Photo Credit: Bryce Giesmann
Outdoor Recreation
The Great outdoors in 5 minutes or less! Lander offers a wide variety of outdoor recreation for the avid outdoorsmen to the weekend warrior. Here are just a few of our most popular activities that many of the locals enjoy throughout the year.
Popular Activities
Biking
Whatever type of riding you choose, this area of western Wyoming surrounding Lander offers an almost limitless variety of biking opportunities, including desert single track, technical forest riding and smooth road riding, all of which provide a unique method of experiencing the beautiful Wind River Range.
Climbing
Lander is world famous for miles of weathered, ash-white Bighorn dolomite and Wind River granite. Lander sees more than 300 comfortable climbing days per year and has become a legendary destination for those looking for famous 5.13 and 5.14 climbs or classic 9s and 10. The Wind River Range surrounding Lander contains nearly 700 routes including the Wild Iris, Sinks Canyon, Baldwin Creek, Suicide Point & more.
Hiking
The area surrounding Lander is filled with a wide array of landscapes & terrain. Whether you want to hike in the wilderness areas of the Wind River Range, the deserts and high plains in the South Pass area, one of three designated Volksmarch trails from Atlantic City or South Pass City, Sinks Canyon, or one of the many trails off the Loop Road, Lander is your playground. It would be hard to find a better area anywhere.
Equestrian Activities
Equestrian activities of all kinds are very popular in Lander. The Double A Equestrian Center is the hub for dressage and hunter jumper, while the Lander Old Timers Rodeo Association and the Lander Rodeo grounds are the hubs for western disciplines. Countless miles of trails are available, Johnny Behind the Rocks is a popular place for trail riding. On a regular basis horse enthusiasts can find a roping, reined cow horse competition, cutting, reining, all girl rodeo, junior high or high school rodeo or English event just about every week. Local ranchers love to have help moving cattle from summer to winter range. About the only thing we don’t have is polo, and we’re working on that!
Rodeo
The Lander Old Timer’s Rodeo Association (LOTRA) is a member-driven indoor riding arena located in Lander at the rodeo grounds. It is one of only a handful of indoor arenas in Wyoming. LOTRA is a volunteer-run association, membership is open to all and enables its members to have a place to ride, train, compete, and season a horse during the winter months. Members of LOTRA enjoy open riding all hours with cattle scheduled two nights a week for roping practice. Public events at the arena include barrel racing, breakaway roping, calf roping, team roping jackpots, ranch horse competitions, team pennings, gymkanas, ranch rodeos, Jr. rodeos. Download member application, click here.
Golfing
The Lander Golf Club is located at 1 Golf Course Drive and boasts a beautiful and challenging 18-hole regulation par 71 layout combined with stunning views of the Wind River Mountain Range. Lander’s mild climate and lack of wind, combine to create an enjoyable and relaxing experience from early spring to late fall. In addition to a full length driving range, the Lander Golf Club has a complete full service pro shop that carries all of the major brands, as well as a full bar for quenching your thirst after a round of golf. The club pro, Mike Johnson, is a Class A member of PGA of America. Mike was a lead instructor at the Chuck Cook Golf Academy in Vail, CO for three years and has the ability to help make your game the best it can be.
Annual Pioneer Days Rodeo
The membership hosts the annual 4th of July Pioneer Days Rodeo, that is billed as the “Oldest Paid Rodeo in the World”. The money raised from this event allows the association to sustain the facility and keep the members dues at a very low rate compared to other similar facilities around the state. Building updates are mostly accomplished through local recreation grants and donations. Memberships are super reasonable and are currently $450 for a family, $250 for an individual, and $225 for a student. Daily use fees are also available at $20 per individual and $25 on a roping practice night. Roping cattle are leased by the organization through the winter months and are financed through the production of barrel racing and roping jackpots held on weekends.
To Download LOTRA membership application, click here.
Many families have spent hundreds of hours together at the arena. Numerous youth have gone on to compete nationally and acquire scholarships that were made possible thru the use of the Lander Old Timer’s Indoor Riding Arena.
Camping
Sinks Canyon State Park
Sinks Canyon is so named because of the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie, a rushing mountain river that flows out of the Wind River Mountains and through the canyon. Halfway down the canyon the river abruptly turns into a large limestone cavern, and the crashing water “sinks” into fissures and cracks at the back of the cave. The river is underground for a quarter-mile until it emerges down the canyon in a large calm pool called “The Rise.” It then continues its course into the valley below. Sinks Canyon State Park features campgrounds, hiking trails, interpretive center and spectacular wildlife viewing.
