Touring Southwest Wyoming is an adventure unsurpassed. No place else brings together the prehistoric past, the history of the mountain men, and the beauty of the high desert and its wild horse herds.
Total Travel Time: One to three days
Starting in Evanston on I-80, visit the Evanston Depot, an important stop along the transcontinental railroad project of years past. Also visit the Joss House, a Taoist Temple built in 1894, which was used as a place of worship by the large Chinese community that once lived here and helped build America's railways.
Travel east on 1-80 and visit Fort Bridger State Historic Site, an 1843 trading post for pioneers and miners. The fort was established by Jim Bridger, one of the foremost mountain men, trappers, scouts and guides who explored and trapped the Western United States during the decades of 1820-1840.
If you're in the area during the first weekend of September, schedule time for the Fort Bridger Rendezvous. Axe throwing competitions, hiding and tanning demonstrations, and the trade of nostalgic goods are just part of the fun.
Evanston to Fort Bridger – 31.6 miles – About 31 minutes
Continue on 1-80 east to Green River, an oasis in high desert country, and transportation hub for the Overland Trail, Cherokee Trail, Lincoln Highway and Transcontinental Railroad. Nearby, you'll also find the Flaming Gorge National Recreational Area, a 200,000-acre area that boasts breathtaking views of the sloping, reddish rock walls and offers ample opportunities for boating, fishing and sightseeing on the 91-mile reservoir.
Culture and Commerce: From the very first people of Wyoming to now, the locals eat buffalo. When it Green River, stop by White Mountain Buffalo where they make their sausages in the old world style. The technique gives the sausages a tangy flavor and keeps them preserved, unrefrigerated, until the package is opened - a great feature for those on a road trip!
Music in the Mountains: Those lucky enough to be in the area during the last weekend of June should make sure to leave time for Flaming Gorge Days. The festival includes concerts by regional and national acts, a parade and plenty of entertainment for the whole family.
Fort Bridger to Green River – 57 miles – About 49 minutes
From Green River, take 1-80 east to Rock Springs, a great base camp for the Pilot Butte Wild Horse Loop Tour. The wild horse is a long-standing symbol of the west. There are an estimated 6,000 wild horses in Wyoming, and 2,500 of them roam the lands of Sweetwater County. The spirited creatures are said to be ancestors of horses brought to the new world by Spaniards in the 1500s. The 50-mile long self-guided tour (24 miles of which are gravel roads) begins just north of town.
Green River to Rock Springs – 14.4 miles – About 18 minutes
The White Mountain Petroglyphs, rock art created by ancient people to depict stories and historical events, are also worth a visit. To get there, travel north from Rock Springs on Highway 191 approximately 10.5 miles and turn east (right) on the Tri-Territory Road (County Road 4-17). Travel approximately 10 miles on the Tri-Territory Road and take a left when you see a sign marking the White Mountain Petroglyphs.
Rock Springs to White Mountain Petroglyphs – 26.0 miles – about 50 minutes
After experiencing the petroglyphs, head back to Highway 191 turn north to Farson. Here, you must stop at the Farson Mercantile and have an ice cream cone. Even if it is 10 a.m.
Petroglyphs to Farson - 25 miles - About 35 minutes
At the intersection of Highway 191 and Highway 28, you'll have a decision to make:
Choice A
You can continue north on Highway 191 to Pinedale and the Museum of the Mountain Man for a fascinating look at the lives of Sublette County's most colorful citizens. You also might want to consider visiting the Green River Lakes area and Square Top Mountain in the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
If you are fortunate enough to be in the area during the second full weekend in July, the Green River Rendezvous in Pinedale is a must see.
Farson to Pinedale - 59 miles - A little over an hour
Take Highway 191 west 5 miles to Cora and turn north onto Highway 352. The road turns to gravel at the Bridger-Teton National Forest boundary 25 miles up. In about three miles, you'll reach a “Y” in the road. Stay to the right you are headed up to Green River Lakes, headwaters of the historic Green River and home to Square Top Mountain, one of the most photographed in Wyoming.
Pinedale to Square Top Mountain - Approximately 40 miles - About an hour
Choice B
In Farson, turn right on Highway 28 and head up to South Pass City, a national historic landmark and a major feature on the Oregon Trail.
Farson to South Pass City – 45.3 miles – About 1 hour 10 minutes
Then continue on Highway 28 and Highway 287 to Lander, southern gateway to the Shoshone National Forest and Wind River Mountains. An area rich in history and outdoor recreation, Sinks Canyon State Park is just 7 miles away where you can experience beautiful scenery and the mystery of seeing a river disappear into the side of the mountain.
South Pass to Lander - Approximately 40 miles - About an hour
The nearby Wind River Indian Reservation is home to the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes. The Wind River Indian Reservation offers visitors a cultural peek into the history of two Native American tribes who now share the beautiful wide-open spaces northwest of Lander.