Lander Wyoming, WY - Welcome!

Visit Lander, Wyoming only 166 scenic miles from Jackson.

Overview
Lying along the banks of the Popo Agie River are the stunning and majestic Wind River Mountains and the friendly town of Lander, Wyoming.

With a population of about 7,000 Lander seems to epitomize the changing face of the state with its small homey feel and numerous locally owned businesses.

Location
Lander is located in central Wyoming, along the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River. Lander is located just south of the Wind River Indian Reservation.

The closest large city with a population of over 50,000 is Idaho Falls, Idaho, which can be found 192 miles southwest.

Services/Amenities
This charming community of approximately 7,000 inhabitants has small town friendliness with larger city amenities.

Lander, WY is one of True West Magazine’s top 10 Western towns.

You can browse in art galleries, shop at specialty shops, and dine in numerous restaurants and cafes.

With many options to choose from when it comes to accommodations in Lander, you should have no problem finding a suitable place to rest your head and feet. From dozens of motels, lodges, bed-and-breakfasts and inns, to guesthouses and cabins, Lander is overflowing with places to stay.

If you’re looking for more rustic establishments that are set in the wilderness and offer breathtaking views of the surrounding scenery, consider staying at one of the many guesthouses and cabins located in the area.

Guest ranches are also available for those who plan to spend a significant period in the area.

More than seven public campgrounds exist in and around Lander with some charging nothing at all.

Known for its excellent restaurants and eclectic dining choices, Lander has everything from barbecue beef to Hawaiian cuisine to authentic Thai food. A good number of bars litter the downtown area with some featuring live music nightly. A number of grocery stores and bakeries can also be found in town.

Activities
There is a self-guided walking tour of downtown that provides the history of many buildings as well as anecdotes about some of Lander’s more colorful characters.

You can golf at an 18-hole public golf course or walk on the Greenway that parallels the Popo Agie River.

Home to several organizations geared to the outdoors, including the National Outdoor Leadership School, Lander receives relatively mild winters and with its close proximity to the Wind River Mountains is a perfect starting place for mountain treks into the high country.

The town serves as a point of departure for camping, hunting, fishing, wilderness travel, climbing, and mountaineering.

In addition to the wilderness climbing and mountaineering opportunities in the Wind River Range, rock-climbing areas close to town (most prominently, Sinks Canyon and "Wild Iris," located at Limestone Mountain) attract significant numbers of rock climbers to Lander.

Horseback and wagon treks and cycling can also be found in the area.

Attractions
Popular sights to see in Lander and the surrounding vicinity of Sinks Canyon include a handful of museums ranging from history of the American West to wildlife education.

Lander is home to the Wyoming Outdoor Council, which stresses conservation education and environmental lobbying, and The Nature Conservancy, which has its state office here.

Getting Here
Beginning in Jackson, Wyoming, take US Highway 89/26 north toward Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park. At the Moran Junction, continue on US 26 toward Dubois, WY and Togwotee Pass. From Dubois, continue to travel US 287 to Lander.

The total distance is approximately 166 miles.

The entire drive is spectacular. You will skirt along the eastern border of the Teton Mountain range and then head east through forested mountains and open valleys. Dominating the view along U.S. Hwy. 26/287 for a number of miles are the castle like Pinnacle Buttes.

There are several scenic places to stop along the way. Just over 20 miles west of Dubois is the turnoff to Brooks Lake. Take a bumpy five mile road to get to the clear, pristine creek. The Pinnacles and Brooks Lake campgrounds are along the lakeshore and are generally open After you return to main highway, you can stop at Falls Campground, where a short hike will take you to Brooks Creek Falls.

Although essentially a short drive from Jackson to Lander, you can pack a picnic lunch and make a full day of it.