Bureau of Land Management
The BLM operates two campgrounds in the Atlantic City area, just a short drive south on Hwy 28 from Lander in close proximity to the Oregon and Mormon trails and the historic gold mining towns of South Pass City, Atlantic City and Miner’s Delight.
USFS
Camping is available in many places along the scenic Loop Road (State Hwy 131). These campgrounds offer great opportunities to fish mountain lakes and streams, hike the hundreds of miles of trails, view wildlife such as black bear, elk, and moose and hunt throughout the Wind River Mountains. Numerous camp spots are also available around Louis Lake, Fry Lake and Fiddler’s Lake. See the pdf for specific information regarding facilities.
Wildlife
Fishing
Lander was named the Number 1 Trout Fishing Town in the Northern Rockies by Fly Rod & Reel Magazine for a reason. Lander’s proximity to 626 high mountain lakes & reservoirs, 2,057 miles of rivers and streams, 5,242,085 acres of publicly owned land, makes it possible to every kind of fishing from one area. You can drift the rivers, walk the streams, fish from a float tube or troll. The Wind River Range is famous for its dozens of glaciers, secluded high mountain lakes, and the rare Golden Trout. Lander is proud to have a handful of highly qualified guides that can help with all your needs.
Wildlife Viewing
Millions of acres of public land surround Lander. Watching all kinds of wildlife is a year-round activity for residents and visitors. Bear, wolf, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, deer, wild horses, antelope, birds of prey, mountain lions, fox & coyotes are all common in the area. Wildlife viewing is practically an every day occurrence for visitors just driving through and especially for those who choose to get off the beaten path a little.
Hunting
Accessible areas and great trophy quality are hallmarks of big game hunting in this area of western Wyoming. Elk, deer, antelope, bear, mountain lion and moose may be the marquee animals, but an abundance of sage grouse, coyote and fox are great alternatives, especially for the kids who aren’t old enough to hunt big game just yet. Guided trips are available through one of the Lander outfitters who work in this area of the Wind River Range. Always check with the Wyoming Game & Fish for regulations pertaining to area, license, and bag limits.
Trails
ATV and Snowmobile
Snowmobiling and ATV riding are extremely popular among locals and visitors alike. Hundreds of miles of trails on BLM, state and Forest Service land make it possible to explore mountains, plains, and deserts. Use of snowmobiles and ATVs also allow much easier access to fishing and exploring in certain areas than would otherwise be possible. Lander is proud to be home of the Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail. The Number 1 rated trail by Snow West Magazine for the fourth time, the trail system is maintained by Wyoming State Trails program out of the Lander office and ORV (Off Road Vehicle) permits are required.
Beaver Creek Nordic Ski Area
Beaver Creek Nordic Ski Area welcomes skiers of all ages and abilities. Conceived by a group of skiing enthusiasts (Lander Nordic Ski Association) operating under a Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management special use permit, Beaver Creek provides a groomed skiing opportunity for both classic and modern skate skiing. Beaver Creek also hosts Nordic skiing events for both junior high and high school athletes, as well as sanctioned biathlon events.
Fun Runs
Lander 1/2 Marathon & 5K Run/Walk
The Lander Half Marathon follows a beautiful rolling loop course on paved country roads in the scenic foothills of the Wind River Mountains. Annually held the morning of July 4, it is a great kick off to Independence Day celebrations. You may register on-line now! Click here.
Brain Drain Night Time Race
This race benefits the Brain Injury Association’s Wyoming certified Brain Injury Specialist Program. Beginning at 7 p.m., the Brain Drain features a one-mile walk, wheelchair, 5k walk, 5k run, 10k run and a kid’s bike. The Brain Drain also has prizes, live music, ice cream social and fireworks.
Outdoor Education
National Outdoor Leadership School
Founded in 1965 by legendary mountaineer Paul Petzoldt, NOLS–a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational institution–takes people of all ages on remote wilderness expeditions, teaching technical outdoor skills, leadership, and environmental ethics in some of the world’s wildest and most awe-inspiring classrooms. What NOLS teaches cannot be learned in a classroom or on a city street. It takes practice to learn outdoor skills and time to develop leadership. The wilderness provides the ideal setting for this unique education.With classes from 10 days to a full academic year, NOLS attracts highly motivated students who want to learn how to lead. The hands on, learn-by-doing approach means that NOLS graduates get the skills they need to be competent, responsible wilderness travelers long after their course is over.
Sinks Canyon Speaker Series
Sinks Canyon Speakers Series programs are held on Tuesdays throughout the summer and feature a variety of topics regarding wildlife, history, and geology. The programs are held in the Visitor’s Center in the wonderful Sinks Canyon State Park. Check the calender of events for specific dates and topics.