National Plan for Vacation Day

By Melanie Hoefle

National Plan for Vacation Day, celebrated on the last Tuesday of January, is a day to encourage travelers to plan their time off. Luckily vacation planning doesn’t have to be done in one day, and www.windriver.org has all the resources to help you make your dream vacation become a reality.

Wind River Country spans over 9,000 square miles and includes Fremont County, the second largest county in the Rocky Mountains. From the vast plains of the Red Desert to Gannett Peak, the highest point in Wyoming, there are endless options for exploring the uniquely diverse communities in Wind River Country.

National Plan for Vacation Day
The Wind River Range. Photo: Wyoming Office of Tourism

Just 90 miles from Yellowstone, the small town of Dubois has an authentic old West feel and is surrounded by national forest. Sitting at the base of the Wind River Range, Lander is a town where Western history meets outdoor adventure. Shoshoni is the gateway to Boysen Reservoir and the Wind River Canyon. Riverton is the cuisine capital of the area and is known as the historic crossroads for Native Americans, explorers, cowboys and travelers. The Wind River Indian Reservation is home to the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes and encompasses more than 2.2 million acres. The town of Hudson was once a booming “company town” and still has quite possibly one of the most famous restaurants in the state. For more information on Wind River Country’s communities, visit our Destinations page.

Trying to figure out where to stay can sometimes be a challenge, and there are so many choices throughout Wind River Country. That’s why www.windriver.org includes an interactive map of all of the hotels, motels, campgrounds, RV parks, dude ranches, vacation rentals and cabins in the area. View the interactive map here.

National Plan for Vacation Day
Horseback riding in the mountains near Dubois, Wyoming. Photo: Wind River Country

If you know where you want to go, but you’re not sure what to do when you get there, www.windriver.org has you covered. Wind River Country has countless activities to choose from year-round. Togwotee Pass is a powdery snowmobiling mecca. Exotic golden trout in the high mountain lakes, combined with excellent streamer fishing along the Popo Agie, Sweetwater and Wind rivers make Wind River Country an angler’s paradise. Wild Iris and Sinks Canyon are two world-renowned climbing areas. There are museums, cultural centers and annual powwows where you can learn about the lives of early settlers and Native Americans. The Wind River Range is home to many of the state’s highest mountains, where you’ll never run out of places to hike or horseback ride. Whether you’re looking for a cultural experience or an outdoor adventure, the communities of Wind River Country each have something unforgettable to offer. Check out our Things To Do page to see all of the activities you can do around the area.

National Plan for Vacation Day
Falls at the Cirque of the Tower. Photo: Scott Copeland

For the more organized planner, there’s even more for you. Wind River Country’s trip planning page provides multiple routes that lead to the area, as well as a business directory, events calendar, maps, notes from the field, air services and a free vacation guide. View the Trip Planning page here.

Have questions? We’d love to hear from you. Email [email protected] and we’ll help you take a step in the right direction.

National Plan for Vacation Day

Follow the Moments That Make Wind River Country


See Wind River Country as it happens, on the trail, in town and out on the land. Follow along for real moments from real people, and share your own journey by tagging @windrivercountry.

If you're looking for authentic Wyoming charm, make your way to Dubois. 🏔️ Surrounded by the Wind River and Absaroka Mountains, this small town is packed with history, outdoor adventure and incredible views. While you're here, stop by the National Bighorn Sheep Center and the National Museum of Military Vehicles and enjoy easy access to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. Learn more in our bio. Photo: Brady McLean #WindRiverCountry #Wyoming #ThatsWY #Dubois #DuboisWY
We love fall colors...who else is ready? Photo: Scott Copeland #WindRiverCountry #Wyoming #ThatsWY
Sometimes all you need is a change of scenery. 🌄 Wind River Country is waiting. Photo: Davis Clem #WindRiverCountry #Wyoming #ThatsWY
"The landscape of the American West has to be seen to be believed and has to be believed to be seen." - N. Scott Momaday #WindRiverCountry #Wyoming #ThatsWY Photo: Wind River Country, Brady McLean
If you're ready to find room to breathe and space to roam, take a deep dive into the heart of Wind River Country. Start planning in our bio. #WindRiverCountry #Wyoming #ThatsWY Photo: Bill Sincavage
As we're approaching hunting season, there's no better photo opp than this. #WindRiverCountry #Wyoming #ThatsWY
While we've got lots of hidden gems in Wind River Country, Sinks Canyon is one of the coolest. It's located at the base of the Wind River Mountains, with landscapes that include foothills, forests, waterways and more. Plus, it's a short drive from Lander. Photo: Wind River Country #WindRiverCountry #Wyoming #ThatsWY
Saddle up and experience Wyoming the way it was meant to be experienced. 🐴 Guest ranches and outfitters throughout Wind River Country offer guided pack trips that take you deep into some of Wyoming's most breathtaking backcountry. Start planning your stay in our bio. Photo: Bill Sincavage #WindRiverCountry #Wyoming #ThatsWY
We love a good waterfall moment. Photo: Tori Jones #WindRiverCountry #Wyoming #ThatsWY