Camping
Hiking
About
Remote alpine terrain in western Wyoming with no permit system, home to Cirque of the Towers and the Big Sandy approach.
The Wind River Range in western Wyoming, covered by the Bridger and Shoshone National Forests, holds some of the most remote alpine terrain in the Lower 48 — including Cirque of the Towers, a horseshoe of granite spires accessed via Big Sandy Trailhead. Unlike comparable ranges in Colorado or California, the Winds have no backcountry permit system.
GAO guides for this destination:
- Planning a 4-Day Backpacking Trip in the Wind River Range — a day-by-day Cirque of the Towers itinerary via Big Sandy Trailhead
- Bear Canister Rules by National Forest: A 2026 Region-by-Region Guide — the Wind River Range's food storage order, and how it compares to other regions
Location & Contact
Contact
Wind River Range (Bridger & Shoshone National Forests)
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