Search

A vast canyon with a winding river and a bridge connecting two sides of the gorge in Wind River Country.

Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway

A Geologic Masterpiece

The Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway begins in the town of Shoshoni and follows U.S. 20 north through Wind River Canyon and the Wind River Indian Reservation ending just south of Thermopolis. Without stopping, the total drive time is about 40 minutes. The 2,500 foot-deep canyon is a feast for the eyes with the oldest layers of rock dating back to the Precambrian era, over 2.5 billion years ago. Highlights include Boysen State Park, the Owl Creek Mountains, the Wedding of the Waters and the Bighorn River.

Explore the area surrounding the Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway and beyond on the Boysen Reservoir Driving Tour.

Three rustic cabins nestled along a winding river, surrounded by rugged mountains and lush greenery in Wind River Country.
Campground in Wind River Canyon. Photo: Wind River Country
A vast canyon with a winding river and a bridge connecting two sides of the gorge in Wind River Country.
The entrance to Wind River Canyon, just a couple miles from Shoshoni. Photo: Wind River Country
A winding river snakes through a vast desert canyon, flanked by towering sandstone cliffs and sparse vegetation in Wind River Country.
Looking down the canyon towards Boysen Reservoir. Photo: Wind River Country
Boysen Dam

Asmus Boysen had a dream and a fortune. To power his dream, he built a dam using mule teams near where the first highway tunnel bores its way into Wind River Canyon. The year was 1908 and Boysen used the dam to produce 710 kilowatts of power for his copper and gold mine on nearby Copper Mountain. The dam produced the power well enough, but there was a problem. The lake that formed behind the dam flooded the railroad tracks. Mighty Burlington Northern sued Boysen to remove the dam.

Boysen lost the lawsuit, his fortune, his dam and his dream. The dam came down, though concrete abutments are still visible along the river. If you stop off to have lunch beneath the stately cottonwood trees or Upper or Lower Wind River Campgrounds, thank that dreaming Dutch immigrant Asmus Boysen for the shade. His dam created enough silt for the cottonwoods to get a toehold on the rocky shores of the river.

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.

windrivercountry

Where the Wild West lives on.

Photo: Bob Wick

#thatswy #windrivercountry #wyoming

View Instagram post by windrivercountry

Oct 30

85 1
Open post by windrivercountry with ID 18112097954615189
Where the Wild West lives on. Photo: Bob Wick #thatswy #windrivercountry #wyoming

windrivercountry

Dirt bikes + badlands + snow-dusted mountains in the background = our perfect Wyoming day.

Photo: Melanie Limpus

View Instagram post by windrivercountry

Oct 26

110 1
Open post by windrivercountry with ID 18121673770945830
Dirt bikes + badlands + snow-dusted mountains in the background = our perfect Wyoming day. Photo: Melanie Limpus

windrivercountry

No matter how you found our account, we`re happy you`re here. This is Wyoming`s Wind River Country, a destination with wide-open landscapes, living cultures and the kind of space that lets you breathe deep.

Come find your West with us here in Wyoming. Learn more at the link in our bio.

Photo: @bradytildeath

#wyoming #windrivercountry #thatswy

View Instagram post by windrivercountry

Oct 19

76 0
Open post by windrivercountry with ID 18114617156168505
No matter how you found our account, we're happy you're here. This is Wyoming's Wind River Country, a destination with wide-open landscapes, living cultures and the kind of space that lets you breathe deep. Come find your West with us here in Wyoming. Learn more at the link in our bio. Photo: @bradytildeath #wyoming #windrivercountry #thatswy

windrivercountry

When you road trip through Wyoming, you may not expect to find a place like red canyon. With striking landscapes, it`s one of those places that invites you to slow down, breathe deeply and take in the view.

Photo: @montanatia

#Wyoming #WindRiverCountry #ThatsWY

View Instagram post by windrivercountry

Oct 14

128 0
Open post by windrivercountry with ID 18079657073435683
When you road trip through Wyoming, you may not expect to find a place like red canyon. With striking landscapes, it's one of those places that invites you to slow down, breathe deeply and take in the view. Photo: @montanatia #Wyoming #WindRiverCountry #ThatsWY