s Bar & Grill

592 Main St
Lander, WY

Cee nokuu Cafe, Wind River Casino

180 Red Wolf Place
Riverton, WY

China Garden

162 N. 6th Street
Lander, WY

Chopstix Asian Bistro

824 N. Federal Blvd
Riverton, WY

Cowboy Cafe

115 E. Ramshorn
Dubois, WY

Cowfish/Lander Brewing Co

148 Main Street
Lander, WY

Crooked Creek

76 Fir Road
Dubois, WY

Dairy Land Drive-In

977 Main Street
Lander, WY

Dairy Queen

819 N. Federal Blvd.
Riverton, WY

Daylight Donut & Ice Cream

622 E. Main Street
Riverton, WY

Deka-Guy Hee, Shoshone Rose Casino

5690 Hwy 287
Lander, WY

Domino’s Pizza

1188 W. Main
Riverton, WY

Domino’s Pizza

175 N. 4th
Lander, WY

El Jarro

1422 Warm Springs D.
Dubois, WY

El Sol De Mexico

453 Main Street
Lander, WY

El Sol De Mexico

711 E. Main
Riverton, WY

End Zone

692 Main St
Lander, WY

Flat Stick Bar & Grill

1 Golf Course Dr.
Lander, WY

Gannett Grill

126 Main St.
Lander, WY

Get Hooked

12 Boysen Marina Rd
Shoshoni,

Kai Espresso

109 Main St.
Hudson, WY

KFC

830 N. Federal
Riverton, WY

KT’s Grab N Grub

204 E. 2nd
Shoshoni, WY

Lander Bake Shop

259 Main St.
Lander, WY

Little Caesars

1104 N. Federal Blvd
Riverton, WY

Maverick Cafe

808 Main Street
Lander, WY

McDonald’s

813 N. Federal
Riverton, WY

McDonald’s

235 McFarlane Drive
Lander, WY

Middle Fork

351 Main St
Lander, WY

Miner’s Grubstake

150 Main St.
Atlantic City, WY

More Burgers and Shakes

122 S. 2nd
Riverton, WY

Morning Star, Little Wind Casino

800 Blue Sky Hwy
Ethete, WY

Mulino Italian Bistro

129 Main St.
Lander,

Noon Rock Pizza

112 E. Ramshorn
Dubois, WY

Oriental Palace

202 S. 3rd St.
Riverton, WY

Oxbow

170 E. Main St.
Lander, WY

Paintbrush Grill, Little Wind C-Store

693 Blue Sky Hwy
Ethete, WY

Perrett’s

519 W. Main
Riverton, WY

Phil’s Dog Shak

611 E. Main
Riverton, WY

Pizza Hut

215 N. Federal
Riverton, WY

Pizza Hut

670 E. Main Street
Lander, WY

QT’s Restaurant, Holiday Inn

900 E. Sunset
Riverton, WY

Red Willow Restaurant, Wind River Hotel & Casino

180 Red Wolf Place
Riverton, WY

Riverton Country Club

4275 Country Club Road
Riverton, WY

Roasted Bean & Cuisine

514 W. Main
Riverton, WY

Rusty Truck

400 N. Federal Blvd
Riverton, WY

Shoshone Tribal Service & Food Mart

3 N. Fork Road
Ft. Washakie, WY

Shoshoni Senior Center

214 E. 2nd
Shoshoni, WY

Sinks Coffee

300 Main St.
Lander, WY

Smokehouse Burgers & Fries

116 N. 6th
Riverton, WY

Speedway Cafe

815 S. Federal
Riverton, WY

Split Rock Bar and Cafe

2297 Hwy 789
Jeffrey City, WY

Subway

900 W. Main
Riverton, WY

Subway

960 Main Street
Lander,

Subway Wal-Mart

1733 N. Federal
Riverton, WY

Sundowner Station Restaurant

1616 N. Federal
Riverton, WY

Svilar’s Bar & Steakhouse

173 S. Main St.
Hudson, WY

Sweet Surprises

221A E. Main
Riverton, WY

Taco Bell

1812 N. Federal
Riverton, WY

Taco Johns

623 W. Main
Riverton, WY

Taco Johns

870 W. Main St.
Lander, WY

Taylor Creek Sinclair, Deli & Pizza

1426 Warm Springs Dr.
Dubois, WY

Thai Chef

720 E. Main
Lander, WY

Thai Chef 2

712 E. Fremont Ave
Riverton, WY

The Cove Restaurant

301 E. Main St
Riverton, WY

The Depot

110 S. 1st
Riverton, WY

The Lone Buffalo Steakhouse

120 E. Ramshorn
Dubois, WY

The Lone Burrito

106 E. Ramshorn
Dubois, WY

The Lone Burrito

106 E. Ramshorn
Dubois, WY

The Moose Outpost

616 W. Ramshorn
Dubois, WY

The Perch Coffee House

132 E. Ramshorn
Dubois, WY

The Rise

228 Main St.
Lander, WY

The Summit Restaurant

260 Grandview
Lander, WY

Tony’s Pizza

637 Main St.
Lander, WY

Trailhead Restaurant

203 E. Main
Riverton, WY

Village Cafe

515 W. Ramshorn St.
Dubois, WY

Wendy’s

1800 N. Federal Blvd
Riverton, WY

Wilderness Boundary Restaurant, Lava Mountain Lodge

3577 US Hwy 26
Dubois, WY