An underrated outdoor hub in a picturesque and remote part of Wyoming, Lander offers many things to see and do inside and outside of town.
Maybe you ran out of gas between Jackson and Rawlins. Maybe a highway was closed because of winds or snow.
Maybe, like me, you’re on a cross-continent road trip and realized you wanted to see Grand Teton National Park but couldn’t afford Jackson hotel prices.
Whatever the case may be, you ended up in Lander, Wyoming. Fortunately, I loved my stay – and there’s plenty to see and do around town to keep you entertained.
About Lander
Lander a city of around 7,500 people in central Wyoming, just outside the boundaries of the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Located 3 hours from Jackson and 2 hours from Rawlins, Lander feels remote even by Wyoming / Montana standards. The drive from Jackson to Lander is ridiculously pretty, taking you over several mountain passes (and past a surprisingly large World War II museum in the middle of absolute nowhere).
The drive from Rawlins to Lander is…flatter and less pretty but majestic in its desolation.
Lander is also closer-than-you-think to Salt Lake City (4 hour drive away) and Denver (5.5 hour drive).
Lander had its heyday half a century ago, when multiple mines operated in the area. US Steel opened the Atlantic City iron ore and mill south of Lander (near Atlantic City), but it closed in 1983. There was also nearby uranium mining (in Jeffrey City) that also ceased.
Today, Lander is definitely a small town: there’s basically one main strip (appropriately called Main Street) through the center of town surrounded by residential areas. There is, however, an airport, a hospital, parks, hotels, and museums in and around town. The Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River (you’ll literally never guess how to pronounce this river) also flows through town.
7 Must See Things to Do in Lander, Wyoming
Lander is known for its outdoor activities, but there’s plenty to see indoors and outdoors around Lander, Wyoming. Here are my recommendations.
Hike, Climb, or Fish at Sinks Canyon State Park
Sinks Canyon is one of the most popular things to do in and around Lander. Locals, apparently, call it “the sinks.”
Sinks Canyon State Park gets its name from the fact that a whole damn river “sinks” underground for a quarter mile before reappearing at a spot called “the rise.” Blame it on the limestone. In any case, it confuses the trout, creating a natural trout pool at the rise.
The park has multiple campgrounds (Sinks Canyon, Popo Agie, and Hugh Otte Camping Area), popular hikes (like the Popo Agie Falls Trail, which is around 1.5 miles), and climbing spots.
Float the Popo Agie (Yes, That’s How You Say It)
The Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River flows through town. But you’ll never guess how to pronounce it.
It’s pronounced po-PO-zha (it comes from the local Crow language and translates to “head river” or “gurgling river”).
If you’re visiting in summer, grab a tube or kayak and float down the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River. It’s cold, it’s refreshing, and it beats paying $200 for a spa treatment.
Hike Popo Agie Falls Trail, then Slide Down Popo Agie Falls
Not into river floats? Take a quick dunk at Popo Agie Falls—a short hike with a built-in natural waterslide.
I touched on this must see thing to do in Lander earlier, but it’s worth it’s own section: you can slide a natural waterfall when visiting at the right time of year.
Officially listed as a thing to do on WindRiver.org, sliding down Popo Agie Falls is a refreshing way to cool off after a 1.5 mile hike from the trailhead.
WindRiver.org, in fact, describes the slide down the falls as “unforgettable” and “sort of a rite of passage” (and the article was written by a born-and-raised local). It was too cold when I visited in late September (when temps dipped below freezing overnight), but it looks fun.
Pretend You’re a Climber (Or Watch the Ones Who Are)
Lander is one of the top climbing destinations in the U.S., and locals won’t shut up about it.
Some of the best climbing spots around town, according to a top gear shop in town (appropriately named Wild Iris Mountain Sports), include:
- Wild Iris – One of the most popular climbing areas in the country, this is the spot that put Lander on the map and continues to draw thousands each year
- Sinks Canyon – Limestone climbing just 10 minutes outside of town.
- Fossil Hill – Longer routes, more obscure, but becoming more popular
- Wolf Point – “One of the most spectacular cliffs in the country”
- The Rock Shop – “World class granite boulders” in an area not particularly known for its bouldering
- Cirque of the Towers – “The most climbed and most photographed” part of the Wind River Mountains, particularly popular in the summer
- Gannett Peak – Wyoming’s tallest mountain and “considered the second most difficult ‘highpoint’ in the USA.”
If you’re not a climber (or just not today), hike up, bring a lawn chair, and pretend you belong. It’s fun to watch.
