Wyoming's Wind River Country: Yellowstone's Unique Neighbor

Charene the Adventure Queen
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  • Places & Travel
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Wyoming's best adventure starts in Wind River Country. Located in western Wyoming, just beyond Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Teton Mountains, Wind River Country is the place to go to get away from the crowds. Unplug, unwind and find room to roam in Dubois, Hudson, Lander, Riverton, Shoshoni or on the Wind River Indian Reservation, the only Reservation in the Cowboy State

  1. Oct 22

    Stories That Linger: Ghostly Tales from Shoshoni

    In this episode of Wyoming's Wind River Country: Yellowstone's Unique Neighbor, storyteller Alma Law takes listeners to Shoshoni, where the town's history comes with a few stories that can't quite be explained. The journey begins at the Shoshoni Senior Center, a building with its own history and its own collection of ghost stories. Over the years, staff and community members have shared accounts of unusual happenings inside the building, including sightings of two particular characters who seem to make repeat appearances. Their stories have become part of the lore surrounding the Senior Center, leaving plenty of questions about who may still be wandering its halls. From there, Alma takes listeners to another historic Shoshoni building with an equally intriguing past: Tinnelli's House of Wonder. The building began as a Masonic Temple and has housed an assortment of businesses throughout its long history. Eventually, it became Tinnelli's House of Wonder, an eclectic museum filled with antiques, memorabilia and classic cartoon theatre. But the building has also earned a reputation as one of Wind River Country's spookiest places. When a former owner created rooms on the second floor to rent to overnight guests while remodeling the building, visitors reportedly had trouble making it through the night. Guests described hearing shuffling footsteps in the hallway and doors opening and closing when no one appeared to be there. With so much history contained within these Shoshoni buildings, the stories leave listeners wondering just how much of the past might still be hanging around. Listen in as Alma Law shares the history, characters and unexplained happenings behind two of Shoshoni's most intriguing places.

  2. Sep 24

    Rooted in History: Exploring the Ed Young Apple Orchar

    In this episode of Wyoming's Wind River Country: Yellowstone's Unique Neighbor, listeners head just outside Lander to discover a piece of local history that is still growing—the historic Ed Young Apple Orchard. The trek begins at Ed Young's original home, beneath some of the very trees he planted more than a century ago. From there, listeners hear the story of Young and his efforts to grow apples in the Lander Valley, including the ingenuity it took to keep his orchard thriving in Wyoming's dry climate. Along the way, the group visits the site of the old water wheel Young used to bring water up from the river before modern irrigation was available and makes its way through what remains of the orchard. At its height, the property was home to more than 3,000 apple trees. Today, more than 300 remain, along with historic buildings that offer another glimpse into the orchard's past. Young's influence reaches well beyond the property itself. If you come across an apple tree in Wind River Country, there's a good chance it is a descendant of one of Ed Young's trees. The orchard's story continues today. When the harvest allows, apples from the property are put to use during Apple Fest at the Pioneer Museum in Lander each September. Listen in as the podcast follows the Ed Young Orchard Trek, shares the stories behind this unique piece of Lander history and explores how one man's apple trees put down roots throughout Wind River Country.

  3. Aug 27

    Your Day, Your Adventure: Dubois, A Pocket Guide to Exploring Wyoming's Wind River Country

    In the latest episode of Wyoming's Wind River Country: Yellowstone's Unique Neighbor, Charene Herrera and Helen Wilson head to Dubois, where Liz Furman of the Black Bear Inn shows them around town. Following the Your Day, Your Adventure pocket guide, they experience some of the many ways to explore Dubois—from taking in the views at the Dubois Scenic Overlook and stepping into local history at the Dubois Museum to visiting the Fish Hatchery, grabbing a drink at the Rustic Pine Tavern and stopping by the iconic Antler Arch. Listen in for a firsthand look at Dubois and discover how the Your Day, Your Adventure pocket guide can help you make the most of your time in this unique corner of Wind River Country. Listen in and start planning at WindRiver.org.

  4. Jul 23

    Step Back to 1838 at the Mountain Man Rendezvous

    In this episode of Wyoming's Wind River Country: Yellowstone's Unique Neighbor, listeners travel back to 1838 to experience one of Wind River Country's most treasured traditions—the 1838 Mountain Man Rendezvous, held yearly on the original rendezvous site in Riverton. Once a gathering place for mountain men, traders and Native peoples, the annual rendezvous played an important role in the history of the American West. Today, that history comes alive through living history demonstrations, period camps, traditional skills and the dedicated volunteers who work to preserve this unique chapter of Wyoming's past. Throughout the episode, you'll hear from some of the people who bring the rendezvous to life, sharing their passion for history and the importance of keeping these traditions alive for future generations. Visitors can explore trader tents, visit with artisans, watch demonstrations and browse vendors offering handcrafted goods inspired by the era. Families can try tomahawk and knife throwing, one of the event's most popular activities. In this episode, we talk with one of the longtime demonstrators who has spent years introducing both children and adults to the sport while sharing the history behind it. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a fan of living history events or simply looking for a unique Wyoming experience, the 1838 Mountain Man Rendezvous offers an unforgettable opportunity to connect with the stories that helped shape Wind River Country.

