Riverton
Around Riverton
Photo: Chevsapher · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Wyoming · 39k people
Riverton
Locals say Wind River Country · “Rendezvous City”
Big skies, warm hearts.
Burnt orangeSky blueSage green
Welcome to Wind River Country, where the mountains meet the prairie. Whether you're here for the hot springs, the rodeo, or just to breathe the crisp air, you'll find a community that values the outdoors and a good story. Grab a cup of cowboy coffee and join the conversation.
Clubs for Riverton
No clubs for Riverton yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Riverton. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Riverton. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Hot Springs State Park Mineral hot springs with a free state bath house.
- Sinks Canyon State Park The Popo Agie River disappears into a cave and reappears downstream.
- Wind River Canyon Dramatic cliffs along the highway between Thermopolis and Riverton.
- Shoshone National Forest First national forest in the U.S., gateway to the Wind River Range.
- National Museum of Military Vehicles Large collection of restored military vehicles from WWII to present.
- Wyoming Dinosaur Center Dinosaur fossils and active dig sites in Thermopolis.
- Outdoors Soak in the mineral hot springs
- Outdoors Hike the Wind River Range
- With kids Visit the Wyoming Dinosaur Center
- With kids Explore the National Museum of Military Vehicles
- Evenings Attend a summer rodeo
- Evenings Stargaze in the dark skies
- Locals love Hot springs
- Locals love Dude ranches
Through the year
- Fremont County Fair Summer County fair with livestock, exhibits, and carnival rides.
- Lander One Shot Antelope Hunt September Historic hunting event and social gathering.
- International Climbers' Festival July Climbing clinics, competitions, and community events.
- Green River Rendezvous July Historical fur trade reenactment and mountain man gathering.
- Thermopolis Cowboy Rendezvous June Western music and cowboy poetry event.
Semi-arid climate with cold winters and warm summers. Low precipitation, but snow in the mountains. Best: Summer and early fall are best for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “Popo Agie”
- The river running through Lander.
- “the Sinks”
- Sinks Canyon, where the river disappears.
- “the Hot Springs”
- Thermopolis hot springs.
- “the Range”
- The Wind River Range.
Getaways
- Jackson Mountain scenery and outdoor recreation.
- Cody Gateway to Yellowstone.
- Casper City amenities and events.
- Rock Springs Flaming Gorge and desert landscapes.
Local flavour
Rooting for Wyoming Cowboys (NCAA), Denver Broncos (NFL), Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Rockies (MLB), Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
Eat and drink
- Bison burgers Local ranches and restaurants serve bison from nearby herds.
- Fry bread
- Trout Fresh-caught from the Wind River and its tributaries.
- Cowboy coffee Strong, boiled coffee traditionally made over a campfire.
- Chokecherry jam Made from wild chokecherries gathered in the area.
Where people go
- Hot springs Natural geothermal pools, especially around Thermopolis and the Wind River area.
- Dude ranches Guest ranches offering horseback riding and Western experiences.
- Rodeo arenas Local rodeos are a summer staple.
- Mountain trails Hiking and backpacking in the Wind River Range.
- Trading posts
- Sweat lodges
- National forests Shoshone and Bridger-Teton National Forests border the area.
Heritage and traditions
Wind River Country is proud of its deep Native American heritage, home to the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes, along with a rugged Western spirit of cowboys, ranchers, and outdoor adventurers.
This time of year in Riverton
- Hunting season fall Elk and deer hunting in the fall.
Say it like a local: “the Springs” — Thermopolis
Festivals
- Eastern Shoshone Indian Days June Traditional dances, games, and food at Fort Washakie in June.
- Northern Arapaho Powwow August Intertribal powwow with drumming and dancing at Ethete in August.
- Dubois Museum's Mountain Man Rendezvous July Re-enactment of fur trade era in July at Dubois.
- Thermopolis Cowboy Rendezvous September Western music, poetry, and chuckwagon cooking in September.
- International Climbers' Festival July Climbing clinics and competitions in Lander, July.
- Green River Rendezvous July Mountain man re-enactment in Pinedale, July.
Landmarks with a story
- Fort Washakie Historic fort and town, headquarters of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe.
- Sacagawea's grave Memorial to the Shoshone guide at Fort Washakie.
- St. Stephen's Indian Mission Catholic mission in Ethete serving the Arapaho community.
- Wind River Indian Reservation Cultural landscape home to both Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes.
- Museum of the Mountain Man In Pinedale, dedicated to fur trade history and mountain men.
- Hot Springs County Museum Local history museum in Thermopolis.
Food traditions
- Indian tacos Fry bread topped with seasoned meat, beans, lettuce, tomato, and cheese—a staple at powwows and local gatherings.
- Huckleberry treats Huckleberries grow in the mountains; locals make jams, pies, and ice cream.
- Elk burgers Wild game is common; elk burgers are a lean, local alternative to beef.
- Cowboy stew A hearty one-pot meal of beef, potatoes, and vegetables, cooked over a campfire.
- Sourdough pancakes A pioneer tradition, using a sourdough starter kept alive on the trail.
Music and arts
- Native American drumming and singing Powwow music is central to tribal culture.
- Beadwork and quillwork Traditional crafts of the Shoshone and Arapaho.
- Cowboy poetry Western literary tradition celebrated at local gatherings.
- Western art Paintings and sculptures of the American West.
A little history
- 1868 Treaty of Fort Bridger
- 1878 Northern Arapaho relocation
- 1890 Lander founded
- 1897 Hot Springs State Park established
- early 1800s Fur trade era
Rivalries
- Wyoming Cowboys vs. Colorado State Rams College football border war.
- Riverton vs. Lander high school football Friendly local rivalry.
- Game day Rodeo
- Game day One Shot Antelope Hunt
- Outdoors Hunting elk and deer
- Outdoors Snowmobiling in the Wind River Range
- With kids Going to powwows
- With kids Visiting the hot springs pool
People speak with a Western American accent, often with a drawl, and use phrases like 'howdy' and 'you bet.' Many place names come from Native American languages, such as 'Popo Agie' (pronounced po-po-zha).
Only here
- The only Indian reservation in Wyoming.
- The world's largest mineral hot spring at Hot Springs State Park.
- The One Shot Antelope Hunt, a unique hunting event.
- The Sinks Canyon where the Popo Agie River disappears into a cave and reappears.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce 'Popo Agie' as 'po-po-zha'.
- Be prepared for high altitude and dry climate; drink plenty of water.
- Respect tribal lands and customs; ask before taking photos on the reservation.
- Try fry bread and Indian tacos at local events.
- Be aware of wildlife on the roads, especially deer and elk.
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaBig Horn BasinWyomingWarm waters, wide skies, and western roots.PinedaleWyomingWhere the Wind Rivers touch the sky.RawlinsWyomingRed earth, big sky, and warm springs.CasperWyomingWhere the prairie meets the mountain.Rock SpringsWyomingBig skies, open lands, and a warm Western welcomeCodyWyomingCowboy country at Yellowstone's doorJacksonWyomingWhere the Tetons touch the skySheridanWyomingWhere the West is still wild and the mountains meet the plains.
Riverton, WY. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.