Eat, Drink, & Soak Up History at the Lander Bar
Located inside a historic building from the 1800s, The Lander Bar is basically what would happen if your favorite dive bar moved to Wyoming, started brewing its own beer, and got mountain views.
You can grab a burger, sip a local microbrew, and listen to a mix of classic rock and Patagonia-clad couples talking about their next big climb.
Order a beer and sit inside or out back. It’s a perfect place to people-watch, debrief from your hike, or contemplate your life choices under the shadow of the Wind River Range.
Bonus: There’s a liquor store attached. Wyoming is great.
Eat at Cowfish While Drinking at Lander Brewing
I had one of the best burgers of my life at Cowfish. The brewery attached to it also makes some fantastic beers.
The best part? You can enjoy Cowfish food while sitting at the relaxed brewery next door. Got a date? Cowfish is fancy enough for that. Drinking alone on a cross-country road trip like me? Lander Brewing has a comfy bar.
There’s something special about eating a juicy, rare burger and drinking three locally-crafted beers after driving 8 hours from Butte to Lander through Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. I probably would have eaten anything at that point, but Cowfish has good local reviews to back me up.
Visit the Fremont County Pioneer Museum & Museum of the American West
Lander’s Fremont County Pioneer Museum is worth visiting.
It’s like two museums in one: there are exhibits inside. Then, you can wander through the closely-affiliated museum, the Museum of the American West, outside. It’s a re-creation of an old pioneer town. Both are well-rated and provide a glimpse into what life was like for early settlers on the frontier in this corner of the country.
The museum also has a self-guided walking tour explaining the history of downtown Lander and its older buildings.
Entry: $6 for adults, $5 for students and seniors (free for kids under 5)
Do Absolutely Nothing—and Enjoy It
One of the most underrated things to do in Lander is… nothing.
Grab a cold drink, park yourself in City Park, and let the breeze do the rest. There’s a lazy charm to this place—no pressure, no itinerary, just vibes. RVs line the park’s edge. Dogs roam like they own the place. And the mountains loom in the distance like a reminder that you could be doing something more active.
Detour to South Pass City
If you’ve got a car, a podcast, and 30 minutes to kill, head out to South Pass City—a preserved gold rush ghost town turned state historic site. It’s what happens when you take a Western movie set, add a museum pass, and subtract the tourists.
You’ll find saloons, an old-timey hotel, and a general store with a creaky wooden floor that makes you feel like you should be armed. It’s kitschy. It’s remote. It’s also wildly photogenic.
Bonus: The road out there is pure Wyoming—empty, dramatic, and very “where the hell are we?”
Second Bonus: Mark Twain famously visited South Pass City in 1861 when he was 25 years old, writing about the town in Roughing It.
Time It With a Festival, If You Can
Lander isn’t a party town per se, but when they throw down, it’s with style and probably fireworks.
Look out for:
- Lander Brewfest (June) – An unholy gathering of mountain people, beer nerds, and music. Show up thirsty. Described as “the best little brewfest in the west” on their official website.
- Fourth of July Parade – Small town Americana at its peak. There will be tractors.
- International Climbers’ Festival – Everyone suddenly starts speaking in belay commands and shirtless dudes appear out of nowhere.
Plan your visit around one of these, and the sleepy town energy kicks up to “drunken mountain wedding reception” levels.
Go Hunting
When I visited Lander in late September, my hotel was packed with hunters. They woke up early to…hunt. I remember that because I had a late night out at Cowfish / Lander Brewing and my cheap hotel had thin walls.
Hunters like Lander because it gives easy access to the Wind River Indian Reservation. According to WindRiver.org, the area has some of the highest hunting success rates in the country – along with hundreds of thousands of acres of public land.
2025 Update: You May Be Able to Hunt Elk Within Lander City Limits? Based on recent local news stories, you might be able to gun down an elk from the comfort of your cheap hotel: elk are “overrunning” the town of Lander, according to Cowboy State Daily (which is a real Wyoming newspaper), and local fish cops are “letting people shoot some.” Wild times.
Final Word: Why Lander Is Weirdly Wonderful
Lander’s the kind of place that doesn’t try to impress you – and that’s exactly why it does. It’s got that rare combo of rugged wilderness, good beer, tasty food, and just enough community weirdness to make it memorable.
You don’t need a five-day itinerary. You need good shoes, a mild tolerance for dust, and a loose plan to wing it. Hike a canyon. Float a river. Sip something local. Try not to fall in love with a rock climber.
And if all else fails, just do what the locals do: drink a beer, watch the sun go down, and talk about which mountain you might climb tomorrow.
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