  5. Jun 25

    What Does Wind River Country Taste Like?

    In this episode of Wyoming's Wind River Country: Yellowstone's Unique Neighbor, listeners are invited to discover Wind River Country through a different lens—one shaped by local flavors, community creativity and the stories that connect people to place. This spring, the Wind River Visitors Council partnered with Wyoming Whiskey and local venues to launch the Wind River Country Community Cocktail/Mocktail Project, inviting residents to create original beverage pairs inspired by the landscapes, cultures and experiences that make this region unique. What began as a friendly community competition quickly became something more: a celebration of local pride and destination storytelling. Throughout the episode, listeners hear from participants, partners and community members who helped bring the project to life. From the first submissions to the final tasting events, each beverage reflected a personal connection to Wind River Country. During National Travel and Tourism Week, community tasting events were held in Dubois, Lander and Riverton, where residents gathered to sample the entries and vote for their favorites. Whether you're interested in craft beverages, community traditions or the stories that shape a destination, this episode offers a unique look at how Wind River Country's character can be expressed through something as simple—and as meaningful—as a shared drink.

  6. May 28

    Saddle Up in Wind River Country: Riding Through Wyoming's Wild Heart

    In this episode of Wyoming's Wind River Country: Yellowstone's Unique Neighbor, listeners are invited to explore the region on horseback—an experience that captures the essence of Wyoming's wide-open spaces, rugged beauty and authentic Western spirit. Horseback riding in Wind River Country isn't just recreation—it's a way to connect with the land and its stories. From open sagebrush flats and alpine meadows to the shadowed slopes of the Wind River Mountains, riders can trace the same trails once traveled by ranchers, explorers and Native peoples. It's a chance to slow down, breathe deeply and see Wyoming the way it was meant to be seen—from the saddle. For this episode, the team joined a two-hour trail ride with Said Creek Outfitters of Arcady Ridge Ranch near Dubois. The small-group ride offered a true wilderness experience, winding through pine forests and aspen groves with sweeping views of the mountains. Each guest was thoughtfully paired with a horse suited to their skill level. Whether you're an experienced rider or trying it for the first time, outfitters across Wind River Country offer a variety of guided rides—from gentle, one-hour loops perfect for families to full-day and multi-day adventures deep into the backcountry. Many, like Arcady Ridge Ranch, keep their groups small to ensure safety and personal attention, allowing riders to build confidence and truly connect with their horses and surroundings. In Wind River Country, every ride tells a story. You might spot pronghorn grazing in the distance, cross cool mountain streams or follow trails once used by early settlers and Indigenous travelers. So whether you're saddling up for a sunset ride, joining a family outing or venturing deep into the wilderness, horseback riding in Wind River Country is more than an activity—it's an unforgettable way to experience the West. Ready to see Wyoming from the saddle? Start planning your own horseback adventure in Wind River Country at windriver.org, where you'll find more on trail rides, outfitters and ways to experience the West.

  7. Apr 23

    Dancing the Night Away: Tuesday Night Square Dancing at the Rustic Pine Tavern

    In this episode of Wyoming's Wind River Country: Yellowstone's Unique Neighbor, Charene Herrera and Helen Wilson head to Dubois to experience a beloved local tradition—Tuesday Night Square Dancing at the Rustic Pine Tavern. Every summer, locals and visitors gather for this lively weekly event, where the community comes together to dance, laugh and celebrate the spirit of Wind River Country. With live calling and energetic tunes, the evening offers fun for dancers of all ages and skill levels—no experience required. Listeners will hear about the history of this cherished Dubois tradition, tips for first-time dancers and why this event has become a must-do summer activity for anyone visiting the area. Whether you're swinging your partner or just watching from the sidelines, Tuesday Night Square Dancing is a joyful way to connect with the community and experience the unique culture of Wind River Country.

  8. Mar 26

    Your Day, Your Adventure: Riverton—A Pocket Guide to Exploring Wyoming's Wind River Country

    In the latest episode of Wyoming's Wind River Country: Yellowstone's Unique Neighbor, Charene Herrera and Helen Wilson explore Riverton in real time with Cindy Olsen-Roden of the Riverton Chamber and Visitors Center, alongside Mayor Hancock and other local voices. Following the Your Day, Your Adventure pocket guide, they experience what you can do in just one hour—from the Riverton Museum and downtown walking tour to the Riverwalk, City Park and skate park—offering a firsthand look at the experiences that shape the community. They also highlight how these guides help you make the most of your time, whether you have an hour, three hours or half a day to explore. Listen in and start planning at WindRiver.org.

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Wyoming's best adventure starts in Wind River Country. Located in western Wyoming, just beyond Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Teton Mountains, Wind River Country is the place to go to get away from the crowds. Unplug, unwind and find room to roam in Dubois, Hudson, Lander, Riverton, Shoshoni or on the Wind River Indian Reservation, the only Reservation in the Cowboy State

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